“Fantastic!” Tula clapped her hands together. “I will sign a few copies for you if you like.”
“You don’t have to do that, Mrs. Eubank—erm, Tula. I mean it’s already so kind of you to want to hire me. It’s a dream job.”
“Don’t I know it?” She snickered. “Honey, it’s a dream job for me because I’ll have someone here with me while I write. That’s why I’m hiring you. I’ve got a deadline to meet and I can’t possibly accomplish everything that needs to be done if I’m busy worrying about my furbabies and trying to keep up with them. Does that make me sound terrible?”
“No.”
“Good, because don’t get me wrong, I love my pets. They’re my children until I actually have human ones.” Sadness shimmered behind her pale blue eyes as she hugged her arms around her slender frame. “I cannot have children, you see. We’ve been hoping to adopt for several years now, but the adoption agency sure is taking their sweet time.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be.” Tula waved a hand in the air, and just like that, she was smiling again. “Come have some lunch with me, Lydia and we can discuss your employment. You wouldn’t mind helping out with some of my author stuff, would you?”
“Not at all.” She replied a little too quickly. “I’m at your disposal.”
“Perfect.” Tula beckoned her towards the door. “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
I hope so. Lydia thought as she exited the room.
Being at the beck and call of an author and taking care of her animals didn’t seem like a bad way to spend the next six months.
Chapter Ten
Lydia
Three weeks back in Prairie Town and life began to make sense again. Not only did she have a job she enjoyed, a boss she liked, a home she could get used to, and a guy she was crazy for, but Lydia also found herself warming up to the idea of staying permanently.
It was crazy, yes, but everything was falling into place with very little effort on her behalf.
It was also terrifying. Nothing in her life had ever been so easy before. She’d worked so hard to get where she was, to be who she was now, and for everything to be as easy as 1,2,3...well, she couldn’t help but to wonder what the catch was.
Friday was a sacred day for Tula. She shut herself up in her ‘writing cave’ throughout the week, but Fridays started her 3-day relaxation and fun-filled time off. According to her, no matter how caught up she got in stories, she had to cut Fridays short so she could enjoy the real world.
On this particular Friday, Lydia’s fifth day of working for her, she had already made reservations at the local pub for drinks and appetizers. Lydia would have been insane to decline.
“Take advantage of it!” Her sister had practically screeched. “You are working for Carmen Fucking LaRoque!”
She’d sworn her to secrecy over that one. Tula had been kind enough to give her a job—a good job—and Lydia wasn’t about to screw it up by blabbing her mouth to the rest of Prairie Town. Being a famous author must have been difficult when it came to privacy, so she would do whatever it took to ensure no one found out one of the best-selling authors in the world was living right under their nosey little noses.
Plus, she’d signed an agreement promising not to say anything.
“We’ll be back soon!” Tula called to the excited canines following after them. “Be good, boys. Mommy loves you.”
Her ‘boys’ were much more welcoming than Aurora had been. Diesel, Max, and Courage had all but tackled Lydia to the floor and licked her to death when they first met. She liked them though, and found herself getting attached already.
I shouldn’t get attached to anything. She reminded herself as she shut the front door and pushed, making sure it was locked. I’ll probably be moving back home after the six months are up.
A part of her laughed at that. It’s like her heart knew she wouldn’t really leave, but her brain still insisted it was a possibility. Prairie Town wasn’t meant for her.
Was it?
Halfway to their destination, Lydia’s phone vibrated in her pocket and pulled her from her mental distress. Tugging it free, she slid her thumb over the screen and smiled like an idiot as she read the new text message.
Callum: Free for dinner tonight?
Lydia: Maybe. Why?
Callum: Contrary to popular belief, I can cook.
Lydia: What’s on the menu?
Callum: Bubble-Up Pizza
“Bubble-Up Pizza?” She said aloud, eyebrows pinching together. “What on earth is that?”
“What’s what?” Tula asked, turning the radio down a little.
“Bubble-Up Pizza. Have you heard of it before?”
“Honey, I’m an author. I’m lucky if I’ve heard about the news from a month ago.” She laughed, glancing at her briefly before putting her eyes back on the road. “Look it up.”
“Nah. Maybe I should let him surprise me.” Quickly texting a reply, she put her phone down and sighed. “He’s inviting me to dinner.”
“Things are getting serious between you and this Callum boy, huh?”
“Maybe too serious.” Lydia bit her bottom lip.
It was so stupid to even worry about what was happening with her brother’s best friend. It was wonderful—why was she bracing herself for disaster? It wasn’t like other guys had been so open about her past before—not like she’d given them a chance to get close to her, let alone know the truth.
Callum was amazing. He didn’t deserve to be doubted all the time.
“You know, I thought that about my husband, too.” Tula replied thoughtfully. “I was dead-set against ever getting a boyfriend, let alone getting married. Some authors are just lone wolves, you know?”
Lydia nodded. She didn’t really know the lifestyle of any authors, but she did know her lifestyle and she preferred being a lone wolf, too, she supposed.
