Chapter 24 Presley #2
I was supposed to be at the salon in less than an hour, so I jumped out of bed and started gathering my things. Luke was still sound asleep when I darted into the bathroom. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and took a quick shower.
“Morning,” Luke mumbled as I hurried back into the bedroom.
“Good morning.” I stepped over to him and gave him a quick kiss. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You did, but it’s okay. I needed to get up.” He ran his hand through his thick hair as he asked, “How long before you gotta leave for work?”
“Half an hour or so.” I stepped over to the closet and pulled out a top. “I wish I could stay, but I’ve got a client coming in, and she’s a bit of a pain.”
“How so?”
“She asks for a specific type of haircut. I do it, and then, she wants to come back the next day and change it to something else. And she wants to do it on my dime. She’s the same way with her color. I can’t ever make the woman happy.”
“But she keeps coming back. You gotta be doing something right.”
“I guess, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’d rather stay here in bed with you.”
“It’s all good. I need to head over to the clubhouse and take care of a few things anyway.”
“And you have work tonight?”
“Yeah, I’m on tonight and Saturday.”
“Okay. I think I’ll go by and hang with Lila Kate for a bit after work. It’s been a while since we’ve hung out, and I don’t want her thinking I’ve forgotten about her.”
“Sounds good. But call if you drink, and I’ll have one of the guys bring you home.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
I looked at him for a moment and sighed.
I hated leaving him, especially when he was all snuggled up in my bed, but I had no choice.
Duty was calling. I walked over and gave him a quick kiss before forcing myself to walk out the door.
As I made my way out to the car, I started going through the never-ending list of things I needed to get done.
Needless to say, it was going to be a chaotic day, but between the rush and the constant moving, the hours seemed to slip away. Every time I checked the clock, it was always later than I’d expected, and before I knew it, I was sitting at Lila Kate’s bar with a glass of wine in my hand.
The day was almost done, and for the first time since that morning, I was able to take a moment to relax. It had been a while since we’d been able to catch up, so I wasted no time filling her in on everything that had been going on.
“With all the new paint and flooring, it doesn’t even look like the same house anymore. And the new countertops turned out even better than we expected.”
“They already got the counters in?”
“Yep, and the flooring, too.”
“Wow. That’s fast.”
“Yeah, but he had a lot of help.”
The bar was quieter than usual, especially for a weeknight, but it was the good kind of quiet. I could actually sit and talk with Lila while she worked. It gave me a chance to get out of the house for a bit, and I hoped it would make her night go by a bit faster, too.
“The guys have been coming by whenever they’re free to give Luke a hand. Tallie and I have been helping him with paint colors and flooring, and she’s really good at this. I really think it’s going to look great when it’s done.”
“Um-hmm.” She started filling a shot glass with tequila. “That’s really great, Pres.”
“You should see the tile we picked out for the backsplash. It’s perfect. It’s warm, but not too dark. And it’s really going to make the whole kitchen pop.”
Lila gave me another nod and a ‘um-hmm’.
This wasn’t like her. Usually, she had something to say about everything, so I leaned back on my stool and said, “Okay. What’s wrong?”
Her brows furrowed. “Why would anything be wrong?”
“I don’t know, but you’re being weird.”
“You’re weird.”
“Lila.”
She stopped and stepped over to me. She spoke softly as she said, “I love seeing you so happy and excited about a guy. I really, really do, especially after Gary and that other numb-nut you dated. You were never this way with them, and I always thought you should’ve been.”
“But…”
“You’ve gotten wrapped up in Luke pretty fast.” It was like the vault had been cracked open, and every thought or worry she had came gushing out.
“You’ve only been seeing him for a few weeks, and you seem so serious.
I mean, you’re already talking about renovations and tile floors.
I know you said you were turning a new leaf and trying not to be too judgmental, but I’m worried you two might be rushing things a little. ”
She was right.
About all of it.
I’d fallen for Luke. I’d fallen hard and fast.
