It was coming together and even though I’d made plenty of progress, there was still a long way to go. But it was plenty of progress for today. One of the best parts of my job was that I got plenty of physical activity which meant I didn’t have to always make time for the gym. A quick shower to wash away the sweat and wood shavings and it was time for lunch, which revealed that I also needed to go grocery shopping. “Dammit.”
“Well, that’s no way to greet your best friend,” Zeke said, his voice startling the hell out of me. “And by the way Sheriff, you might want to lock your doors.”
“Yeah, try saying that to Norah.” She was a whirlwind, running here and there as the mood suited her. “This morning, she tore out the front door and over to Vivi’s place to ask her for help with some hairstyle, interrupted her morning yoga and then darted back with just enough time to earn me an evil glare from Principal Martin.” But the sight of Vivi in what passed for yoga gear was worth the trouble.
“Yoga? Tell me more.”
I flicked my gaze to the paper bag in his hand. “Something in there for me?”
He flashed a smirk and set the bag down. “Roast beef with horseradish and caramelized onions and cheddar. Dill chips and a six pack of a new microbrew I’m trying out.”
“Market research?” I twisted the cap off and took a look at the bottle with the bikinied tomboy riding an old school banana bike. “Scotch ale? I like it.”
“You were saying something about yoga pants?” Zeke rubbed his chin, one brow hitched up to encourage me to spill.
“More like yoga booty shorts only, it was a one piece. Light purple.” And it hugged her curves like nobody’s business, especially that delectable looking ass that was firm but had enough jiggle to make it fun to watch her move. “She’s in good shape.”
“Sounds like amazing shape. Based on the look in your eyes, I mean.” With a wide shit eating grin, he bit into his own vegetarian monstrosity of a sub sandwich. “So you gonna do something about it?”
“No. We’re friends.” And no matter what my cock said, I was in control. “Besides, it would get too messy with us being neighbors and all.”
“Or it could be fun. Late night rendezvous and sneaking home at dawn.”
That did sound nice. But dangerous. “Or it could get messy and complicated. Besides, Norah likes her and she hasn’t liked much of anyone lately.”
“Then you don’t mind if I ask her out?”
Hell yeah, I minded but what could I say? We were friends. Just friends. “Not at all. Just don’t mess with her.” Zeke stared at me with that intense stare of his that seemed to see everything. The worst part was that he didn’t say anything. “You would’ve made a damn fine detective.”
“You’re really going to let me ask her out?” He shook his head. “And here I thought you were the smart one. Man, stop being stupid, will you?” He took a few more bites of his sandwich, taking turns moaning over the sandwich and shaking his head at me.
“We’re friends, Zeke.”
“Whatever you say, Nash.”
I needed to change the subject and fast. “You busy tonight?”
“Yep, going to check out this new club in the city with live music.”
I rolled my eyes. Every inch of New Orleans had live music, especially after dark. “Want company?”
“Do I want a wingman? Damn right, I do.” He grinned and finished his sandwich before tackling the chips and another beer. “Because you’re trying to prove something to yourself, I’ll wait to ask out Viviana.” He licked his lips. “Even that name sounds sexy on my lips.”
“Zeke,” I growled which was a mistake because it only made the asshole laugh.
“Sorry, friend. I do hope you get that protective when people talk about me like that.”
“Every single time and you should hear what they say!” Zeke glared this time and I laughed, dodging a chip he threw at me just as a knock sounded. A slow, lazy knock that I knew well. “Hold that thought.” I pulled the door open and found Vivi worrying her plump bottom lip. “Hey.”
“You’re not in the middle of some afternoon delight, are you?” She fidgeted and hopped from one foot to the other.
“No, why?” I crossed my arms and leaned against the door with a smirk. She was damned adorable when she was anxious.
“Because I need your help and it would be weird to ask if you were just balls deep in someone else.” I coughed at her words and took a step back. “Thanks. So if not some midday nookie, who’s car is out front?”
“Zeke’s,” I said at the same time Zeke said,
“Mine.”
