Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  But what did that have to do with me? “Why me, though?”

  Peter sighed. “This really isn’t my place to share.” He hesitated, eyes darting around the room before finally landing back on me. “Her husband’s in jail for embezzling millions of dollars, and all of her assets are frozen.”

  I tried and failed to contain a gasp.

  “She’s used to buying and getting whatever she wants, but now she has nothing. She feels weak, so in order to feel like she has the upperhand, she manipulates things and people in her favor, even if it’s just to cause chaos and step away. It’s been really bad since I broke things off with Janice, and she doesn’t have her to push around.”

  I struggled to feel sympathy. Tiffany clearly had issues, but she was an adult and should know better.

  “My parents are ready to throw her and her little brat out. I’m afraid she’ll try to move in with me next.” He gave me a horrified look. “There’s no way. But I have a feeling Blaine will get stuck with them. He still can’t tell her no” He seemed unsure about sharing anything further, but kept going anyway. “There’s one more thing. Tiffany’s been drinking a lot more than usual, and we’ve tried to talk her into getting some help, but she hasn’t admitted to having a problem yet.” This all made so much sense. “Please don’t share that with anyone. This is me trusting you, just like old times.”

  Yeah, we’d trusted each other with our deepest secrets at one time. We’d told each other everything. I could do that. I could keep this secret. There was one thing I needed to do with Tiffany, but I’d have to figure out the right time to do it.

  “I really am happy for you, Abs. Caleb seems like a stand-up guy. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Peter placed his hand on top of mine, looking into my eyes a little too long.

  “Thanks, you too, Peter. I’m glad we finally had this conversation, but I should get going.” I moved my chair back a little, allowing him to hug me one last time.

  Just as I left his arms, the door to the coffeehouse flew open and a disheveled Tiffany stood in the doorway, staring directly at me.

  “You!” Tiffany came charging through the cafe like a bat out of hell. All horrified eyes were glued on her, including mine. She was an absolute mess. The hair that wasn’t sticking straight up in the air was matted to the side of her face. Make-up was running down her cheeks, her clothes didn’t match, but she was wearing chandelier earrings, and a very expensive-looking gaudy diamond necklace, as though she thought the extravagant jewelry would hide the rest of her crazed appearance. She looked like a homeless person.

  Peter bolted in front of me, standing stiffly in a protective stance. “Tiffany. What are you doing?”

  “Is she your little bitch again? Didn’t you learn your lesson already? She eats everyone alive, and then spits them out when she’s done. She’s already had you, Blaine, and Caleb. Even my own damn boyfriend in high school thought she was soooo sweet,” Tiffany slurred, tears beginning to slip from her half-opened eyelids.

  “What is she talking about?” I whispered to Peter.

  His only response was to hold his hand up, like he needed me to be quiet while he handled his sister.

  “Did you drive here?” He spoke to her like this was a normal thing. Could this be a regular occurrence?

  “I need to sit down.” Tiffany plopped herself into the seat Peter had been in. Within seconds, she was passed out cold, her mouth wide open. The smell of stale alcohol swirled through the air.

  I grimaced. “Is she okay?” What the hell just happened?

  Peter pursed his lips, face showing concern. “Yes and no.”

  “There’s a red Mercedes parked in the middle of the street, getting towed outside. Does it belong to anyone here?” a man announced from the doorway.

  Peter sighed. “I have to get her home. I’m so sorry again, Abs.” The look on his face broke my heart.

  “Can I help you at all?”

  “No. Her car can just get towed. She shouldn’t be driving anyway.” He started to bend down to pick his sister up when I placed my hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  “Hold on a minute.” I squatted down until I was face-to-face with the snoring Tiffany. “I know you can’t hear me and you probably don’t care, but even if I don’t understand what you have against me, I forgive you. For every horrible thing you’ve ever done and said to me.” There. I did it. It really didn’t matter if Tiffany knew or not because I didn’t do it for the woman who obviously had so many issues of her own.

