Chapter 7
SEVEN
Lilou
Waking up the next morning and finding Milo crammed on my couch is surreal. When I first opened my eyes and remembered last night, I convinced myself that it was just a crazy dream. Now, as I stand and watch him sleep, I realize that it wasn’t.
I want him, but I can’t tell him that. He’s only doing this to be nice, to rescue me from some creep buying me.
How am I going to hide my feelings from him?
I’m starting to panic, but I don’t have time to. I need to get ready, and out the door for my shift at On the Grind, and then after that, I’m supposed to go to Wet and Wild and do a few hours there, helping Maple with inventory.
I turn, trying to put Milo and my growing attraction to him out of my mind, but it’s hard with all of his stuff crammed alongside mine. Still, I do my best as I rush through a shower and then pull on my uniform for the coffee shop. It’s just a T-shirt with the shop’s logo on it and a pair of jeans. I bundle up, shove my feet into my boots, and sneak out of my apartment, being careful not to wake up Milo.
I hurry down the deserted sidewalk and shudder as a blast of cold wind hits me. I can see the glow of the coffee shop logo up ahead, and I jog the rest of the way to work.
“Brr!” I shiver as I step inside.
“I know! It sure got cold last night. I was hoping that we were over this kind of weather,” Lena says.
“Not yet, I guess,” I agree.
Lena owns the coffee shop with her best friend, Kerry. They were so nice to me when I first moved to town, and I’ve been working for them ever since. They make great bosses, and they’ve been good friends to me too.
“Did you do anything fun last night?” Lena asks me as we get started on opening the shop.
“Um, no. I was working at Shelf Indulgence. It was a pretty slow night.”
Part of me wants to tell her about Milo and everything that’s happened in the last twelve hours, but I haven’t wrapped my head around it yet. I need to process it all, and then I’ll be able to tell my friends. I know that they’ll all have questions. Questions that I won’t be able to answer just yet.
Lena’s phone rings, and I can tell by her smile that it’s Beau, her boyfriend. She had been in love with him for years, like since they were kids, but he’s her brother’s best friend, so neither of them ever made a move. Not until last year, when she wrote him a love letter and they both finally admitted how they felt for one another. They’ve been together ever since and are head over heels in love.
Jealousy gnaws at me, and my mind flashes back to Milo. I can’t deny it any longer. I love the guy. I have for a long time. I just didn’t know what to do with those feelings, so I tried to bury them and convince myself that Milo would never want someone like me, so there was no point in entertaining my silly little crush.
Now I can’t do that.
Milo has to like me, at least a little bit. He wouldn’t have bought me to marry him otherwise. I just wish that I knew why he was doing this. Why does he want to get married? Why was he on that site?
The bell above the front door dings, and I glance up, smiling at Lilliana as she comes in.
“Jeez! It got cold out,” she says as the door slams shut behind her.
“I know. You in for something to warm you up?” I ask her.
Lena is still on the phone with Beau, and I move up to the counter to take Lilliana’s order. She’s a usual here, so I don’t bother asking her what she wants, and she doesn’t bother asking what her total is. She just passes me a five-dollar bill, and I smile as I pass her change back to her.
“Coming right up,” I tell her as I get started on her caramel latte.
The bell rings above the door again, and I look up, freezing when my eyes lock with Milo’s.
“Morning,” he says, and I can see him gauging my reaction as he closes the distance between us.
“Morning. What can I get you?” I ask him as I pass Lilliana’s latte to her.
“Thanks. I’ll see you later,” she says, looking between me and Milo.
She raises her eyebrows at me before she turns and heads out. I look for Lena, but she’s locked herself in the office, probably still talking to Beau.
“I’ll take a coffee. Can you take a break? Want to join me?” He asks, and I clear my throat.
“I can take a few minutes. I’ll just need to come back if anyone else comes in.”
“No problem.”
I grab his coffee and a tea for myself and then join him at a small table off to the side.
“No coffee for you?” He asks me, and I shake my head.
“I don’t like coffee.”
“Seriously?” He asks me, and I nod.
