All Because I Met You (Morgan's Bay, #2)

by Theresa Paolo

  Damn it. She did it again.

  Jim. Focus on Jim.

  “See anything you like?” she asked, hoping a kickstart to the conversation would turn this date around.

  “They have lambchops, but they’re so easy to mess up and since I haven’t been here before, I’m not sure I want to take the chance.”

  “I’d be afraid of upsetting Mary,” she joked.

  His bushy eyebrows pinched above the straight line of his nose. “Who is Mary?”

  “Mary had a little lamb.” Did she really have to explain her joke?

  “You mean the nursery rhyme.”

  She nodded.

  With a perplexed look on his face, he stared at his menu. Milo would have laughed. She wouldn’t even have had to explain it to him either. He always understood her jokes, no matter how lame they were.

  After a few minutes of awkward silence, he placed the menu on the table and crossed his hands on top. “I think I’ll give the lambchops a shot. For the price I hope they don’t screw them up.”

  “I’m sure they’re great. I’ve read a lot of really good reviews for this place.”

  “I never trust a review.”

  “Why is that?”

  He shook his head, his hair flopping to the side. “Any dope can put their opinion on the internet. Doesn’t mean it’s right.”

  “An opinion doesn’t have to be right; that’s why it’s an opinion.”

  “So why should I care what Jo Schmo has to say?”

  She bit her tongue and inhaled deeply. It was time to change the subject. She wasn’t in the mood to start an argument with this guy about why people were entitled to their own opinion.

  She had a list of topics to talk about on a first date all of which helped her get to know the person and find out who they really were. Though, she had a feeling she already knew who Jim was. Still, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt. She plucked one of the talking points from her mind. “What do you like to do for fun?”

  “I’m really into rage rooms.”

  ‘What’s a rage room?” she asked never hearing the term before. She rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her open palm.

  “You basically go to a place, they give you a sledgehammer, and you break shit.”

  Definitely not what she was expecting. “Oh. Okay that’s interesting. What made you go the first time?”

  “With my job, I have to put on a happy face and be nice, so when I’m not at work, I can finally let loose all the anger that’s been building inside me.”

  “I thought you worked with disabled youth.”

  He scratched his head and looked around. “I did up until a couple of months ago when I got fired.”

  “Fired?”

  “It’s why I go to the rage rooms. My new job, working with the public, is stressful. I miss my kids and all because of a misunderstanding.”

  “What happened?” If it was a misunderstanding, then there had to be something that could be done to get him his job back.

  The waitress came with his drink and took their order. Harper handed over the menu, eager to continue the conversation.

  When the waitress left, Harper pounced on the subject. “So, what happened?”

  He scratched his head again, and she wondered if it was a nervous tick. “I kind of lost one of the kids.”

  Her eyes widened, and she leaned in her chair. “Lost? How do you lose a kid?”

  “It’s actually quite easy.” He laughed, but Harper didn’t see the humor.

  “Is it now?” she said. Tom had been a kid once, and he was eager to meet new people and explore, but she’d never lost track of him. She kept her eyes glued on him at all times, never letting him at of her sight.

  “We were on an outdoing at the local petting zoo, and I turned to talk to the zookeeper for not even a second, and next thing I know the little guy took off. We found him thirty minutes later. He somehow joined another group. Finally someone had noticed him.”

  “Poor guy, but that doesn’t seem so bad. I mean you found him, and he was safe.” She still didn’t think he should’ve taken his eyes off the kid since he was in charge of watching over him, but still it had a happy ending.

  “They accused me of flirting with the zookeeper.”

  “Were you?”

  “No. Maybe. She was cute.”

  “But you were working, and you were responsible for those kids.”

  “Spare me the lecture, sweetheart.”

  The term of endearment coming from his mouth sounded dirty and she cringed. “I’m not your sweetheart and never will be.” She grabbed her bag and stood. “It was nice meeting you.”

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “If it’s not obvious, I’m leaving.”

  “The food hasn’t come out yet.”

  “I’m suddenly not hungry anymore.”

  He met her eyes. “Look, I’m sorry. Sometimes I can be a little much, but I promise I’m a nice guy who really just wants to get to know you better. Give me until the end of our meal, and if you still feel like leaving, I won’t stop you.”

  Her stomach betrayed her and growled, reminding her how hungry she was. She placed her bag on her chair and sat down. “Okay, I’ll stay. For now.”

  ***

  Milo strolled into McConnell’s pub and took a seat at the bar. He was in between calls, and nothing new had come in. He was hungry and could really go for a burger.

  “Hey,” Shane said from his place behind the bar. “Wasn’t expecting you in here tonight.”

  Olivia reached around Shane and grabbed a cherry. “That’s because Harper’s on a date, and he doesn’t know what to do with himself.”

  “I didn’t know she had date.” He had been purposely avoiding her, spending more time out of the house, but they were still talking. Why hadn’t she told him?

  “Oh, I assumed you did.”

  “Who is he?” Harper hadn’t mentioned anyone… then again, if he hadn’t been avoiding her, she would have told him.

