by Flora Dare
A groan erupted from Jolie’s lips before she could stop. “So, super overgrown, lots of invasive nonnative species and no money?”
“No, nope and newp! Lots and lots of money to spend on making everything gorgeous. Free reign.”
“Really, free reign?” Jolie tried to smother her skeptical snort. Free reign never lived up to its name.
“No, seriously, actual massive budget expected. Apparently they made a fortune on some sort of invention, now they want a lovely retreat.” Zane sighed happily. “Lots of Art Deco influences, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to restore.”
Intrigued despite her misgivings, Jolie’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Art Deco you say? Guess I’ll hit the library for some ideas.”
Zane’s face scrunched up in confusion. “The library? What, are you a senior citizen? We have a thing called the Internet now.”
“Whatever. They have amazing books at the library and yes, sometimes a book is more fun to flip through than a website.”
Jolie clipped her bottle onto her belt and grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow. As she approached her truck, Zane flipped down the tailgate. They put the tools away, then heaved the wheelbarrow into the back. They plopped down, dangling their legs off the edge of the truck bed.
It was a companionable silence until Jolie’s phone started ringing. Her blood went icy cold and her hands were shaking as she slipped it out of her back pocket.
She almost dropped the phone when she saw who was calling.
Mate in a Minute Speed Dating.
Oh shit, I could pretend that maybe I’d get a date with him at least. Now I’ll actually know. This sucks. She looked away from Zane. She couldn’t meet her friend’s gaze right now. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she answered the phone.
Even to her own ears, her voice was strained and harsh. “Hello.”
After several long moments she muttered, “Okay, thank you for letting me know.”
She set the phone in her lap, while Zane wrapped her arms around her. “Oh honey, really? No matches?”
Jolie shook her head frantically. “Worse. I got a match. With him.”
“Are you freaking nuts? You really like the guy!”
“I know, but the date, it’s Friday night.” Was her heart still beating? No. It had frozen in her chest. Panic did that, apparently.
“That’s like, two days away, that’s more than enough time to prepare yourself.”
Jolie finally looked up at Zane. “No you don’t understand. Our date is going to the City’s Benefit Ball. It’s a freaking formal event. He thinks I’m someone that goes to formals on short notice.” She shook her hands at her friend. “Look at these paws! Could they be rougher?”
Zane laughed. “Honey, he just held your hand two days ago. We’ll moisturize you, primp you. Lisa at Delish Salon owes me big. We’ll get you the whole package. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
“Oh man, Zane. He wants to see me again. We barely said two words and he wants to see me again.” Her badger was doing joyful cartwheels. Randy bitch couldn’t wait to see him again.
“Of course he does! I know you have a lot of baggage, but you are freaking beautiful. Yeah, you work with your hands for a living. You’re strong and incredible. And honestly, you have a killer rack and legs that go on for days and days. So yeah, he wants to see you again.”
Jolie smacked her friend’s shoulder and rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’m not Frankenstein’s Monster, but I’m still not a classical beauty. I’m not a wee tiny thing that can be thrown over anyone’s shoulder and carried away in a traditional shifter mate claiming.”
“From your descriptions, this guy could easily toss you over his shoulder.”
Jolie fell silent. He really could. She’d never gone out with anyone physically more imposing than her. “Well, it could still be a major flop of a night. What am I going to talk about at a freaking ball? How to appropriately amend soil for different plants?”
“He might be interested.” Zane giggled as she said it. “Well fine, okay, it’s not often dinner conversation. But then talk about the last book you read or the last movie.”
“I am not talking to him about the last sci-fi romance book I read and the weird alien dicks it involved.” Although big blue barbarian aliens were a lot of fun to read about, she wasn’t ready to have a book club with him.
Zane’s eyebrows shot up through her hairline. “Well, date night aside, send me the link to the book. I’m not the one with a hot date with a red hot and raring to go mate.”
