Scattered Pieces

by Allie Able

  “No problem. Thank you for sharing the pie.”

  “Would you like to take some home? There is no way I will be able to eat it all.”

  I can't help but smile at her. She's so damn sweet and I don't think I have smiled this much in years. “I would like that.”

  I collect our glasses and plates from the living room and join her in the kitchen. After I've set the plates and cups in the sink, she hands me a small container. I take a minute to just look at her. Her lips are pulled into a soft smile and more than anything I want to know what they would feel like against mine. As if she can read my thoughts, Summer clears her throat and quickly looks away.

  “Thank you again, Grant. I'll walk you out.”

  I nod my head and follow her towards the door.

  After she has opened the door for me, I look down at her beautiful face and I can't resist reaching my hand out to feel her skin. I cup her face, dragging my thumb down her cheek. Her skin is so damn soft.

  “You are so beautiful, Summer Foster,” I whisper. Leaning down, I give her a kiss on the cheek, letting my lips linger and just breathing in her sweet scent. She smells like vanilla and sugar. I hear her sharp and intake of breath and since I've pushed my luck enough tonight, I pull back and smile. When I look at her face, I'm relieved to see she doesn't look fearful of me. Maybe a little shocked, but I can live with that. I drop my hand a step back onto the porch.

  “Good night Summer.”

  “Good night, Grant,” she says softly.

  I walk down the stairs to my truck. As I'm pulling out of her drive way, I look towards the front door. She is still standing in the doorway, watching me drive away, with a small smile on her face.

  Chapter Eight

  Summer

  GRANT'S CONSTRUCTION CREW STARTED WORKING in my guest bathroom and living room on Tuesday. They have only been here for four days and I already feel like I'm going to go insane. There are tarps everywhere, to control all of the dust. They stop working at 6:00 pm every night so thankfully I don't have to hear them banging, while I'm home. When Grant and I went over the plans, he said he thought it would only take a month before everything would be finished. At the time, one month didn't sound like long, however, now it feels like it's going to take an eternity.

  “What's in your hair?” Lexie asks, as she takes a drink of her iced coffee.

  After work tonight, I went home to change clothes before meeting Lexie at the mall that's a few towns over. She insisted that we both needed a new outfit to go out in tomorrow night. I would much rather be soaking in a hot bath right now and just wear something I already have, but here I am.

  “What is it?” I ask, as I run my hand over the top of my head, trying to figure out what she is talking about.

  “It looks like you ran through a few walls before you met me here.”

  I give up on trying to get all the little pieces out of my hair and shrug my shoulders. “My house looks like a war zone. They put tarps up to try and control all of the demolition they are doing, but I don't think it's working.”

  She laughs and waves her hand for me to come closer, “No shit. It looks like you have sheet rock in your hair. Come here and let me get it out.”

  After she successfully gets everything off of me, she asks, “Are you sure you don't just want to stay with me while your having the work done on your house? You know I don't mind and I have an empty guest room.”

  “Thank you, Lexie, that's really sweet, but I'm enjoying living on my own right now. I will let you know if it gets to be too much.”

  “Okay sweetie. Now, lets get to shopping. I need a dress that says 'This will look really good on your bedroom floor',” she say, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

  I almost spit out the coffee, I had just taken a drink of, as I look around to see if anyone overheard her. The elderly lady next to me gives us a dirty look and quickly walks away.

  “Jesus Lexie!” I laugh.

  She smiles at me and shrugs her shoulders, “What? I need to get laid. It's been months and I bet you could use a little action too.”

  I shake my head at her, “Would you stop! I am not talking about this with you.”

  Why is it that as soon as she said that, my mind went to Grant? I just got out of a horrible marriage and the last thing on my mind should be a man, but I can't stop thinking about the feel of his lips against my cheek or the the way he told me I was beautiful, in that husky voice of his. As innocent as that touch of his lips was, it still sent tingles across my skin. I feel my face heat up just thinking about it. I haven't seen him since Monday night. We've text a few times, but only to talk about how the renovations are coming along. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship and I don't know if I will ever be.

