Tangled Love on Pelican Point (Island County Series Book 3) (18 page)

He raised his brows and broke into a grin. “No. I meant if my other partner in crime can find love then maybe I wouldn’t be so against it for myself.”

“So you’re making me the test case?” I leaned over the table and took a sip of my soda.

“You’re about as screwed up as they come so if you can fall in love . . .” he laughed.

“Wow. Okay, so I don’t how we got to the subject of love, but I’m a long way from loving anyone besides my family and friends.”

“Then I guess I’ll be a single guy for a long time.”

“A really long time. I’m gonna go check on my dad.”

“Sure thing. I’ll just keep working on these last remaining hundred-plus boxes.”

“I think we have fewer than that, but thank you,” I sang as I turned into the hall.

My dad was watching a Seahawks game and sipping his beer that was probably flat by now.

“Hey, Dad. Need anything?”

He broke his stare from the television, and a spark flicked through his gaze.

“All good,” he said, smiling.

I noticed a yearbook on the bed.

“Is this yours?”

His cheeks flushed, and he took another sip of his beer through the straw.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before.” I reached for it, but he shook his head and slid it closer to him.

“Are you hiding something from me?” I joked.

“Never.” He turned his attention back to the television, and I started toward the hall. “Mary’s coming.”

I turned back around and shook my head. “Not today. She has the day off.”

“She’s coming,” he insisted.

“Okay. Well, I’ll keep an eye out then. Nick and I are finishing up the last of the order, and then I’ll start dinner.”

“Nice guy.” He stopped for a second. “For you.”

I shook my head. “Not a chance, Dad. Just a friend.”

I blew him a kiss and walked out into the hall, making my way back to the kitchen. My dad’s mood had lifted tremendously since Cindy had left. I’d heard through the channels at Loxxy that she was still hot and heavy with the other guy, which would make it much easier when it came time for my dad to file for divorce, but neither of us brought it up. For all I knew, he was waiting for her to get it out of her system and come back to him.

I hoped not though. I glanced at the schedule in the living room to make sure I hadn’t lost my mind, but I was certain Mary wasn’t scheduled for today.

“What’s up?” Nick asked, watching me walk by the kitchen.

“Just checking the schedule.”

“Well, as good as I can tell, you and I are supposed to be here.”

I scanned the piece of paper, and sure enough, Nick was right.

“So I’ve got bratwursts and potato salad for dinner.”

“Let me guess. You want them grilled in the freezing cold out on the deck.”

“You know I love you.” I grinned.

“I know.”

My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see a text from Anthony.

Sounds like fun. What time should I pick you up?

“What the heck?” I asked, sliding my phone on.

“What?” Nick asked, feigning innocence.

“Anthony just texted something out of the blue.” I opened up my messages and saw one from me asking him to Nick’s Halloween party. “Are you serious? You snuck into my phone and texted him?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re in so much trouble. I’d never do that to you.”

“I hope that you would.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I’m always looking out for my best friend’s interests.”

“At least you didn’t tell him I was ready to fly to LA with him.” I narrowed my eyes at Nick and cursed under my breath. “Now what am I supposed to tell him?”

“Tell him what time you want him to pick you up.”

I wanted to be mad at Nick, but looking into his puppy dog eyes proved it to be impossible. Besides, the idea of getting to see Anthony was appealing. My phone buzzed again.

Did you already change your mind again?

I giggled and Nick smiled.

“That’s what I’m talking about, Ms. Sophie. He brings something out in you I’ve never seen.”

I rolled my eyes and quickly texted back to pick me up at six o’clock on Friday.

“You’re welcome.” Nick stood up and walked over to the fridge to remove the bratwursts.

“I’m gonna keep my eyes on you.”

“I would if I were you.”

The doorbell rang, and my stomach fluttered, wondering if it was Anthony, which made absolutely no sense. He was hiding away at his house.

I opened the door, and there stood Mary, holding a dessert. She wasn’t dressed in her uniform. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, and I couldn’t hold my smile in.

“Welcome. My dad said you’d be coming over.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I was worried I’d be imposing.”

“Never. I can promise you that.” I took the container from her and saw a banana cream pie inside.

“Did you make this?” I asked.

She nodded. “I thought it was something your dad would be able to work down, minus the crust. Plus, the rest of us can enjoy.”

“Wow. We’re gonna have to fight the men off this.”

“Oh, is Anthony here too?”

I smiled. “No. I meant Nick.”

“Oh, right.” A mischievous grin flicked across her expression, and she glanced around the living room looking for my dad.

“He’s in the bedroom.”

“Nope,” my dad called from the hall. “Right here.”

Hearing my dad, Nick walked into the living room and saw Mary, his gaze connecting with mine.

“Do you like the Seahawks?” I asked.

“Like? I love them. I even have season tickets. I promised your father a date once he can get around a little better.”

“It’s all starting to make sense now. A woman after his own heart.”

I watched my dad glide into the living room with his walker and stop in front of Mary.

“I’ve got a few more boxes to take care of, and Nick’s going to start the bratwursts. If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen. I’ll put this in the fridge.”

“Thank you, Hun,” Mary said, helping my dad to his chair.

Nick wiggled his brows, and my grin only widened as I walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

“Can you put this away?”

Nick nodded and slid it into the fridge.

The doorbell rang again, and I looked over at Nick. He looked too giddy for his own good. I quickly glanced through my texts, but I didn’t see anything suspicious.

“Can you get that?” I asked him.

“Sure thing.”

But before he had a chance to leave the kitchen, Anthony came walking in, and my heart nearly stopped.