  Olivia waved her hand like it was no big deal, but it was a huge deal. “Another online guy. He works with disabled youth, and she said he seems promising.”

  Every muscle in Milo’s body tightened and every vein strained. “Promising, really?”

  “You okay? You look like your head is going to explode.”

  He gritted his teeth and inhaled deeply through his nose. “I’m fine. I just thought she had glasses to paint for Sofia’s graduation.”

  “She painted a couple extra last night.” Olivia’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted skyward. “You two do live together, right? She said she was up until one in the morning getting them done.”

  Milo rubbed at the tension in his neck. “I passed out early last night.” More like he’d gone in his room, claiming to be tired, but really didn’t want to share a couch when all he wanted to do was share a bed.

  Life with Harper had always been the best part of his day—getting to see her every day, spending nights together watching TV and bullshitting about their day were reasons he loved living with his best friend. Now…now life with Harper was a complicated mess, and he wasn’t sure she realized. For the most part, she seemed oblivious to the awkwardness and his constant attempt to dodge her. If it were the other way around, he’d know something was off in a heartbeat.

  It was what he feared all along. He was attached and she wasn’t. She didn’t notice anything out of the norm because sex with him didn’t affect her the way sex with her affecting him. He wanted her so desperately, yet at the same time, he almost wished he could rewind time and stop himself before grabbing her wrist and yanking her into that kiss.

  That kiss had changed everything, and while she might not have noticed, he had. How was he supposed to go home, sit down on the couch, and talk to her about her date with a guy who wasn’t him? He hoped her date was another dud, but just as quick as the thought entered his mind, guilt ate at his gut.

  Harper deserved someone great,
and it wasn’t fair that every date she had ended in disaster. Didn’t these guys know how lucky they were to even have a chance with her? If not, they were blind idiots, and they didn’t even deserve to breathe the same air as she did.

  He sat up on the couch, waiting for her like an angry father about to pounce. He straightened, resting his hands on his thighs, and forced himself to get a grip. It was a date. It’s not like she went off and married some guy.

  What he had offered her was help getting off, not a happily ever after love affair. She had every right to continue dating, to go after the dream she was searching for, so why was he so angry?

  The door creaked opened, and Harper stepped in. Her long legs were barely covered by a short black spaghetti strap dress that hugged her slight curves to perfection. His eyes roamed down the silky bronzed skin of her calves to the flat sandals on her feet. She always wore flats on dates to meet guys, because she was afraid she’d be taller than them.

  He loved her in heels. They put her right at eye level with him.

  She eased the door shut, putting extra attention on keeping it quiet. She was always considerate like that.

  “How was your date?”

  She jumped and grabbed her chest. “Milo, holy shit.”

  “You’re home late. Guessing you finally got to take advantage of your stash.” His jaw clenched at the thought of another guy’s hands on her slender waist and his lips…

  Milo bit the inside of his cheek, using pain to clear his head.

  Her head tilted, and she took him in. “Are you jealous?”

  “What? No. I-I’m just making conversation.”

  “And you immediately start off with asking if I fucked the guy?”

  Her foul mouth never bothered him, she had a habit of dropping expletives, most of the time he found it cute that someone so innocent could be so unaware of the curses flowing from her lips. But this time, it was like an unexpected uppercut to the gut.

  The harsh word like nails on a chalkboard. He stood from the couch and moved toward her. “Did you?” he asked, pinning her with his gaze. Her tongue snaked out, swiping at her bottom lip, and his cock jumped at the erotic sight.

  “Why do you want to know so bad?”

  He heard the challenge in her tone, and he knew well enough that it was time to step down, but he couldn’t.

  Even if what they had was just sex, couldn’t she have waited at least a week? He moved until he could feel her heat radiating off her body, see the rise and fall of her chest and hear the slight gasp at his boldness.

  He couldn’t believe it himself. It was like something had taken over his mind and body and was making him act crazy. He cleared his throat and took a step back. He forced a smile, hoping to break the tension around them. “What was this guy’s problem? Too high maintenance? His eyebrows were more groomed than yours?” He laughed, trying to prove that nothing had changed between them, but it was lackluster at best.

  Harper tossed her bag onto the loveseat and sighed. “I would have preferred high maintenance. I’m not sure the last time this guy brushed his hair… or if he knows what a brush is. Also, don’t think he has discovered deodorant yet.”

  “Oh man, double whammy.”

  She nodded. “I thought…” Her voice trailed off, and she shrugged. “He sounded good on paper.”

  “Don’t they always?”

  “I’m tired. I’m going to go to bed. Night.” She started toward her room.

  “Harper,” he blurted.

  She turned back to him, eyes filled with hope and wonder. “Yeah?”

  He could go to her right now, sweep her off her feet, and carry her to bed… have a replay of the best sex he’d ever had. She was right there, and he knew deep in his gut she would welcome him with open arms. But sleeping with her had turned him into someone he didn’t recognize. He couldn’t sleep with her knowing she was dating other guys.

  Instead of going to her and devouring her in a kiss, he forced a smile. “Night.”

