Chapter Seven
L exi
I watch Shawn's broad back as he walks away, my head more confused than ever. One minute he's calling me his girl, the next he's practically running away from me. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold despite the Miami heat.
“Don't let his gruff exterior fool you,” a soft voice says behind me. I turn to find G standing there with a knowing smile on her face. “Easy's got a heart of gold under all that...” She waves her hand up and down, leaving the rest hanging. She doesn't have to say anything else, though. Even after only knowing him a short time, I get what she means.
“I'm starting to see that.”
She motions toward a metal staircase behind her. “Come on, honey. Let's get you a cold drink while the boys work their magic on your car.”
Grateful for the distraction, I follow her up the steps into a cozy open office space with a cream leather couch, pink frilly throw pillows, and a mint green mini-fridge in the corner. The femine touches are a huge contrast to everything downstairs.
“So,” she says, settling onto the couch and patting the spot next to her, “How’d you and Easy meet?”
I hesitate, unsure how much to share. These people are strangers, after all. But there's something about G's warm demeanor that makes me want to open up.
“It's... a long story.” I sigh, sinking onto the couch.
Her eyes sparkle with interest. “Honey, those are the best kind.”
I take a deep breath and decide to start at the beginning. “I caught my fiancé cheating on me back in Kentucky,” I admit, twisting the water bottle in my hands. “I broke off the engagement and decided I needed a fresh start.”
G nods sympathetically. “Men can be real assholes sometimes.”
I can't help but laugh at her bluntness. “Yeah, they can be.”
“So you picked Miami for your fresh start?” she prompts.
I nod, feeling the familiar twist of anxiety in my gut as I remember how I ended up here. “I... I found this ad online for a job and then for the rental. It seemed perfect. Too perfect, I guess.”
Her brow furrows. “Let me guess. You sent money and it turned out to be a scam?”
Shame washes over me. “God, I feel so stupid,” I whisper, blinking back tears.
“Hey, none of that. You're not the first person to fall for a scam, and you won't be the last.”
I give her a watery smile, touched by her kindness. “Thanks. I just... I don't know what I'm going to do now. I have no money, no job because I missed my interview, and now my car's broken down.”
“Missed your interview?”
I laugh awkwardly, not finding the situation funny in the slightest. She's going to think I'm a total train wreck, but what the hell. “Yeah. The animal clinic on Sweeney. I'm a vet tech,” I clarify. “That's where I was headed when my car broke down.”
G's eyes light up. “Well, I might be able to help with the job part.” She climbs off the couch and saunters over to her desk. I watch as she picks up the rolodex and starts flipping through the cards inside. “Here it is,” she mumbles, pulling out a card. “We actually work on Andrea's truck.” G shoots me a smile, then grabs the phone on her desk and starts punching in numbers. In the next instant, she puts the phone on speaker. It rings twice before a voice says, “Happy Tails Animal Hospital, Julia speaking.”
“Hey, Julia. This is G over at Saints Customs. Is Andrea around?”
“Hey, G! Yeah, give me just a sec.” Smooth jazz fills the line, and within seconds, another feminine voice comes through the line.
“Hey, gorgeous. What's shakin'?”
My lips twitch. “Your interviewee is sitting in my office.” G winks. “Her car broke down before she could make it over there.”
“Well, hell. That sucks. Tell her to swing by tomorrow, and we'll make it work.”
My heart leaps in my chest. I wasn't sure how, but I was going to find a way to pay G back. I needed a break after the crap I've been shoveling lately. “I'll tell her. Thanks, Andrea.”
“Sure thing.”
The office door swings open, and Shawn fills the doorway, his eyes immediately finding mine. My breath catches at the intensity of his gaze.
“All set, baby,” he says, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Thorn's gonna take a look at your car first thing tomorrow.”
I nod, suddenly feeling shy under his scrutiny. “Thank you.”
G hangs up her phone with a triumphant smile. “Good news! We were able to get Lexi's interview rescheduled for tomorrow.”
“G made a phone call and smoothed things over.” I grin, thankful she was able to pull some strings.
A slow smile spreads across Shawn's face, and my heart does a little flip. “That's great, baby.”
As I look between Shawn and G, I'm struck by a wave of gratitude. These people barely know me, yet they're going out of their way to help.
Shawn holds out his hand to me. “Ready to head home?”
The way he says “home” makes my belly flutter. I take his hand, marveling at how perfectly mine fits in his. “Yeah,” I say softly.
The drive back to Shawn's house is quiet but comfortable. As we pull into his driveway, I can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. It's strange how this place has started to feel like a safe haven.
Shawn kills the engine and turns to me, his brown eyes intense. “You hungry?”
My stomach growls in response, and I laugh. “I guess that's a yes.”
He grins, that heart-stopping smile that makes my insides melt. “Good. I've got some steaks that are begging to be grilled.”
We head inside, and Shawn immediately starts gathering supplies. I hover awkwardly, wanting to help but not wanting to overstep. “Can I do anything?”
He glances up from the fridge. “Yeah, take this.” He hands me a bowl of potato salad and a couple of beers. “We'll eat outside.”
I take the offerings in his hands and trail behind him as he heads out to the backyard. It's small but cozy, with a patio table and a decent-sized grill.
