Infatuated

by Lea Hart

  “I’ve enjoyed surfing every time I’ve tried it, and if I want to hang with you out there, then I’ve got to get proficient. Only way for that to happen is to listen and take direction.”

  “You’re a natural athlete and, of course, very comfortable in the water, so it’s only going to take a few more times out at Sunset before you’re a pro.”

  “Thanks, that means a lot.”

  She leaned against his arm and squeezed. “It was fun seeing my hunky boyfriend out there, tearing it up.”

  “I could tell because you gave me a couple of sexy kisses when we were waiting for sets.”

  “Couldn’t control myself.”

  “And I’d never ask you to because there is nothing I like more than your mouth on mine.”

  “Uhhh, I can think of something else you like my mouth on.”

  “Don’t be teasing me while I’m cooking, woman. I need to concentrate and need all the blood to stay in my brain.”

  Stepping away, she nodded primly. “Of course.”

  Lifting the spoon, he pointed it at her. “Behave.”

  “For now.”

  Turning, she pulled out the potatoes and heard the doorbell ring. “I think the mushrooms are done; you can dump them in the bowl.”

  “Okay.”

  She walked out of the kitchen and then swung open the door. “Do I want to know how the two of you ended up together?”

  “No, you do not,” Courtney replied as she pushed her way in.

  “Hey, babe, good to see you,” Caid said before kissing her cheek and walking in. “Smells great in here.”

  Lisa closed the door and wondered what horrible and wonderful thing was making her best friend so agitated. “We’re making dinner; do you two want to stay?”

  “Of course,” Caid responded as he sat down on the couch. “We’d love to stay. I was going to take Court out for dinner, but we can do that tomorrow.”

  “We are not going out tomorrow. I just got out of a relationship and don’t need to jump back into the fire.”

  Caid crossed his arms and snorted. “That wasn’t a damn relationship; that was you dating a man because he fit some stupid picture in your head.”

  “I’m not debating what the professor and I had together, and what the hell do you know about relationships anyway?”

  “Not much, but even I know there has to be more than polite grade-school kissing if it’s anything worth holding onto.”

  Courtney crossed her arms and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I’m going to ignore you because, if I don’t, then I may be forced to do something I could possibly go to jail for.”

  Caid shrugged carelessly. “Which tells me you already feel more for me than that stupid panda man.”

  “Drinks!” Lisa called out. “I’ll get us some.”

  Walking into the kitchen, she let out a breath and hoped there wouldn’t be any blood spilled by the time she got back.

  “Am I hearing things or was that Caid’s voice I heard?”

  “Caid and Courtney stopped by, and they’re staying for dinner.”

  “They came together?”

  “Yes, and they’re very irritable with one another. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

  “No.”

  “Either do I, and that’s never happened before.” Opening the fridge, she pulled out two beers and handed them to Ace. “I’m not sure how I feel about this.”

  Ace set the beer down and pulled out a bottle of wine and handed it over. “Are we supposed to feel anything?”

  “When it comes to our friends, absolutely yes.”

  “Was Courtney on board when we started dating?”

  “Not at first because of the whole baby thing, but she’s definitely warmed up to you.”

  “As long as she doesn’t want to poison me anymore, then I’m good.”

  “It’s good to keep your expectations realistic.”

  “It’s too quiet out there.”

  “You’re right,” she replied as she poured two glasses of wine. “Let’s get in there.”

  Lisa handed Courtney her glass of wine and took a chair facing the couch. “So…”

  “Caid stopped by the library and gave me a ride home since my car wouldn’t start. It was towed to the mechanic, and I should have it back in a couple of days. And since he thinks he was my knight in shining armor, he’s decided to attach himself to my side, even though I could’ve called an Uber.”

  “Ubers are not safe, babe. We already went round that argument twenty-five times, and I imagine one more time isn’t going to make a difference.”

  Courtney rolled her eyes and then drank half her glass down. “I’m not even going to respond.”

  “Because you know I’m right.”

  Lisa watched her friend sit up and knew nothing good was going to happen. “Ace and I are moving in together.”

  “No shit,” Caid said as he sat up. “Congratulations.”

  Ace tipped his beer bottle against Ace’s and grinned. “Can’t believe it, but I’m not going to question the blessing.”

  Lisa watched her friend’s face and held her breath. When she saw Courtney smile and tip her head, she knew she approved. “That’s a lovely thing to say, Ace. It shows how much you care for my best friend and value the relationship you have.”

  “That’s what I said, babe.”

  Courtney turned her head slowly and raised an eyebrow. “You go ahead and cling to that lie and let me know how long you can hold onto it before reality snatches it out of your grasp.”

  Caid slapped his leg and let out a loud bark of laughter. “God damn, I like you.”

  “Please, don’t,” Courtney replied before draining her wine glass.

  “Caid, did you know that Courtney is an in-demand research consultant for authors?”

  “I didn’t, as a matter of fact, since she has only given me the barest of facts.”

  “It’s true. Not only is she the most popular librarian, but the secret sauce to many New York Times bestsellers.’

  “Why are you talking about me like you’re trying to sell me on the Home Shopping Network?”

