by Mindy Carter
Yelling at my insecure thoughts to get lost, I continue with my workday.
***
When I enter my apartment, I follow the sound of laughter into the kitchen where I find Reese, Kaleb, and Liam. It looks like Kaleb and Liam have become fast friends. Kaleb looks up and sees me watching their exchange.
“Aimee’s home,” he yells.
Clearly, they have all been enjoying a few beers from the empty bottles that are lined on the counter. I smile and wave as I enter the kitchen. Then Liam sees me, and his eyes light up before he grabs ahold of me then envelops me in a warm hug.
“You are a sight for sore eyes, Aimee.”
Liam towers over me. His blond hair is cut shorter than the last time I saw him. He’s wearing a navy blue T-shirt that stretches across his chest and a pair of faded blue jeans. A tattoo peeks out from underneath his sleeve, something new from the last time I saw him. He’s quite beautiful with eyes that match his sisters.
“Hi, Liam. How are you? How was your flight?”
He releases me. “I’m great. It was uneventful.”
“I see you’ve met Kaleb.” I look over at Kaleb who is watching us.
“Yes, I’ve decided I approve of him dating my sister after he brought me my favorite lager.” He points to the beer lining the counter.
I had no doubt these two would hit it off. Kaleb is very outgoing and makes friends with everyone he meets. I used to joke with him that he was everyone’s best friend.
“You look different, Aimee, good different.” Liam smiles at me.
Reese interrupts, “She looks different because she’s in L-O-V-E.”
I shoot her a dirty look. I can tell she’s had a few drinks.
“It looks good on her,” Liam tells her.
The moment has become awkward, thanks to my best friend and the history between Liam and I. When we broke up before he moved away, it was on amicable terms, so I know all he wants for me is my happiness, but it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable.
Kaleb grabs Reese and plants a huge, sloppy kiss on her lips. “I have to run. I’ll call you later.”
Reese looks at him and pouts a little. They are kind of adorable together.
“Liam, it was great hanging out. You coming to my dad’s surprise party on Saturday?”
“Sure, man, I’ll be there.”
Reese leaves the kitchen, walking Kaleb out.
“Those two serious?”
“As serious as they both can be.”
“He’s your boyfriend’s brother?”
Knowing he’s fishing for information, I nod. “I’ve known Kaleb forever. He’s a good guy, Liam. He won’t hurt her.”
He relaxes a little. “This boyfriend?”
“Keegan,” I interrupt. “His name is Keegan.”
He continues, “Keegan, he’s also a good guy?”
“The best.”
Reese chooses that moment to walk back into the kitchen. “So, ladies and gentlemen, you guys hungry? Because I’m starving.”
We decide to hit a diner around the corner so Reese won’t eat her arm from hunger. I change out of my work clothes into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved, black top. Then I send Keegan a quick text, telling him I miss him. When I don’t receive a reply right away, I figure he’s busy getting ready for the gala tonight.
We end up staying at the diner after a nice dinner, simply catching up. Liam is a lawyer, and things seem to be going well for him in California. Reese asks him if he’s dating anyone, and he tells her not at the moment. The wheels are turning, and I’m sure she’s going to try to set him up with someone. She misses him living on this side of the country. If she could kidnap him and lock him in a room to have him here, she would.
It’s late when we get home, and since I’m beat, I go straight to bed with still no reply from Keegan.
When my alarm wakes me in the morning, I groggily look at my phone sitting on my nightstand, relieved to find a message from Keegan that tells me his phone died and that he’s home from the gala, wishing me sweet dreams. The time stamp is four in the morning, only a couple of hours ago. Despite my reservations, I want to hear all about the gala. I know he’s in his office all day, so I decide to surprise him with lunch later, partly because I just want to see him. After the weekend he gave me, I want to do something nice for him.
I decide to bring him his favorite sandwich, a Reuben from a little deli close to my office. I grab a taxi to his office and make my way inside, stopping at the front desk where Bob is sitting.
