Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded (Summer Lake, #4) (29 page)

“I'm not even going to ask what that look is about,” said Jack as he grasped Smoke's shoulder. “But I will guess that it means you and Laura are doing okay?”

Smoke nodded, unable to hold back the huge grin he knew was spreading across his face. “We are.”

Jack laughed. “That good, huh?”

“Even better! In fact, shall I tell you how good?”

“As long as you remember you're talking about my little bitty cousin and keep it PG rated.”

“I don't mean that, asshole! I mean I took her to meet my folks on the way here!”

“Whoa!” Jack looked stunned. “Seriously?”

Smoke nodded vigorously. “Seriously. Like, major seriously!”

Jack was grinning now. “Congratulations, bro.”

“Congratulations on what?” asked Pete who had just appeared at Jack's side. “What's happening?”

“Smoke and Laura.”

Pete gave Smoke that weird little smile of his. “Excellent. Our little chat helped then, did it?”

Smoke nodded. “Yeah. It did. Thank you.”

“Tell him what you just told me,” said Jack.

Smoke laughed, “Nah, cos then he'll gloat!”

“Now you really have to tell me, what do I have to gloat about? I love it when I get to gloat!”

“Yeah. I know you do, that's why I'm not going to give you the satisfaction!”

“You tell him, or I'll have to,” said Jack with a laugh. “I know how irritating he can be, but this one needs telling.”

“For fuck's sake. Will someone just tell me?”

Smoke laughed. “I just took Laura to meet my folks.”

“Wow!” Pete slapped his back. “I'm so happy with that, I'm not even going gloat!”

Smoke and Jack looked at each other.

Pete laughed, “But you know that means I get a free pass on something else down the line.”

“Yeah, that's more like it,” said Jack.

“So,” Pete looked at Smoke, “where does it go from here? Are we talking wedding bells? Are you coming over to the dark side with the rest of us?”

That wasn't something Smoke wanted to talk about yet. “We've got a lot to figure out. She's going to be spending time in London and she hasn’t sold the store in San Francisco yet. I just closed on the place up at Cottonwood Creek. I've got the flight school coming together with Jason, and I'm still talking to the guys in New York about what will happen there.”

Jack nodded. “I like it. The two of you will always need things to do, and places go, but I reckon you'll be able to come up with something that suits you both.”

“I hope so.” Smoke was starting to believe that they would, that this was going to work out better than he'd dared hope.

Pete punched Jack's arm. “Come on, partner. We'd better get this thing rolling.” He checked his watch. “It's almost time for us to do our thing.”

Smoke laughed. “Yeah, you go be the gracious hosts. When you two get through with your charm offensive and emotional appeals there's never a dry pair of panties in the house.”

Jack grinned. “We raise a lot of money for a good cause.”

“That's right,” said Pete. “It would be remiss of us not use every means possible to appeal to the giving nature of our audience, and you know women tend to be in control of the purse strings.”

“I don't think sex appeal is in the standard fundraising manuals.”

“Hey, if you've got it flaunt it, right?” Jack grinned as he swaggered his shoulders. “In fact, next year I say we get you up there hosting with us. Between Pete's blond good looks, tall dark and handsome me, and smokin' hot you, we'll have every female taste covered, and take in some mega donations!”

Smoke laughed. “Maybe. We'll, see.” He watched as the two of them made their way up onto the stage to address their guests. Maybe he would join them next year. It was weird, but for the first time in his life it felt good to think ahead, to make plans for coming years. It felt good because he knew whatever he did, he'd be doing it with Laura. He set out to where she was still chatting with the girls. They'd need to take their seats in a minute, when Jack and Pete got started. He noticed Missy talking to Laura's so-called friend, Leanne. She fixed him with big round eyes and gave him another of those come-fuck-me looks. Smoke shook his head in disgust and turned away.

“I
think we all look so beautiful!” exclaimed Emma. “You chose such lovely colors for us, Holly, and that turquoise is perfect on you, Laura.”

Holly smiled, “Thank you, I seem to be your personal stylist these days, and you do so well in green. Dan asked me to get Missy something as a surprise, and she wears that blue better than anyone I've ever known.” She looked at Laura. “You don't need any help. You have a better sense of style and color than I do.”

