Life Rewired (Aspen Friends, Book 3)

by Galli, Lynn

  “Nat,” I started, knowing I had to have the conversation that would doom my spot on her crew. “What if this happens again? Think about it? Some bratty teen might borrow her mom’s jewelry, lose it, and blame it on the construction crew who was in the house.”

  “Without evidence, they can’t do anything to you. And they’ll never find any evidence.”

  She seemed so sure of that. Cherise was pretty determined last time. I wouldn’t put it past her to make evidence appear in my place. It was a lousy thing to think about a police officer, but she wouldn’t want to be embarrassed again.

  “Tessa has a small job for us if you’re up for it.”

  Panic bloomed in my chest. Nothing would happen as long as I kept working on Vivian’s house. The two thefts occurred on separate jobs. I didn’t want to tempt fate again. “It’s electrical?”

  “She’s got a sale pending on rewiring a media room. I’ll go with you.”

  I felt better about having Natalie along. At least she’d get proof of her faith in me. “If you want to take the job, yeah.”

  “Do you mind if we go after hours? I don’t want to be away from this project. I’ll give you comp time later.”

  I didn’t have any evening plans, hadn’t for a while, so I was all for working. “Sure.”

  “Great.” Natalie nodded. “My graphic designer is coming by later to take your order for winter shirts. I always go with Henleys and fleece pullovers, but the guys like long sleeved tshirts and sweatshirts. David will show you everything that’s available. Choose what you want so you’re geared up to stay on.”

  When Natalie made her mind up about something, I guess she made it happen. I let out a breathy laugh, not believing how lucky I was to have this woman looking out for me.

  27

  Making the turn onto my street, I spotted someone sitting out on the porch at home. I wasn’t in the mood for company tonight, especially not if the person was a police detective. After three days of extra hours on Tessa’s job, I was bushed. Even thinking about how I might avoid the person was too tiring. I could only hope it was one of the boys’ friends.

  Cole’s van wasn’t in the driveway. I had just enough time to rethink the effort to avoid when I spotted a brick red Tacoma parked at the curb. Molly’s pickup. My heart started pumping faster. God, I’d missed her. She might be here to yell at me, but she was here. We had to work this out. If we didn’t, even as much as I loved working for Natalie, I wasn’t sure I could stay here. Not if I kept running into this wonderful friend who wanted nothing more to do with me. It was hard enough sticking to our agreement to keep my hands off her. Not being friends would be that much harder.

  She stood to meet me when I came up the steps. “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  She swallowed and looked away. The hard lines of her face got harsher in the dipping sun of the evening. “Do you have time to talk?”

  “Always.” I set my toolbox in the mudroom and gestured her inside.

  She shook her head and pointed over her shoulder to the side porch. Her eyes darted past the open door where I could hear Cole speaking on his cell.

  I followed her and took my usual seat. My mouth felt all cottony, and I needed to wash away the sweat and grime from the workday, but my eyes were riveted to the sight of her. “I’ve missed you.”

  Her brown eyes became shiny. She nodded, which I hope meant she agreed. She had on long khaki shorts, the only pair she had that weren’t cargo style, and a short sleeve button-front shirt. It was her dressiest casual look. That she was wearing it to visit me made my heart skip.

  I let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “I can’t understand why you didn’t.” Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “I mean, I can, sort of. It would have been scary and hard, but you should have trusted me.”

  I ached to grab her hand and feel it squeeze mine in return. “I do trust you, Molly. Please believe that.”

  “It felt like it, but then this happened.”

  “I want you to understand.” I stood to pace, a calming habit that I picked up in prison where space was a luxury. “Everyone has regrets and some people even make major mistakes. Only a few of us do things that we’re ashamed of. Not embarrassed or guilty. I’m talking about real shame.” My hands started to shake when I felt the shame creeping over me again. “I’m disgusted by what I did. I didn’t want anyone to know about it, but it’s part of me. I know I can’t run from the shame forever.”

  She rose from her chair as I came close. Her strong arms swept around me. I nearly burst into tears at the feelings it stirred up inside me. “You shouldn’t be ashamed that you went to jail.”

  “I’m not. Don’t you see?” I pulled back to look at her, feeling my eyes prickle with tears. “I’m ashamed of what I did to those homeowners. Yes, they were rich jerks with lots of insurance, they were never there when we broke in, and we only took things that didn’t have sentimental value, but no one should feel violated, even if it was just their homes, even if the feeling was only temporary. For a short time, they didn’t feel secure in their own homes. It’s disgraceful that I helped to cause that feeling.”

  Her thumbs came up and wiped at the tears that escaped my eyes. “I hate that this hurts you so much.”

  I tucked in against her face. “I hate that it hurts you.”

  She kissed my head and caressed my back. After a full minute, she let out a shuddering breath. “I’m over it.”

  I hugged her tight. Her lighthearted tone wasn’t entirely truthful, but I appreciated the effort.

  “Just know you can tell me anything in the future. Okay?”

  I nodded and gave her a last squeeze before pulling away. “Thanks.”

  “I’m serious, Falyn. Anything.” Her brown eyes seared into mine, tattooing the notion on my brain.