  Standing up, I found Peter staring at me in awe. “That’s why I’ll always love you, Abs. If you ever get tired of Caleb, don’t forget about me.”

  Well, that was unexpected. Time to go. “Goodbye, Peter.” Grabbing my purse from the back of the chair, I strolled out of the coffeehouse with a much lighter step than when I’d first entered.

  Chapter Twenty

  Mission Accepted

  Abby

  Several weeks had passed since winter break, and I jumped right into my new role as a fifth grade teacher. The kids turned out to be a lot different than I’d expected. Our current project was in full swing, and the kids were getting ready to showcase what they’d learned.

  Tomorrow was presentation day, but tonight was date night. I rushed home after school to get ready for my double date with Caleb, Leah, and some guy that had been pestering her to go out with him. Caleb had insisted on a double date when Leah brought it up in front of us. I loved how protective he was over my best friend and me.

  I only had a few moments to throw myself together before Caleb knocked. I made my way to the front door while smoothing down my long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder blouse as my heeled boots clicked on the wooden floor. The anticipation of what I’d find on the other side was overwhelming. Slowly, I opened it and peeked out with a sinister smile. As expected, Caleb was a sight for sore eyes. No man should ever look this good wearing jeans and a sweater. His freshly showered scent hit my nose as I took him in.

  He closed the door behind him. “You look beautiful.” Playing along with my smile, he wrapped his arms around my waist, inviting my body to align with his. “I could just eat you up.”

  Flashing him a look he loved so much, bedroom eyes included, I teased, “That could be arranged.”

  “Don’t tempt me like that.” He nipped along my neck and shoulders, taking his time until I shamelessly made sounds I never realized I had in me. Damn, he was good.

  “Hey guys, lock the door if you’re going to do that.” Leah broadcasted from behind Caleb, causing him to laugh while his mouth was still on my sensitive skin.

  One last peck on the lips, and he turned to Leah. “Sorry, our girl here is just too irresistible. Can’t keep my hands off her.”

  My skin scorched, first at having this man nibble on me, then at my friend walking in on us.

  “Or your mouth apparently,” Leah snorted, knowing just how to take a conversation from awkward to awkward. “Are you guys ready to go, or do you need a little more time to devour each other?” Leah giggled as she started to head out the door.

  “There’ll never be enough time for that,” he growled into my ear as we stepped through the doorway, causing goosebumps to breakout all over my hypersensitive skin.

  ⁂

  Caleb

  I didn’t know what to expect tonight since I’d never been on a double date before. All I knew was that when Leah had started talking about a guy who’d worn her down asking her out, I had to meet him. Not only had I fallen in love with Abby, but I found myself wanting to protect her best friend as well.

  We stepped inside the seaside fish house when a guy approached, his eyes glued on Leah. Brownish hair, lightened by the sun; brown, squinty eyes; decent build. Surfer maybe? Yeah, I checked him out. The way guys do.

  “Hey, Leah, glad you made it.” Squinty-eyed guy reached over and kissed her cheek.

  “Did you expect me to stand you up?” Leah didn’t reciprocate his affection.

  I w
atched him closely.

  “I hoped not, it took me long enough to get you to say yes.” Squinty chuckled. “Our table is ready when you guys are.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Devon. These are my friends, Abby and Caleb.” Leah gestured to us.

  “Nice to meet you.” Devon shook my hand and waved to Abby with a half-smile, exposing perfect teeth.

  Must’ve worn braces growing up. I couldn’t help but scrutinize everything about this guy.

  “Right this way.” The hostess led us through the dimly lit restaurant. A white leather booth ran across one wall, just under the large windows facing the ocean. The tables were draped with black linen and topped with candles.

  I pulled Abby’s chair out for her, while Leah and Devon scooted into the booth across from us. The sun was slowly disappearing in the horizon. This was one of my favorite restaurants, but I was surprised Abby had suggested it even though she was a vegetarian. Apparently they had one of her favorite items on the menu, poblano pepper and Portobello mushroom tacos.