“But then he walked into my life and it was all over. I was a goner.” She sighed, smiling as her mind began to wander.
That happened a lot with Tula. She could be mid-sentence and suddenly vanish into another world. An author thing, Lydia decided.
“Don’t close yourself off to the possibility of love, Lydia. You’re a gorgeous girl and these are the best years of your life. If you want to share them with Callum, then please do. If you don’t, that’s okay, too. But give the guy a chance, huh? He may surprise you.”
“You sound like my sister.”
“Or maybe your sister sounds like me. Even my most closed-off characters have given love a chance, Lydia. They never regretted it.”
Staring at her, Lydia frowned.
“No offense, but that’s fiction. Anything can happen in fiction.”
Pulling into the parking lot of the pub, Tula put the car into park and turned to gaze at her, giving a small grin.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret, babe.” She said softly. “Anything can happen in real life, too. Now come on. I’m starving.”
—————
Callum
The kitchen was a mess and he knew he’d have to clean it up before his parents returned home, but it was totally worth it to know Lydia McIntosh would be joining him for dinner in a few minutes.
Things between them seemed to be going really great and for that, Callum was grateful.
It wouldn’t be seen as a typical romance to others, but others didn’t matter when it came to what he felt for his best friend’s sister.
Lydia was beautiful and he enjoyed spending time with her. Her smile was forever etched in his mind; the tingle of her kiss eternally imprinted upon his lips.
He couldn’t wait to kiss her again.
Pulling the freshly baked cookies from the oven, he placed them on the countertop beside a bowl of homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and mouth-watering barbeque ribs. If his mother had taught him anything in life, it was two things; how to be a gentleman and how to keep himself alive.
Rubbing his pal
ms against the front of his jeans nervously, he exhaled and glanced at the clock. She would be there soon.
“Keep it together, man.” He said beneath his breath, wiping sweat from his brow. “It’s just dinner, not your wedding.”
But that’s what got him about Lydia. She always made him nervous and he wasn’t sure why. Then again, he’d never been so crazy for a woman in his life.
She’s the realest woman I’ve ever met. And damn, that was true. She was soft in every way a woman should be soft. She smelled good—her scent did things to him he’d never admit. Her hair felt like silk between his fingers and that sweet little tongue of hers kept him hankering for more. All. The. Time.
Lydia was his addiction and he was terrified of losing her. He knew there was a chance she could back out at any moment and run.
Jeb insisted she wouldn’t leave, but he’d heard the stories. He knew Lydia had left her family at a young age to pursue what meant most to her. He also knew that she didn’t really want to be in Prairie Town because she’d admitted it on the night they got drunk together.
What would he do if she decided to leave again? What could he do? She was an adult and could do as she damn well pleased.
The doorbell rang then and his head jerked in the direction of the sound. His mouth went dry and he released a heavy breath in an attempt to calm down.
“It’s just dinner.” He repeated, making his way into the living room and pulling the door open to greet her.
But damn, he did not expect to find her standing there in a curve-hugging black dress with her hair pulled to the side in a twisted braid.
Her kissable red lips curved into a smile as she gazed at him. “Am I too early?”
“Never.” He promised, his voice deep and husky. “You look...wow. You look stunning, Lydia.”
And he felt underdressed.
Just dinner, my ass.
He should have at least put on a tie. Lydia was the type of girl who deserved ties and candles and rose petals. She deserved everything she ever wanted with no questions asked.
He was willing to give her everything. Anything and everything.
“Thank you.” She said shyly, stepping inside.
He wondered if she was as nervous as he was. She’d never been to his house before. It was very different from being at the apartment she shared with her sister. Laney and Jeb were almost always around, but here, while his parents were away, it would just be the two of them.
Alone.
And she was dressed like a Christmas present begging to be unwrapped.
And he’d been a very good boy.
“It smells delicious in here.” She spoke, causing him to feel ashamed for his wicked thoughts. “It’s not, um, Bubble-Up pizza, is it?”
“No,” he whispered, unable to take his eyes off her. “You deserve better than a mess of pepperoni and cheese. I’m good at making ribs. Do you like ribs?”
“Sure.” She nodded. “But I like pizza, too.”
Damn. Maybe he should have made that recipe his mother found on Pinterest. It was quick and easy, definitely not as big of a mess as the dinner currently sitting on the countertop.
But again, Lydia didn’t deserve quick and easy.
“Uh, the kitchen is this way.” He said, wanting to kick himself for acting like a schoolboy. Forgetting his common sense around Lydia happened frequently. Every time she kissed him, he always forgot how to do the simplest of things, like starting his car or opening a door.
He had it bad for her.
Dinner went as smoothly as he’d planned. At least he didn’t spill anything or make a fool of himself as they discussed her new job and how much she liked it. Knowing she enjoyed her new job gave him a sense of security. Maybe if she loved working in Prairie Town she’d never leave.
Maybe if she ever decides to love me she won’t leave.
Love? He hadn’t really given that word a lot of thought in the past, and it was too soon to think about it with her. She would surely call him crazy and kick him to the curb if she could read minds.
