“Red, maybe he isn’t the right guy for you.”
“Why do you say that? We’ve been together for a while now. He’s respectable and he cares about me. He’s a step up from the other schmoes I’ve dated.”
Not enough of a step up, I wanted to growl.
The next time I was out of the country, I needed to find a beautiful woman to take my mind off Cora. Off the way her alabaster skin turned bright pink when she was embarrassed, especially when I said something dirty. Off the way she laughed with her whole body and sometimes when she laughed hard enough, she snorted. Off the way she buried her face into my chest when the movie we watched scared her. Off Cora Reynolds who was never going to see me as more than a friend.
“Do you want hang out and watch a movie?”
“I better not. I have to work tomorrow.”
“Can I see you before I leave town again?”
“Of course. I hate when you’re gone for so long. I miss you.”
I reached out for her and pulled her into my arms. She relaxed into me. We hugged for a good long time before she pulled away.
“I am sorry about tonight. I know it’s the not the evening you wanted.”
“Thanks.”
She sulked to the door and I followed her out to her car. She drove away into the night.
What the hell was I going to do with that woman? She needed to find her own worth and stop falling for these losers who had no idea what they had.
2
Cora
Colton Black’s office door was open when I slowly walked by it. He was inside, typing on his phone. I knocked on the doorframe.
He looked up and smiled. “Hi, Cora.”
“Hey. Do you have a minute?”
He set his phone down and waved me in. “Of course. Come in. What’s up?”
“We’re friends, right?”
His brow furrowed. “Yes.”
“Can I ask you for some friend advice? No need to go all psychologist on me though.”
He chuckled. “All right, I’ll try to keep it in check.”
“Last night, I went out to dinner with my boyfriend, who I would really like to turn into something more, and my best friend, who happens to be a guy. And it went horribly.” I covered my face with my hands feeling my face turn bright red from the embarrassment of it all. “They did not like each other at all. They practically had a pissing match.”
Colton’s brow furrowed. “Tell me more.”
“You’re shrinking me.”
“I need more information before I can give out any advice.”
“Fine.” I sat back in the chair. “Gerard has been in my life forever. Since high school. And we’ve always been friends. Nothing more. We’ve never really been friends with each other’s friends though. And I’ve never met his girlfriends and he’s never met mine…er…boyfriends. But last night shouldn’t have been a disaster. But Nick was furious with me. He accused me of sleeping with Gerard. And all kinds of outlandish things. And Gerard told me that he didn’t understand what I was doing with a guy like Nick.”
“Huh.”
My eyes narrowed, and my lips thinned. “You are annoying when you do that. People pay you for this?”
“They do. I’m quite good. And if you ask me, it sounds like one or both of them is jealous. And it sounds like your best friend is looking out for you. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with him. And your boyfriend sounds like he’s insecure. What advice do you need?”
“What am I supposed to do? I feel like I’m stuck in the middle. And shouldn’t they both be accommodating me as the girlfriend and best friend?”
Colton chuckled. “I think you’ve got the right idea. Your friend is gone a lot, right? He comes back into town for short intervals?”
I nodded.
“Maybe he’s just feeling threatened because you’re moving forward with a guy and he’s never been privy to that before. And maybe Nick is feeling threatened that you have this worldly best friend who sort of looks like an Avenger. I would just have separate dates with both of them. Do something normal and fun with your friend. And maybe a good romantic gesture with Nick.”
I pulled myself up and pushed my shoulders back. “That sounds like an amazing idea.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
“Of course, I’m glad I could be of some help. May I say one more thing?”
“Sure.”
“Friends are chosen family. You choose them, and they know you better than most. If your friend has some serious concerns about your boyfriend, you may want to hear him out. Maybe he’s seeing something you’re not. Those of us in love can get a little nearsighted.”
I let out a long breath while I mulled over his words. “I appreciate the advice, Colton.”
“Any time.”
I leaned forward putting my arms on his desk. “How are things going with the mayor?”
