The Husband Maker Boxed Set

by White, Karey

  “Yeah. That sounds fun.”

  We ate at Marigold’s. We ordered salads, but that wasn’t why we had picked Marigold’s. I had been needing a piece of their chocolate chip cookie pie ever since Angus had told me they had eaten there on their first date.

  “I could eat an entire pie,” I said.

  “No, you couldn’t,” Aleena said.

  “I really think I could.” I put another bite of pie and vanilla ice cream in my mouth.

  Aleena giggled. “I know you couldn’t eat a whole pie because last year, right after I broke up with that cute accountant, I bought a whole pie.”

  “You did?”

  Aleena nodded. “I ate half of it in one night. It made me sick and I dreamed terrible dreams.”

  I laughed. “Okay, maybe just two pieces then.”

  Aleena waved down the waitress. “Could you bring us another piece of the pie and ice cream?”

  “No, Aleena. I was just talking a big game.”

  “Yes, we do want one more. Don’t worry,” she said to me after the waitress had left. “We’ll share it. I think I’ll owe you whatever you want for the rest of your life.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know how there’s that old legend that if you save someone’s life, they’re your servant forever? Or something like that. Well, I think there should be another one that if you’re the match maker for a successful union, that couple should owe you dessert for life.”

  I laughed. “I think you might be on to something.”

  “Seriously, Charlotte, I can’t even believe how wonderful Angus is. He’s thoughtful, he’s a hard worker, he’s totally good-looking . . .” She took a bite of pie before she continued. “And he’s an amazing kisser.” She looked dreamy.

  “He is?”

  “Oh my. I can’t even tell you.”

  “Good. Because I probably don’t want to hear.”

  “All I can say is I’m glad you’re delusional and actually think he’s your brother, or you would have probably gone for him years ago.”

  I laughed. “I’m not delusional.”

  “Don’t feel bad. I’m glad you’re delusional. It’s worked out great for me.”

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  Aleena’s face turned serious, and she leaned forward in her seat. “Charlotte, I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with him.”

  “You are?” Angus is a great guy, so I’m not sure why her earnestness startled me.

  She nodded. “Neither of us have said it, but I hope he’s feeling the same way I am. Has he said anything to you? About me, I mean.”

  “He said you were amazing. And pretty. But I don’t talk to Angus that much about who he’s dating. He talks more to Will.” Aleena looked a little disappointed that I didn’t have more inside information. “But if the amount of time he spends with you is any indication, I would say you’re in pretty good shape.”

  “He’s so busy with his residency, but every time he has more than a day off, we go out.”

  “I’d say that must mean something.”

  Aleena smiled but didn’t say anything.

  I decided that over the last couple of months, Angus must have moved out of his apartment and moved into Aleena’s brain. No matter what we talked about, she managed to work Angus into the conversation.

  “How are your parents?”

  “They’re great. They really like Angus.”

  “Did your Dad’s restaurant have any problem with those bad peanuts?”

  “No, we were lucky. And anyway, Angus says they would only have made people sick if they already had a weak digestive system.”

  “Did you see how many points Curry scored last week?”

  “Angus says Curry is the most underrated player in the NBA.”

  “I love that shade of yellow on you.”

  “Thanks. Angus says I look great in blue, so I try to wear other colors when I know I’m not going to see him.”

  Okay, that last one was a little exaggerated, but she did say Angus likes her in blue.

  Aleena lit up when she talked about Angus, and I knew I had done a good thing setting them up. At least if I couldn’t find the love of my life, maybe I could help them find theirs. I had made a good match for two of my favorite people. Maybe I had uncovered a new talent—matchmaking.

  I turned off the stereo in my car. What were the chances that I would hear “The One That Got Away” while I was driving to Fairfield for my birthday party? Okay, the chances were pretty good since I had put the song on a Kyle playlist, and that playlist was on shuffle. But still.