  After ordering our drinks, we picked up the menus. That’s when I spotted Devon planting his bugged-out eyes directly on Abby’s chest. The hell? First rule in the guy code, you do not look at another man’s woman, especially when said man is sitting right here.

  Strike one, jackass.

  To be fair, I hadn’t introduced myself as Abby’s boyfriend. I’d have to rectify that now. Making sure Devon was watching, I leaned over to Abby and planted a kiss on her lips, then sat back to look the guy square in the eyes with my arm draped over the back of her chair.

  Got it, buddy?

  There was an acknowledgment in his eyes. Good.

  Abby curved toward me, rubbing her shoulder on my chest and whispered, “Guy thing?”

  With my eyes on the menu, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Busted. Once I knew what I wanted to order, I opened the conversation while everyone else perused the menu. “So Devon, what do you do?”

  “When I’m not surfing, I work with the same kids Leah does.”

  So he was a surfer afterall.

  “Caleb surfs, too,” Abby said, although I wished she hadn’t shared anything about me because I was still feeling this guy out.

  “Oh yeah, where do you surf?” Devon asked, almost as a challenge.

  “Hammond’s,” I mentioned my favorite spot, just down from the Four Seasons. I’d discovered the area the last time my parents had come to visit and stayed at that hotel.

  “Yeah, those waves are pretty decent. I like to surf at Haskell’s Beach.”

  I nodded. Haskell’s was mostly a locals only spot by Escalona Spa and Resort.

  Just as the waitress came to take our order, a cell rang. Devon grabbed his phone, looked at the caller ID and answered. “Hey, dude. Where ya been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Nah, nothing much. Wait, hold on.” He said to the waitress, “Can I get the Shrimp Scampi?” Then addressed the table, “Excuse me; I have to take this call. I’ll be right back.” He got up and left the table, speaking loudly into the mouthpiece.

  Seriously?

  Strikes two, three, and four. This guy was a total prick.

  My eyes were drawn to Leah’s aggravated expression. When she realized I’d noticed, she tried to brighten up.

  “You okay?” I asked, hoping she wouldn’t try to hide her feelings.

  “Yeah, fine, let’s just get through dinner. There will be no second date, though.” She picked up her napkin from the table and tossed it onto her lap.

  Abby placed her hand on Leah’s. “Sorry, sweetie.”

  Leah rolled her eyes and exhaled, but didn’t say anything further.

  The dipshit finally made it back to the table once the food arrived, ate with his hands like a freaking animal, made slurping noises, then let out a small burp while pounding his chest with his fist. The ladies excused themselves to go to the bathroom when the check arrived.

  “Why do chicks always leave when the bill comes? I’m gonna pay for mine and Leah’s, but I hate when it’s assumed.”

  That’s it. This guy had to go. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it.” I snatched the check from him as he was adding up who ordered what. Placing my black American Express card in the leather bill holder, I handed it to the waitress as she passed by. I didn’t normally like to show off my wealth, but that felt pretty damn good.

  “I don’t know what kind of women you’re used to taking out, but Leah is extraordinary, and you’ve been a prick. Don’t bother asking her out again.”

  “Whoa, where the hell did that come from?” Devon had the nerve to act shocked.

  I just rolled my eyes. I wasn’t going to give this guy a checklist of proper dating etiquette. “If that’s how you are on a first date, I can only imagine the way you behave when you really get comfortable. Just leave Leah alone.” I sat up straighter, waiting for the confrontation.

  “Dude, if I want to ask her out again, I will. It’s her choice, not yours.” Devon sat back, his arms defiantly crossed over his chest.

  “And I know what her choice will be,” I said cockily. “You can go now. I’ll tell her you had another call.” I stood up then, stepping aside so Devon knew this wasn’t a joke.

  “Whatever,” he muttered. “I don’t even know why I was after her in the first place. She’s not even my type.” Throwing his napkin on the table, he gave me a dirty look as he got up and left the restaurant.

  Once the girls returned, they gave each other a questioning look.

  “He had to leave,” was the only explanation I offered.

  Leah was instantly relieved. “Good. What a pendejo.”