She turned with a friendly smile. “The famous Uncle Zeke.” Vivi struck out her hand, friendly and open as usual with none of the usual desire and flirtation he was used to. It probably made me a dick for being happy about that, but I was.
“And you’re Vivi, who walks on water.”
She laughed. “Maybe, but somehow I manage to trip over even that.” She turned back to me, a twinkle in those big green eyes. “Which is, kind of, why I’m here.”
She nibbled that bottom lip again and I had to have a quick private chat with my cock. “Are you going to make me guess?”
“Let me,” Zeke said in a low, joking voice.
“Sorry dude but I don’t know you,” she told him and walked over to me, turned around and bent over. “It’s on my right leg right below my butt cheek,” she said, her voice muffled.
“Damn, Nash, you get all the luck.”
“Shut it,” we both told him at the same time.
“Something stung me, I’m pretty sure because I saw it. But I’m not sure there’s enough yoga in the world that would let me hold my thigh and a mirror plus tweezers to pull it out so…can you?”
She was torturing me, that had to be it. Either that or it was some kind of cruel joke. “Yeah, sure. Did you disinfect it?”
“Yes and no. I put some alcohol on it but it burned like hell so I rinsed it off.”
“Seriously, Vivi? Let me get my tweezers.”
She stood and faced me before pulling a small silver set of tweezers from her cleavage. “Got it. Ignore the warmth,” she said and shoved it in my hand as though I could ignore the warmth knowing what it was from.
“Right.” Vivi bent over again and I knelt behind her, ignoring the scent of flowers mixed in with her feminine sweat became impossible. The curve of her ass tempted me beyond all reason.
“You okay back there, buddy?”
I flipped Zeke off and repositioned the tweezers. “I need to tighten your skin.”
“Go ahead and do what you gotta do, Nash. I’m not shy.”
“No kidding. Hush before I pull something you don’t want me to pull.” She laughed, wiggled her ass a little and I had to bite back a groan. Once I was able to block out all the feminine curves, I could see the problem. “That’s a big ass stinger. What bit you?”
“Not sure, Nash. I don’t spend all day staring at my ass.”
“Pity,” Zeke said with a chuckle.
“Do you ever turn it off,” she asked and I had to hide my smile. Another reason Vivi was awesome, she didn’t fall at Zeke’s feet.
“No one has ever asked me to before.”
“That’s too bad. You’re pretty to look at, and Norah thinks you’re the cat’s meow.”
“The cat’s meow?” He arched a brow and she laughed, but it turned into a squeal as I grabbed the stinger and pulled it out.
“When you hang out with a little girl, the fucking shit isn’t quite appropriate. Damn, that hurt.” She stood nimbly and rubbed the back of her thigh. “Thanks, Nash.”
That smile should be registered as a weapon. “No problem.”
“You boys stay out of trouble.” She turned towards the door and then came back for her tweezers.
“Vivi, help me convince this old man to go out with me tonight, will ya?”
She looked up at me with a frown. “You don’t want to go out?”
“Not sur
e. It’s been a while.” That was true, but I was also fulfilled by my friendship with Vivi so I didn’t need to go out. But there was still one thing left unsatisfied and it needed to be dealt with. Tonight.
“Go. Send Norah over later and have fun.” She turned to Zeke with a smile. “Nice to finally meet you, Uncle Zeke.”
“Likewise.” Zeke grabbed her hand and kissed it, giving her his best bedroom eyes. I wanted to punch his pretty face.
“Okay, I can see how that works for you. But in addition to knowing that you prefer Pinky Swear lip gloss to Red Alert, I also know that you have a lot of girlfriends. A lot, a lot, in the words of a reliable source.”
“Damn, cockblocked by a kid.” I held my breath, wondering if Vivi would be offended while hoping she wouldn’t.
“Oh my god!” She stared at Zeke with wide eyes for two beats and then doubled over laughing. “I can’t believe you…oh, man.” She laughed and laughed until tears streamed down her cheeks and she began to choke. I shoved a glass of water in her hand and pushed her into a chair. “All right, Zeke, we’re gonna be friends.”