“Yeah, I know. A lot of people think it’s weird that I love working at a coffee shop so much, when I don’t really like coffee. Making coffee is soothing for me, though. A lot of things are the same, just different syrups or milks. Sometimes, I like to try out different things, kind of mad scientist style. It lets me daydream when I want to, or be creative if I’m in the mood. It’s kind of the perfect job for me.”
“Then I’m glad that you get to do what you love.”
“Me too.”
“Was this your first job?” He asks me as he sips his coffee.
“No. I worked a lot of odd jobs growing up. My mom wasn’t willing to pay for much for me. She preferred to spend her money on new outfits for herself so that she could impress her newest boyfriend.”
I can hear the bitterness in my words, and I clear my throat and go on.
“Most of the jobs were terrible, but I learned a lot. Like that I’m not great with kids, I get way too attached to things to be a good employee for animal shelters, and that I hate anything that includes math. It’s my weakest skill.”
“You like reading,” he says, and I nod.
“What about you?” I ask him as I take the tea bag out of my cup and set it on the saucer.
“My favorite job? Being a firefighter. I like helping people. My dream job would be something outdoors, but I’ve never been able to figure out a way to get paid hiking.”
“Park ranger, maybe?” I offer.
“I’d have to deal with people too much.”
“Not a people person?” I ask in disbelief.
“No, never have been.”
I blink, and he smiles slightly.
“You seem surprised.”
“I am. You’ve always been so nice to me. I guess I just thought that you were like that with everyone.”
“Nope. Just you. I’m a Lilou person.”
I can feel my face flame with a blush at his words, and I duck my head to try and hide it.
“What are you doing today?” He asks me.
“Working. I’m here this morning and then at Wet and Wild this afternoon for a few hours.”
“What time will you be done?”
“By five, I think.”
“Okay, we’ll have dinner tonight then.”
I nod, and a few more cars park in the lot.
“I’ll see you then,” I tell him as I stand and head back behind the counter.
“See you then,” he says softly as he stands too and leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek that leaves me stunned.
He pulls back, and we lock eyes for just a moment.
“Tonight,” he whispers, and I nod.
The bell above the door dings, breaking the moment, and I turn and hurry back behind the counter.
Milo waits for the new customers to enter before he glances at me one last time and leaves. Goosebumps cover my skin at the intense look in his eyes, and suddenly, I’m really looking forward to tonight.
I try to put Milo and my growing feelings out of my mind as I get back to work, but it’s impossible. I want him. As more than my arranged husband.
Now, I just need to find the courage to tell him that.
I finish my shift at On the Grind and head out, making my way towards Wet and Wild. I fish my phone out of my purse and call Lymric as I hurry down the street.
“Hey! I was just about to call you!” Lymric says as she answers my call.
“Perfect timing then. How have you been?” I ask.
I wonder if she can hear the nervousness in my voice.
“Pretty good. I’m just finishing scouting out a new location. I should be wrapping up soon, and then…” she says, pausing dramatically. “I’m coming to Wolf Valley!”
“What? Are you serious?” I ask her excitedly.
“Yep! I was going to surprise you, but I can’t keep it in any longer. I’ve got two weeks off.”
“Text me the dates. I’ll move my schedule around,” I tell her.
“I will.”
“Where are you at right now?”
“Canada,” she says.
Lymric is a location scout for a movie studio. She’s kind of living the dream. She gets to travel and explore new places and gets paid for it.
“How is it?” I ask her.
“Cold. Really pretty, but so freaking cold.”
I laugh with her and then she sighs.
“What have you been up to?” She asks.
“Well, my mom called. My grandpa had a heart attack.”
“Grandpa Joe! Is he okay? I can fly down to Santa Barbara instead if you need me to,” she offers, and I love her for it.
Lymric loves my grandpa almost as much as I do. We were inseparable growing up. I spent holidays and breaks with her family, and she spent some summers with me and my grandpa. She’s the sister that I never had, and her mom and dad were the parents that I always wished were mine.