  “I’m not,” Lisa replied as she looked over at Ace.

  “That’s really cool, Court. What’s your latest project?”

  “I’m working with an author who writes thrillers, and I’m researching how fluorine can be used to destroy cells. The antagonist in his novel is a chemist, and so his access to acids is wide.”

  Caid shivered and moved closer. “I better make sure I keep you just this side of wanting to murder me ‘cause you know way too much.”

  “You’d be wise not to irritate me.”

  “Kind of too late for that, babe.”

  Ace sat up and picked up his beer bottle. “We should get dinner in the oven.”

  Lisa stood and picked up her glass. “We’ll be back in a bit.” Taking Ace’s hand, she walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “That’s either going to be the greatest love story or one so dark and twisted that people will be talking about it for years.”

  Caid smirked and pulled the ground beef and pork out of the fridge. “Honey, that’s gonna be nothing but love. I’ve known Caid for over ten years, and we’re closer than brothers. Never once has he given any effort when it comes to women, and if he’s been hanging around Courtney like he has, then I think something is about to change.”

  “Will we have to bury any bodies when the change happens?”

  “Hopefully not.”

  Taking out a big bowl, she grinned. “Guess all we can do is wait and see.”

  “It’s sure as hell going to be fun to watch.”

  Lisa looked up and saw Ace’s smile and knew she’d found the perfect partner in crime.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Ace grabbed a table on the patio of the Voltaire Beach House and knew he was going to like living in Ocean Beach. Not only because he had a bunch of friends living in town, and they had a string of great restaurants, bu
t because it was the place where Lisa wanted to live.

  And that’s all that really mattered.

  Seeing Caid walk in, he waved him over as he pulled out a stool and sat. “Hey, brother.”

  Clapping Ace on the back, he nodded and then waved a waitress over. Giving her their order, he then sat and looked around. “So, this place meets your exacting standards?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You and your obsession with food.”

  Shrugging, he leaned back and grinned. “Seems I’ve found something else to obsess about and food isn’t quite as important as it used to be.”

  Caid snorted. “Never thought I’d see the day, but I guess that’s what finding the right woman does to a man.”

  “Truer words were never said.”

  “Speaking of women…is Courtney showing up tonight?”

  “Lisa said she was along with this guy named Wayne. He’s been hanging out with the ladies all week, and I think he wants to move in with Court.”

  “No. Fucking. Way,” Caid said as he sat forward and fisted his hands. “We have a date tomorrow night.”

  “Relax, brother.” The waitress dropped off their beers and Ace watched his friend drink half his down. “The kid is gay.”

  “All the way gay?”

  “I don’t know,” Ace replied with a laugh. “I didn’t ask where he was on a scale of one to ten, but he just broke up with his boyfriend and is all torn up. Lisa, Carissa, and Court have taken him under their wing.”

  “Doesn’t answer my question, though.” He scrubbed his hand down his face and groaned. “He could be bi, and if that’s the case, he doesn’t need to be living with my woman. ‘Cause she’s too fucking attractive for any man to resist.”

  Ace studied his friend and wondered if the hit he’d taken in the head during their training exercise was a lot worse than he thought. “You know you’re sounding a little crazy.”

  “You would too if you were in my shoes. I’ve been chasing this woman since we got back, and it’s taken me two months to get a fucking date. I’m sure as shit not going to let some asshole slip in and mess with the hard work I’ve put in.” He drained his beer and then wiped his mouth. “Do you know what it was like waiting for her to get singled up?”

  “No, can’t say that I do.”

  “Fucking torture is what it was. So, excuse me if I’m questioning how gay this Wayne kid is. Because if he’s ever thought about being with a woman, he’s not hanging with mine.”

  Ace sat back and couldn’t think of a reasonable response that Caid would listen to, so he decided to nod his head in agreement since once he got something in his mind, it stayed there. “I’m going to need your help moving next week because the landlord let me out of the last two months of my lease.”

  “No problem,” he replied as he rolled his neck. “Fill me in on the latest with Victoria and the whole baby thing.”

  “I talked to Dean the other day, and he was torn to shit since his brother is the baby’s father. He was definitely blindsided, and I’m guessing this is something that’s going to take years to repair.”

  “Bet Victoria doesn’t give a shit that she came between two brothers and is causing family problems that might never be healed.”

  “I’d have to agree.” Running his hand over his jaw, he shuddered. “I’m so unbelievably lucky to have escaped being tied to her for the rest of my life.”

  “You know, she reminds me of that character from that movie, Fatal Attraction.”

  “The one from the eighties with the dead bunny?”

  “Yeah,” Caid replied, snapping his fingers. “My mom made sure my dad watched it, so he knew what could happen if he strayed.”

  “Did it work?”

  “For a while.”

  “What was the point of bringing that movie up?”

  “Victoria is like the Glenn Close character. All sexy times on the outside and dark psychotic shit on the inside.”

  “I would’ve just said she was a narcissist before the whole brother thing came up, but I’m going to agree with your assessment.”

  “Never a bad idea,” Caid replied.