“Just bringing the boss lunch.” I hold up the bag.
“Go right up, Miss Brennan.”
“Please call me Aimee, and thank you.”
I head over to the elevator, pushing the button for his floor. I’m anxious to see him, tapping my foot on the ride up. When the elevator doors open, I step onto the floor. No one is around that I can see, so I head straight toward his office, wishing the entire way that Gretchen isn’t with him. No such luck. As I approach, I can hear her voice berating Keegan.
“I can’t believe you blew off the weekend for her. Really, Keegan? This isn’t just your company.”
He spent the weekend with me and ditched work? I think back and remember that I didn’t see him on his phone once. He deserves a weekend off; therefore, I’m guessing she’s more upset by the person he was with than the work part.
“We went over this last night, Gretchen. I know you haven’t forgotten, but Aimee isn’t negotiable. She’s also none of your business. I’m telling you one last time to drop it.”
I’m sure she hates me even more now. When I don’t hear them arguing any longer, I decide it’s time to show myself.
I step into the open doorway to see Keegan sitting at his desk, typing on his computer. He’s dressed in another dapper, navy suit. Gretchen, on the other hand, is sitting in one of the chairs placed in front of his desk, wearing a short crimson dress and reading the paper.
I knock lightly, and both their heads turn toward me. Keegan and I exchange smiles while Gretchen merely looks at me with a blank stare; however, I decide not to pay her any attention.
I hold up the bag in my hand. “I brought you lunch.”
I see Gretchen roll her eyes as I approach his desk, placing the bag in front of him.
“You didn’t have to come all the way from across town, but I’m happy to see you.”
Gretchen stands up with her paper in hand then smiles at me viciously, and I expect to see fangs, but instead only see her perfect pearly whites.
“Look, Keegan and I made page six. Isn’t that wonderful?”
She puts the paper in my hand. I open it to see a picture of her and Keegan looking glamorous and standing close with their hands held. I gulp at the feelings I’m having right now. I don’t even bother looking at the headline. I hand it back to her.
“You both look lovely. I hope you two had a nice time.”
Keegan studies me and then looks over to a smiling Gretchen. She knows she’s accomplished her task. She spent the evening schmoozing with my boyfriend. I’m sure anyone looking at that picture will assume they are a couple. Gretchen wants to hurt me. She wants to make me believe I don’t fit into Keegan’s life.
“Gretchen, don’t you have work to do?” Keegan reminds her.
She places the paper directly in front of me on Keegan’s desk with the picture face up. I see the headline now “New York Super Couple.” Then Gretchen saunters out of the office, swaying her hips without another word.
Keegan speaks up. “Come here, beautiful.”
I follow his command, feeling relief now that it’s only the two of us.
Once in front of him, he pulls me onto his lap. “You look nice.”
I’m wearing my normal work attire: black slacks and a cream colored blouse. Nothing special, just normal.
He grabs my chin and pulls me in for a sweet kiss. “I missed you. How about I take you to dinner later?”
“Okay.” I nod.
&nbs
p; “I’m sorry about Gretchen’s behavior.”
“You don’t have to apologize; you didn’t do anything.”
He has a guilty look on his face. I wish I could hear his thoughts sometimes.
“That picture isn’t what it looks like, and my PR agent is already having them print a retraction. The only couple I’m a part of is you.”
“Okay,” I repeat.
He grabs the lunch I brought him and smiles when he opens the bag. “My favorite.”
We share his sandwich while I sit on his lap. I think he’s afraid I’m going to run off, but that’s not going to happen. I have to be the mature one here and brush off the insecurities Gretchen brings out of me. It’s only going to poison our relationship if I play into her mind games.
“Kaleb said he met Liam. He told him, if he hurts Reese, he will chase him down and tear his balls off. He sounds just like his sister. It’s kind of funny. I am looking forward to meeting him at my dad’s party.”