“That’s the wrong F word, sugar?”
“It’s the only one you’re gonna get, lover boy.” When Vivi walked out, Zeke was still laughing.
“I like her. A lot. This is going to be fun.”
I stood taller and a dark look crossed my face. “What is?”
“Watching things unfold between you two.”
He was wrong. “Nothing to unfold.”
“That’s why it’s going to be so fun!”
Vivi
The day of the Solstice Celebration had dawned clear and bright, not a cloud in the sky and I knew the day would be a good one. Not because of Aunt Mae’s quirky prosperity ceremony which I was sure would go off without a hitch, but because I’d finally reconnected with someone other than Nash.
“Earth to Vivi?” Maddie waved a hand in front of my face and I blinked, looking at her concerned frown. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking about how glad I am that we reconnected. I haven’t been in town long but with my work it’s easy to go days without seeing another person.”
Her smile brightened. “I’m glad too. It’s hard making plans with friends when you have to worry about things like babysitters.” Her smile dimmed a little and that was just heartbreaking. A woman like Maddie deserved to have more. She worked hard and seemed to be a good mom.
“You can drop Max with me sometimes. I’ll wear him out while you go on a date or take a bath or whatever makes you happy.” Kids were honest and full of energy. A few hours with them would put your head on straight and make sure you never thought you were too special.
“That’s too kind, Vivi.”
“It’s what friends would do. In fact, if you guys aren’t busy, I’m thinking about grilling for the Fourth of July.”
“Burgers?” Max asked, hopefully.
“Burgers with the works and my favorite, barbecue chicken. And grilled veggies.” His face scrounged up and I laughed. “I’ll make a believer out of you kid, just wait.”
“That sounds nice, Vivi. Let me know what I can bring.”
“Desserts and beverages are always welcome,” I told her and bought the miniature flask in my hand because I thought it was adorable. “Let’s get some food before I have to go become a spectacle.” We were on the move again, heading towards the rows filled with food and drink vendors.
“You never did tell me what brought you back to Belle Musique?”
“I suppose you really don’t have time for things like gossip,” I said sarcastically and gave her a quick rundown of how my so-called friends had treated me. “So I got as much vengeance as I could and decided I needed a change of scenery. Or an old scenery I’m seeing with new eyes.”
“What a beautiful way to put it. Not that I’m surprised since I am a fan and all.” She stopped and looked at Early’s Fish Booth. “Catfish?”
“And hushpuppies?” Max and I asked at the same time.
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Great, Max and I will go get some Cajun fries and ribs. Deal?”
“Yeah!” Max’s little hand nestled in mine and we walked a few booths down to Ribs & More Ribs to get, what else?
“Vivi! Vivi!” I turned at the sound of my name being called just in time to stop the little girl shaped bowling ball headed my way. “Hi, Vivi!”
“Hey, Norah, how’s it going?” I wrapped my arms around her for a hug because I was learning quickly, kids hugged with everything they had.
“It’s okay. Dad’s being a party pooper.”
“Yeah? That’s too bad. Do you know Max Trenton? Max, this is my friend, Norah.”
“Do you like Cajun fries?” Max pushed up his glasses and grinned at Norah.
“They’re my favorite!” She jumped up and down, staying beside us as the line moved. “Can I get some too?”
“Sure, you can. Is your dad going to be worried about you?” It had been long enough that Nash should have appeared by now. “Norah?”
Norah sighed and rolled her eyes, thick black curls glinting in the sun. “He said not to go too far but he was taking too long, Vivi!”
I had two choices, leave the line and go find Nash which might make Max a little grumpy or I could keep Norah with me and risk Nash’s wrath. It was an easy choice really when one considered just how good Nash looked when he was pissed off. “Yeah, sure kiddo, come on. You can eat with us, right Max?”
He nodded and tried to tug me forward to place the order. “I’ll help Norah,” he insisted so I turned to the teenage cashier and placed the order.
