I’m not sure whether to follow her and apologize or stay here with Mavis, who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
Mavis raises her hand and gestures to the server for another round, minus one. I guess that answers my question.
Chapter 12
Lexie
I can’t believe this guy. What, he thinks he can just come strutting in all handsome cowboy like and I’m just going to worship the ground he walks on?
Not gonna happen, buddy.
Who wears dirty jeans to a restaurant anyway?
I had to wear a dress. And it was clean.
Though I do feel pretty in it. I suppose if I had to meet a really good-looking guy that I’d end up hating, I’d want it to be with me looking my best in a nice dress.
And when he put his hand on my back, there was that zing that went through my whole body. It was paralyzing. And panty wetting. I can still feel the imprint of his hand. Which only makes me wonder how both his hands would feel on other parts of my body.
Gah!
Abort thoughts, Lexie. Abort.
I don’t care about his hands. Because he’s a jerk.
I pull out onto the main street and head in the opposite direction of my house. Not entirely sure where I’m going. I just know I don’t want to go home. Not yet. I’m too keyed up.
Making up my mind, I head straight for Kat’s house. I don’t even care that I’ve left Mavis stranded. The devil-horse-owner-jerk-of-a-guy can give her a ride home for all I care. I send Kat a quick text at a stoplight to let her know I’m on my way. I arrive in record time, park in her circular drive, and walk in without knocking.
“Kat?” I call.
“Balcony. I’m practicing getting my Zen on and shit.”
“Well, get ready to do it with tequila.”
“This is why we’re besties!”
I grab tequila, lime wedges, salt, and shot glasses from her kitchen and head out to the balcony. Kat is lounging in a cushioned chair. The sunset view from her balcony is breathtaking. I love where I live, but if I had to pick a runner up spot, this would be it. Kat’s house is on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a stilted balcony that stretches out over the edge. At this time of day, it’s all shades of blue, green, orange, and red as the sun descends the horizon.
I set everything out on the small patio table between the chairs and pour us each a shot.
“What’s up, buttercup?” Kat asks.
“Shot first, talk second.”
“What are we drinking to?” She sits up and grabs one of the glasses.
“Giving zero fucks!” I raise mine in the air to emphasize my point.
“I like it. Here’s to giving zero fucks. Wait, zero fucks about what?”
“Kat, if we’re giving zero fucks, what difference does it make what it’s about?”
“Good point.”
Lick.
Salt.
Lick.
Shoot.
Lime.
Shudder.
“Woot!” Kat slams her shot glass down on the table and turns to me. “Okay, what’s this about? Trevor?”
“Nope.”
“Sasha.”
“Also, nope.”
“Is Sasha okay?”
“She will be.” I pour us each another shot, feeling reckless. Lick. Salt. Lick. Shoot. Lime. Shudder. “I met Mavis for dinner tonight.”
“I know, how’d it go? Did Mavis upset you? You look really nice, by the way.”
“Yes! And, thank you! You know the reason I had to take Sasha to the vet today because she got kicked by a horse, right?”
“Right,” she says drawing the word out.
“And I told you Mavis was bringing a friend to dinner?”
“Ohmigod, did she bring the horse to dinner?” Kat asks, laughing.
“No, dork. She brought the next worse thing. The horse’s owner.”
“Oh wow. Random. How did you figure that out?”
“Do you have any snacks? I didn’t finish my dinner,” I ask suddenly feeling famished.
“There’s chips and salsa, popcorn, gummies, Red Vines, cookies, leftover Chinese, grilled chicken, sandwich stuff, and salad stuff.”
“Perfect! You hungry?”
“I’m good.”
I rummage through her kitchen and find shredded cheese and jalapenos and make some quick chicken nachos. I grab a bucket of ice and her margarita mix, so we quit doing shots, and bring it all back out. Feeling calm enough now to tell her about the devil horse and his owner.
By the time I finish eating my nachos, I’m also at part in the story where I abandoned Mavis with the devil horse owner and headed to Kat’s house.
“I can’t believe . . .” Kat says, laughing so hard she’s practically coughing. “I can’t believe you actually thought that he was Mavis’ date.”
“In my defense, she said he was a gentleman friend or caller or something equally obscure yet suggestive.” I fall into a fit of giggles alongside her.
She calms enough to continue talking. “Okay,” she says. “I get why you were mad, but you haven’t mentioned what he looked like. I mean, is he even worth shtuping?”
“That’s the worst part. He’s totally worth shtuping. Radio announcer voice, linebacker shoulders, really tall, kind of tan, thick dark hair, the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen on a man. My God, Kat, he’s like a fucking caricature of the prince who would ride in to rescue the princess.”
“On the horse that ate your grapes,” she deadpans.
“Exactly.”
“God, I love Mavis,” Kat sighs.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Always yours. But I also want to be Mavis when I grow up. I fucking live to set up girls with shtupable guys.”
“A very generous and valiant service on your behalf.”
“Thank you, I agree,” she says. “So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, between him and Trevor, I’m kind of on shtupable guy overload right now.”