Jolie shoved her friend. “Well, me either, okay? I have an upcoming event that is terrifying the pants off me.”
“If that’s what it takes to get someone in ‘em.”
“Zane! I’m not gonna sleep with the guy, no matter how hot he is. Not if we can’t have a comfortable conversation.” Almost probably definitely not.
“Of course, conversation. That’s the first thing you told me about him, wait no, you said, ‘he was everything.’”
“It doesn’t even matter.” Jolie scrolled through the recent calls on her phone. “I’m going to have to call back and cancel.”
Zane pulled the phone out of Jolie’s hands before she could do more than turn it on. “No freaking way. You need to have a way better excuse than that you’re freaking out.”
“Seriously Zane, I don’t have a dress for this kind of event. This isn’t just formal, this is practically the Met Gala and I’m a Wranglers kind of girl.”
“Oh, girl. You don’t have to worry about the dress, not at all.”
Jolie was relieved, until she saw the wicked tilt to Zane’s lips. “Why do I feel like I’m standing over a trap door?”
“Because you, my friend, lost a bet when you answered that call.”
The grin on her friend’s face made Jolie’s blood run cold. Well, not cold, but definitely a few degrees nervous. “Wait, no. Zane, seriously.”
“Oh yes, this time?” Zane’s finger poked Jolie right in the middle of her chest. “This time it’s the red dress.”
“Well, fuck me.”
“Nope, that’s your guy’s job.”
7
Jolie scanned the mirror once more.
Hair: fluffed.
Lips: lacquered.
Eyes: smokey.
Shoes: four inches too high. Again.
Inner badger: gagged and hogtied, where she couldn’t cause any trouble.
But this time, she was in Delish Salon with Zane. And instead of a subdued but sexy little black bit of spandex, she wore a bright red sequined dress. Not dress, gown.
From the front, it followed her curves until it all but completely covered her. It was the back where it got dangerous. It dipped so low that a miracle of a bra had to be built into it. And Zane had stolen her panties. If not for the draping of the fabric, Jolie was pretty sure she’d be arrested for indecent exposure before she made it into the ball.
The hair stylist had wrestled her unruly locks into a stunning updo. Jolie’s only jewelry was a simple backdrop necklace that traced her spine.
Looking at her reflection, her lips couldn’t help but turn up. Her hands were only a little clammy from nerves. When her critical inner voice tried to whisper ugly things, she smothered the thoughts and spun around to her friend.
“Zane, this dress would have been so out of place at the speed dating thing. You were never going to make me wear it, were you?”
“Nope! But it scared you into wearing the other dress without fussing. This is why I do all of our negotiations.” Her BFF was way too proud of being so sneaky.
The fabric was cool against Jolie’s hand as she smoothed over her hip. “I still feel like a big liar, like I’m tricking him into thinking I’m this kind of woman.”
Zane sighed and shook her head. “Honey, I love you to bits, but because you do physical work doesn’t mean you can’t also slap on some make up and go high femme. It’s what I do. Am I a liar?”
“I
guess not.” Jolie grabbed her friend’s hand. “Thanks. Sometimes I guess I let the mean girl that lives in my head have a little too much power.”
“Don’t you dare get mushy right now. If I start crying, you’ll start crying. It might be smudge proof makeup, but let’s not risk it when you are seconds away of getting whisked away by prince charming, okay?” But Zane’s hand squeezed Jolie’s tight. “Have a good time tonight, okay? You work hard, now relax and have fun.”
It would have been easy for Jolie to give into the swell of emotion and bawl with her friend. “I’m not sure I’m actually capable of that, but for you, I’ll try.”
“Well, and for that big hunk of a man waiting for you.”
A clearing throat interrupted them. “Excuse me, but your car is here for you.”
Zane thrust the little clutch at her. “Emergency supplies only. Lipstick for touch ups. Some condoms. Remember, even if it’s a terrible idea…”
Laughter burbled through Jolie, “At least it will make a good story.”