  “I guess it’s important to focus on the fact that I escaped relatively unscathed and not on what the hell was I thinking in the first place.”

  Caid nodded and signaled the waitress for another round. “Let go of the idea that it could have been any different.”

  “Wise words, man.”

  “Don’t say it like it’s shocking. I’ve got a lot of Buddha shit in my brain and only pull it out when I think it will do some good.”

  “I know, man, trust me I know.” Hearing his phone buzz, he looked down and read a text from Lisa. “The women are on their way over, and Lisa told me to get rid of any women who were trying to kiss me.”

  Caid barked out a laugh. “You ready to go all in and never kiss another woman for the rest of your life?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I’m going to wife her up by next year and then work on knocking her up not long after. I want the whole thing with that woman and can’t fucking wait to get started.” Their drinks were delivered, and Ace lifted his glass. “To the American dream, man.”

  Caid clicked his glass and grinned. “Why the hell not.”

  Looking across the patio, he realized he felt calmer than he could ever remember and knew it was because everything he never knew he wanted was within his grasp.

  All he had to do was not screw it up.

  ***

  Lisa held her sister’s hand as they walked toward the restaurant and could tell she was distracted. “Everything okay?”

  Carissa twisted her hair and let out a breath. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m just running through my mental checklist for the wedding I’m coordinating next week. James is letting me run lead on it, and I want to prove to him that I’m more than capable.”

  “Who’s getting married?”

  “A SEAL, as a matter of fact. The bride is a nurse and the daughter of a retired rear admiral, and they’re getting married at the officer’s club on North Island.”

  “I bet that’s the one I’m going to with Ace. I think the groom’s name is Frisco.”

  “That’s it,” Carissa replied as she squeezed her sister’s hand. “You should probably take notes in case that’s where you and Ace want to get married.”

  “I think I’ll wait on that and see how the living together goes first.”

  “There isn’t a thing that man could do or say that would change your mind, so don’t lie to yourself.”

  “I will do whatever I want, so I don’t freak out about how fast this whole thing is progressing. I asked a man to move in with me after only dating for two months, so I’m going to take a breath before I do anything else.”

  “Well, at least you’re not going to waste a bunch of years dating, only to find out he wasn’t the one,” Carissa replied.

  “That’s a great rationalization, and I’m going to hold onto it.”

  “What rationalization are we holding on to?” Wayne asked loudly as he skipped ahead of them.

  “The one that tells me moving in with Ace so quickly isn’t the craziest thing in the world.”

  Wayne spun in a circle and then took Courtney’s hand. “What’s your best-friend opinion on this whole thing?”

  “I’ve never seen Lisa happier and more content. Ace can handle her need for adventure and, if the noises I hear coming out of her place are any indication of how he treats in her bed, then she’s a very lucky woman.”

  Lisa pinched her friend. “Don’t lie; you can’t hear anything.”

  Courtney lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, yes, honey, I can, and it’s only because I’m such a good friend that I haven’t complained.”

  “I bet it made you break up with panda man that much quicker because you knew he was never going to give you anything close,” Carissa said.

  Wayne stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and rolled his hips and put his hand on
his head. “I bet that Caid is going to be a whole different story if you give him a chance.”

  “Please, stop,” Courtney groaned. “You can’t copy my dance if you’re not going to do it properly. The hip shimmy is not to be disrespected.”

  Wayne jumped up and stood straight. “Then you better give me a lesson again because I plan on perfecting it and taking it to the clubs with me.”

  “Speaking of clubs, how was your therapy group today?” Carissa asked.

  “How does a dance club make you think of my PTSD support group?” Lisa asked as she pulled her sweater tighter.

  “Not sure,” Carissa replied with a shrug.

  “To answer your question, it’s going good, and I’m actually getting a lot more out of it than therapy.”

  “Let it out, sister,” Wayne called out. “Emotional constipation is not anything to fool around with.”

  “Amen,” Courtney called out. “Take us to church, brother Wayne.”

  Wayne dropped his head, snapped his fingers, and shoved his hip out. “Don’t think that I can’t.”

  Courtney took his hand and swung it back and forth. “You are the piece our little trio was missing. We are now complete with you in our lives.”

  Wayne put his hand against his chest and closed his eyes. “That means a lot, Court.”

  Lisa kissed his cheek and then started walking. “I’m so glad I picked you up in the donut shop.”

  “Me too,” Carissa called out as she took his hand and walked toward the entrance to the restaurant. “And if you’re as good at trivia as you say you are, then it’s going to be even more true. I don’t want to lose to those programmers again and listen to them brag about how smart they are.”

  “They’re going down tonight, and I bet we’re about to become the queens of Thursday trivia at the Voltaire,” Lisa said loudly as she spotted Ace on the patio. Feeling her heart turn over, she watched him smile and knew moving in with him wasn’t all that risky. The infatuation that started in Yemen was full-fledged love, and all she had to do was make sure she held onto it with both hands.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Ace followed Lisa along the cliffs and knew that whatever made her get out of bed at five in the morning had to be pretty spectacular because she was in no way a morning person. He adjusted the daypack she had given him before they left the house and wondered what he was in for.