“Well, I don’t care what he claims, no man does what he’s doing right now without an ulterior motive. You can’t expect me to believe my beautiful, blond daughter has nothing to do with it.”
She was getting on my nerves now. I could see why she might think that. But she hadn’t experienced what I had with Noah. I truly believed he wanted nothing to do with me, nor did I believe his intentions were anything but good.
“I know you’re conditioned to think all men are bad. Based on your personal experience of Dad abandoning us, I can’t even blame you. But that’s not the case all the time.”
Her expression darkened. “I’ve already lost one daughter. I can’t stand to lose another.”
She couldn’t be serious.
“How is Noah painting the boathouse going to put my life in jeopardy? Think about what you’re saying.”
“I didn’t mean he’d harm you physically. But I can’t afford to have you take off with some man.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re taking this too far. He came here to get away from the daily grind for a while. He likes to keep busy and knows we could use the help. There’s nothing more to it than that.”
She wouldn’t drop it. “I’m afraid there is. I might not be thinking clearly half of the time, but I’m not blind. You’re my daughter. I know you. I can see that look in your eyes. You’re smitten. Women do crazy things for men they’re smitten with. And men? They may tell you one thing, but they’re weak. If you keep throwing yourself at him, he will give in.”
I shrugged. “One can only hope.”
She rolled her eyes, none too pleased with my humor. “Just be careful.”
***
That evening, I was just about dressed and ready to leave for my shift at the restaurant when I noticed someone over at the boathouse talking to Noah while he worked.
My heart dropped.
It was Kira Shaw, our closest neighbor. Kira was in her early thirties and divorced. With long red hair and killer curves, she was very attractive. She also always seemed to be dating a different guy. In fact, I used to babysit her boys while she went out on some of her escapades. She was perpetually on the prowl and had no issue with bringing different men into her bedroom while her sons were home.
I knew right away she was making a play for Noah. And I didn’t like it one bit.
My pulse began to race. Sure, this jealousy was unfounded. I had no business getting involved, but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t know much about Noah, but I knew he was intelligent, respectful, and seemed to be a decent human being. That was enough for me to know he deserved more than that washed-up skank in her ridiculously short shorts. She knew how to turn on the charm and could easily trick him. He wouldn’t know to stay away from her unless I warned him. Like my mother said, men are weak. I knew Kira was going to act fast, so I needed to do the same.
Under the guise of bringing him a cold drink—something I probably should have done hours ago—I filled a glass with ice water and marched over to the boathouse.
Perspiring, I interrupted them. “Thought you might be thirsty.”
Noah looked down at me from the ladder and wiped some sweat off his forehead before stepping down.
He took the glass. “Well, I’m perfectly capable of walking into the house to get a drink, so you didn’t have to do that, but thanks.”
I shrugged. “You’re welcome. It’s the least I can do.”
I turned to stare at Kira, trying to give her a hint that her presence wasn’t welcome.
She couldn’t have cared less about me. Her eyes were fixed on Noah’s ass as he climbed back up the ladder.
“You’ve hit the tenant jackpot with Noah here, Heather.”
I shot daggers at her. “I know, right?”
“Are you heading to work?” she asked.
“Yeah. But I’m not in a rush. Don’t have to be there for another hour.” I crossed my arms.
I was totally late for work, but no way was I leaving until skankface was gone. She suddenly seemed to pick up on my vibe.
She turned to Noah. “Well, think about dinner, Noah. I’d love to have you, and I know the boys would love to meet you, too. Any night that’s good for you works for me. You know where to find me for a hot meal and a cold beer.”
Sure. That’s all she’s offering.
Noah barely looked over at her as he continued to paint. “Thanks.”
I was happy that he seemed noncommittal and uninterested about the whole thing. But the summer was long, and like my mother said…if a woman throws herself at a man enough, he’ll eventually give in. It wasn’t like there were a ton of options around here.
The mere thought of them together made my stomach sick.
She nodded once. “Good seeing you, Heather.”
“You, too.”
After she was out of earshot, I said, “She’s making a play for you with that dinner invitation.”
Noah continued painting and didn’t look at me. “You don’t say…”
“She’s trouble. You don’t want to get involved with her.”
“How is it any of your business?”
“It’s not. But consider it a friendly warning. I know her. She’s with a different guy every week. She’s only out for one thing.”
He stopped for a moment, looked down, and smirked. “Perfect, then.”
A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins. “You don’t mean that.”
Waving the roller at me, he said, “Is that why you came over here pretending to care about my thirst? Because you saw her talking to me?”
“No,” I lied.
“Come on, Heather. I’ve been out here all day. If you were concerned about my hydration, you would’ve come a lot sooner. You came out here to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“Why? You don’t even know me.”
I attempted to answer. “Because…”
I had no good reason to give. There was no way I could admit the truth—that I was jealous because she might have a chance with him because she was older and less emotionally high maintenance than me.
