by Autumn Skye
“You don’t sound happy,” he said with a dubious voice.
“Sure, I am. Invite me to the wedding. Now do you want the house or not?”
He paused. “You’re really done with me, huh?”
Wow, that was just dawning on him? Better late than never, I supposed. “Yeah, I’m done. Nothing is going to change that, Jared, so can we stop fighting about it and finish this?”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll take the house off your hands.”
Naturally, he’d act like he was doing me a favor. “And we’ll end this for good?”
“Yes, it’s over, if that’s what you want.”
“That means no more interfering with my life.”
“You and your girlfriend are free to do whatever you like. You won’t hear a peep from. All I ask is that you do try to stay out of the tabloids. You’ll always be a reflection on me to some extent, Danielle, and that extends to the company you keep.”
“I assure you, Lily isn’t the type to land herself in the tabloids, but I’m done living my life worrying about what makes you look good or bad. That’s Katie’s job now.”
“Call your realtor and have the papers on the house drawn up. I’ll sign.”
“All right. I’ll have him call you.”
Once I got off the phone and made a list of things I’d need for the manor I drove back to the cabin and found Lily napping on the bed. She was nude except for a pair of panties, the comforter and sheet wadded into a ball at the foot of the bed so that she was completely exposed. I wondered if she’d purposely fallen asleep that way so I’d find her when I got there. Then again, that was more my style than hers. Likely, she was exhausted from working all week and then making the drive. Lunch with her mother also seemed to have drained her of her energy. I hoped she’d decide to make things easier on the both of us and move in with me soon. The manor was too much house for me. I needed her to help me fill it up and make it home.
I climbed into bed, the thought of just lying next to her so inviting, but she woke and gave me a drowsy smile.
“Sorry,” I said.
“It’s okay. I’m being lazy.”
“Sometimes it’s nice to take the day off.”
“I could lie in bed all day, especially now that it’s raining.”
I hadn’t noticed until she mentioned it, but now I heard the drizzle hitting the window and noticed how the room had suddenly darkened as the sun hid behind clouds that hadn’t been there even a few minutes ago.
“Want some company?”
“Why not? You’re already here,” she said, moving over to rest her head on my shoulder.
“I called Jared.”
“You did?”
“Mmm-hmm, he’s going to buy the property in Corpus.” It seemed odd to refer to it as property, as if it had never meant anything to me.
“So, that’s it, then? No more house, no more Jared?”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
“Are you sure that’s all it will take to make him go away? I got the feeling it was you he was after, not the house.”
“You can never be sure with a man like Jared. Maybe he’ll stay away. Maybe he’ll find another reason to come around down the road. I can’t, or won’t, waste another minute worrying about what that man will or will not do. I am, however, interested in what you will do.”
“If I’m going to quit my job, I’ll have to at least introduce you to Farah. You know, let her see for herself how worth it you are.”
“You’ve made up your mind, then? You’re staying?”
“I’m staying, partner, but do you agree to come to Houston and meet Farah?”
“I’d love to meet your friend. Hell, I’ve already won your mother over. That’s the hard part, right?”
“You do have a point, I’ll admit. I’m still not sure how you managed to make that woman adore you the way you did. Farah should be easy. She’s much sweeter than my mother.”
“When should we go?”
“As much as I hate to turn around and make the drive back so soon, I should really tell Farah I’m leaving ASAP. I told her only a week ago I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“She’ll understand.”
“I know she will. She’s a good friend. I really want you to come with me when I tell her the news.”
“I’ll be right there with you.”
My hand rested on the silky flesh of her taut belly. “How sleepy are you?” I asked as my fingers traced the area just above the lace waistband of her panties.
“I said it was a great day to stay in bed. I didn’t say anything about sleeping,” she whispered.
“Wine and strawberries in bed while we listen to the rain come down and watch a movie. Sounds like the perfect day.”
“I would say it doesn’t get any better than that.”
“Depends on what we do after the movie,” I said.
“Another good point. I’ll pick the movie. You get the wine and strawberries,” she said, reaching over me for the television remote on the table.
I got up to grab the bottle of wine and a bowl of strawberries and that was the last time either of us left the bed that afternoon. It was the perfect day and I hoped we’d have many more days just like it.
Chapter Sixteen
Lily
I drove Danielle to Houston the next morning, heading straight to my place. It occurred to me my tiny apartment was a long way from the lifestyle she was used to, which was ridiculous when I stopped to think it over. The woman had been living in a one room cabin for months, that’s how superficial she was. I thought she might be more comfortable in a motel, but she gushed over the place, marveling at how I’d decorated it the same way I might have if it were a mansion fit for a queen. I was quite flattered, especially since all the praise she heaped on me seemed genuine rather than an attempt to merely be polite.