  I had heard enough of the song to put me in a nostalgic mood and I thought about this drive to my parents’ house the previous year. I had just met Kyle. In fact, a bouquet of flowers from him had ridden in the seat beside me. I had met Wyatt later that day when Angus brought her to our birthday party. I hadn’t yet known about Kyle’s political aspirations. I didn’t know I would fall in love with him. I didn’t know that one year later, I would barely be feeling like the stitches could be removed from my heart without it falling apart.

  Angus would be here to celebrate again. That wasn’t unusual. He had been to every birthday party I can remember. This year he was bringing Aleena. He had suggested to Will that he might come alone, but Will told me he had encouraged him to bring her. “She’s one of Charlotte’s closest friends. There’s no reason she shouldn’t come.”

  I should have been thrilled they were coming together, but after the awkwardness at Will’s house a few weeks earlier, I wasn’t quite as excited as I might have been. Hopefully there would be no kissing and strangeness to deal with today.

  I arrived before anyone else so I could put together my contribution to the meal—a pasta salad. Mom had a vegetable tray almost finished, and Dad had the grill ready to go. We would begin barbecuing as soon as everyone arrived.

  “Have you decided if you’re going to Scotland?” Mom asked. I could tell it wasn’t easy for her to broach the subject with a bright and happy voice, but since it was my birthday, she was giving it a valiant effort.

  “I don’t know, Mom. I keep going back and forth.”

  “And where are you today?”

  “Right now I’m leaning against the idea. Flynn’s such a nice guy, but I really don’t need to complicate my life right now. The last year has been such a mess. I think I want to let things settle down before I make any big decisions.”

  Mom put the knife down on the butcher block where she had been cutting carrot sticks and stepped over to kiss my cheek. “With age comes wisdom.”

  I laughed. “Sometimes you’re so dramatic.” Mom smiled as she resumed her work. “And I’m not sure this last year has brought wisdom. I think it has just brought confusion.”

  “Things will work out in time. They always do.”

  Sunshine warmed the back deck, tempered every little while by a cool, gentle breeze that kept it from getting too hot. Flowers along the fence and in boxes and pots around the deck were blooming and scented the air. It was a lovely spring day for a family celebration.

  I was excited for the food. After years of childhood favorites we’d long-ago outgrown, today we were trading in the chili dogs and macaroni and cheese for a barbecue. Mom had marinated chicken in a lemony glaze and Gina had brought her Paula Dean worthy potato salad. McKayla had made a chocolate cake with a cheesecake filling that she swore wasn’t laced with illicit drugs, but I swear had to be just as addictive. I stopped myself at two pieces, but stashed a third in a Tupperware dish to take home with me.

  “Next year, the only present I want from you is my own cake.”

  “That’s easy. You’re on,” McKayla said. “Speaking of presents, are you guys ready to open them?”

  I insisted Will open his first since he usually deferred to me. He was happy with his gifts. Dad and Mom gave him a band saw. “Now you won’t have to borrow mine whenever you have a project.”

  “This is great, D
ad. No more guilt for keeping it at our house for months at a time.”

  Connor and McKayla gave him one full day of labor. “We’ll help you with any project you want. Maybe we can help you get that living room finished.”

  I gave Will a night at Blackbird Inn, a bed and breakfast in Napa. “And of course that comes with a built-in babysitter, you know.”

  Angus gave him a GoPole to go with his GoPro. “You just want to borrow this, right?” Will asked.

  Angus laughed. “I promise I won’t borrow it until you’ve had a chance to use it first.”

  Now it was my turn. I felt self-conscious, which surprised me. I’ve never felt uncomfortable with my family, but for some reason, today I did. Come to think of it, I felt uncomfortable most of the time now, like my life had shrunk two sizes and I didn’t quite fit anymore.

  The first gift I opened was a big, heavy box from Dad and Mom. It was a microwave. “Have you been talking to Mia?”