“I’d better go. I’m…I’m late for work.”
I’d started to walk away when he called out from behind me.
“Thought you said you didn’t have to work for another hour.”
I turned around and glared at him.
He shook his head, laughing.
He’s laughing at me.
Again.
Great. It seemed Noah was either scolding me or laughing at me. There was no middle ground.
The only way to handle this and keep my pride in check was to continue walking away, which was exactly what I did.
***
Jack Foley’s Pub is known for its burgers, local beer selections, and pool tables. While not the fanciest of places, it’s a popular joint around the lake. Especially in the summer, Jack Foley’s is a happening place any night of the week.
Despite its brisk pace, my shift this evening had been uneventful until about 9PM when I looked toward the corner of the room and spotted him.
What’s Noah doing here?
Looking all broody and mad, he stared right at me. Still ticked off that he’d called me out on my behavior earlier, I refused to acknowledge him.
No way was I going to serve him.
“Can you handle table nine in the corner?” I asked my friend and co-waitress Marlene.
“Why?”
“That guy is my tenant, and I don’t want to talk to him right now.”
She turned around to look at him. “Jesus.”
“I know.”
“Why the heck are you avoiding him?”
“I made a fool of myself earlier. It’s a long story.”
“He’s hot as hell, Heather.” She bit her lip. “I’d be glad to service him.”
“I asked if you would serve him, not service him.”
I watched as she waltzed over to Noah and sa
id a few words, only to return a minute later.
“He asked if you could take his order.”
Shit.
When I glanced over, he was looking straight at me.
With a sigh, I walked over and made sure to match his cold demeanor. “What can I get you?”
“Shouldn’t you be a little more cordial to your customers?”
“Not when I know the customer is here to chastise me.”
His expression softened. “I’m not here to chastise you.”
“No? Then why did you come here of all places? You know this is where I work.”
“I came here intentionally, yes…but not to make trouble. I came to apologize.”
I inhaled and calmed down a bit. “Really…”
“Yes. I was hard on you earlier. You were looking out for me. I snapped at you for no good reason. I’m sorry. I can be an insensitive asshole sometimes. It’s who I am. I don’t hide it very well.”
“Well, I’m glad you see that. Not that you’re an asshole—which, yes, you can be sometimes—but that I was only trying to look out for you.”
We stared at each other in silence before he spoke.
“Look, not that I owe you an explanation, but I didn’t come to Lake Winnipesaukee to fuck around with women or complicate my life. I came to get away from stuff like that. So you don’t need to worry about me and what’s her name. I don’t even remember what her name was, to be fair. All I want is to be left alone—some peace. That’s the truth.”
“I seriously feel like you think I’m this crazy buttinski.”
“A what?”
“Buttinski. You’ve never heard that term?”
“No. Is that a New Hampshire thing?”
“No.” I laughed. “It means someone who meddles in other people’s business.”
“Oh. Well, then, you’re definitely that.”
He smiled. I felt goosebumps all over my body. This guy had the strangest effect on me. One minute I was dreading talking to him, and the next all I wanted to do was get lost in his big brown eyes.
I cleared my throat and grabbed the pad of paper out of my apron. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll take whatever you recommend. I didn’t even look at the menu. I just came to say sorry, actually. But since I’m here, I might as well eat.”
“I’ll hook you up.”
He cocked a brow. “Should I be concerned?”
“No. I’m not gonna spike your food or anything, although maybe I should after the way you spoke to me today.” I winked so he didn’t think I was still hung up on that whole thing.
I ended up asking the chef to make Noah one of his specialty burgers with mushrooms, Swiss, and fried onions.
I handed Noah the plate with a heaping portion of garlic parmesan fries and watched as he devoured his meal. It gave me a strange pleasure to be feeding him, which was not something I could say I’d ever felt before. Look at the way he’s inhaling that food. Poor guy must have been starving after slaving away all day.
I imagined what other things he might do with such vigor. I shook my head and forced myself back to work.
Later, when he tried to give me his credit card, I held up my hand. “It’s on me.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Seriously…it’s on the house. Told the chef you were a friend. He insists.”
I paid for his meal with my own money. It was the least I could do after everything he was doing around the property.
“Well, thank you. It was really good.” He put his card back in his wallet before throwing down a twenty, which defeated the purpose of my treating him.
“You okay getting home later?” he asked.
“Yeah. I have my car.”
“That clunker I see parked in front of your house?”
“Yeah. It runs well enough, at least to get me here and back.”
“Well, be careful driving home.” He stood. “I’ll see you around.”
He wasn’t even gone yet, and immediately my brain began plotting my next opportunity to see him. Without knowing exactly what I was going to say, I called after him.
“Noah…”
He turned. “Yeah?”
What now?
I had nothing to say. I just didn’t want him to leave.