  “Hello. Earth to Summer.” Lexie says, waving her hand in front of my face.

  “Sorry,” I respond, embarrassed that I spaced out on her.

  “What was that look on your face just now?”

  I quickly shake my head and advert my eyes, “Nothing I'm just tired.”

  “Just tired my ass,” she mumbles with an evil smile on her face, “You were thinking about a sexy man.”

  “I was not. Come on and lets find you that dress.” I loop my arm through hers, pulling her towards the store.

  “Uh-huh,” she says, in a voice that says she doesn't believe me, “I'll let it go for now, but only because I see a pair of heels I want to try on. The next time you start day dreaming about Grant I'm going to make you tell me about it.”

  I can feel my blush deepen and I look away from her knowing stare, “I have no idea what your talking about.”

  * * *

  I look at myself in the bathroom mirror trying to figure out how I got myself into this situation. I have on a pair of heels that are so high I'm not sure I will even be able to walk. My dress is black and skin tight. The front of the dress is pretty conservative, however, the back is so low I can almost see my ass. My hair is pulled up into some type of complicated bun, that is held together with about a hundred pins. My eye makeup is darker than I usually wear it, but I have to reluctantly admit, it does make my green eyes pop. I am so far out of my comfort zone. All I want to do is hide in my bathroom all night, but if the insistent knocking coming from the door is any indication, I don't think that's going to happen.

  “Summer, get out of that bathroom now and lets go.”

  I let out a sigh and open the bathroom door. “Lexie, you don't think this is too much?” I ask, gesturing towards my dress and shoes, “I mean we are just going to The Sand Bar. I feel like a hooker.”

  “Hell no, it's not too much. It's girls night out and you look hot! Summer, in no way could you ever look like a hooker. Now let's go. The cab is outside waiting,” she says, as she grabs my arm and pulls me towards the front door.

  I grab my clutch, that is sitting on my bed and reluctantly let myself be pulled from the comfort of my home.

  When the cab pulls up to The Sand Bar, I'm shocked to see the parking lot over flowing with cars.

  “This place is really busy,” I say, as Lexie exits the cab.

  “Yeah, it's like this during tourist season, but I haven't seen it this packed in awhile.”

  I make my way out of the cab and follow Lexie to the front door.

  When we walk in, it is so loud that I am momentarily stunned. There are people everywhere and I'm wondering if we will even be able to get to the bar.

  As if she can read my mind, Lexie turns to me and yells over the music, “There is a bar on the back deck that probably won't be as busy.”

  I nod and follow her through the throngs of people, feeling myself panic every time someone bumps into me.

  We finally reach the outside bar and I am relieved to see she was right and there aren't as many people out here. The music is also a lot quieter, so we don't actually have to yell to hear each other. I let out a breath I feel like I have been holding since we walked in. We walk up to the bar and only have to wait a minute before
the bartender comes over to take our order.

  “What are you two gorgeous ladies having?” he asks, with a flirty smile.

  Lexie gives him a quick smile in return, “I'll have a vodka and cranberry.”

  “I'll have the same.”

  “Coming right up,” he says, smiling at us one more time, before going to make our drinks.

  Once he is out of ear shot, Lexie leans over to me, “He's hot and did you see the way he was looking at you? Like he wanted to eat you up.”

  “He was not looking at me like that. He was just being nice, Lexie.”

  “You are freaking blind,” she mumbles, shaking her head, as she pulls money out of her wallet.

  “I can get mine,” I protest.

  “First round is on me. You can get the next one.”

  I nod my head in agreement and look around trying to find somewhere to sit. I spot a table with two stools and point it out to her.

  “I'm going to go grab that table before someone else does.”

  She turns and looks to where I'm pointing, “Go ahead. I've got to wait for my change and then I'll be over there.”

  I grab my drink off of the bar and make my way towards the table.

