Lovebird Café Box Set

by Dylann Crush

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask my new bestie when we get together to paint our nails next week.” He groaned, the sound sawing along my nerve endings like a dull knife.

  “I’m really sorry.”

  “You’re sorry. Yeah, that’s great. Tell that to the next major talk show host who has you on his show. Oh wait, there won’t be any because you’re going to go down as the dumbest client in history. Tell you what. Think about it. Call me in a day or two. All that fresh air must be getting to you because I know there’s no way in hell that a Maverick Bengston client would turn this down.”

  The phone went dead.

  Dammit. What had I done?

  The next day I showed up at the studio, paint supplies in hand. Liam and Rodney helped me unload then we spread the canvas drop cloths I’d picked up at the hardware store over the floor.

  “Need any help getting started?” I asked.

  “Nah, we got it.” Rodney held one end of the drop cloth while Liam took the other. The two of them were getting along better than ever. I had high hopes that they might even start up a real friendship by the end of the summer. I’d seen them laughing over something together on Rodney’s phone and Liam had taken to bringing in extra sweets from the café a few times a week to share.

  Maybe I had done something right this summer. My heart squeezed in my chest as I thought about the late night phone call. I hadn’t been able to sleep after Mav hung up on me, so I’d sneaked into the house and started the coffee, then spent some quiet time on the front porch, trying to sort out what I wanted out of this life.

  Now that Rob and I were on good terms, I wasn’t as eager to get out of town. I had some money saved up—enough to give me a fresh start somewhere away from Hollywood. The boys and I had made good progress clearing the track. Maybe I could even set up shop around here and train a whole new generation of riders. My time in the spotlight was probably coming to an end anyway. Although, I really didn’t want to go out on a flop. I needed to find a way to redeem myself before I called it quits. Mav was right about that.

  As Liam and Rodney started cutting in and rolling the soft white paint on the walls, I moved over to turn on some tunes. Nothing like a little head-banging music to get me in the painting spirit. The boom box sputtered. Twenty years old, at least. I gave it a good bang with my fist and it came to life. Kickstart My Heart blared as I grabbed a paintbrush and joined Liam and Rodney. With Harmony’s grand opening less than two weeks away, I wanted to get everything done so she’d have plenty of time to set things up exactly how she wanted them.

  Having the three of us working, in sync for a change, we’d made good progress by the time we took a break for lunch. By dinnertime, the whole main area was done. I’d told Harmony not to come over until we had the whole space painted. I wanted her to be surprised and see it all at once.

  “Let’s call it quits for tonight guys.” I poured the leftover paint back in the pail before hammering the lid in place. We still had at least one full day of painting left.

  Rodney groaned as he stretched. He’d been cutting in around the edges most of the day, my least favorite job. “How long until we finish do you think?”

  “Hey, can you turn off the tunes?” I pointed to the boom box in the corner. Rodney sauntered over, taking his time. The music stopped. “We can probably get most of it down tomorrow. That leaves Friday for touch-ups. Why, you have somewhere else to be?”

  Rodney leaned over, trying to reach his toes. “No, my back’s killing me, though. Hey, Liam, you want to go swimming when we get back to my grandma’s place?”

  Liam climbed down off the ladder he’d been using. “Sure. Just let me check with my mom.” Then he pulled out his phone to send off a text.

  I selfishly hoped Harmony would say yes. That would give us some alone time while the boys were swimming and cooling off.

  “Mom said it’s okay. Dustin, can I catch a ride back with you?”

  “You bet. Tell your mom to come over, too. We can grill out tonight. I’ll make enough for everyone.”

  We sealed up our brushes and tools so they’d be ready to go the next day. The boys walked out ahead of me, but I paused in the doorway, letting my gaze move around the room. Harmony was going to love it here. She’d already been through to clear the energy out. At least that’s what she said she’d been doing. Looked to me like she’d just walked around with a bunch of burning weeds in her hand, trailing smoke behind her. But hey, if it made her happy, it was fine with me.