“Maybe pigs are about to fly,” Nick said under his breath, and Anthony glanced over at him, confused.

“It’s a long story. It always is with him,” I told Anthony as Nick went out onto the deck. “You’ll learn to just ignore him.”

“I thought maybe I should come over so we can plan our costumes or something.” Anthony grinned.

The way he said it completely melted my heart. It felt so innocent and like something two high school lovebirds would do, and I loved it.

I followed his gaze to the table where all the supplies were stacked.

“It’s an order for some of Natalie’s clients.” I turned to face him. “If it weren’t for you, I’d never have gotten it.”

“Not true.”

“It is, actually. The day I told Natty about my little business, she offered me this project.”

“That’s not because of me. It’s because you decided it was time to tell her.”

“But I know why I decided it was time, and it was because of you.” I stood on my toes and slid a kiss across his cheek.

“What was that for?” he asked, smiling.

“Putting up with me.”

“That’s the easy part.” He slid his arms around my waist.

“What’s the hard part?” I asked, looking into his eyes.

“Convincing you that dreams do become realities.”

Nick and Anthony loaded my car with all the magnets so I could drop them off at Natty’s shop on the way to my apartment tonight. I wanted to grab a few things back at my place, and Mary volunteered to stay with my dad until I returned.

Even though I was freezing standing outside my dad’s house with Anthony, I didn’t want to leave. I liked spending time with Anthony. He always seemed so interested in what I had to say or what my opinions were. It was becoming a true friendship, and I liked it.

I liked him, and I was pretty sure he liked me, but I wasn’t very good at gauging relationships. I tended to bolt before one was ever declared.

I heard laughter from inside the house. Nick was still inside, chatting with my dad, and things just felt right in my world for this one perfect moment.

Whenever my life started feeling centered and calm, things generally took a turn for the worst. I didn’t want to start bracing myself for what was around the corner, but I’d already started to be suspicious.

It had been a wonderful evening filled with more laughter than that house had experienced in a long time. Anthony charmed my dad from the moment they sat at the table, and Mary sang Anthony’s praises left and right. My dad was interested in hearing details about how Anthony had broken his leg, but he seemed content when Anthony answered with one word—stupidity.

Everything had gone splendidly, yet here I stood, worrying for no reason.

A gentle breeze swept through the skeletal limbs, the remaining leaves rattling in protest and clinging by their last threads. I shivered and cradled my arms around my chest.

“What made you come over tonight?” I asked, glancing toward the house.

“I had an invitation.” Anthony slid his hands on my hips as I stood confused. I knew I hadn’t invited him. “Nick texted me.”

“That dog.” I grinned, looking up into Anthony’s eyes. “He must have grabbed your number when he texted about the party.”

“That wasn’t you?” he asked, startled.

I shook my head. “No. I had planned on texting you about it, but I think Nick assumed I’d chicken out. He stole my phone when I was checking on my dad.”

“I really like Nick.” He grinned, and the light from the moon cascaded across his features. “I’m glad I got to meet your dad. He seems really cool.”

“He is, and he’s getting cooler every day. More like his old self, thanks to you.” I rested my hands on Anthony’s chest.

His hands circled my hips to the small of my back, and he pulled me toward him. We stood mere inches from one another, and every move, every breath made my body keenly aware of how close we were to one another and how attracted I was to every inch of him. It wouldn’t take much to recreate the library scene.

“You’ve got to start taking some credit,” he whispered, brushing a piece of my hair away.

He closed the last few inches between us, and I felt the strength of his body press against me. The contact made my body burn with heat even in the frigid air.

“So do you,” I said, looking up into his eyes. “You’re not very good at accepting a thank you.”

“Maybe so.” He rested his chin on the top of my head as I leaned against him and wondered what we were both searching for. Did we just want comfort, friendship, and an escape from our reality?

“So you don’t mind coming to the party on Friday?”

“It’ll be a great diversion,” he admitted.

“Diversion?”

He nodded and let out a silent sigh.

“Do you plan on calling Cole beforehand?” I asked, knowing things were still icy between Cole and Anthony.

“Don’t know yet.”

“It’s gonna get back to him that you’re on the island.”

“Maybe that’s what I’m hoping.”

I nodded, sliding my hands down his chest and feeling the hardness just below my fingertips. My mind immediately went to thoughts of stripping him bare, and oh, the things I’d love to do to him if I had the courage to not worry about the future. The kiss had only been a taste of what more could come.

“The house is almost done. It’ll be ready for staging soon,” he said.

A rush of excitement ran through me, but it was quickly followed with a crash of sadness as reality settled in. The sooner the house sold, the sooner Anthony would be gone.

He’d be back to his crazy life, and I’d be beginning the rest of mine. It was the way life was meant to be.

“But I thought that’s what you wanted,” I said, unsure of his tone.

“It is. The house has to go. The remodel isn’t enough to keep me there, but there’s nothing to keep me in LA either.”

“Your career,” I corrected. “Your career is there—and sunshine.”

I let out a shiver, and he pulled me in tighter.

“Seventy degrees sounds pretty nice right about now,” he whispered, his lips touching the top of my head.

“It’s not natural. There are supposed to be seasons. Trees are supposed to lose their leaves, frost is supposed to cover car windows, and then we’re all grateful the moment the first daffodil pokes out in the spring.”

“Or the sandy beach stretches as far as the eye can see, waves crash in the distance, and roses bloom all winter.”

“Sounds overrated to me,” I grumbled.

“Only because you can’t imagine it.”