“That’s right, what happened when Doctor Vaughn saw you today?”
“Ohmigod! I can’t believe I forgot that part. Kat! We totally made out, he finger-fucked me, we both came in our pants, then he told me he loved me, and that he’d never stopped.”
“Whoa, okay, hang on. He finger-fucked you and then he came in his pants?”
“I knew you’d get stuck on that part, but yes, I gave him a partial handie through his scrubs, but nothing exciting.”
“Where were you?”
“In the exam room.”
“Naughty girl.”
“It’s not my fault. I was feeling sad and vulnerable. Plus, he can be so, I don’t know, like magnetic?”
“To you, maybe.”
“Given that I was the one there, I’m gonna say yes to that.” A slight chill runs through me, the sun having since gone down. I grab a throw off one of the chairs and wrap it around my shoulders. Then offer one to Kat so she can do the same.
“We should sit in front of the fireplace, anyway,” Kat says. “I don’t think you’ve been over since Brad and E finished it.” E being Ethan, Brad’s best friend and fire fighter partner. A guy who liked me once upon a time, but who I turned down when Trevor came back to town. The first time.
“I haven’t,” I confirm. We move over to the far corner of her yard. Her balcony is more like a combination yard and deck. The house is set back a bit from the edge of the cliff, and so in addition to her front yard, she has some yard to the west and on the north and south sides of the house. Then the deck expands into the balcony overhang on stilts. There are public stairs a few houses to the north that give her neighborhood access to the beach below, otherwise the area is really private. And, because her plot jets out a bit, her house feels like its floating on air.
“What do you think about it? Wait, finish telling me about Trevor first.”
“Oh yeah, okay. Well, he came into the room, told me about Sasha’s x-rays, and then he moved i
n to hug me. Next thing I know I’m kissing him, and then his fingers are inside me.”
“And they say romance is dead.”
This time I shrug my shoulders.
“You okay?” she asks. I nod, giving her a half smile.
“Orgasms make most things okay.”
“How’d you leave things?”
“We were originally supposed to have lunch. Then Sasha happened, and the finger fucking, and after that he got called away to an emergency. Hadn’t even changed his pants,” I snicker.
“I wish I could have seen that,” she says.
“I know, you don’t like him,” I say.
“It’s not that I don’t like him, it’s just that I don’t like him.”
“Thanks for clearing that up.”
“I don’t know. I guess, I just don’t like him for you, Lex. He’s not your guy.”
“How do you know?”
She thinks for a minute. “You know how we both knew that Bauer is Remi’s guy?” I nod. “Well,” she continues, “that’s how I know Trevor isn’t your guy.”
“But he’s been my guy for so long. Or at least my almost guy for so long.”
“Okay, kind of, sure,” she says. “But not really. I mean, think about it. You were together in college, but then broke up because he was moving three thousand miles away. Then he waits five years to come back, then you’ve barely worked things out, and he leaves again after a couple months without a word.”
“Okay, but now he’s here again.”
“And leaving tonight,” she says.
“But moving back,” I say.
“So he says.”
“Is that what it is, Kat? Is it that he’s not here permanently? Or is it something else?”
“Let me ask you this, do you think he’s your guy, Lex?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Are you happy?”
“I would be if he would just stay.”
“Okay. Then there you have it.”
“There I have what?”
“Your answer.”
“Okay . . . did I miss it? What’s my answer?”
“Listen, if you’re happy, then I’m happy. Plus, my opinion is just that. You are the only one in your relationship. People can only see so much from the outside. And sometimes what they see isn’t always accurate.”
“It’s not a relationship yet.”
“But it will be, if you want it to be.”
“I do. I feel like I’ve put too much time into this to turn back now, you know?”
“That’s not a reason to continue.”
“You don’t think history is a good reason?”
“You don’t have history, you have time. I think there’s a difference.”
I think on that for a minute, trying to see her point. “I have to try, Kat.”
“Then that’s all there is to it, Lex. I support you, no matter what.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s your next step?”
“Doc Richardson asked me to do a wine mixer for their patients to announce his retirement and Trevor’s takeover.”
“The same thing you were supposed to do the first time around?”
“Yep, pretty much.”
“When’s that going to be? You know I do enjoy me a good Lovestone wine event.”
“Soon. Within the next week or so. We are still putting the logistics together.”
“So, Trevor will be back that soon?”
“Supposedly.”
As if on cue, I get a text from Trevor.
Trevor: On my way to the airport to catch the red eye. Can’t stop thinking about today. Can’t stop thinking about you. I’ll be back in a couple days. Can we get together when I return?
I can’t help the giddy feeling that rolls through my body.
Me: Absolutely. Safe travels.
Trevor: Love you, Lex.
I show the text to Kat, who smiles in return. “He’s quick with the sentiment, that’s for sure.”
“Too quick?” I ask.
“Do you think it’s too quick?”
“Sometimes I do. But then I think it’s been such a long time, that it’s not quick at all.”