Liam wouldn’t do that. He is all about peace, love, and happiness. I do find it amusing that he threatened him, though. It’s exactly what a big brother should do.
“Speaking of your dad’s party, I had an idea. Since it’s his fiftieth, I thought we could make him a collage of pictures from different ages, like birth up to now. Do you think I could call your mom and ask her to send me some pictures?” I hope he doesn’t think it’s lame. I just want to do something nice, and since he and Kaleb have the party covered, I figured this could be a nice addition.
“I think that is perfect. I’ll give you my mom’s number,” he tells me.
“Does she know about us?”
“Of course she knows. She was ecstatic and said she had been waiting for this to happen for years.”
I can’t wait to see his parents. They were such a huge part of my life for so long, and I’ve missed them.
I have to get back to work, even if I don’t want to leave the comfort of Keegan’s lap. After we sit a little longer with Keegan’s chair pointed at the window, watching the view of the city, Keegan’s phone starts ringing. I give him a long kiss, saying my good-bye, and then leave to head back to my office.
I hit the button for the elevator, almost free of another run in with Gretchen, when the elevator opens, and Gretchen steps out. When she looks me up and down, pointing her nose up at me as she walks past me without a word, I breathe a sigh of relief, climbing into the elevator and out of her direct line of fire.
Chapter Twenty-Two
When I arrive home later that day, I’m surprised to find Liam sitting on our couch and reading the paper. He’s staying at a hotel, and Reese is off on a late photo shoot. I feel perfectly safe with him and always have; it’s just strange coming home to him. It almost feels like old times when we were all living together in college.
“Hi, Liam.”
He lifts his head from what he’s reading. “Hi, Aimee. How was your day?”
I hope he isn’t reading page six. Please don’t read page six.
“It was fine.”
He’s eyeing me suspiciously, an unusual tension between us. “Good, I’m just waiting for Reese.”
“I figured as much. Any big plans?”
“No, just dinner and drinks. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thank you, but I have dinner plans.”
Liam smiles back at me, and right when I think the conversation has ended, he says, “With the boyfriend?”
“Yes, I’m having dinner with Keegan.” I search his eyes, noticing he’s irritated, but I’m not sure why. He’s acting so strangely.
“Keegan James, your long lost best friend and the love of your life,” he says, a bit snarky.
What’s his problem?
I start to walk away, but he stops me when he speaks up again.
“New York power couple. This doesn’t look like you.” He holds up the paper, pointing at the picture of Keegan and Gretchen. It’s another knife to the chest having to look at that picture again.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I defend.
“I’m your friend, Aimee. I don’t know him, but this isn’t right. You deserve better than this.”
Why is he saying this to me? Why do I feel like he’s attacking me? He has no idea what the situation is.
“Keegan is exactly what I deserve, and frankly, it’s none of your business.”
He stands up. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention. I care for you, Aimee. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He wraps me in his arms, hugging me, his fresh clean scent that I remember invading my senses.
After a moment, I pull out of the hug. “I have to get ready,” I tell him, walking to my bedroom with the feeling of his eyes on me.
I know he’s just looking out for me because he cares, but his words hurt. If he knew more about Keegan, he would understand. I just don’t have the desire to convince him that he’s wrong.
I make myself scarce while getting ready for dinner. When I finally walk back into the living room, Liam is gone. I feel bad for being relieved. Liam is just as important to me as Reese, but the tension between us is a new feeling and one I don’t like.
As soon as Keegan texts me, letting me know he’s waiting for me downstairs, I lock up the apartment and head outside. My breath catches as I see him leaning against his Mercedes. He’s simply beautiful to look at, especially when he looks like this—relaxed and comfortable.
I approach him with a smile. Once I’m in front of him, he grabs my face with both of his hands and plants a hard kiss on my lips, sending tingles down to my toes. This man’s kisses leave me breathless every time. After I recover from the kiss, he opens the car door for me and helps me into the passenger seat.