As Shawn fires up the grill, I settle into one of the chairs, cracking open a beer. “This is nice,” I say, gesturing to the yard.
Shawn nods, focused on arranging the steaks on the grill. “Thanks. It was the first project I took on when I moved here.”
“It's perfect,” I say, meaning it. After everything I've been through, this little slice of normalcy feels like paradise.
We fall into easy conversation as Shawn tends to the steaks. I tell him more about my work as a vet tech, and he shares stories about some of the crazier tow jobs he's had. It's nice getting to know each other like this.
As I watch him at the grill, his muscles flexing as he flips the steaks, I feel a flutter of attraction. It's not just his physical appearance, though that's certainly part of it. It's the way he's taken me in without question, the kindness he's shown me. I find myself wondering what it would be like to be with someone like Shawn.
But then reality crashes back in. I'm basically homeless, jobless, and completely dependent on his charity right now. The last thing I should be doing is developing feelings for him. Besides, a guy like Shawn probably has women lining up around the block. Why would he be interested in a mess like me?
My stomach growls loudly, pulling me from my thoughts.
Shawn hears it and chuckles. “Won't be long now, baby.”
A warmth spreads through me at the endearment. He's been calling me that since we met, and each time it sends a little thrill through me.
“Let me tell you the story about the runaway RV that—” his words are cut off by the sound of the gate swinging open. Both of our heads whip around to find a woman with dark hair and bright eyes stepping through with her nose lifted to the air.
“Hey, Easy! I smelled those steaks and couldn't resist coming over to—oh!” She stops short when she sees me, her eyes widening in surprise.
My jaw drops.
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!
“Oh my god!” I squeal, unable to hold it in any longer. “You're Amelia-freaking-Shea.”
Amelia's eyes widen, her surprise turning to delight. “I am! And you are...?”
“This is Lexi,” Shawn says, flipping a steak. “She's staying with me for a bit.”
I can barely contain my excitement as I stand up. “I'm such a huge fan of your books! Your Ghosttown Riders MC series is my absolute favorite!”
Amelia grins, stepping closer. “Well, aren't you sweet! It's always a pleasure to meet a reader.”
Shawn chuckles, shaking his head. “Should've known you two would hit it off. Amelia lives next door,” he explains, eyes still trained on the grill. “She's always trying to use me for research for her biker romances.”
“Hey now,” Amelia protests, playfully swatting his arm. “You love being my muse, and you know it.”
This feels like a dream. Amelia Shea is Shawn's neighbor. What are the freaking odds? “I can't believe I'm actually meeting you. Your books... they got me through some really tough times.”
Amelia's expression softens. “I'm so glad to hear that, honey. That's why I write—to give people a little escape when they need it most.”
Shawn clears his throat. “Well, since you're here, you might as well stay for dinner. There's plenty.”
“Oh, I couldn't impose—” Amelia starts, but I cut her off.
“Please stay!” I blurt out, then blush at my eagerness. “I mean, if you want to.”
Amelia laughs, clearly entertained by my enthusiasm. I should probably be embarrassed, but I'm not in the slightest. It's Amelia-freaking-Shea, after all. “I wish I could, but I've got dinner on the stove.” She points over her shoulder to the house next door. “But how about we get together for coffee tomorrow? I'd love to hear more about how you ended up here in Miami.”
My heart soars. “That would be amazing!”
“It's a date. Easy,” she says as a farewell before turning around and leaving the way she came.
“Wow,” I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “That was... Wow.”
Shawn chuckles as he pulls the steaks off the grill. “I take it you're a big fan.”
“Definitely a big fan.”
As he moves to set the plate in front of me, his hand brushes against my shoulder, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me.
“You okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
I take a deep breath, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling. “I'm just... overwhelmed, I guess. In a good way,” I quickly add. “Everyone's been so nice to me. You, your friends, especially G, and now meeting Amelia... it's a lot to take in.”
Shawn moves around the table and takes his seat. When I look back at him, his expression has softened. “You deserve it, baby. You've been through hell.”
Glancing down at my plate, I suddenly feel vulnerable. “I just hope I can make it work here. The job interview tomorrow... I'm excited, but I'm also terrified. What if I mess it up?”
Shawn reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch sends tingles up my arm. “Hey, look at me.”
I lift my eyes to meet his, and the intensity I see there takes my breath away.
“You've got this,” he says firmly. “You're smart, you're capable, and you've proven that you're a fighter. They'd be idiots not to hire you.”
His words wash over me like a balm, soothing my frayed nerves. “Thank you,” I whisper, fighting back tears.
Shawn squeezes my hand before letting go. “Now eat up. Can't have you fainting from hunger during your interview tomorrow.”
I laugh, the tension broken.
As we dig into our meal, I can't help but steal glances at him. The way the setting sun catches his profile, the easy smile that plays on his lips as he tells me another outrageous towing story. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, that I should be focusing on getting my life back on track after the train wreck with John. But I can't deny the pull I feel toward this man who has taken me in without a single hesitation.
As the night wears on and the stars come out, I find myself wishing this moment could last forever.
Here, in Shawn's backyard, with good food and even better company, I feel safe.
I feel like I belong.