After I showed her the place, which took all of three minutes, I called Farah and arranged for her to meet us at The Pink Rose. That way Jackie could also be introduced to Danielle and I could share the news of my departure with both friends and get it over with at once. It wasn’t that either of them would be less than thrilled for me, but I didn’t enjoy goodbyes.
“It’s not really goodbye. You can see your friends whenever you like,” Danielle said on the drive to the lounge.
“I know, but it won’t be the same. I’m used to seeing Farah every day. I’ll miss her.”
“Enough to change your mind?” she asked, sounding the closest to anxious as I’d ever heard her.
“No, that’s not going to happen.”
“You’re lucky. I can’t think of anyone from my old life who I miss that much.”
“You’d miss me, wouldn’t you?”
“Very much, but I want you to be sure you’re doing this for you. I couldn’t be happy knowing I pressured you into quitting your job and moving when you really weren’t ready.”
“I am ready. I want to be with you. There are a lot of things I’m not sure of, but that’s not one of them.”
“Good, because I’m nervous.”
“About meeting my friends?”
She nodded. “What if they don’t like me? What if they hate me because I’m taking you away from them?”
“I don’t imagine a woman like you runs into that problem often, Danielle. Me, I’m the one who worries about those sorts of things. Everyone loves you. Besides, Farah and Jackie aren’t like that.”
“I would hate someone if they were taking you away from me,” she reasoned.
“You’re the one who pointed out that I can see them whenever I like.”
“That’s true, you can. I’d never try to come between you and your friends.”
“Then, that’s what we’ll tell them. It’s our story and we’re sticking to it,” I said, slipping my hand into hers as we entered the club through the double doors.
It was quiet inside with only a few customers scattered around the place
. In a few hours, the place would be hopping, standing room only, but I liked it this way. Jackie wouldn’t be too busy to talk. In fact, Farah had taken a stool at the bar and appeared to be having a conversation with my favorite bartender at that very moment. She saw us approaching and held out her arm so I could slide in for a hug.
“It didn’t take you long to come back home this time,” she said.
“I wanted Danielle to meet you two,” I said.
“Hi, I’m Farah,” she said, offering a hand for Danielle to shake.
“Hi, how are you?”
“Happy to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I haven’t,” Jackie interrupted.
“Then grab us a couple beers and I’ll fill you in,” I told her.
“Yes, what’s this news you said you had for us?” Farah asked.
“It’s good news and-well, there’s not really any bad news, but I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it,” I hesitated.
“I can’t say until you tell me.”
“To start off, the great news is that I’m no longer the black sheep of the family.”
“How’d you manage that? Is Ann getting a divorce?”
“No, but my parents are handing over my trust fund to me.”
“Wow, I thought you’d be disinherited for the rest of your life.”
“Me, too, but no. I should have the money by the end of the week.”
“I think I see where this is going,” Farah moaned, narrowing her eyes.
“I don’t. I’m still in the dark,” Jackie said.
“That’s quite a chunk of change you’ll be getting. You won’t be needing to work for me anymore, will you?”
“No, I’m sorry, Farah. Danielle and I think we can get this house flipping business off the ground and it’s easier if I go full time with it. Also, we’re moving in together,” I explained, tightening my grip on Danielle’s hand.
“Ah, I see. It’s starting to make sense now,” Farah nodded. “I figured it might be something like that.”
“Are you mad?”
“Not in the least. You concentrate on doing whatever makes you happy,” she smiled.
“This part I get. You two are a couple,” Jackie said, waving a finger at Danielle and me. “You took my advice.”
“What advice?” Farah asked.
“I told her to get laid.”
“I can’t believe you just said that out loud,” I groaned, mortified.
“I’m just glad you listened, and with this one no less. She’s gorgeous,” Jackie said slyly, eyes on Danielle.
“Thank you, but Lily’s not so bad, either,” Danielle replied, giving me a nudge with her shoulder.
“Yep, you two make a beautiful couple, so cute.”
“Oh, my God, I’m ready to go home,” I said.
“You can’t leave. We have so much to celebrate. Your trust fund and your business and your moving. I mean living together is a big step.”
“We’ve thought it through.”
“Then I guess you don’t want to give a two weeks’ notice.”
“I promised I would if I ever left,” I assured her.
“Lily, I wouldn’t hold you to that.”
“I’m not going to leave you in a bind, Farah. Take my notice already,” I argued.
“All right, starting Monday?”
“Yeah, that works for me.”
“We should do shots,” Jackie suggested, then corrected herself. “I’m on duty, but you guys should do shots. Tequila?”
“I love tequila,” Danielle said.
“Good. Lily could use a free spirit in her life. She’s horribly uptight.”
That seemed to be the basic consensus. “I can’t drink more than one beer. I’m driving.”
“So, take a cab. Live a little.” Jackie waved a hand at me.
“I’m not leaving my car in the lot overnight.”
“See what I mean? Uptight,” Jackie repeated to make a case in point. To me she added, “I’ll drive your car back to you when I get off.”
“I don’t think so.”