He smirked. “Very well, thank you. Though, this blasted town is constantly planning some big event for the next holiday, and it keeps her busier than I’d like.”
“The ball sounds like it’s going to be fun this year. Bidding on dates for a bachelor. Mayor Bartell is doing well. The town loves her.”
“I do too,” Colton said, his eyes getting all daydreamy about her.
Did Nick look like that when he talked about me? Nick wasn’t the guy I’d pictured myself with, but he was a good guy, right? He made a decent living. He had good standing in the town. He seemed to like me. Romance and fairy tale love were for books and movies and this was real life. Nick was perfect for me for real life.
Five days of sand and sun away from Jubilee Falls, Nebraska in February were just what Nick and I needed to take our relationship to the next level. After ten months of dating, we were just a few weeks from Valentine’s Day, and I couldn’t wait to see Nick’s surprise when I revealed my plotting.
After talking to Colton, I decided to think through my next steps. We needed a vacation, together, alone. A romantic vacation full of adventure and sandy beaches. He would forget all about work and Gerard and his focus would all be on me. I could show him how great we could be together.
The tickets cost me a month’s worth of rent, but once we made it to Cancun, Mexico, everything would be perfect. An all-inclusive hotel with beach access and a view of the ocean meant no stress, no worries, and no work. A week away in paradise, lounging, sex, fruity drinks with umbrellas, more sex, and the perfect way to figure out exactly where this relationship was going.
Ever since the dinner with Gerard went horribly wrong, Nick had grown distant and almost cold. This was exactly what we needed: for me to be able to show him how much he meant to me and how much I prioritized him.
I’d already taken time off, and gone over Nick’s head to his boss, so that I could surprise him with the trip without fear that he wouldn’t be able to get the time off. I didn’t want to give him any reason to turn me down.
My phone chirped with my best friend’s custom ringtone, and I grabbed it excitedly. Things were so much better than they had been, and I was excited to share it with him. He’d been my best friend for twelve years, and he’d seen me through my best, and so many of my worsts. I knew there was no way I’d survived the last few years without him. I knew he’d come around to being happy for me once he saw I wasn’t going anywhere.
I’d been furious at him after the dinner with Nick, but the truth was Nick had been a jerk. I didn’t know what his problem was. If he was threatened by Gerard, it was silly. Gerard and I were friends and that’s all we’d ever be. I certainly wasn’t enough to keep Gerard.
I flipped my phone over and unlocked it to see a text message.
Gerard: Red, want to grab some lunch? I’m between photo shoots and I could use a friendly face. One that’s not covered in eight pounds of makeup.
I grinned and quickly replied.
Cora: Meet me at the café on sixth in about twenty? You’re buying, Mr. Big-shot-photographer.
I set my phone down and quickly chan
ged out of my yoga pants and baggy tank top into something more socially acceptable. I ran my hairbrush through my red, wavy hair, and applied a layer of tinted lip gloss before I shoved my feet into my boots, grabbed my winter coat and hopped into my red Toyota Corolla.
We’d gone back to normal over the last few days since the dinner and he was supportive of me and Nick. I couldn’t help but wonder if Gerard really did like the guy though. I’d never seen him so venomous toward someone or so frustrated with me. But it had all worked out…right?
I pulled up to the Bumblebee Café and saw him through the window outside. Gerard was strikingly handsome. He never looked like he belonged in the small town of Jubilee Falls. He was too smart, too sophisticated, and had way too much money. Not that he walked around like he owned the place or could buy it, though I’m sure he could. His warm umber skin had a lickable quality to it. Not that I’d thought much about licking him. He was sexy though and everyone else noticed, so it was hard not to.
“Already ordered for me, I see.” I gestured at the table as he stood and pulled me into a hug.
“Yeah, well, I can’t remember the last time we came to The Bumblebee Café and you didn’t order a salted caramel white mocha with extra salt. I figured I’d save you the time.” He kissed my cheek and squeezed me just a little tighter before he let me go. “I thought I’d let you pick out your own lunch, though.” He slipped into his chair again.