  Mom shrugged. “She said yours has been broken since February.”

  “I was warming up some spaghetti and it started sparking and then the lights wouldn’t stop flashing. I guess we should have replaced it a long time ago. Thank you. This is great.”

  Conner and McKayla gave me a pale pink floral skirt and a matching cardigan. “This is beautiful,” I said, running my hand over the soft sweater.

  “I knew you’d like it,” McKayla said. “It’s perfect for spring and summer.”

  Will and Gina gave me a day at the spa. “I should drive over there this afternoon and use it,” I said.

  “No. Go when you can get a full day,” said Gina. “It includes everything. You’ve had a hard few months. We just thought it would be a nice break for you.”

  “And you don’t have to worry about finding a date to go with you,” Angus said. Why did everything he said to me anymore seem to be said with a dollop of sarcasm?

  Gina looked embarrassed. “Would you have wanted a date to go with you? We just thought it would be more relaxing if you went alone.”

  “Of course not. This is perfect. No way would I want to take a date.” I gave Angus a pointed look. “This is much better. And I won’t have to scrounge up some poor guy and convince him to go with me.”

  Gina smiled. “Whew.”

  “I think that’s a lovely gift,” Mom said. She looked concerned about the tone of the conversation.

  I looked at the last present—the one from Angus and Aleena—sitting on the table. It might as well have been an explosive devise ready to detonate as soon as I touched it. With tensions as palpable as they had been lately, I couldn’t even imagine what Angus would give me. Then I remembered it was from Aleena, as well, and I breathed a little easier. She wouldn’t allow him to give me a dead kitten.

  I tore the paper off, and there in a mound of tissue were eight hand-painted knobs. “They’re for that little dresser you refinished.” I had told Aleena that someday I would replace the old knobs with something prettier and these were perfect.

  “I love them. Thank you.”

  “There’s something else in the bottom, too,” Angus said.

  “There is?” Aleena asked quietly and Angus nodded.

  Under the rest of the tissue paper was a key ring with a whistle and pepper spray.

  “That’s a great gift,” Dad said.

  “Thanks, you guys,” I said as I put it back in with the knobs. “No one better mess with me, right?”

  “I figured you should have it before you go traipsing around the world with guys you barely know.”

  An awkward pall fell over the room as people looked around at each other. Only Angus didn’t look around. He just looked at me.

  What had gone wrong with us? Why had Angus become so mean and insulting? I felt like crying, but this wasn’t just my birthday and I refused to ruin it for everyone else. But this had to stop. I couldn’t stand it another second. I had to get to the bottom of it.

  No one had said a word since Angus had spoken. I put the box at my feet and stood. “Could I talk to you for a minute?” I was looking directly at Angus and I managed to keep my voice steady and firm.

  “Go ahead.” He showed no signs of moving from his chair.

  “No. Alone. In the house.”

  Finally, Angus glanced around the group. He shrugged. “Am I in trouble?” He was trying to make a joke, but no one laughed.

  “We’ll be right back,” I said and walked ahead of him into the house.

  I kept walking through the kitchen and into the living room, farther away from the party outside. I didn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation or walk in on us. When I reached the fireplace, I turned around and faced Angus.

  “What’s going on, Angus?”

  “What are you talking about?” Angus had a blank look fixed on his face.

  “Why are you constantly trying to pick a fight with me?”

  “Don’t exaggerate, Charlotte.”

  “And that. You only call me Charlotte when you’re angry, and lately that’s about all you call me.”

  Angus leaned back on the arm of the couch, facing me. “You’ve got to decide what you want, Charlotte. For years, you’ve been begging me to stop using nicknames. Now I do, and I’m in trouble for it. Make up your mind. What do you want? I can’t keep up with you.” His voice was like ice.

  I shook my head, afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep the tears at bay. “I don’t know what I’ve done to make you so angry.” A short laugh escaped from Angus. “Why don’t you just tell me?”