After a pause, I fabricated a story.
“My mother wants to meet you…to thank you for your help with the house painting. She asked me to invite you over for dinner this week—on Thursday, my night off. I’ll do the cooking, of course, because she isn’t capable of making more than a sandwich lately. I told her you would probably say no, but I promised her I’d ask.”
Noah chewed his bottom lip and seemed hesitant. He finally shrugged. “Okay.”
“Really? You’ll come?”
“It’s just dinner, right? Why not? Thank you for the offer.”
I smiled wide. “Great. Say seven?”
“Yeah. Okay.” He nodded. “Goodnight.”
“’Night.” I watched as he walked away and disappeared out the door.
I was still in a haze when Marlene crept up behind me.
“Spill. Are you fucking that guy or something?”
I shook my head, eyes still on the door. “No.”
“Then why are you grinning like a fool right now?”
“I am?”
“Yes. So why aren’t you fucking him?”
“Because he won’t go near me with a ten-foot pole for starters. He treats me like a kid.” I sighed. “God, he’s…I don’t know…different. I can’t figure him out… Well, except for the fact that he doesn’t seem interested. That part is pretty clear to me.”
“You should figure out how to change that. He’s hot!”
“I know. He’s really amazing looking, isn’t he? But you know, Marlene, it’s not just that. There’s so much to him. He’s a talented photographer, like really creative. And he’s handy as all hell. He’s been painting the boathouse to help us. No one asked him to. He’s doing it because he knows we need the help. Not to mention, he also tried to save my life.”
“Tried to save your life?”
“Long story. But things have definitely been more exciting since he moved in. The admiration is one-sided, though.”
“Well, heck, anything to spice up your life. I think you need a change of pace with all the shit you have to go through with your mother. You deserve a little excitement.”
If only I could contain this giddiness. I had a feeling it was going to be a very long summer in that regard. I already felt myself spiraling out of control.
CHAPTER FOUR
* * *
NOAH
I don’t know why I agreed to dinner at Heather’s. Something told me I was going to regret it.
I guess I was curious as to what the deal was with her mother. I hadn’t seen the woman once since moving in. She never came out of the damn house. It was fucked-up.
Yeah. That’s the reason you agreed to dinner.
Evidently, I was pretty good at bullshitting myself if I believed meeting Heather’s mother was the reason I’d said yes.
Heather had batted her lashes at me at the restaurant, and I forgot my age for a minute when I stupidly agreed. It was hard to not feel like a goddamn horny college student around her. And that was dangerous. She was dangerous—particularly because she made no secret of her attraction to me.
From the moment I saw her standing in my bedroom, I’d noticed the way she gawked at me. She had no business looking at me like that, and I didn’t like it one bit.
Or maybe I didn’t like that I liked it.
As I strolled through the market, I stopped abruptly and looked down at what I was holding in my hand.
You dumbass.
I’d selected a bottle of red wine to take to dinner tonight, completely forgetting that my gracious hostess was under the drinking age.
I walked back over and returned the bottle to the shelf.
What the hell else could I bring?
>
The smell of fresh bread lured me to the bakery. With little time left, I grabbed a loaf of warm garlic bread before heading to the cash register.
That would have to do. Hopefully she wasn’t gluten-free or some shit.
***
I took my time walking over to the main house. Still unsure whether I’d made the right decision in agreeing to this dinner, I told myself I could always change my mind and cancel. Yet despite having the freedom to do that, I found myself in front of her door, knocking with that gigantic loaf of bread in my other hand.
Someone I didn’t expect opened the door. It wasn’t Heather or her mother, but rather a guy who looked around Heather’s age.
“Who are you?” I asked, looking him up and down.
“Eric. Who are you?”
Before I had a chance to answer, Heather’s dog came running toward me and rubbed his gigantic head all over my legs. He had the biggest freaking head I’d ever seen on a dog.
The guy repeated his question. “So, who are you?”
I finally gave in and scratched the dog’s head. “I’m renting the boathouse. Where’s Heather?”
“What do you need from Heather?” he asked, seeming defensive.
Who the hell is this guy?
I ignored his question. “Where is she?”
“Her mom isn’t feeling well. She’s in the bedroom with her.”
I should probably just get the fuck out of here.
“Tell her I stopped b—”
“Wait!” Heather suddenly appeared. “Noah, don’t go.”
The dog barked as if to echo her request.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Heather seemed flustered. “My mother doesn’t want to come out of her room. This is typical of her.” She looked over at the guy. “I see you’ve met Eric. He was just leaving.”
He stared at her for a few seconds. “Think about what I said, okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” She answered dismissively, without even looking at him.
“I mean it, Heather,” he insisted.
“Goodbye, Eric.”
After he slammed the door, there was a bit of awkward silence. The dog walked over to the corner and planted himself on the floor now that the drama was over.
When August Ends Page 3
