by Remi Wild
Fiona is seriously testing my self-confidence, but she can’t sway him, anyway. That man adores me, heart, body, and soul. Deep down I know this to be one-hundred-percent true, but even deeper, I’m terrified.
Waiting patiently while trying to muffle the insecurity is a fight. When Eric finally returns, the look of guilt on his face confirms what I was hoping wouldn’t happen.
Fiona has won this round.
My whole-body flinches in anticipation of the words I know are coming.
“I have to go in to the office for a few hours…Last night, I bailed on her, and there is still a lot to get done before Monday…”
Instinctively, I nod my head, forcing a feigned but convincing act of understanding. “Of course, I get it…I’ll hang with Melanie and Leo, and when you get home, we’ll bar-b-que some steaks?”
“Sounds good. I really wanted to hang with you guys…This should only take a few hours.” He leans in and kisses me, but I sense hesitation like he feels bad.
Reaching out, I grab his hand and make eye contact. “I love you.” He leans back in and kisses me, this time it’s hard and wild, like he’s leaving me something to think about. I love it when he does that—keeps me in suspense, always wanting. I slap his ass as he walks away and then chill back in the lounger.
It will be ok.
He knows about Fiona, and he’s anything but stupid. There’s no way he’ll fall for her. Somehow, I feel better, knowing he will be coming home to me.
Chia jump up and races to the gate, barking like a maniac. Leo’s here, she doesn’t know him, and she only barks at strangers.
Leo strolls through the gate and towards me, ignoring Chia as she dances around him, following him and barking. I’ve never seen her so worked up, but Leo is playing it totally cool. He sits across from me as Chia sits at his feet barking up at him, demanding his undying love and devotion.
“Chia! Stop!” I can’t believe how crazy she’s being.
Leo stops ignoring her and stares into her black puppy eyes—she calms, nudging her head against the hand he has resting on his leg.
“Oh my God! She loves you!” Laughing, I grab my phone and snap a pic of their exchange. “Honestly, Leo, she never warms up this fast with strangers.”
“I have a way with women,” he drawls, taking her face in his hands and leaning in for a kiss.
Rolling my eyes, I plop back into my lounger.
“Where’s Eric?” Leo says, looking around.
“He had to work, but will be back for dinner.”
“Had to work, huh?” Melanie calls as she walks towards us. Reaching down she scratches Chia on the head. “What the hell, Chia? You always come to greet me.”
I laugh. “Chia has a boyfriend.”
“Pfft. Figures.” She drops down on the lounger beside Leo and rests her head on his shoulder. She eyes me, frowning. “Fiona?”
“Yup.”
“Who’s Fiona?” Leo asks, looking from Mel to me.
“It’s completely ridiculous…” Mel rises, stretches like a cat, and strolls toward the house, calling over her shoulder, “I need a drink, Becky can fill you in.”
Chapter Seven
Leo listened to my story, one eyebrow cocked, and a naughty grin curving his sexy lips. “Damn, this Fiona sounds like a piece of work.” He sounds intrigued, like he can’t wait to meet her.
“She is,” I say. “She’s also hot, skinny, with long legs, fabulous hair…fricking gorgeous and intelligent.”
“Eric’s never been motivated by looks,” Leo says.
“What the hell does that mean?” I gape at him, ready to punch him for basically calling me ugly.
“Whoa.” He chuckles, raising his hands in surrender. “That was not what I meant.”
I rise, standing hand on hip, tapping my foot, waiting for exactly what the hell he meant by that. He tosses me a sheepish look. “I only meant that he only has eyes for you.”
“Uh-huh. Even though I’m ugly.” I tilt my head, shooting him the death glare.
“Please. Now, you’re just fishing,” Mel cuts in, laughing at our exchange.
Yeah, maybe I am a bit, but I could use an ego boost. Shrugging, I giggle. “I’m dealing with a major situation here, I could use the boost.” They both start laughing. “This really isn’t funny, you guys. She’s unbelievably hot, and smart, but those things pale in comparison to her blatant determination to shag my husband. I have to do something—have to stop her.”