Ten minutes and two bags of food later, me and the tiny terrors retraced our steps in search of Maddie. And seating. “Stay close, munchkins, so I don’t lose you.”
Finally, about twenty-seven minutes later, we found Maddie at a table she commandeered. “Looks like you gained a kid since you’ve been gone,” she said with a knowing grin.
“Norah, this is Max’s mom, Maddie or Ms. Trenton.” Most people in Belle Musique didn’t stand on ceremony but there was always that divide in the south between adults and kids. Every adult in my life was to be addressed as Miss or Mister without fail, but now that I was the adult, it didn’t bother me.
“Hi,” Norah said and held out her hand. “Nice to meetcha.”
Maddie grinned and helped Max get settled with his food while I snapped a photo of me and Norah before texting it to Nash with the caption, ‘lose something?’ Soon we were all digging in, making more grunting and moaning noises than actual words. But damn, the food was delicious.
So good that I’d probably have to eat a raw food diet for the next few days just to recalibrate my system. “These fries are the stuff of life, I swear it.”
Norah leaned her head against my side. “These are hot!” She fanned her mouth and without even thinking about it, I handed her my water.
“What kind of girl grows up in Cajun country with those taste buds?”
Norah shrugged as she continued to guzzle my water until at least half of it was in her belly. “Dad can’t handle spicy stuff.”
A memory flashed in my mind and almost as fast, laughter bubbled up out of me. “Oh my god, how could I forget! Remember that hot wing eating contest?”
Maddie’s brown eyes went wide as a slow smile spread and she began to nod. “I do, now.” Her gaze flickered behind me and pink stained her cheeks and I knew without even turning, who was behind me.
“Telling tales again, Vivi?”
I turned to him with a smile. “Yep. The tale about you trying to out eat Fatty Carmichael in a spicy wings contest and the hilarity that ensued.”
“How was I supposed to know ranch dressing could squirt out the nose?” His question sent the kids up in a fit of giggles that quickly turned uncontrollable. “What’s so funny?” Nash dropped down on his haunches and faced the kids.
“Did ranch really come outta your nose?” Max couldn’t stop giggling, spillin
g fries and barbecue sauce all over the place.
“Unfortunately, it did and it was pretty gross. I don’t recommend it, kid.” He patted Max’s shoulder and stood, sending a stern look at his daughter. “I also don’t recommend walking away when your father tells you not to. What if it hadn’t been Vivi who found you?”
“I found her,” she said with more attitude than I would have advised given her current crime. “You were taking too long!”
“That doesn’t matter, Norah. Maybe I’ll send you home with the sitter instead of letting you stay up late to watch the prosperity ceremony.” Arms crossed, Nash looked good wearing his dad persona.
“Daddy, no! I gotta watch ‘cause you and Vivi worked so hard.” Puppy dog eyes and the world’s most adorable pout had me ready to argue her case on her behalf. “Please. Pretty please!”
He was good. Really good. Nash stared at her until Norah began to squirm and her gaze became uneasy. Finally, he relented. “One more time, Norah, and it’s home you go. To bed. Got it?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Join us,” I told him. “Better eat now because who knows if you’ll have the time once our performance is over.” Mae had already warned me that plenty of other priestesses would be in attendance and I figured that meant we’d be tied up for a while.
“Is there enough for me?”
“You can have some of mine,” Max offered with a smile.
“You sure? Us guys eat a lot to stay big and strong.”
Max nodded. “I ate a big bowl of oatmeal this morning and Mama says it helps little boys grow into big ones.” For extra proof, Max held up ketchup covered hands and flexed his little biceps, chests puffed out like a little man.
“Your mama is right.”
There should be a digital warning label on men like Nash, big and gorgeous and utterly masculine was fine, but tack on being a good dad and he was damn near irresistible. That’s probably why I shoved a handful of fries in my mouth when he sat to my left, sandwiching me between him and Norah.
“Words every mom loves to hear,” Maddie added, tossing me a knowing wink that said she knew more of my thoughts than I would have liked.
Accidentally Hitched: An Accidental Marriage Romance Page 6