“He’s okay, but I need to find him a new nursing home. One that does full-time care.”
“Your mom can’t handle that, right? Wait. That was a stupid question. Your mom is worthless,” she says angrily.
Lymric hates my mom. Like truly hates her. She’s always been protective of me, and years spent watching my mom neglect and ignore me have only strengthened her dislike of my mother.
“Yeah,” I say with a sigh. “I’m handling it. I wouldn’t trust her not to dump him in the cheapest option anyway, so it’s for the best.”
“Do you want help with that? I can go scout out some places in California. Or is he moving closer to you?”
“I’m waiting for a call back from his doctors. I doubt that he’ll be stable enough to move right now.”
“Okay, want me to go to California from here?”
“No, I’ve got it. I’ve narrowed it down to three places. It’s going to depend on how many services he’ll need and which place has an opening.”
“Alright, let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will,” I promise her.
“Do you have his number? I’ll call and check on him.”
“I’ll send it to you,” I promise her.
“Okay, sounds good.”
“There’s something else,” I start and then clear my throat. “I’m getting married.”
“You’re WHAT?” She shouts.
“I’m getting married,” I repeat.
“Married?”
“Yep.”
“Married.”
“You take as much time as you need to process this,” I joke, and she snorts.
“I just… I didn’t even know that you were seeing anyone! Why didn’t you tell me? Who is he?” She asks rapid fire. “Wait. It’s Milo, isn’t it? Tell me it’s Milo!”
“It’s Milo,” I admit.
“I knew it! Why didn’t you tell me that you two were dating?”
“I…We’re not.”
“Engaged, whatever. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We were never dating,” I say quietly.
“What?”
“We never dated. I signed up for this arranged marriage auction.”
“You what?!?”
“I needed the money. I have to pay for my grandpa’s medical stuff and?—”
“I would have helped! I can still help,” she offers.
I tell her how much it’s going to be, and she lets out a big breath in a rush.
“I can kind of help,” she amends, and I laugh.
“I know. It surprised me too.”
“Lilou…” she starts, and I sigh.
“I know. This isn’t how I envisioned my life, but it’s happening. Besides, Milo is great. He’s so sweet and thoughtful.”
“And hot,” she adds, and I giggle.
“Yeah, he’s really hot.”
“Have you two…consummated the marriage yet?” She asks, and I can picture her wiggling her eyebrows at me.
“No, not yet.”
“But you want to.”
“Yeah,” I admit softly.
“Girl! Go get him!”
“It’s an arranged marriage, Lym. It’s not really real.”
“Pretty sure that marriage license and stuff is going to be real,” she points out. “I say go for it. Try to make it a real marriage. We both know that deep down, you want it to be real. And if not, then just enjoy some of the benefits of being married to a sexy firefighter.”
“I’ll think about it,” I tell her. “I’ve got to go. I’m at work, about to start my shift.”
“Okay, talk to you later! I’ll send you the dates now. Let me know if that interferes with your honeymoon.”
“Oh my gosh!” I groan, and she laughs before she ends the call.
I head into Wet and Wild and smile at Maple, my boss.
“Hey! Inventory is done! The girls are meeting at the bar downtown. You want to come with me?” She asks, and I hesitate.
I should head home to have dinner with Milo, but it’s still early. Besides, I love Maple and her sisters, and it has been a while since we’ve all hung out.
“Sure, I can come for a little bit.”
“Great! Help me close up?” She asks, and I nod and get to work.
It doesn’t take us long to get the store cleaned up and gather all of our things.
“I’ll drive us,” Maple says, and I nod gratefully.
The bar isn’t that far away, but I’m glad that I don’t have to make the walk. I’ve been on my feet all day, and I’m exhausted.
I climb into Maple’s car, and we make the short drive over to Murphy’s Bar. She parks, and I wave when I see Vera, Lilliana, and Cameron heading across the parking lot toward us.
“Hey! It’s been too long,” Vera says as she wraps me up in a tight hug.
“I know! How are the wolves?” I ask her.