  “I know that now.”

  “You better because I can’t go through the last couple weeks again. You mean too much to me.”

  Warmth spread through me. It felt so good to hear that. “How much?”

  “Don’t push it,” she mock snapped, and I knew in that second that we’d be okay. “You need a shower.”

  “I know, but you couldn’t wait to talk to the smelly version of me.”

  She laughed and my whole world eased. I forgot all about the police searching my home twice and Nat’s crew still being a little skeptical. Not when Molly was finally here again, making my life better.

  “Grab your shower, and we’ll figure out what to do for dinner.”

  “Like you’re in charge of me,” I muttered, so happy to be able to joke with her again. I reached over and twirled a loose curl on the crown of her head. “I like your haircut.” Short, but sharp. The dark strands formed an enticing rippling wave and showed off her small ears completely. Her standard tiny hoop earrings were replaced by onyx balls tonight. Sexy as hell, the complete package, hair, earrings, sparkling eyes, slamming bod, and understanding, beautiful woman.

  “Thanks.” Her head tilted to the side. “Viv always tells me I get it cut too short.”

  “Viv needs glasses.”

  That got a broad smile. “You charmer.”

  “I can cook, too.”

  Her smile turned to a laugh. “You still haven’t made me that eggplant parmesan you’re always boasting about.”

  “I only make that for very special people.”

  “I’m a very special people.”

  I grinned at her tease. “Really? A special people, huh?”

  “To you I am.”

  I let my smile fade. That was so true. The special person for me. “You are.”

  She sucked in a breath at my serious response. We’d been kidding, and now I was telling her how much she meant to me. Well, not everything she meant to me, but a good start.

  She reached her hand out to cup my face. I pushed into it and let the memories of the last time she’d touched me like this flow through
me. She stepped closer, searching my eyes. “You’re special to me, too.”

  Her face moved forward to brush her lips against mine. Just like last time, the brush set off fireworks inside me. I wasn’t going to be satisfied with just this. I moved to deepen the kiss, opening my mouth to her hot, sweet lips. She met me with the same gusto, tongue surging forward to stroke mine. My arms went around her shoulders, fingers gripping the broad expanse. Hers came around my waist and shifted my t-shirt to get at the skin beneath. Goosebumps broke out under her scorching fingertips. I trembled and pressed harder against her. Her thigh pushed forward, jolting me to my core. A moan poured into my mouth as her hands flexed on my skin. My hand slid down her back, seeking the same bare contact. Her body felt just as good this time. This kiss somehow felt better. Something I didn’t think could be possible.

  “Oops, excuse us.”

  We broke apart at the interruption. Glory and Lena stood at the edge of the street, a leash dangling from Glory’s hand. Lena’s pit bull had managed to sneak up on us, which wasn’t hard to do considering how involved that kiss was. He pushed his snout into Molly’s leg, knocking her back a step.

  Lena turned a shrewd smile away. She’d been trying to get me to admit to the nature of my relationship with Molly every time we got together. Her friend Brooke was pretty relentless with the inquisition as well. It had been fun trying to deflect their questions. Based on what she just walked up on, she’d no longer have to ask.

  “C’mon, Kitty,” Glory called, slapping her thigh to entice the wayward dog off the porch.

  Kitty, which was a crazy name for a male pit bull, ignored her. He never missed the chance to get a rub from me or play tag with my cats. He went to the porch door, searching for them. He didn’t seem to mind that his game of tag was their game of claw target practice. Lena’s other dog was much smarter, sticking close to whoever walked him rather than becoming my cats’ favorite toy.

  Molly chuckled and helped to push Kitty into motion back to the street. “How ya doing, guys?”

  “Good, Mol, thanks. We’ll be getting out of your hair now.” Glory tugged on Lena’s hand to get them moving up the street with the dogs. Lena looked like she wanted to get in a tease, but Glory and the dogs were already taking a step away.

  “Not exactly great timing.” Molly grinned at me, her eyes flicking back to the street with a shake of her head.

  “No, but I did need a shower.”

  “And I did need that eggplant specialty of yours.”

  “For special people in my life.” I smiled and stole another kiss before using the slider to get inside. My heart was pumping hard, and I felt giddy for the first time in, well, my whole life.

  28

  That feeling of being watched came over me again. I glanced around the neighborhood but couldn’t find the source. Natalie was showing me her apartment, which was actually a small guesthouse of a Tudor mansion. She was proposing to make it my place. This had been my second biggest worry about staying on here. Other than being falsely accused, not having affordable housing once we finished Glory’s renovation was making me reticent. Sure, Natalie paid a lot more than I was making in Denver, but the rental market here would eat up a lot of that gain.

  “Who lives here?” I asked as we passed between the mansion and her guesthouse.

  “He’s an author. Uses the place as a writing escape sometimes.”

  “Is he famous?”

  She grinned. “Very, but he keeps to himself. I finally got to meet him a couple months ago. Before that, we always communicated by email.”

  I followed her into the small space. It was basically the size of the great room in Vivian’s house but split into different areas. A small kitchenette lined one wall. An island with two stools served as the dining table and separated the area from the living room. There was a sleeping loft above the bathroom, laundry, and office. Standing here, coziness squeezed around me. Small spaces helped me feel secure.