  I’d never wanted so much for someone else before. But I wanted her to have this space. She and Liam needed it and everything it represented to create the future she deserved. And somehow, someway, I was going to figure out how I could fit into the frame, too.

  35

  Harmony

  By the time Petunia and I arrived at Dustin’s mom’s place, the boys had taken off for the swimming hole just up the road. Mrs. Jarrett was out on a dinner date with Frank, and Scarlett was still at work at the Cut ‘n Curl. That left Dustin and me with the whole place to ourselves.

  I unclipped Petunia’s leash when we got out of the truck. She didn’t stray far from me anymore—not since she’d almost been run over by Magoo in the emu’s outdoor pen. The smell of steak on the grill greeted my nose, making my stomach gurgle in anticipation. As I rounded the back of the house, I caught a glimpse of Dustin standing in front of the grill.

  He had his back to me and a metal spatula in his hand. I waited while he gyrated his hips to some heavy metal floating out of his phone speaker. Stifling a laugh, I tiptoed closer.

  His hips moved side to side and he held the spatula in front of him like a mic. My brain flashed forward, immediately conjuring up a vision of Dustin grilling burgers at our own place while Magoo, Petunia, and Snap frolicked around his feet.

  I wrapped my arms around my middle as I painted a mental picture of a possible future together. Liam would be next to him, learning how to use the grill, and I’d come out of the house with a baby on my hip. Dustin’s baby.

  I sucked in a lungful of air like I’d been holding my breath. Is that what I wanted? Mulling the idea over, warmth filled my core. After the experience with Liam’s dad, I hadn’t let myself imagine a future with anyone. My sole responsibility in this world was taking care of my son. But somehow in the last several weeks, my focus had blurred. Liam was still my top priority, but Dustin had shown me there was room for me to take my own wants and needs into consideration as well. I just needed to figure out what exactly I wanted, and more importantly, what I needed and if that included Dustin Jarrett.

  The vision slowly split into hundreds of pieces and drifted away. Shaking my head clear, I stepped onto the patio. Petunia ran ahead. Her nose brushed Dustin’s leg, and he jumped. He turned around, catching sight of me.

  I applauded. “Nice job. I hope your grilling skills are better than your dance moves.”

  A faint pink tinted his cheeks then his lips curved up into a gorgeous smile. “Oh, you haven’t seen my best moves yet.”

  “Oh yeah?” I took a few steps toward him.

  “Yep. Baby, I’ve got moves you haven’t even dreamed of.” He set the spatula down on the side of the grill.

  “Is that right?” I couldn’t help but giggle as he danced his way around me in a wide circle.

  He moved in, catching me around the waist from behind and pulling me up against him. “That’s right.”

  Delicious anticipation raced through me. No matter how many times Dustin and I got together, it always felt as exciting as the first. I kept waiting for the anticipation, for the tingles of awareness, for the crazy uptick in my pulse to subside. But every time I saw him, it seemed like my reaction got more intense.

  “So what are you making?” I asked.

  “Steak.”

  “Mmm. I can’t remember the last time I had a grilled steak fresh off the grill.”

  “Baked potatoes.”

  “With all the fixings?”

  “
Yep.” He leaned down, the scruff on his chin scratching my neck.

  I pressed my back into him, letting the safety and security created by his arms surround me. I knew better than to let myself come to rely on this. But maybe, just maybe, this time it would be different. I’d spent my whole life protecting myself and Liam from getting too close to someone, from having our hearts broken by putting our faith in a man who had no intention of coming through for us. But Dustin hadn’t given me any reason to doubt him. Every time he made a promise he came through. He wouldn’t have suggested we take things a step further if he didn’t mean it. Maybe it was time to let down my guard, let go of my fear, let someone in.

  “The boys won’t be back for a bit.” His kisses landed on my neck, making my heart beat faster.