I shrugged out of my coat before I sat across from him. “I guess that makes me predictable and perhaps a little boring.” I stuck my tongue out at him and picked up the beverage. “But you’re right, this is exactly what I was going to order.”
He grinned and picked up his own mug. “There’s little I don’t know about you, Cora. And you’re far from boring. Knowing what you like is good. So many people waffle.”
I shook my head. “You’re sweet. A liar. But sweet.” Everything on the menu was good, and Gerard really did know me better than anyone else in my life. I sipped my mocha and then leaned forward on the table. “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing setting a photoshoot in Jubilee Falls?”
“Are you kidding? This idyllic snowfall outside? The town gazebo? It’s the perfect backdrop to make diamonds sparkle.” He reached out and moved my hair back as he slipped something around my neck and clasped it. “I know I missed Christmas.”
I looked down and picked up the pendant now hung around my neck. “This isn’t diamonds.” The emerald sparkled in the café light. It was extravagant. Nick hadn’t even given me anything like this. Nick didn’t appear to have a romantic bone in his body though.
“Yeah, but this gemstone matches your eyes.” Gerard leaned back in his chair and his eyes dropped to where the simple stone rested just above my cleavage. “And it looks good on you.”
“It’s too much. You’re always too much.” I could feel the heat creeping into my cheeks, the curse of being a fair skinned redhead.
“Relax, Red. I have more money than I know what to do with. If I don’t spend it on you, I’ll just end up buying stupid toys I don’t need.”
I sighed. “I wasn’t going to give it back anyway. But you’ve got to stop with the elaborate gifts.” I grinned at him. “Buy the stupid toys, and I’ll just take advantage of them when you’re gone for months on end.”
He laughed and winked at me as the server came over to take our order. Gerard picked up the menu and looked it over a second before he said, “I’ll have the shrimp scampi, and she’ll have…” He flicked his chocolate brown eyes over the top of the menu and smirked. “She’ll have the grilled salmon. And a side of fries.” He raised his eyebrow at me, as if daring me to challenge his choices.
The server paused a second, his pen poised over his pad, and then wrote it down. “I’ll have this out for you in a few.”
I watched him leave before I burst out laughing. “You don’t have to make the staff here uncomfortable. And you better believe I’m stealing some of your scampi.”
“Good, because I wanted some of the salmon and fries. The Bumblebee has some of the best fries in the whole damn country. Possibly the world.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair. “Last time we really talked, you didn’t tell me about your latest adventures. What have you been up to lately?”
He regaled me with stories of his world travels, bouncing from one country to another, one photo shoot to another. And, even though he didn’t mention them, I assumed from one girl to another. Gerard was gorgeous by any standard, with a great smile and a sense of humor that could’ve made one of those guards at Buckingham Palace laugh. I had no doubt he could get any woman he wanted.
Sometimes it drove me crazy not knowing what he was up to and who he was doing things with. He had to have gorgeous women around him all the time, and he could probably have anyone he wanted. I shook away the green feelings eating at my gut. I liked my quiet life in a small town, I didn’t need luxury and traveling, and I definitely didn’t need girls in bikinis.
“And what about you?” Gerard focused on me as dessert arrived.
I picked up my spoon and cracked the sugary top of our shared crème brûlée. “Fourth graders aren’t nearly as exciting as world travels. But we are about to start a unit on Native Americans, so that’s always fun.” I smiled. “But I do have some traveling coming up.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Ooh, are we going on a trip?”
“Not we. Me. And Nick.”
His smile faltered. “Ah, yes, Nick. Is he finally taking you somewhere romantic and treating you the way he should be?” He raised that cocky eyebrow of his again.
“He’s not taking me, I’m taking him.” I scooped up another bite of dessert and scowled at him. “I was going to ask if you had any tips about things to do in Cancun, but now, I think I’ll just look online.”