  “You sure you’re leaving?” As soon as the words came out, I wanted to take them back. Nothing was worse than having friends who didn’t support your relationship decisions.

  Natalie didn’t seem bothered by my faux pas. “Yeah. I’ve never been more sure.”

  “I’m glad, and I meant leaving such a beautiful spot here, not concern for you and Viv.”

  “I know.” She gestured around the place. “What do you think?”

  “It’s really great.” I checked out the bathroom. “What does the owner think of you bringing in someone else?”

  “He’s grateful not to have to bother with finding someone.”

  “Would he be if he knew I did time?” Not many landlords in Denver were.

  “We can tell him or not. It’s your decision. You’ve got Glory as a reference. He trusts her judgment above all.”

  “Tell him. I don’t want to be living in fear that he’ll kick me out the second he finds out.” If I settled in here, I wanted to be able to stay.

  “It’s more likely he’ll want to use you as research for his next book than be upset about it.”

  Great, more questions. The guys still asked random questions at breakfast every once in a while. It was more of a game now to deflect than it was annoying.

  “Is the rent doable?”

  “He wants someone to look out for the property and occasionally repair things. I offered what I was paying when I split rent in Basalt, and he went for it. It’s definitely affordable.”

  “Natalie, I can’t thank you enough.” Relief rinsed through me.

  She held up a stopping hand. “You looked out for me way back when I had no one.”

  “The summer job and place to stay were enough. Keeping me on isn’t necessary.” I hated saying it because I loved the job, but I had to give her permission to let me go. This couldn’t be an obligation for her. She was too good a friend to do that to.

  “Fos,” she started and reached out to grip my shoulders. “I want you here. We need you here. That renovation Viv took on will float everyone’s salary for two years even if we never picked up another job.”

  “Wow.”

  She shrugged sheepishly. “Wait till you meet the client. Remember that reality star’s house I told you about? This is one of the other women on her show. She got jealous of all the extra screen time her costar got because of the reno, so she’s doing the same thing but with more money.”

  I let that filter through my brain. It seemed like a ridiculous reason to buy a house, but if it kept Natalie’s business worry-free for another two years, more power to the dingbat. “You never said if you and Viv show up on TV?”

  “We did in the first episode. Viv and Dwight a lot more than me and the guys. For this next reno, Viv negotiated appearance fees.” Her face split into a grin. “I’ve got the smartest girlfriend ever.”

  I laughed at her easy statement. “Not bad looking either.”

  “She’s hot as hell, Fos.” That statement came even easier. It felt like old times, chatting about a date she might have had the night before. Once she got past the crap her parents loaded onto her, Natalie had some fun. I’d been proud that she was discovering herself, almost as proud as I felt of her now that she was an established business owner.

  “Far better than that first girl you introduced me to.” It was fun to reminisce without feeling bad about my past.

  “Oh man, Carla? I can’t believe you remember her.”

  I didn’t remember her. I remembered Natalie telling me about her. She’d had a bloom of color on her cheeks and wild excitement in her eyes when she pulled me away from the crew to tell me about her first date. “You were so cute about having this girlfriend, and you were so young. I couldn’t not remember.”

  “I hit the lottery of a lifetime with Vivian, and I’m not just talking about her looks.” The same wild excitement bubbled to the surface, but this time it was enhanced by radiant love.

  I smiled and pulled her in for a hug. “She’s done the same with you, Natalie.”r />
  “Thanks.” She returned the hug. “Molly’s pretty great, too.”

  I stood back and searched her eyes. I hadn’t told her anything yet. “What makes you say that?”

  “Even if she hadn’t told Viv about your recent change in relationship, the woman showed up on the jobsite all turned inside out about you. That doesn’t happen to someone who’s just your friend.”

  I caught the faint smirk on her face. “How long you been dying to tell me about that?”

  “Hey, you used to pepper me with advice about my dating life all the time.”

  My mouth nudged open. “You were a baby with no experience. It was my duty to fold you into the sisterhood and steer you right.”

  “Fine, don’t tell me then.” She tried to make it sound like a sulk, but Natalie never sulked. “Just let me say that Molly’s great, and you guys seem like you’d work.”

  I felt my head nodding without thinking about it. I glanced around the house again. “I like the place.”

  “I’ll call the author and hopefully everything will work out.” She gestured to the couch. “Want to stay a while and watch some TV?”

  “Vivian’s not coming over?”

  “She and Dwight are out dancing.”

  I thought about how Dwight moved. He was both fluid and athletic. He could easily be a dancer. “I’m going to have to pass for tonight.”

  “Hot date?” Her eyebrows waggled.

  “Very,” I smiled and slipped out the door before she could try teasing me. Molly was waiting back at her place.

  On the drive over, I thought about tonight. We’d only seen each other a few times since the night we made up. Every night ended with a kiss or several kisses that got hotter and hotter, but so far, we’d kept our clothes on. As if we both realized that getting naked a second time would mean the next step for us. No going back to being just friends. I was okay with that. I was pretty sure she was, too.