“How are you going to dance the night away if you don’t drink? You know you can’t dance sober.”
“She has a point,” Farah said.
“Then I won’t dance.”
“Uptight,” Farah and Jackie said in unison, breaking into laughter.
“Maybe she’ll do it for you. We’re counting on you to loosen her up,” Farah said to Danielle.
“No, I like her just the way she is,” Danielle smiled at me.
“Well, that’s a very good answer,” Jackie said.
I agreed. It was the best answer, and it meant more to me than any of them knew.
Chapter Seventeen
Danielle and I decided that since I’d given my notice I might as well spend the next two weeks in Houston rather than making the drive to Kinley on the weekends. It gave me a chance to pack and settle up my rent with my landlord. My trust fund was deposited into my bank account the following week as my father had promised. Low seven figures, enough that I wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of my life if I spent it right. That was no problem. I had what I really wanted and it hadn’t cost a dime. I had a woman I loved very much. She couldn’t be bought. One man had already tried that and failed. I wouldn’t have gone as far as to say she belonged to me. Danielle didn’t seem like the type of woman who would ever lose herself to anyone, but I was satisfied to let her compliment me and do the same for her. I got it. My mother had held on too tightly to me for so long. It wasn’t the same thing, but it was close enough that I’d learned you could share someone’s life without trying to run it.
My last day in Houston I called my parents to thank them for the money and Farah and I watched movies at her place. It wasn’t the last time we’d hang out, but we’d no longer see each other every day.
“We’re going to do this at least once a month, right?” she asked.
“At least,” I promised.
“I’m going to miss you so much, but I like Danielle. I think it will work out for the two of you, businesswise and otherwise.”
“I hope so. It doesn’t feel like I’m making a mistake.”
“It’s best to go with your gut. You always did play it too safe.”
“I guess I owe everything to you. If you hadn’t pushed me to take that vacation I’d have never met Danielle.”
“So, it’s my fault I lost the best secretary I ever had?”
“I wouldn’t say the best.”
“I interviewed the woman I think I’m going to hire to replace you today. She’s fresh out of trade school with no experience in the real world. It’ll be a nightmare training her.”
“I was fresh out of school when you hired me,” I reminded her.
“You were different. You caught on fast. This one is a bubble head.”
“Then why are you hiring her?”
“Desperation. I’m a top exec. I can’t be bothered to answer my own phone or make my own manicure appointments,” she laughed.
“So, it’s my fault if the business goes in the toilet.”
“If push comes to shove, you can come back and fill in for a while.”
“Deal.”
She paused and gave me a hesitant stare, clearly wanting to say something, but holding back for whatever reason.
“What is it, Farah?”
“It’s a bit late now, but do you ever wonder what would have happened if we’d gotten together after that night at the hotel?”
“It’s crossed my mind a couple of times, but neither of us were ready for that.”
“I guess I’m a little jealous. The way you and Danielle look at each other, I want that for myself someday.”
“Does it really show that much?”
“Yes, it’s plain to see that you’re in love.”
“It happened so fast I find it a little terrifying.”
“You’ve heard that the best things in life are worth waiting for?”
&nbs
p; I nodded.
“That’s bullshit. Sometimes the best things are the things you want to reach out and grab as fast as you can so you don’t waste time. That’s why you should go home now and finish packing, maybe drive out to the lake early and surprise Danielle.”
“We’re going to start moving into the house tomorrow,” I said.
“All the more reason to get an early start,” she mused. “There’s nothing keeping you here anymore.”
She was right. The plan had been for me to spend the last night with her. My things were already moved into storage. My apartment was empty. I only needed to drop the keys off to the landlord, which I could ask Farah to do for me. I didn’t want to cut the night with my best friend short, but the idea of Danielle waiting for me did call to me. Was there really any point to putting off the beginning of my new life for one more night? Farah and I had said our goodbyes and I was confident that we both meant it about keeping in touch. It wasn’t as if I were leaving the state.
I hugged Farah goodbye and she helped me toss the last of my luggage into the trunk of my car before I took off. I arrived in Kinley at half past midnight. It was a town that rolled up the sidewalks at sundown. There wasn’t a car on the road as I entered the city limits. When I passed the manor, I saw that it looked different. Danielle had ordered the crew we’d hired to begin on the exterior. The siding was finished and there were new windows and shutters, but I couldn’t see the full effect of them in the dark. When I got to the lake the light shining through her cabin was a welcome sight. I hadn’t called and told her I was coming early, but she was a night owl, so I’d known there was a good chance she’d be awake.
In reality, she wasn’t. She’d fallen asleep with the television on and some old classic sitcom episode from the eighties was playing. I heard the canned laughter before I walked through the door. She looked exotically beautiful, sleeping peacefully, and I took a moment to relish in the fact I’d be lying next to her every night from then on before I put a hand on her shoulder and nudged her until she opened her eyes.