They shared a quick hug and then Zane pushed her out the door.
Jolie surreptitiously rubbed her still slightly clammy hands on the seat as they pulled up to the side of the building. She was relieved they weren’t having to meet in the crush at the front, driving by the flashing lights was enough to make her break into a cold sweat.
The driver opened the door and directed her to the dining room. Before she walked in, she paused, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Brain shut up for once. You look amazing. He wants to see you. And even if it goes pear-shaped, it’s a story to bring to Zane. Who will at least never make me do something like this again. And if it goes well? She opened her eyes and smiled as she strode in the door.
A hostess greeted her. “Hello, Ma’am. Welcome to the City’s Benefit Ball Dinner.”
“Hello. I’m Jolie Hampstead, I’m dining with Gabe Jacobs.”
“Of course, follow me.” The hostess was all smiles. The expected side eye and smirk never materializing.
Maybe I never should have anticipated them?
All thoughts were banished as the man she was expecting rose from his chair. He towered over everyone in the room. It wasn’t her imagination, he really was a foot taller than her.
His eyes locked on to hers. He looked hungry, no not hungry. He looked like a man ready for a joyful feast. He looked happy to see her. Her face almost split as her smile expanded and her heartbeat sped up. It feels so good to have someone so glad to see you again. I’d forgotten.
The waiter helped her with her seat and Gabe took her hand.
“I’m so incredibly glad you came.”
A newborn confidence made her brave. “Well, with how much we had in common, how could I say no?”
His low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “I was honestly hoping we’d be able to do something a bit more low-key.” He gestured at their opulent surroundings. “I was going to suggest bowling.”
“Was this Mate in a Minute’s idea?”
“God no! My sister. She ended up with two tickets and was badgering me to come as her date. Then I realized I had a perfect solution. I could try and impress a woman I very much wanted to impress.”
A flush rose up her cheeks. “I probably would have rather gone bowling.” She cringed realizing how that must sound. “That sounds incredibly ungrateful. I’m sorry to have stolen your sister’s place, when really, I’m not usually a dress up kind of girl.” It was relieving to have that out there, to tell him that the dolled up woman in front of him wasn’t her usual.
Gabe chuckled. “Oh, my sister was relieved to get out of going. For once in her life, she couldn’t speak in the presence of a man. And then ended up with two tickets to this shivaree.”
“I can’t imagine what that must have been like for her.”
“Why do you think I forgave her so easily? And who doesn’t like an opportunity to dress up?”
She meekly raised her hand. “My friend is responsible for every wisp of hair, makeup, even the dress.”
His eyes smoldered. “She was gilding the lily. You look lovely dressed up, because you are a beautiful woman.”
Jolie wanted to look away from the intensity in his eyes, but she threw the mean girl in her head in next to her inner badger and let it wash over her, basking in the moment until the waiter interrupted.
After ordering, she decided she wanted a less eye gazing and a little more knowing what kind of man he was.
“So, what do you?”
8
Gabe paused. How can I phrase this to not sound like a total asshole? “Well, at my heart, I’m a tinkerer. Mostly, I’m a mechanic these days.” Since I don’t have a day job and get to play with my restoration projects. But that makes me sound like a flake.
She brightened at his words. Interesting, she seemed really happy to hear that. In his experience since his divorce, most women didn’t go on second dates with men who worked with their hands. He turned the conversation back to her, wanting to know everything about her. “What do you do?”
“Oh, my fancy title is Landscape Architect, but really I’m a glorified gardener. Mostly, I spend my days with my hands in the dirt.” She flexed her hands at him, fluttering her fingers. “These talons? Glued on. I’m a daisy, not a rose.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman like you before.” It made him feel ashamed that he’d ever dated creatures whose soft hands came from idleness. “I like it. I like you, a lot.” The words tumbling out surprised him, but it was the truth.