  “Maybe I’m just tired of picking up the pieces.”

  “The pieces?”

  “The pieces of your broken heart. For years now you’ve made bad dating choices and every time it blows to pieces, you expect me to be there to rescue you.”

  I could hardly breathe. I had no idea he had resented me all this time. I had thought we were friends. I had thought he enjoyed getting together. If it was so awful, why had he called me when he’d had a breakup?

  I swallowed over the marble that was lodged in my throat, threatening to suffocate me. “You should have said so. I didn’t know you didn’t want to go to therapy anymore. But don’t worry, I won’t call you again.”

  I hated that Angus was between me and the door and I would have to go around him to leave. I needed to be alone, to pull myself together. I needed him to stop looking at me.

  I started toward the door, stepping to the side to get around him. I was almost past the spot where he sat when in one quick movement, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into him.

  And then his mouth was on mine and my mind was wiped of all thought. He pressed his lips against mine while his other hand came behind my neck and held me there firmly. The kiss was hot and frustrated and insistent. His hand let go of my wrist and moved to my back, pulling me closer.

  And then the thoughts started coming, slowly, one at a time. Angus is kissing me. This isn’t a friendly hug. Holy smokes! ANGUS IS KISSING ME!

  And then the kiss softened, as if all the anger had been drained away and all that was left was gentleness, sweetness, and I didn’t want to pull away. I put my arms around Angus’s waist and moved my lips under his. I’m kissing him back. Why am I kissing Angus?

  His mouth moved to the corner of mine and then his lips traveled along my jaw, his warm breath by my ear as he let out a long sigh.

  I didn’t want to think about what it meant that Angus was kissing me. His lips traveled back to mine and I relaxed into his arms.

  I felt weak and trembly. Aleena was right. Angus was an amazing kisser.

  And then I froze.

  Aleena.

  I didn’t want to—it was almost more effort than I could summon—but I turned my face away and buried my forehead on his shoulder.

  “Angus, what are you doing?” My voice cracked on the words.

  I staggered back a step, but Angus caught my hand and held it in both of his. “What I should have done years ago.”

  I shook my head.
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br />   “Come on, Charles.” His voice was gentle, pleading. His hands held mine, his thumbs brushing over my knuckles, his eyes never leaving my face. His voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear him over the percussion section in my chest and ears. “I’ve loved you forever.”

  The tears finally spilled over. “You’ve never said a word.”

  “I’ve wanted to, but you’ve never given me the chance.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Our timing has always been off. It’s never felt like the right time.”

  I almost choked. “And this feels like the right time?”

  Angus waited a moment before he spoke. “I wanted you to know. I know I’ve been pushing you to go to Scotland, but the truth is, I want you to stay here.” His eyes met mine. “With me.”

  There was something so exposed and raw in Angus’s expression, I felt like I was looking at an open wound. I wanted to pull him in my arms and ease his pain. But then I thought about Aleena sitting on the deck with my family, unaware of the betrayal that was happening just a few feet away.

  “Angus.” I shook my head and looked at the floor. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  “You kissed me back, Chuck.”

  “I shouldn’t have.”

  “But you did. Don’t tell me that doesn’t mean something.” I couldn’t think about what it might mean. If I did, I might go crazy.

  “What about Aleena? I thought you liked her.”

  Angus sighed. “I do like her. But she’s not you. No one is you.”

  I met Angus’s eyes, and the emotion I saw there scared me. “But she loves you. And she’s my friend.” I took another step back. “I can’t be part of breaking her heart. I won’t do that to her.”

  “You think I want to hurt her?” Angus’s fingers stopped moving over my hand and then he let it go. “I didn’t ask you to set us up, you know.”

  “You didn’t stop me either.”

  “Because it’s what you wanted.”

  “You should have told me.” I couldn’t stop the tears.

  “I just did.” With every word, his voice became more distant.