My mind is spinning. Talking about this is only revving me up, making me more paranoid. I’m twitching with discomfort and unease, trying to rationalize my insecurities while coming up with a defense plan.
The laughter stops and Leo’s expression sobers—he eyes me for a moment and then sits back, finally taking in how affected I am by all of this. “Becs,” he says, pointing and shaking a finger at me. “Stop it, right now.”
“Stop what?” I’m grinning but defiant. “It’s not like I have a plan or anything, but I just can’t stop my mind from trying to form one—I need to be on the defense with this.”
“You’re one step away from obsessed. Eric, he would never do anything, but you, acting like a crazy jealous wife, that could push him straight into her arms. Guys can’t stand that sort of thing.”
I cross my arms, gaping at him for a second before recovering. “First of all, just to be clear, I am not jealous...I’m terrified, there’s a difference.”
Melanie snorts, and Leo looks taken aback, speechless. “I thought you had more backbone than this...”
His arrogance annoys me, like he has any idea what being in a committed relationship is like. Flashing him a snarly face, I flip him off.
“Honestly, Becky, you have nothing to worry about—the man adores you,” Melanie says, shaking her head.
“I know he adores me...but she is hell bent on snagging him. Seriously, I wouldn’t even be concerned had I not heard her, had I not seen her…The thing is, there’s only so long you can dangle a steak in front of even the most well-trained dog, before it takes a bite.”
A loud belly laugh erupts from Leo. “You’re unbelievable. You women….”
“Pfft. You, men! Don’t tell me, you wouldn’t be concerned if it were happening to you…” I scoff. “Oh, that’s right. When was the last time either of you were in a serious relationship? Leo, have you ever even been in love?”
Shrugging slightly his jaw twitches—I shouldn’t have said that. It’s clear by the silence that I have trampled on a nerve. Friends don’t judge; that was so not cool.
“I’m sorry, guys. I shouldn’t have…How you live your lives isn’t up for judgement…” Snapping my jaw shut, I step off.
Melanie speaks up, but her tone is lighter, like I hit a nerve. “Some of us didn’t meet the love of our life in college. Some of us have to wait…” She tosses Leo a saucy look. “Others aren’t even looking for love.”
“Who says I’m not looking for love?” He grins, that dirty skirt-chasing grin that we are all familiar with. “I’m always looking…”
“Look, I’m not judging, but do either of you have any idea what it’s like to be so in love you can’t see straight? So, in love, that if some bombshell stepped onto your turf it would concern you?”
They’re both silent—they get it, but at the same time they don’t. Sitting down, I plop back in my lounger, close my eyes, and regroup. I’m probably being crazy, but it’s not like either of them have any idea what this feels like. It feels awful, I can’t possibly help but have my back up. I know that I’m well within my rights on this one.
Leo has never had anything to be jealous of, he’s the icing on every girls’ cake. I can’t imagine he has ever been cheated on. When one girl walks out of his life, another one enters—his bedroom should have a revolving door.
Mel, on the other hand, has had at least a couple of serious flings, but they never went further, at least not that she has ever confessed to. It’s the southern lady thing, I guess. She rare
ly divulges who she’s been dating unless it becomes a regular thing.
I’m different, Ohio born and raised. Everyone in my family wears their heart on their sleeves. We’re a softer bunch, but fiercely devoted. Suddenly missing my mom and sisters, I frown.
I stayed in Alabama after college because of Eric, and I love it here. This is home. It’s so wild: if the weather doesn’t kill you, something lurking in the bushes might, but it’s all part of the charm, the mystique.
“Well, that’s enough of that,” Leo says. I open my eyes, looking in his direction while shielding my eyes from the sun. He takes off his shirt and dives into the pool.
For a split second, Mel and I admire his body before it hits the water. We’re not alone; Chia runs the length of the pool, chasing him as he swims. She waits at the end of the pool, dancing on all fours, desperate for him to emerge and when he does, she leans over the edge, whining and trying to lick his face.