“We hardly know anything about each other, how can you tell if you like me?” She tilted her head ever so slightly, grin teasing her lips, and all he could think about was dragging her to the nearest dark corner so he could bend her over and—
He needed to get himself under control.
“Everything I find out about you, makes me want to know more. How did you get into landscaping?”
“My gran, she loved her garden. Designing more than her own as a career hadn’t been possible for her, although she helped all her neighbors. But she instilled a love of gardening and being outside in me.” It was nice talking about why she did what she did. Jolie’s shoulders relaxed. “Mostly we do residential, which has its own challenges. Gardens are a lot of work. A lawn is easier a lot of times. I specialize in little escape nooks that are easy to maintain.”
His head tilted thoughtfully. “So no matter what, people have a place to relax and recharge.”
Jolie smiled. “Exactly. Most people aren’t ever going to get to live in their exact perfect environment. We make compromises for the people we love, for schools, for jobs, for what we can afford. But almost everyone I work with, they all want a retreat.”
“An oasis away from the drudgery of modern life?”
“Exactly, help us keep in touch with our shifter sides. I’m a badger, so digging and planting make me happy. My oasis is a cozy den that I can constantly futz with.” Intense eye gazing aside, Jolie really enjoyed talking to Gabe. “What’s your ideal space in the world?”
“Would it be cheesy to say right here, right now, with you?”
The edges of her mouth lifted a little higher and Jolie blushed. “A little bit, yes. But, consider me flattered. What about besides this?”
He paused and considered. “A forest, with a good stream running through. A stream the salmon are jumping in, with a few big rocks to sun on after a good meal. How would you make that happen in a typical backyard?”
“Well, I probably can’t give anyone a forest and it really depends on what I’m working with, but I would probably take a back corner. A meandering walk leads up to the entrance.” Her hands drew a spiral in the air. “If I can have a little bit of space, an outer edge of arborvitae, creating a path you have to wander before you reach the heart of your escape.”
Gabe was pulled into the world she was painting. “So I’m entering the heart of my oasis.”
“You pass by a burbling water feature. It’s the clo
sest we’re gonna get to a stream, but there is a natural stone patio that is bathed in sunlight.” Her enthusiasm was contagious and he could practically picture the space.
“I guess I’m on my own for the salmon?”
“I’ll make sure you have the number for Sammie’s.” She winked and his breathe caught in his throat. He wanted her. “Best salmon burgers in town and they deliver. But it will have some nice seating so you can also enjoy some peace and quiet.”
“That sounds really amazing. You said you mostly do residential? Any public spaces I can check out?”
“Nothing quite as personal as that, but I did the tea gardens at the museum.”
Her eyes lit up when she talked about her work. Gabe wanted to see her in action.
“Maybe you can show me them one day?” He wanted to see her again, had to see her again.
“I’d like that. Does that mean you want another date with me?” Her cheeks flushed a tempting pink and he wondered if she’d be as flushed when she came, screaming his name.
“Absolutely. Something we can maybe be a little more comfortable while doing.”
“I’ve blathered your ear off about me. It’s your turn.”
He was saved by the first course arriving. It gave him time to think, to consider. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he really didn’t want to tell her who he was yet. He didn’t think she’d turn out to be a grasping gold-digger like his ex-wife, but now he worried she would think he was a lay about.
“My current pet project is actually a present for my sister. She’s had a crappy year, so it would be nice to see her smile again.” Gabe paused. Des hadn’t had any real spring in her step since she came to visit him. It worried the hell out of him. “I found a beat to hell 1970 Karmann Ghia convertible hiding in someone’s barn. When I’m done, it’ll be the cherry red dream she’s always wanted.”
“Oh wow, I have no idea what that is.” Jolie shrugged sheepishly. “Is it terribly fancy?”
He laughed. “I forget that not everyone is a car nut like I am. It’s not fancy at all, it’s a Volkswagen. Their sporty offering as a contrast to the Beetle. But it has swooping lines she loves.”
