How About Never
Page 7
“Those all sound like amazing reasons to celebrate.”
“I even got you a gift.” Zane stood up and walked to his desk, bringing the bag Tempest had set down with the food in it. He sat back down with Tempest and rolled out his creation.
She looked at the dimensions and moved the paper around. “This is too small to be a house. There are no bedrooms in it.
“It’s a she-shed. I’m making it for you in the back yard.”
“In my back yard?
“In the back yard behind my house.” Zane opened up the box with the food in it and forked up some of the tostada to bring to her mouth.
She chewed the food, but she didn’t blink.
“I need to come clean on that one. I want you to move in with me, and I was going about it by giving you something that would make you want to stay there.”
Tempest smiled like she’d won the lottery. “So, this is you asking me to move in.”
“Yes.”
“Then, this is me saying Yes.”
EPILOGUE
TEMPEST
3 months later
“Are you sure you want to go through with this? The woman is pissed, and I can’t say I blame her.” Zane sat on the barstool next to her. He rubbed her back like she needed easing.
“It’s been three months. I get she’s mad, but I have to try this.” She tried not to lean into the big warm hand that was rubbing the base of her back and soothing her nerves.
“Do you want me to come and talk to her with you?”
Tempest looked up at him and could tell from his expression that he was serious. “I don’t think that would work well since you’re the reason that we aren’t talking. Well, you and the fact that I fell for you.”
“I know you don’t want me to go with you, but I want you to know that I would. Regardless of if she’d like it or not, or if it would help or not. I’d be there for you… for anything.” That was one reason they were together. He just got her even when she wore a mask. It was like he was immune to her bluster and could take her bluntness. That wasn’t a combo she’d seen in a man before.
Leaning over, she kissed the side of his mouth. It wasn’t a sexy kiss, but one of thanks.
“The night I propositioned you was one of those nights where I questioned my sanity, but I couldn’t stop myself. What came after… I’ll always be grateful for. I have no regrets, and I don’t want you to have any either.” He put his forehead on hers. “If you think you can fix this, then I believe you. After the way I changed for you, I halfway believe you really do have special powers.”
She backed away from him with a smirking smile. “I do have special powers. You can believe that all the way.”
“I’ll let you show them to me again after this, but for now… your friend is waiting for you.” Zane stood up and helped Tempest off the stool. “I’m here if you need me.”
Tempest faced him as she took a few steps backward. “Always Prince Charming.”
“For you, yes.” He gave her a nod that felt like a hug, and she spun to say her piece.
Ava sat at a table seen from the bar, but she wasn’t sure exactly when she’d gotten there. The look on her face was a sneer, and it was hard to see her sweet-hearted, optimistic friend looking more bitter than Tempest had ever seen her.
“Looks like you turned him around as I’m sure that sweet little scene was not for me,” Ava said as Tempest sat down in the chair across from her. “I get that you’re happy, and I get you’ve found love. I heard his explanation before I walked out so… okay. I get it, but I know why you called me down here just to rub my face in your happiness.”
“I didn’t.” Tempest moved her chair closer to Ava’s. “Do you see that guy over there talking to Zane?”
“Ummm, the billionaire Benjamin Campbell? Yes, I see him.”
“He was dumped by his fiancé right before his wedding a few months ago, and the woman is now getting married to someone else, but get this... She invited him to attend.” Tempest knew that Ava liked tea more than all the English people in the world. She knew the woman wouldn’t be nonchalant about that.
“Really?”
“Yes. The man I heartbroken, but he wants to go to the destination wedding to prove he’s not pining for her.”
“Good move. I’d do the same thing.” Ava said before calling over the bartender. “I’ll take a dirty Shirley, and she’ll have an extra dirty martini?”
“Thank you for the drink, and I knew you’d feel that way.” Tempest didn’t feel the slightest bit angry that the side-eye directed toward her wasn’t the friendliest. That would take time. “I have a proposition for you.”
“What you want me to sleep with him, so he’d fall in love with me?”
The hostility was deep. Lying still and taking it wasn’t Tempest strength, but in for a penny… in for a pound.
“I was thinking the opposite. You go to the destination and not sleep with him. Show me how it’s done. No sex, no fun, just go as friends, let the family and friends see he’s happy and moved on. Then, come home.” Their drinks came, and they both took a few healthy sips.
“What does this prove?” Ava asked, squinting her eyes at Tempest.
“I just want you to see what happens. Maybe you’ll fall in love with him, or he’ll fall for you. There is no guarantee, of course, but I’d like you to see how the best-laid plans can go awry. If you can stay with him for the thirty days of the vacation and wedding, and nothing happens, then you’ve shown me. We don’t have to speak at all, but if you feel something, you’ll see how difficult it is to control your attraction. Then, we get back to the business of being friends.”
“Who says you can control friendship either?” Ava pouted and took another sip.
“I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m wrong for asking you to try, but I feel like we’ve changed spots. You were the one who was searching for forever, and when you asked me when I would find love, what did I say?”
Ava gave a tight smile and shook her head before taking another sip of her drink. “You’d say, ‘How about never.’”
“You think Benjamin Campbell is my forever?”
“I don’t know who your forever is, but I know you need to think more about love than anger. It’s changed you. I’ve changed you, and I’m so sorry.”
“Who is supposed to pay for this thirty-day excursion?” Ava seemed to warm up to considering the trip.
“Well, Benjamin, of course. That will be one expensive trip, especially since he will be paying for your clothing, food, travel, and pocket money.”
“So, I’m an escort?” Ava drank the rest of her drink down. “I guess I’m in.”
Tempest gave thumbs up to Zane, who lifted his drink to them. When she turned back to Ava, she was shaking her head.
“The two players have hooked up to become playmates. Hell has definitely frozen over.” Ava said with a small smile.
“That just means that anything can happen.” Tempest stood from the table. “Let me introduce you to your fake boyfriend.”
“Lead the way.”
The End…for now.
Want to find out if Ava is up for the challenge?
Look for
What About Forever in 2020
About the Author
Leela Lou Dahlin has loved reading for as long as she can remember and writing for just as long.
Molding letters into words, words into chapters, and chapters into spicy romances with a sidecar of sweet.
An RN Case Manager with 5 wonderful children by day and writer by night, she enjoys meeting amazing characters and watching them fall in love.
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