  After I'm settled into my seat, I look around. I've never been here before, but I've passed by a few times on my way home. It's located right off of the beach and since we are sitting outside, I can feel the breeze coming off of the water. The inside is nice and not at all what I would expect. It is upscale and beautifully decorated. It looks like it has been renovated in last year or so, but still has an older feel to it.

  I look back at the bar and see Lexie is still standing there talking to the bartender. I mentally roll my eyes at her. I wish I had the confidence she has. She finally ends her conversation and makes her way to our table.

  “He's yummy, but is dumb as a brick,” she says, as she sits down.

  I can't help but laugh, “That's awful, Lexie.”

  She shrugs her shoulders, “Just stating the truth.”

  We are both quiet, while we sip our drinks and look around the packed bar.

  I'm almost done with my first drink and I look over at Lexie to ask her if she is ready for her another one, when she raises her eyes to look over my shoulder and mutters, “Incoming.”

  I look over my shoulder to see what she is talking about, right as I feel a hand rest intimately on the bare skin of my lower back. My body immediately stiffens.

  The man dips his head towards my ear, to be heard over the music, “May I get you beautiful ladies another drink?”

  Chapter Nine

  Grant

  I SAW HER AS SOON AS she walked into The Sand Bar. Hell, I think every man in here noticed her, when she walked in. Summer is always beautiful, but with that little black dress and those shoes she is wearing tonight, she is downright sexy. I watched her and Lexie walk towards the bar on the patio. I didn't miss the way the bartenders eyes lingered on her a little too long and I had the irrational need to go over there, pick her up, and carry her ass out of here. I know Summer isn't mine, but dammit, I want her to be. I can see every man in this bar watching her with lust filled eyes and it's almost too much to take. I finish off the rest of my drink and order another, content to just sit here and watch her laugh with Lexie for a few minutes, before I make my way over to join them.

  “Who's the hottie with Lexie?” I hear my buddy Zack ask.

  I turn to look at him and I think I actually growl in response.

  He laughs, holding up his hands in surrender, “Calm down man. I just wanted to know the name of the woman who you seem to be so caught up in.”

  “That's Summer. I'm doing some renovations on her house.”

  “I thought she was a tourist. She's not from here is she?”

  “Nope, she just moved here a few months ago. She owns that new bakery in town.”

  He nods his head towards the girls, “It looks like someone is moving in on your girl.”

  I turn on my stool and look towards Summer. There is some prick with his hand on her lower back and he's leaning over saying something to them both. I take a closer look at Summer and I notice she is sitting completely still and looking scared as shit. This guy is oblivious to how uncomfortable he is making her.

  I grab my drink off of the bar and briefly glance at Zack, “You coming?”

  He grabs his drink and shoots me a smile, “Hell yeah. Lead the way lover boy.”

  I shake my head at him and make my way through the crowded bar. I reach their table in record time and I'm thankful to see the asshole has removed his hand from Summer's back, but he is still leaning into her. Summer spots me before I reach the table and I'm pleased to see the relief in her eyes.

  I look over at the guy standing next to her as I bend down and kiss Summer on the cheek, “Hey, beautiful.”

  She blushes as she looks up at me, “Hi, Grant.”

  I reluctantly pull my gaze away from her to look at the asshole who is still standing there, “Hey man.” I reach my hand out to him and introduce myself, “Grant.”

  He looks like someone just kicked his puppy and I can't help the smug grin that comes to my face. I know it's completely uncalled for, but I make sure to give his hand a hard squeeze, when he reaches out to shake mine.

  “Tim,” he responds.

  I pull my hand back and look at Summer,again. Effectively dismissing the dickhead. “What are ya'll drinking?” I ask and I notice, out of the corner of my eye, the guy finally gets the hint and walks away.

  “Cranberry and vodka,” Lexie responds, “I'll go get us another round.”

  “These are suppose to be on me,” Summer says, reaching for her purse.