Mel and I are near hysterics, watching the exchange. “It seems my Chia has found her soul mate,” I say, reigning in the giggles.
“How about we hit the pool and forget the Fiona thing?” Mel nudges me towards the pool.
“Deal.” Anything to get my mind off Fiona is a welcome change. I don’t like thinking about it more than necessary anyway.
Hours later, as we are lounging by the pool, drinking and laughing, Eric returns. It has been an awesome afternoon, and I can’t wait to spend the evening with these guys. Eric leans in to kiss me and then disappears into the house to change. He returns with a plate of marinating steaks in one hand and a beer in the other.
Leo snickers. “Look Becs, steak.”
Eric eyes us, wondering, but then picks up on the innuendo. “You told him?”
Sheepish, I point to Mel. “I was forced in to it.” Now, I feel like a dick.
He huffs, not surprised. “Really, it’s nothing. Fiona has only ever behaved in a professional way...I think maybe she was talking about someone else.” Eric shrugs, plops down beside me, leans back, and pulls me into his arms. Relieved that he isn’t mad. I snuggle in and give him a kiss, but I’m still on edge because I know damn well Fiona was talking about him.
“Were you able to get caught up?” I say, trying to lift the unease with small talk.
He shakes his head. “There’s still so much to do. This couple—they’re billionaires, and the asset list alone is staggering. Of course, they’re fighting tooth and nail over every little detail.” He swallows and squeezes me against him, like he has something bad to say. “We are leaving for Tuscaloosa tomorrow afternoon instead of Monday morning. We have a lot to go over before the meeting on Monday.”
My face blanches and my stomach flips. “You said you were just going to drive on Monday morning,” I say, trying to sound cool but there is a pout in my tone.
Shit, shit, shit!
The tension in the air erupts, Melanie and Leo are unusually quiet. I glance their way, noticing them exchanging suspicious looks. What the hell is that about?
OHH.
They are thinking it’s a chance for Eric and Fiona to be alone.
Ohhh.
“Sorry, Becky, it’s work. I’ll be back Tuesday night, though.” He kisses my head.
Struggling hard to keep my cool, I nod, pretending at Academy Award caliber that I’m fine with it. I have to get that across. He needs to know I trust him. I do, but I can’t help but worry. Who wouldn’t?
“Why don’t you go with Eric?” Melanie says. “You could have some alone time in between work...I can stay here and look after Chia for you.”
“What?” Leo says, sounding injured. “I want to look after Chia.”
“Pfft,” Mel glares at him, challenging him to defy her request.
Silent, I roll it around in my head. I’ve never tagged along on a work thing before, and I don’t want Eric to think that I’m going just to keep an eye on him. Given the situation, it would be obvious that keeping an eye on him is my intention.
“Thanks guys, but I’m not going,” I say, tossing Eric a naughty grin. “I wouldn’t want to distract you.”
“Damn,” Leo chides. “I was hoping to run away with Chia.”
“Sorry, man,” Eric laughs, kisses my cheek, and stands, nodding at Leo to join him in the house. “Games on.”
Melanie and I hang by the pool, while Leo and Eric go inside to do guy stuff. They seem at ease with each other. It’s really great to see. They return and we all sit around drinking and chatting. It’s like old times, me and Melanie chatting over the guys as they discuss football and fishing.
Chapter Eight
Sipping my coffee, I eye Eric wondering about his take on last night. He’s focused on his phone, texting and looking all business and so damn sexy. “So, how did things go for you last night? Are you more comfortable with Leo?”
He looks up and grins. “Yeah, I missed hanging with him. We had a good talk, he seems sorry for breaking guy code...He also seems more chill, more…mature. It might take time for me to totally forget what went down, but I’m basically over it.”
“That’s great! Mel’s been driving me nuts for months, nagging me to help you guys mend fences. I feel bad for not trying harder, I know how close you guys were before...Well, anyway, this is a good thing.”
Looking off to the side, he nods as if contemplating it. He was so angry with Leo for a long time, so I’m happy that we are moving forward. “Yeah,” he says. “It took some time to get past it all, but Leo’s a good guy, just impulsive and sometimes stupid for such a brilliant surgeon.”