Vera runs the wolf sanctuary that this town was named after. She grew up on the sanctuary and is braver than I am, because I haven’t set foot on that place. I’ve seen how big those wolves can get and keep a healthy distance between me and them.
“They’re great. A few are pregnant, so we should have some pups in a few months!” She tells me excitedly.
“Aw, I bet they’ll be so cute,” I say as we start to make our way to the bar.
“Hey! How’s it been?” Lilliana asks as she wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives me a side hug.
“Good. How about you? I love the new designs!”
“Thanks,” Lilliana says with a happy smile.
She’s a lingerie designer, and we stock most of her designs in Wet and Wild. All of her work is gorgeous, and I may or may not own most of what she’s made.
Cameron, Lilliana’s best friend, wraps her hand around my shoulders from the other side and grins down at me.
“Long time no see!”
“I know. I keep meaning to come by Nosh, but I’ve been opening at the coffee shop for like weeks now.”
“I know. You’ve been working like crazy,” she agrees.
We make our way into the bar, and I follow my friends over to a big booth in the back.
“Just us tonight?” I ask as I slide in next to Maple.
“Yeah, everyone else is at home. There’s been some virus going around. I know that Olive had it last week, and Ginger, Saffron, and Cora all have it this week,” Cameron says.
“I hope that they feel better soon.”
“Yeah, Olive was only sick for a few days so I don’t think that it lasts long. Or hopefully not anyway,” Maple agrees.
Vera comes back with the first round and scoots in next to me.
“So, what’s new?” She asks the table.
Lilliana tells us about how her business is going. Cameron talks about things at Nosh Diner, where she works with her husband. Vera excitedly tells us about the wolves and how the resort that her husband is building is coming along.
Then they all turn to me.
“I actually have some big news,” I admit, and they all lean in. “I, um, I’m getting married,” I whisper.
“What?” Vera shouts.
“To Milo?” Cameron and Maple ask at the same time.
“Milo?” Lilliana asks, and I blush.
“Yep,” I say, downing half of my drink in one gulp.
“You didn’t even tell me that you two were dating!” Maple says accusatorily.
I open my mouth but then pause. I don’t know how to tell them or even what to tell them. Do I admit it all to them?
I look around at their faces and take a deep breath. These are my friends. I can trust them.
“We might need more alcohol,” I tell them, and Lilliana jumps up to grab us another round. I finish off my first as she passes me a shot and another martini, and I smile at her gratefully.
Then, I lean forward and tell them everything that’s happened in the last couple of days. By the time I’m done, they’re staring at me wide-eyed.
“I can give you the money,” Vera offers, and I shake my head.
“I can handle it.”
“Milo is a good guy,” Cameron says. “He likes you. I can tell.”
“Likes?” Maple says with a snort. “That man has been in love with her since he moved to town.”
I blink, the alcohol clouding my judgment.
“No, he doesn’t,” I protest, and they all turn to stare at me in disbelief.
“How can you not see it?” Vera asks me. “I’m never in town and even I’ve noticed it.”
“I…he’s just friendly,” I try to argue.
“Only to you!” Cameron says with a laugh. “He keeps everyone else at arm’s length. Well, maybe not us. He started being nice to me after he saw us together. Anyone that you’re friends with, he tolerates. Everyone else, though,” she says, trailing off.
“Yeah, he’s not really a people person,” Lilliana agrees.
“Really?” I ask, and they all nod.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket, pausing when I see Milo’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Lilou? Are you okay?” He asks, and I strain to hear him over the music.
“Murphy’s,” I slur.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Are there guys there?” He growls, and I look around.
“Yeah. A lot.”
He swears, and then I hear rustling.
“I’m coming to get you.”
“Okay,” I agree happily.
I end the call and turn back to my friends.
“Milo is coming.”
“And then you’ll be coming,” Maple says with a snort.
She’s just as tipsy as I am, and I giggle.
“I wish,” I admit.
“Jump his bones!” Cameron agrees, raising her glass.
“Whose bones?” Foster, Lilliana’s husband asks as he leans against the booth.