  I look at Zack, who is standing beside Lexie, and hand him my debit card, before Summer can get her wallet out, “Will you help Lexie bring back our drinks and start a tab?”

  “Yep.” He grins as he takes the card from me.

  I watch as Lexie shoots Summer a wink, before disappearing to the bar with Zack.

  “Thank you,” Summer says, while laying her purse back down on the table.

  “For what? The drink or rescuing you?” I ask with a laugh.

  She looks up at me and smiles, “Both.”

  “Anytime. You have to be use to that though.”

  She shakes her head at me looking confused, “Use to what?”

  “Being hit on. You are beautiful woman, Summer, surely that happens often.”

  She still looks adorably confused. “Um, I don't think so. I was just really uncomfortable when he touched me.”

  Under the table, I curl my hand into a fist just thinking about his hands on her. This woman is making me act completely irrational.

  “I'm sorry,” I say.

  “What in the world do you have to be sorry for?” she laughs.

  I chuckle and shake my head, “I have no idea.”

  I look behind her and see Lexie and Zack making their way back to the table.

  “Summer, this is my good friend Zack. Zack, this is Summer.”

  “It's nice to meet you, Summer,” Zack says, reaching over the table to shake Summers hand.

  She gives him a small, but friendly smile, “You too, Zack.”

  Zack looks over at Lexie and grabs her hand. “Come dance with me, Lex.”

  Lexie looks over at Summer with concern, “You okay?”

  Summer nods her and smiles, “Of course, go dance.”

  Lexie smiles in return, before walking off towards the dance floor with Zack, leaving me and Summer alone again.

  “How is the bakery?” I ask, after a moment of silence.

  “Good, but super busy. I need to hire someone soon, but I haven't found the right person yet.”

  I nod my head, “Yeah, during tourist season all of the business on that strip get really busy.”

  “I've noticed that. I'm not complaining. I love my job, but it would be nice to have a day off every now and then.”

  I watch as she takes a sip from
her drink and licks her bottom lip. I have to stifle a groan.

  “Do you want to dance?” I ask, gesturing towards the dance floor.

  Summer looks at me with wide eyes. ”Um, I'm not sure.”

  I chuckle and take her hand in mine, “Just one dance?”

  She reluctantly nods and follows me away from the table.

  As we are approaching the dance floor, the band starts to play a slow song. I pull Summer into my arms, and I can't help but notice how she fits perfectly against me. I could cry out in relief, when I feel her relax into my arms. I look down at her and see those beautiful eyes looking up at me.

  “Have I told you how incredibly gorgeous you look tonight?” I whisper, my voice deeper than usual.

  She blushes and shakes her head, “It's just the dress and makeup.”

  “No, Summer, it's you.” How can she not see how attractive she is? Did her ex-husband do this to her?

  ”Thank you,” she whispers quietly, her pretty blush deepening.

  “You're welcome,” I whisper back, as I pull her closer to me and place a light kiss on her forehead.

  After the song is over, I take her hand and lead her back to the table where Zack and Lexie are already sitting back down.

  Lexie looks at our joined hands and gives me a wide smile.

  I ignore her and look down at Summer, “Do you want another drink?”

  She smiles and nods her head, ”I'm going to go to the restroom right quick.”

  I release her hand and watch as she makes her way towards the back of the bar, where the bathrooms are located, as I go to get our drinks.

  When I get back to the table, I notice Summer still isn't back. My worry must show on my face because Lexie gently squeezes my arm.

  “Calm down, the line was probably just long.”

  I nod my head and look around the bar. I feel my mouth pull into a smile, when I see her walking through the crowd back to our table. I see someone grab her arm from behind and roughly pull her back and, even through the loud bar, I can hear her yell out in pain. I quickly jump to my feet making my way towards her.

  Chapter Ten

  Summer

  I'M MAKING MY WAY THROUGH the crowd and back to our table, when someone grabs my upper arm and pulls me back. I cry out in pain and the hand on my arm tightens.