“Hungry?” he asks once seated in the car.
I’m starving, yet I’m not sure what I want to devour more—food or him.
“Always,” I say with a wink.
He must read my mind, because he grabs my hand, pulling it to his mouth and placing a soft kiss.
“You are insatiable.”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t have to. I know you. And for the record, we are definitely on the same page, but I must feed you if you are going to have energy for later.”
In that moment, I wish I could fast forward time so it’s later. I can’t wait. I’m addicted to this man, the things he does, and the way he makes me feel.
He pulls the car out into traffic, taking us to dinner where I load up on carbs for later.
“If you don’t mind, I want to take a short detour before we go home.”
My eyes light up at the word home. It’s not ‘my home’ or ‘your home,’ just plain home.
He drives, weaving through traffic like a seasoned New Yorker before he parks. He tells me to wait then gets out of the car and opens the trunk, pulling out a long, white box that has a red ribbon around it. What is he up to?
When he opens my door and grabs my hand, I stand to meet his eyes. “Is that for me?”
“Only if you’re a good girl.”
We walk a little ways until we reach Central Park where we walk down the long, winding paths. The moonlight casts a soft light upon us as he asks me to sit on a bench, and I oblige. Then he hands me the box, placing it on my lap, and I can feel that it’s heavy. It’s surely not a bouquet of flowers.
I untie the ribbon and open the box. Inside, I find a white Celestron telescope. It resembles the one in his apartment, only a smaller version, one that is mobile.
“What is this?” I ask, shocked.
“What does it look like?”
“I know what it is silly, but why?”
He bends down so we are eye level. “It’s so you can see the stars as clearly as I see you. I know you’re attached to the red telescope, but this one is much better.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, pulling him in for a kiss. He places his hands on the back of the bench and takes over the kiss.
“Let’s try this baby
out. It’s a clear night, and the stars are calling our names.”
I jump up, excited, and he takes my hand. We walk around a path and up a set of stone steps. Fortunately, I’m wearing my comfortable, black ballet flats. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, and he seems anxious.
“Keegan, any spot will be fine.”
“Trust me, okay?” He starts to walk faster, and now I’m having difficulty keeping up with him.
“Always,” I reply. Now I’m as anxious as he is, even though I have no clue where he’s taking me. It’s dark, and although the park is still open, it’s still a little creepy.
“We’re here,” he announces.
I should have known, yet he’s managed to surprise me again. We are standing in front of a miniature stone castle, Belvedere Castle, which coincidently translates to “great view” in Italian. It really is perfect place to test out the telescope.
We begin to climb the stairs, but when I go to make my way onto the first level, he stops me.
“Keep on going, Aimee. Our destination is the very top.”
We climb another set of stairs then enter through a tiny door. I can’t remember the last time I exercised, and that long trek we just took has me exhausted. Once I step into the night, a cool breeze hits me.
“You all right?” Keegan asks.
“I’m fine, just need to catch my breath.”
He walks over to me and lets me lean on him, brushing my hair back as he places a gentle kiss on my temple. “We really need to get you into shape.”
“I do fine. You have given me enough exercise to last a lifetime.”
“Says the girl who is winded from a walk across the park.”
“Don’t forget, we walked up the stairs, as well.”
“Yes, remind me never to take you to the Statue of Liberty. You just might die of exhaustion.”
I playfully push him. “I’m fine. And I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty, and I am still alive.”
He looks at me, smiling with a glint in his eyes. “You sure are fine.”
I laugh.
Now that I have caught my breath, I step out closer to the ledge, looking over the park as another gust of wind brushes against my face. Keegan approaches behind me while I place the telescope down. I can feel the heat of his body against me as he wraps his arms around my stomach and places his chin on my shoulder. I lean my head on his shoulder, absorbing the warm feeling of comfort.