  “Oh yeah?” I turned around in his arms.

  “Yeah.” He pressed his forehead to mine.

  I ran a finger over his chest, letting the moment settle around me. The steak sizzled on the grill, a warm summer breeze wrapped around us, carrying the scent of fresh cut grass. I wanted to string the moment out forever, lose myself in the warmth created by the way Dustin’s body pressed against mine.

  “You okay, Harmony?” he whispered against my ear.

  “Yeah. Just trying to imprint this all on my mind.”

  “And how’s that going?” He reached up to tuck my hair behind my ear then leaned down and kissed along my neck.

  “You’re distracting me.” I laughed as I brought my hands between us and gave him a slight push on the chest.

  “You don’t need to imprint it on your mind. I’m not going anywhere. We can do this whenever we want.” He reached for me, pulling me against him.

  My heart fluttered, like the wings of a fragile baby bird nervous to take that first flight. “What are you saying?”

  He met my gaze. “I’m saying I’ve thought about it, and I want to be a part of your life. Whatever that looks like, however you’ll have me.”

  I couldn’t catch my breath, it stuttered and sputtered. Emotions I’d been holding at bay crashed over me, making me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Trying to get a handle on myself before he could see what a hot mess I was, I turned away. “I don’t know, Dustin.”

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to know right now.” His palm caressed my back, making slow circles on my shoulder blade. Even his touch grounded me, centered me.

  “What you’re asking, it’s a lot.” Wrapping my arms around my middle, I let myself imagine what it would be like to be able to count on someone. For me and Liam. Someone I could rely on for a change. Someone who was committed to making us a priority. I didn’t need a man in my life—I’d proven that to myself time and again over the past several years. But that didn’t mean I didn’t want one.

  “No rush. You take your time, okay?” He put both hands on my shoulders and spun me around. “I know we didn’t go looking for this—whatever this is between us. But now that we’ve got it, I don’t want to let it go. We can take it slow.”

  “I’d like that.” His smile matched mine before he lowered his head to take my mouth with his.

  “Damn.” He broke the kiss. “I’ve got to flip the steaks.”

  While Dustin checked on the meat, the boys came in. They must have finally made peace. Liam laughed at something Rodney said as they joined us on the patio.

  “How was the water?” Dustin asked.

  “Refreshing.” Liam grinned. He’d changed so much since summer started. Working with his hands and engaging in physical labor had changed his physique. The muscles in his arms had become more defined, and he’d lost the last bit of baby fat on his cheeks. My baby was growing up. He could use a role model like Dustin in his life—someone to help him navigate the ups and downs of becoming a man.

  “Refreshing, meaning it was cold enough to cause some major shrinkage.” Rodney snapped his T-shirt at Liam and the two of them started chasing each other around the yard.

  “Watch it,” Dustin warned as the boys nearly crashed into him. “Sorry about that, I’m still working with Rodney on appropriate social skills.”

  I waved it off. “He’s fine. It’s just nice to see the two of them getting along.”

  “I think they bonded a bit over clearing the track. You know, I told Liam I’d ask you one more time. Any chance I can show him a few things on a bike?”

  I jerked my head to look at Dustin. He’d captured his bottom lip with his front teeth, like he was nervously waiting for a response. My first inclination was to chastise him for even asking. He knew how I felt about having Liam on a bike.

  “I’d start him off super slow, on a baby bike. Not much bigger than a lawn mower engine.” Dustin glanced over to where the boys horsed around on the grass. “He almost knows as much about bikes as I do, at least from reading about them. When you hear him talk about it—”

  I silenced him with a quick kiss. “Okay. But please, please, please, be careful.”

  He squeezed my hands. “Of course. He’s going to be so excited. Can I tell him?”

  “Sure.” From the sparkle in his eye, I couldn’t tell who would be more thrilled—Liam or Dustin.

  Dustin cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hey, get over here. Wash up before dinner, then I’ve got something to tell you.” While he waited for the boys, he took the steaks off the grill.