  Chapter 14

  Milo had spent the last couple of days coming up with a way to get Mrs. Garrick out to see the ocean without having to carry her—which he would do if it came down to it. He made a promise, and he was intent on keeping it. He’d found a few tutorials online about converting an existing wheelchair, but he didn’t have a wheelchair to work with. He had to improvise.

  He recruited Jasper and Shane to help him out. Jasper was a science teacher, so he was used to thinking logically and coming up with a plan of action. Shane was good with his hands and knew his way around a toolbelt. Milo needed the skills of both to bring his idea to fruition.

  “What’s the game plan?” Jasper picked up a fat tire and examined it. He placed it on the makeshift table and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

  “I’m glad you asked.” Milo reached for the folded piece of paper in his back pocket and slapped it on the table. “I found these two do it yourself ideas on the internet, so I think the three of us can find a way to take elements of both and make our own.”

  Shane dragged the paper toward him with his finger. His eyes squinted slightly as he read. “I think we can figure something out.”

  Jasper looked at the paper next and his eyebrows pulled together, a sure sign he was in deep thought while his mind worked out a solution. He grabbed a pencil and started writing, his hand moving faster than Milo could keep up with. After a few moments, he put the pencil down and handed the paper to Milo, and Shane glanced over his shoulder.

  “Smart,” Shane said. “Use PVC to make the frame and canvas to make a seat then connect the fat tires.”

  “Think you can build something like that?” Jasper asked.

  Shane smiled. “Definitely.”

  “And this is exactly why I asked you two here.”

  “Why don’t you go get us some drinks?” Jasper said. “The grownups have it from here.”

  Milo shoved Jasper’s shoulder. “Asshole.” He snapped his finger and walked backward toward the door. “You going anywhere tonight?”

  Jasper shook his head. “Nope, I’ll take a beer.”

  “I have to head to the pub later. Water is fine.”

  “You got it.” Milo headed into the house and to the kitchen. His eyes lingered on the refrigerator, remembering Harper’s body pressed against the cold steel, his hands roaming her body, his tongue sliding erotically along hers.

  His dick throbbed at the memory. He forced the visions from his mind and grabbed a bottle of Hippity Hop IPA for Jasper and a water for Shane. He turned around and nearly dropped both drinks at the sight of Harper. Her hair was down and gathered over her right shoulder, stopping just shy of the curve of her breasts. The shorts she wore cut high on her thighs, revealing sun-kissed skin. He remembered how soft her skin felt beneath his fingertips, and he bit back the overwhelming desire to pin her up against the fridge again.

  He cleared his throat. “H-hey.”

  “Hey.” She moved by him in a gust of coconut. “What are you doing with a beer?”

  He glanced at the beer in his hand and remembered why he was in the kitchen in the first place. “It’s for Jasper. He and Shane are helping me with a project.”

  Harper leaned against the counter, her arms crossing beneath her chest and creating an ample view of cleavage. “What kind of project?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  He hadn’t told Harper because he knew she’d tell Isla, and he genuinely wanted the wheelchair to be a surprise. He also hadn’t been sure if he’d be able to pull it off, but now that he had his two friends working their magic on his idea, he had no doubts, and the desire to tell her grew.

  Her head tilted. “What surprise?”

  “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”

  “No.” She pouted, and he held back a groan. “But you tell me everything. We don’t have secrets between us.”

  That was true. Harper was always the first person he went to… Well, except when she was the
root of his conundrums. Lately, he’d been keeping a lot from her, like how he wanted her in his bed again. How every time he closed his eyes, she was the first and last thing he saw. How she occupied his mind most of the day. Those things he couldn’t tell her, though. If he did, it would ruin the arrangement they had.

  Friends with benefits didn’t include feelings, and he refused to let her know that their times together had been more than physical for him—they had been emotionally charged. He knew if he didn’t keep his distance, there was a chance of ruining their almost two-decade long friendship.

  She reached toward him, attempting to take hold of his arm, but he sidestepped her, knocking into a stool. He quickly righted himself and kept the drinks in his hands from toppling. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Her eyebrows drew together. “Are you okay?”

  She stepped toward him again, and he backed up, this time slamming right into the fridge. Those damn memories he’d suppressed earlier resurfaced, and he bit off a curse.

  “Mi,” Harper’s hand caught him this time, her touch like an electric shock jolting his system. He swallowed as he sidestepped her. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” He forced a smile. “It’s just… I don’t want to ruin the surprise. It’s going to be awesome. Trust me.”

  “Of course, I trust you. I just don’t understand why you won’t tell me, but you’ll tell Jasper and Shane.”

  She gave him her sad puppy dog stare which got him so many times, but he wasn’t going to fall for it now. He didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up if the plan didn’t work out. He had all his faith in Jasper and Shane, but sometimes faith wasn’t enough. He’d rather wait and make sure all systems were a go before he declared anything.

  “I need their help. If all goes well, you’ll know all about it this weekend. Promise.”

  “If you say so.” She reached around him, grabbing for the fridge, but he flinched as she came near him and immediately cursed himself for being so damn jumpy. It was just that she was so damn beautiful, and he wanted her with a ferocity that consumed him. Fighting his desires were turning him into a fool, and he needed to get away from her before he did something he’d regret.