Love. He mentally rolled his eyes and offered to refill her glass with sweet tea.
“I think I’m okay. For now.” Lydia beamed, dabbing at the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “This was such a fantastic meal, Callum. Thank you. I wish Jeb would learn how to cook like this.”
He damn near snorted as he refilled his own glass and lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Jeb? I don’t think there’s any hope for that, sweetheart. He’d burn the house down.”
“True.” She laughed, peering at him from beneath her lovely thick eyelashes. “May I use your restroom?”
“Of course. First door on your right.” He jerked his head to the side and then cleared his throat, tapping his fingers nervously against his thigh beneath the table. “Do you want to watch a movie or something?”
“Sure. That would be nice.”
“Okay. Any preferences?”
“Not really. I like a lot of different movies. Maybe something funny?”
“I can do funny.” He promised, getting up from his seat. “I’ll just clean off the table and then I’ll meet you in the living room. Deal?”
“Deal.” She gave him a smile that could melt ice and disappeared down the hallway.
“Shit.” He whispered, dropping his head briefly. “It’s just a movie, Callum. Chill out.”
But it wasn’t just a movie.
Once they were settled on the couch with The World’s End playing, he realized the situation could turn into something more than innocent movie watching.
Lydia was seated very close to him with her hands placed daintily across her lap. The top of her dress dipped low enough that he could see the tops of her breasts and it made his pants uncomfortably tight.
Gentleman. He reminded himself, forcing his eyes back to the TV. God help him, Simon Pegg wouldn’t be enough of a distraction as her sweet-smelling perfume tantalized his nostrils and made his pulse race.
“I think Simon Pegg is just adorable.” Lydia commented after a few moments of silence.
“Is that so?” It was stupid to be jealous of a celebrity. Rubbing his jaw gingerly, he leaned back and got as comfortable as he could, stretching his free arm around her shoulders and crossing his ankles.
Just watch the damn movie.
They made it halfway through the film before his brain went haywire again, but to be fair, it wasn’t entirely his fault.
Lydia had shifted closer to him and rested her head against his chest. He was certain she could hear how hard his heart was pounding against his ribs and he prayed to God she wouldn’t say anything about it.
Or maybe she would and he could confess how attracted he was to her, but that also brought up greater concerns.
Lydia was different from other people. He understood that it was a fierce battle to become comfortable in her skin, to finally have the body she’d always wanted. He knew she needed time and intimacy may never truly be an option for them.
Was he really okay with that?
Yes. His mind growled. I don’t care.
Lydia’s needs would come before his own, he decided. If sex never happened, well, he had a hand, didn’t he?
“Are you okay?” Lydia’s soft voice asked, penetrating his thoughts.
“Huh?” He blinked and met her gaze. She was staring at him so intently, her hair frizzy and falling out of its braid.
He’d never seen anything sexier.
“You’re just being so quiet,” she whispered. “Is everything okay?”
“Perfect.” He smiled, wrapping his arm around her and squeezing gently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Good.”
Good? What the hell, man? If he didn’t know any better—and he definitely did—he would have thought he was on his first date all over again. Unsure of what to say or do, he felt helpless and his man-card was in serious danger of being revoked. What happened to cool, confident Callum?
“Good.” Sh
e echoed, nuzzling up to him again. “Thanks for inviting me over tonight. I was really excited.”
“Me, too.” His fingertips caressed the naked flesh of her upper arm and he swallowed hard. There were a million thoughts racing through his mind and they all involved taking off her dress.
“When will your parents be home from Florida?”
Her question caught him off guard. His parents were always taking random trips just to get out of the house. He supposed his father just needed to keep busy now that he was retired and Callum wasn’t about to complain—he got to have run of the house while they were away and he also had opportunities to be alone with Lydia.
Completely alone.
No interruptions.
Things could happen in such situations.
“Probably Sunday.” He replied after giving it some thought. “My dad really doesn’t like to plan ahead, but they will probably be back on Sunday.”
“Your dad has earned the right to not plan ahead.” She giggled, turning a little so she could face him. “I think it’s amazing what he’s done for our country. You have to be so proud of him.”
“I am proud of him. He’s my hero. Life was a little crazy in the beginning, but I got used to it.”
They had had many conversations, about anything and everything since that fateful kiss in the front seat of his tahoe, but one of Lydia’s favorite topics seemed to be about his life and growing up as the son of an officer in the military. He wasn’t sure why she was so fascinated with it, but he was more than willing to entertain her.
“Tell me more about living in Paris.” She sighed, freeing her hair from its braid and running her fingers through it. “Is it really a romantic city?”
“Well,”—he snickered—“I was only eleven when Dad got stationed there so I can’t really be sure. I was still under the impression that girls had cooties.”
That earned him a laugh from her and it was music to his ears. He loved how her eyes smiled and it tugged at his heartstrings.
Turning to face her on the couch, he hooked a finger beneath her chin and pulled her mouth to his for a quick, sweet kiss.
“I don’t think you have cooties,” he murmured. “But if you do, I don’t mind catching them.”
180 Days Page 8