  I frowned. “What’s that?”

  “Dumbass.”

  I chuckled, thankful Leah wasn’t upset about her date leaving early. “Ah, yes, he was a pen-day-ho.”

  Back at Abby’s, we walked Leah to her van. Even though she’d seemed fine at the restaurant, something in her expression was pulling on my heart.

  “Hey, don’t worry about it, Leah. There are plenty of guys out there who would love to have a woman as amazing as you. Your guy will find you.” I wished I knew a good guy I could introduce her to. It wasn’t often a woman like Leah came along. If Stefen wasn’t such a prick, I’d love to set them up. But the fact remained that he continued to blow through women like none of them mattered, so that was not about to happen.

  “Yeah, well, I think he’s taking a few detours. That’s okay, though, at least Devon will stop bugging me.” She twirled her car keys in her hand.

  “If he doesn’t, tell me.” That jackass had better leave her alone now.

  “Is she going to be alright?” I asked Abby as Leah got in her van and drove off.

  “Yeah, she just doesn’t have very good luck with guys. They all turn out to be jerks, in one way or another. I think it’s probably harder for her now that I have you because she sees how happy we are.” We walked hand-in-hand back to her front door. “She calls you prince charming, ya know.”

  I had to laugh. “Prince charming, huh? That’s a pretty hefty reputation to live up to.”

  “Don’t worry, you fit the bill just fine.” Patting my chest, she leaned in for a kiss then pulled back and stared up at me. “Please promise me you’ll stay at a hotel tomorrow night. I don’t want you driving all the way home after the game.” Tomorrow I had a meeting with the studio execs and my manager in L.A. I’d be signing all the final contracts, then Chris and I would be going to the hockey game Abby had gotten me tickets for.

  “I still wish you were coming.” It wasn’t manly, but I put on my own pouty face as I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her.

  “I know, but tomorrow is our class presentation, and I can’t miss it. You get to have some guy time.” She knew I didn’t care about guy time. She was just trying to make me feel better.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind keeping Madison?”

  “Of course not, we’ll have some bonding time. Leah wants to come over, too. It’ll be a girls’ night, pai
nted toes and all.” Scrunching her nose with a smirk, she leaned up to peck my lips again.

  God, I loved this woman’s kisses. I pulled her closer, loving the smell of her shampoo. “Madison is going to love that.”

  I started to go in for a goodnight kiss when Abby asked, “Wait, how did you get rid of Devon after all?”

  “I told him he didn’t deserve Leah and he could leave.” There was no need to cover up the truth.

  “Guy thing?”

  She knew me so well already.

  ⁂

  Abby

  The fifth-grade California mission project was going strong when Leah walked into my classroom between flower deliveries and pointed out, “This looks like some kind of cult.” All the kids were wearing monk outfits, so there was a sea of brown-hooded robes. Models of the Spanish missions were scattered about the room, as well as wooden planting squares that held crops representing the agricultural part, and stuffed animals in a makeshift corral representing the livestock. Parents, students from other classes, and additional teachers were making their way through the room, asking my students different questions about what they’d learned through their research. I couldn’t be prouder.

  But as much as I’d enjoyed the day’s activities, I couldn’t wait to get home and start our girls’ night. Leah and I were planning to pamper Madison with an at-home mani/pedi, lots of yummy goodies, and a couple princess movies. Admittedly, I also looked forward to the call that would come from Caleb before he went to sleep.

  Once the class was clean and every student was claimed, I walked over to the kindergarten area to pick up Madison. I found her sitting with another teacher’s first grade daughter and overheard their conversation.

  “I hope Miss Abby becomes your mommy. She’s really nice,” the first grader told Madison, warming my heart. I leaned against the doorframe, waiting to hear Madison’s response.

  “Me, too. I pray every night that she can be my mommy. She makes me and my daddy so happy. My daddy didn’t smile before, and now he does, every day.” That little girl knew exactly what to say to make me love her more and more each day. As much as I’d like to hear what else she had to say, it was time to blow this taco stand.