I couldn’t help myself. Our connection was like nothing I had ever known, and with each moment we spent together, I’d find another reason to love him.
Lila was right. There was a time when I thought it would be crazy to fall for a man like Luke.
His life was too different from mine, too fast and too dangerous, but I was wrong.
“You’re right. We have been moving pretty fast, but it’s been hard not to.” It was hard to find the right words to explain. “He’s so dang handsome and easy, and I mean that in every sense of the word. I don’t have to overthink everything. He’s just Luke, and I’m just me. And somehow, it works.”
I giggled, but she didn’t follow suit.
She just stood there, blank-faced, and listened silently as I continued, “I know the club stuff is a lot, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. But Luke is a good man, and I really like spending time with him.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“Well, I am.” I reached across the counter and placed my hand on hers. “I want you to be happy, too.”
“I’m not sure happy is in the cards for me.” She started back to mixing drinks as she admitted, “My classes are kicking my butt. Tips are for the birds. I can barely pay my bills, and I can’t remember the last time I kissed a guy, much less had sex with one.”
“Lila!”
“I’m serious, Pres! My girly bits are going to shrivel up and blow away if I don’t get some action soon.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and winced. “Be serious with me… Am I ugly?”
“What!” I gasped. “Don’t be ridiculous!”
“I’m serious.”
“You are stunning!”
“Do I have funky breath, or do I walk funny?”
“No, you certainly do not.”
“Then, what is it?” she sighed. “Why can’t I find a hot guy to sweep me off my feet?”
“I take it that you never heard from Smitty.”
“I did, but he basically told me that he doesn’t have the time to date or whatever while he’s prospecting.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
“It’s whatever.” She let out another defeated breath. “I just want to be wanted.”
“I totally get it, and you will have it. You just have to be open and patient.”
“I’m as open as it gets.” She turned to face the small crowd behind me. “That’s right, folks! I’m open and available, and I’m not a weirdo. I don’t have a million cats or call my mom a hundred times a day. Spread the word, people. Spread the word.”
“I’m not sure that’s the best way to go about it.”
“Probably not, but you have to start somewhere.”
About that time, a handsome guy with dark hair and even darker eyes walked up to the bar. He was wearing a white button-down and black slacks, and I spotted a hint of a tattoo at the cuff. He was intense but also very hot.
His eyes were locked on Lila as he said, “Lila? Right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Thought so.” He stared at her for a moment, then slid a hundred-dollar bill toward her. “This should cover my tab, and I included my card. Give me a call if you ever wanna grab some coffee or something.”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to take pity on me,” Lila giggled. “I was just having a moment.”
“Pity was the last thing on my mind.” He gave her a mischievous smirk and started out of the bar. “Call me.”
Lila picked up the money and his card as she called out, “Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
I was beyond intrigued by this guy, so as soon as he walked out, I leaned forward and asked, “Ummm, hello! Who was that?”
“I’m not sure. He’s been here a few times. We’ve chatted a little bit. Just some small talk, but nothing major.” She picked up the card and smiled. “Apparently, his name is Nikolai, and he works at the Black Crown.”
“Nikolai?” I smiled. “Sounds a little mysterious.”
“It does, doesn’t it.” She raked her teeth across her bottom lip. “You think I should call him?”
“Yeah, I think you should.” I pulled some cash from my wallet and offered it to her as I said, “I’m going to get going.”
“So soon?”
“Yeah, Luke’s coming by when he finishes his shift, and my apartment is a total wreck.”
“Yeah, right. Your place is always spotless.”
“Well, I’ve been a little distracted lately.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll let you get to it but stay close to your phone.” She lifted the business card as she said, “In case I decide to call.”
“I will.” I started for the door as I told her, “And call! You’ll always wonder if you don’t.”
I walked out of the bar with a smile on my face. It would be several hours before he got off work, but I was already looking forward to Luke showing up at my place with his lazy grin and that longing look in his eyes.
Thankfully, I had plenty to do to keep me busy until he got there.