Placing his phone on the table, he smiles—God, I love that smile—it’s the kind of smile that forces one to smile back.
“What are your plans for today?” He asks, grabbing my plate to clear the table.
“I’m going to walk Chia, and call my mom and Bridgette. I’ve been missing them…”
“Say hi to your mom and sister from me. What else do you have planned?”
“Mel and I are going shopping. We’ll probably have a girls’ night.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Didn’t you just have one?”
“Well, yeah, but you can never have too many, really.”
The doorbell chimes and we exchange a questioning glance before going to answer the door. If that’s Fiona, she’s almost an hour early. I see her big-breasted silhouette through the smoked glass door and my face flushes with anger.
Dammit!
Fighting the urge to stomp my feet and tantrum, I follow behind Eric while attempting to pull my shit together at lightspeed.
Eric opens the door. “You’re early. I’m not quite ready...come in.”
Fiona giggles, looking apologetic. “I could have sworn we said eleven. Sorry, I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
Yeah, like my husband.
Pfft.
Twat.
“It’s no problem. Just give me a few,” Eric says, leaning in to kiss me.
Take that, Fiona.
Wait!
What? You’re leaving me alone with her?
My eyes flash over her body. Her tight black short-shorts and Roll Tide tank top hug her curves to perfection as her shiny mane drapes across her shoulders and down her yoga-straight back. I’m sighing on the inside—she couldn’t wear pants? Jeez.
Crap.
Plastering on a fake but welcoming smile, I say, “Would you like a coffee or tea before you wait?”
“I’d love a coffee. I’ve been up since dawn.”
My mind is spinning, but I smile, and turn to the kitchen, motioning for Fiona to follow. As I grab a mug, Fiona follows up and stands, leaning against the counter facing me. I turn, and she has a strange look on her face, almost as if she is assessing me, and she is not trying to conceal it. Our eyes connect and her eyebrow arches slightly.
Is she amused? Of course, she is—I’m not anywhere near the bombshell she is.
“How do you like your coffee?” I say, ignoring her judgy eyes and blatant invasion of my space
.
“Like I like my men, creamy and strong.” She flashes me a naughty grin, and I burst out laughing.
Ok, that was funny. Except my man is the creamy one she’s after. “You’re gorgeous, smart, and you have a sense of humor? Wow, I don’t think I can leave you alone with my husband in good faith.” My tone is teasing, but I’m dead serious.
“Well he is creamy and strong...” She drawls, I know she means it. We both do.
This dance we’re doing is just for show. It’s obvious in the heavy awkward air that swirls around us. At any given moment, either one of us could go for blood.
Must be the bigger girl, must not drive a wedge between Eric and myself by going all psycho. She may want Eric, but she’ll have to go through me to get him—the way she’s glaring at me tells me that she doesn’t have a problem with it.
Suddenly, I’m suffocating, I need some air, or I’m going to faint. “Shall we sit out on the deck? It’s a lovely day.”
She shrugs, and I lead the way, sipping my coffee while praying I can keep it together. She plops herself down on the chair, leans back, and crosses her long, tan legs while sipping her coffee. Chia appears, races up to me, and sits adoringly at my feet while I scratch behind her ears.
“What a cute dog,” Fiona coos. “What breed is she, I’ve never seen anything like her...”
I giggle knowingly. “That’s the code phrase people use when they first meet her. It’s always the same polite response...she’s so ugly she’s cute is what’s on most people’s minds...Eric and I fell in love with her the minute we found her at the shelter. She was the ugliest puppy there, and no one wanted her, but I just knew she’d be a wonderful companion.”
“She’s not…ugly, but she’s definitely...unique.” Chia looks over to Fiona and then runs up to her as if she has now decided that she’s cool. Traitor. Chia loves everyone, home-wreckers included, but it usually takes her a few minutes to approach a new person...Leo has been the only exception.
As Fiona scratches behind Chia’s ear, a thought occurs to me: I should introduce Fiona to Leo.