He picked up his spoon and brought a bite to his lips, closing his eyes as he slowly pulled the spoon back out of his mouth. When he opened his eyes again, he said, “I’m only teasing you, Red. I have plenty of tips for surviving Cancun. I’ll email you a few later.” He smiled at me. “I’m glad you’re getting away. It’s not like I’ve ever been able to talk you into coming with me. You deserve to see the world. And you work too much.”
I caught his spoon with mine as he was going for another bite, knocking it away from the custard with a smirk. “Just because you don’t have an office, and you work out of whatever hotel the magazine puts you up in for the night, doesn’t mean that I can’t like going to my job every day. Even in the summertime.”
“You know any time you wanted to come along, I could get you a seat right next to mine. You could see the world, experience more than what Jubilee Falls and its crop of fourth graders can offer. If you’re going out of the country with Nick, you have to come with me next.”
I watched him as he took another couple of bites, savoring each one like the Bumblebee’s crème brûlée was the fanciest dessert he’d ever eaten, even though I knew he’d had meals in France, Switzerland, China, all over the world. “Living life behind the viewfinder of a camera is your dream, Gerard. And mine is teaching kids. Inspiring them to find their own passions, to explore their world and everything it has to offer. It may not be as glamorous as different models every day, or a new city every week, but it’s my life, and I like it.”
“I never said you didn’t. I just think you’re so much bigger than Jubilee.” He put his spoon down and crossed his arms over his chest, making the dark blue Henley he wore stretch tight over his pecs. “I could see you shopping in Milan or giving tours of the Louvre. Or teaching English to kids in Korea or somewhere. Not settling down three blocks from the street we grew up on.”
I shrugged. “I promise, I’ll settle down at least four blocks away.” I set down my spoon on the opposite side of the now empty dish and watched him. “It wouldn’t hurt you anything to settle down a little, you know. Find a good girl, make a couple of gorgeous babies. We could have more time together that way.”<
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“Is that what you’re after? You think finding some perfect guy will make you happy? Popping out a couple of kids. And then what, Cor? You used to have a lot of dreams.”
I pursed my lips. He kept turning the conversation back to me. “I am happy. But I wouldn’t mind the marriage and babies thing. Heck, maybe that’s what I’ll have with Nick. And all kids have dreams. Not all of us have the passion or drive to make them a reality. Or talent.”
“The loan shark from Jubilee Falls. Yeah, I can see it now.”
“First of all, he’s not a loan shark. He’s not out there busting people’s kneecaps or smashing faces in to collect. And second of all, where’s all this judgment coming from? You act like I’ve made some drastic change in my life. I’m not on meth. I’m not an alcoholic. I’m dating a banker. It’s not that strange. And just because you met Nick on a bad night doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy.” I stood up and grabbed my coat and purse. “Thank you for lunch. Call me when you get your head out of your ass, okay?”
He sighed and stood too, pulling me in for another hug. “I’m sorry, Cora. I’m being a jerk. And I shouldn’t be. If you’re happy with Banker Nick, then I’m happy for you.”
I hugged him back and let my eyes close as I curled into my best friend. “Maybe while you’re still in town, we could all get a drink together or something. Try again.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not meeting any more of your boy toys unless one of them mans up and puts a ring on that pretty little finger of yours. If Nick proposes, then we can talk.”
I sighed and pulled out of the hug. Sometimes I really hated the distance between Gerard and the rest of my life. “Maybe that’ll be a Valentine’s Day surprise for us both.” I put on my coat and smiled at him. “You know, I’d meet any girl you ever deemed worthy of bringing home. Ring or not.”
“Lucky for you, there’s only one woman in my life worth mentioning, and I just had lunch with her.” He kissed my cheek before we headed for the exit together.
Gerard walked me to my car and waited for me to get settled in the seat before he headed across the parking lot to his own vehicle.
Love Struck Page 2