“Milo,” Vera tells him, waving at her husband, Fisher, as he makes his way to our table.
“Alright,” Ford, Cameron’s husband, says as he stands next to his twin brother, Foster.
“Ford!” She shouts, and he grins at her.
“Ready to head home?” He asks her, and she nods.
I know that Ryder, Maple’s husband, must be on his way too, so I stand to get ready to leave. I reach for my purse and almost faceplant, but two hands grab me and keep me on my feet.
“Easy,” Milo says quietly.
“Hey!” I say, turning in his arms to face him.
He seems surprised by how happy I am to see him, but he recovers quickly and grins down at me.
“Hey. Ready to go?”
“Yep!”
He nods at my friends and their husbands before he starts to lead me out of the bar.
“You didn’t have to pick me up. Someone would have dropped me off at my place,” I tell him as we step outside.
“I don’t mind. I like taking care of you.”
“Why?” I ask with a frown, and he tucks me into his side.
“You’re my fiancé.”
He leads me over to his truck and opens the passenger door for me. I reach for the handle and sway on my feet.
“Careful,” he warns, and then his hands are on my hips, and he helps me into the seat.
“Thanks.”
“Mhm.”
He closes the door, and I watch him as he makes his way around the truck and climbs in next to me. I turn in my seat to study him as he starts the truck and pulls out of the parking spot. His dark hair is hanging over his forehead, and I want to reach out and push it back.
He’s my fiancé. What’s stopping me?
Before I can think it through, I reach out and push the dark strands back.
“So soft,” I whisper, and he swallows hard.
“Lilou.”
“Hmm?” I ask as I run my fingers through his hair.
“How much did you have to drink?” He asks me carefully.
“Two martinis and a shot. I didn’t like it.”
He nods, and my hand slips down his neck to his shoulder and then his bicep.
“So strong,” I murmur, squeezing his arm.
“Fuck,” he groans.
“Do you think that you could lift me?” I ask him, and his body tenses.
“Yes.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am,” he promises me.
“Could you lift and hold me? Like against a wall?” I ask him, my voice coming out low and filled with lust.
“Lilou,” he moans, and I suck in a breath.
“I like it when you say my name like that,” I tell him, my hand trailing over his arm.
He parks in front of my apartment, and I turn to him fully and lean across the center console towards him.
“Lilou,” he says in warning, but I can’t resist.
I just need to know what it’s like to kiss him.
He turns to me, and I lean forward, pressing my lips against his. We both moan at the contact, and he reaches for me, his hands trailing softly up my neck until he’s cradling my face in his palms.
“Lilou,” he chokes out, and I hum against his lips.
I kiss him harder, and his hold on me tightens. His mouth is soft but firm against mine, and I wrap my arms around his neck and lick against his bottom lip.
“Fuck,” he curses, pulling back from me. “Inside. Now.”
I nod, and he hops out of the truck and moves to open my door. He pulls me into his arms, and I giggle as I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
“Told you I could lift you,” he whispers against my ear, and I shiver in his hold.
He locks his truck and then we’re headed upstairs. I dig in my purse for the keys, but he beats me to it and pulls out his own set, unlocking and opening the door.
We head through my apartment to the bedroom, and my body starts to heat the closer we get to the bed.
He lays me down on the mattress and reaches for my shoes. I sit up and start to take off my shirt, tossing it aside. And then he pulls the blankets over me and tucks me in.
“What?” I ask, blinking up at him and he gives me a pained smile.
“I’m not sleeping with you. Not when you’re drunk.”
“I’m not!” I argue, but he shakes his head.
“You’re tipsy, at the very least.”
I pout, and he groans.
“You’re killing me, Lilou. I want to, I promise. Just not tonight.”
With that, he gives me a quick kiss on my forehead and then hurries out of the bedroom, closing the door on his way.
I sigh and lay back, staring up at the dark ceiling. The room is kind of spinning, and I realize that maybe I’m drunker than I thought.
I close my eyes, trying to stop the dizziness, and soon, I drift off to sleep.
And I dream of Milo.