“Then there’s your answer.”
“Kat, that’s no answer.”
“Lex, I love you. You and Remi are my family, my soul sisters. I want what is best for you. Always. Do I think that’s Trevor? Not necessarily. But do I want you to be happy no matter what? Yes. So, if Trevor makes you happy, then I’m happy. And if we’re both happy, then the rest is moot. Because that means that everything is happening when and how it should be. Does that make sense?”
I nod, even though I’m not entirely sure it does make sense. Or maybe it does, and I just don’t understand. Really, I just want someone to make this decision for me. The decision of whether to trust Trevor again. The decision of whether to be with him again. Our biggest obstacle has always been geography. So, if that’s no longer in the way, everything should be fine.
Right?
* * *
I wait until many margaritas later, and after I’ve Uber’d home and am climbing into bed, to respond to Trevor’s last text. Which I do with a kissy face emoji, and nothing else. I can’t risk opening my heart quite yet and admitting my feelings. There’s also no reason not to respond in kind if I can. I may be slightly conflicted, but it’s no reason to leave Trevor hanging after a vulnerable text. Except there’s another text that I hadn’t noticed from two hours prior.
Unknown: In case you were concerned, I saw Miss Mavis home safely.
Given that Cole Mason is the only person who would call bubbe, Miss Mavis, I assume that it’s him texting me.
Me: Cole?
Unknown: Yes, ma’am.
Me: Don’t call me ma’am.
Cole: My apologies, darlin’.
Me: Don’t call me darling.
Cole: I called you darlin’. There’s a difference.
Me: Really?
Cole: One is a term of endearment. The other is southern charm.
Me: You think you’re charming? That’s cute.
Cole: You don’t think I’m charming?
I’m tempted to send him an eye roll emoji. But I overuse emoji’s and I’m trying to cut down.
Use your words, Lexie.
Me: Thank you for seeing Mavis home safely.
I set my phone down, intending to be finished with the texting for the evening. Except I hear the dings of more texts coming in.
Cole: I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Cole: Have you heard any more about Sasha? I sincerely hope that she is okay. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Or her.
Cole: I am very sorry for what happened, Lexie. And would be obliged if you would let me take care of any resulting veterinary expenses.
I pick up the phone to respond. Mostly because I don’t want him to keep texting me. I just want to get cleaned up and go to bed.
Me: That won’t be necessary, I’ve got it covered. And Sasha’s condition is none of your business.
Cole: So, Miss Mavis was telling me all about how you own and run a winery.
Me: Nice subject change.
Me: Wait. Are you attempting to start a conversation right now? With me? Via text?
Cole: Would it be better if I called?
Me: It’s 9:30 pm!
Cole: Are you an early riser? Is it past your bed time?
Me: I don’t understand you.
Cole: Do you wake up early in the morning?
Cole: Are you usually in bed by now?
Me: That’s not what I meant. Look, I’m going to stop responding now.
Cole: So, no conversation?
Me: No, no conversation.
Cole: I thought you were going to stop responding?
Cole: I’m sorry. I’m just giving you a hard time.
Me: Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don’t want t
o be given a hard time?
Cole: It did not.
Me: Well, I don’t.
Cole: Noted.
Me: Thank you. Now, goodbye.
Cole: Sleep well, sweetness.
Cole: Did you notice I didn’t call you darlin’?
It takes all my effort not to respond. I don’t want to be friends with Cole Mason. I don’t want to be sucked in by his stupid southern charm. Or his deep baritone voice. Or his dark brown eyes. I make a mental note to call Mavis in the morning and yell at her for giving Cole my phone number.
Ohmigod.
I forgot that she’s trying to set me up with him. Oh, wait no, not just set up, but he’s supposed to shtup me.
Holy shit!
How is it that I constantly forget these things that are so freakin’ important?
Chapter 13
Lexie
Anna, from Trevor’s office, calls first thing in the morning to let me know that Sasha’s night went well and that I can pick her up in the early afternoon. I’m grateful for the excuse to cut my day short and go get her. Doc Richardson calls me into his office soon after I arrive.
“Lexie, it’s good to see you. I’m sure you’ve heard that Sasha is doing well.”
“Yes, thank you, Doc Richardson. I appreciate the attention from you and your staff.”
“Not really my staff any longer. Which sounds odd when I say it.”
“They’ve been yours for a long time, I’m sure there will be a time of adjustment for you.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Doctor Vaughn will be back in the next day or so, and his family soon after. I was hoping we could throw together that wine reception we talked about. Maybe this coming weekend?”
Why are his parents with him on the East Coast?
“Sure. Anything for you, Doc. You know that. I, uh wasn’t aware that Trevor’s family was with him on the East Coast.”
“Where else would they be?” Doc Richardson laughs.
“I don’t know, I guess.”
“So, this weekend then? That gives us a few days to square things and get the invites out. Will it be a problem for you to have the event at the winery?”
Love Unforgettable: Love in San Soloman - Book Three Page 7