Laura smiled. “Thanks. I do love this dress, and yours is a knockout.”

Holly looked down at her own dusky rose-colored dress with a smile. “Yeah, Pete loves this color.”

“It's like we're Team Slinky gone all rainbow!” exclaimed Emma.

Laura exchanged a look with Holly. “You know, Em. I wish you'd come up with a different name for us. I mean, I like the idea of us as a team, but every time you say that I think of those springy toys that walk down the stairs!”

Holly laughed with her as Emma blushed. “Oh.” She looked at them both, crestfallen. “I never thought of that! It doesn't sound so good anymore.”

Holly put a hand on her shoulder. “It never did, sweetie. I just didn't have the heart to tell you.”

Emma laughed. “Oh, well. You'll just have to come up with something better, then.”

Holly looked up to where Pete and Jack were climbing up onto the stage. “I don't know about us, but we definitely need a name for the guys! It's like drowning in a sea of hot tuxedos!”

Emma smiled. “And here comes
your
smoking hot man now.”

Laura turned to see Smoke making his way over to them. Her heart raced as he met her gaze. There were a lot of hot men here tonight, but none of them came anywhere near her Smoke.

“I hope you've accepted the inevitable by now?” asked Holly. “Cos you would be one crazy lady to let that one go!”

“I have,” said Laura with a smile as Smoke reached her side. He took hold of her hand and she squeezed. “I have no intentions of letting this one go.” She loved the way his eyes bored into her as he tightened his grip on her hand, telling her he wasn't letting go of her either.

***

T
he band was good. After listening for a while, Smoke excused himself and headed to the bathrooms. He'd enjoyed the dinner, enjoyed laughing with Missy as Laura and Dan had regaled them with tales of their childhood. He loved the feeling that he was beginning a new chapter in his life. A chapter where he would have a home, and a new take on his career. He and Laura would be together, in whatever way would work for them both, and they'd be surrounded by good friends, all the people at their table tonight. He shuddered as he crossed the hallway. All of them except Laura's friend, Leanne. She'd caught his eye whenever she could and had been giving him major signals the whole evening. He was giving her a very wide berth. He wanted nothing whatsoever to do with that woman.

When he came out of the bathroom, Leanne was lingering near the Ladies room. She smiled and came over to him, putting a hand on his arm. “You've been avoiding me, but you don't really want to, do you?”

He looked down into big round blue eyes and shrugged her hand off. “I've been avoiding you because you disgust me. Laura thinks you're her friend and you're coming on to me like a bitch in heat.”

He saw the surprise register in her eyes. He was pretty sure that men never spoke to her like that. He would never normally speak to a woman like that himself. But this needed to stop, right here, right now.

She recovered quickly and gave him a sultry smile. Stepping closer to him, she reached up and straightened his bow tie. “There's no need to act the innocent with me, Smoke. I know you want it. I'm saying you can have it.”

Smoke caught a glimpse of someone over her shoulder. He looked up in time to see Michael turn on his heel and walk back into the ballroom.
Jesus!
That was all he needed—Michael thinking he was making a move on this one. The poor guy was welcome to her. He stepped back, pushing her hands away. “What will it take to get through to you? Watch my lips. I. Am. Not. Interested!”

She was still smiling at him! “I watched your lips, but what I want is to feel them...all over me. Come on, Smoke, be honest. You want me, you just don't want Laura to find out. She doesn't have to. I know your sort. You want as many women as you can get your hands on. I'm saying I want your hands on me, and no one else need ever know.”

She was moving towards him again. Smoke was starting to think she might be crazy. No normal woman would act like this.

“You don't get it. I don't want you, or any other woman. I love Laura!”

He started walking, needing to get away from her and back to his lady.

“Smoke wait!” She stepped in front him and his momentum carried them both forward. He stumbled but managed to catch her and keep them both from falling. As he regained his balance and let go of her he looked up to see Michael and Laura in the doorway. Michael looked pissed. Oh, for fuck's sake! He'd had her in his arms to stop her from falling, nothing else. Laura looked...horrified? Smoke's heart stopped. Surely
she
wouldn't believe that he'd have his hands on another woman? He loved her and she knew it. She trusted him...
didn't she?