  “Can I grab anything from inside?”

  “Sure. Potatoes are keeping warm in the oven. Salad and everything else is already on the table.” He shut the cover of the grill and followed me into the screened porch. “I was wondering, can I come over later?”

  “You sure? You put in a whole day today and you said you’ll be painting again all day tomorrow? Aren’t you tired?”

  “Never too tired to spend a little time with you.” He lifted his eyebrows and blew me a kiss.

  My heart bubbled on the edge of bursting. I couldn’t remember a time I’d felt so light, so happy. “All right then. You’ve got a standing invite.”

  Dustin sliced up the steak and the four of us sat down at the table. The boys passed salad, bacon bits, and sour cream between them. Almost like they liked each other. Almost like a family.

  “So what did you want to tell us?” Rodney asked.

  “Oh, yeah. I almost forgot.” Dustin gave me a half grin. “Liam, your mom said I could start teaching you how to ride.”

  “What?” Liam shot up from his chair, almost knocking it over backward. “Are you serious?”

  “Liam! Careful.” I knew he’d be excited, but I wasn’t prepared for this level of intensity.

  “Sorry, Mom.” He hung his head, giving me a sheepish grin, before sitting back down. “You really mean it?”

  I nodded, my mouth full of the miraculous steak Dustin had created on the grill. “Mmm hmm.”

  “But you’ve got to listen and you’ve got to be careful.” Dustin pointed his fork at my son. “No showboating.”

  “Like you did on the Late Show, Uncle Dustin?” Rodney smiled as he lifted a bite of beans to his mouth.

  Dustin narrowed his eyes at his nephew, but a grin teased across his lips. “You smartass. Your mouth is going to be your downfall you know.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Liam smiled at me across the table. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

  “I know.” And I knew Dustin would keep him safe. I’d finally learned to trust, to let go a little, to put my faith in someone who deserved it. I breathed out a sigh of relief. It was nice to know I was no longer all on my own.

  36

  Dustin

  I walked Harmony and Liam to her truck, already eager for the night ahead. Liam might have gotten used to the idea of me and his mom being a little more than friends, although we didn’t want to throw it in his face. I gave Harmony a peck on the cheek and thumped my palm on the driver side door.

  “Y’all have a good night.”

  “Thanks again for dinner.” Harmony gave me a smile, one that held a promise of what would come later.
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br />   “You’re welcome. Hey, Liam, we’re starting at nine tomorrow, okay?” The sooner we got the painting done, the sooner we could get the furniture and displays set up. Harmony had already ordered everything and been storing it in the empty office space below the studio. I was eager to get it all done so she could see it.

  “Yes, sir.” Liam raised his hand in an attempt at a salute. “Think we might have time to take out a bike when we’re done tomorrow?”

  I lifted my shoulders as I looked to Harmony.

  “If you want to have a lesson after painting tomorrow, I can take a turn at making dinner at my place.” A slight smile teased the edges of her lips.

  I hadn’t been invited for dinner at their place yet. Something new, maybe something to mark the start of a new dynamic between us. “I’d really like that.”

  “It’s a date then.” She winked at me.

  “A date?” Liam grunted in disgust.

  “Yes, a date.” Harmony gave him a playful swat on the leg. “Dustin’s going to be sticking around for a while, and you’re going to just have to get used to us seeing each other.”

  “Fine. But can you not kiss my mom around me?” His face squished up like he’d just swallowed a jar of pickle juice.

  I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “I’ll try. We’ll ease into it, okay, bud?”

  Liam shook his head. “Whatever.”

  “You’ll come around.” I lowered my voice, then leaned closer to Harmony. “One day at a time, right?”

  “That’s right.” She turned her head, laying a chaste kiss on my lips.

  I wanted to press for more, taste her tongue, claim this minor victory in the battle to make her mine. But I was too aware of Liam sitting just a few feet away. “I’ll see you later?”