***

M
ichael was the first to speak. “What are you doing, Smoke?”

Laura shook her head. No! It was Leanne! And Laura knew full well what
she
was doing.

“Listen, Michael.” Leanne at least had the good grace to look embarrassed. “It's not what you think. It's not what it looks like.”

“It's not what it looks like at all.” Smoke's eyes were boring into Laura's as he spoke. He looked...what? Angry? Hurt?

“It's okay, Michael,” said Laura. “It really isn't what it looks like.”

Smoke stepped toward her now his face starting to relax. “You know that?”

“Yeah,” Leanne was looking at her, her face a plea for understanding. “She knows what I'm doing. Don't you, Laura?”

Smoke stopped in his tracks, his face a picture of confusion, soon replaced by anger. He stared at her now, waiting for an explanation.

“I do,” she nodded, sad that Leanne's misguided attempts to protect her looked like they might ruin everyone's night. She looked at Smoke. “She thought you were only using me, that you'd still make a move on other women if you could.”

Smoke seemed to explode. “So you set me up? You and this,” he gave Leanne a venomous look, “bitch. Set me up? To test me? Is that how much you trust me, Laura? Is that how much you love me?”

“Smoke, no! It wasn't like that! I didn't...” She couldn't believe it! He was turning around and walking away. Her heart hammering in her chest, she ran after him. “Please, Smoke. Wait. Let me explain!”

He stopped a moment and stared down at her, his face etched with pain. “No, Laura. Let me explain. You don't trust me. So this is me gone.”

She stared after him as he strode across the lobby and out. This could not be happening!

“Laura, I'm so sorry. I....”

“Not now, Leanne. I know you were only trying to look out for me.”

Michael put a hand on her shoulder. “I don't know what the deal is, darl'. But I reckon you've got one shot to go after him. Go do it.”

Laura nodded and began to run across the lobby. She found him outside, pacing back and forth. “Smoke, please listen to me.”

He shook his head. “There's no point. You don't trust me. There's nothing left to say.”

“I
do
trust you, just let me explain. You can't go like this. I need you to stay, listen to me, hear me out.” A cab was pulling up. The doorman held its door open. “Please don't go, Smoke. You can't go, I love you.”

He stood beside the cab and looked into her eyes. “And I love you, lady. You have my heart, you have my soul. But you don't trust me. I can't live with that.”

“Please, just stay, it's a misunderstanding. You'll see. This is you in fight or flight. I'm begging you to stay and fight. For us. Don't choose flight.”

“Flight is what I do. You know that. This is me flying away. This is me, gone.” He ducked into the cab and slammed the door behind him.

As she watched the cab pull out into the traffic, Laura felt the first hot tears begin to fall.

She pushed her way back through the lobby doors. She needed her purse, her phone. She needed to call him, talk him down.

Michael came and put an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, darl'. What do you want to do?”

She shook her head. “I don't know. He's gone, Michael.”

“I'm so sorry, Laura.” Leanne was white-faced. “What can I do?”

“It's alright. You meant well. I know that. Would you go and grab my purse? I need my phone. And Lee, don't say anything to anyone.”

Laura stared at the entrance, hoping that by some miracle he'd come walking back through those doors—tell her he'd been too hasty and that it was all okay. She knew it wasn't going to happen, though. His mother's words echoed in her mind.
Making him feel that we didn't trust him was what hurt him the most.
And that's what she herself had just done to him. It wasn't true. She did trust him, but he
felt
like she didn't and it hurt him enough to make him run—fly away.

Leanne returned with her purse. “Here you go. Do you have your room key?”

She nodded. They'd taken one each when they'd checked in, just a few hours ago. When they'd been so happy together. She felt more tears well up. “You two should get back to the party. The others will wonder where you are.”

“No way,” said Leanne. “I'm coming with you.”

Laura shook her head. She understood that Leanne had meant well, but she didn't want to be with her right now. “No. You're not.”

Leanne nodded, understanding. “I'm so sorry.”

Michael, who still had an arm around her shoulders, took charge. “You get back in there, Leanne. I'll see Laura up to her room.” He guided her towards the elevators.