17. Tanner
17
TANNER
I ’m trying to work, my paperwork pile now sky-high and my emails coming in thick and fast, but every time I blink, all I see is her perfect body. Her peaches-and-cream skin, her pink cheeks, her curves, the tease of her black panties under that short robe. I couldn't sleep all last night, checking my phone every hour in case she needed me. I didn’t even want to leave her. I had to force myself to walk out of her bedroom last night, because the way she was looking at me, coupled with the way I feel about her, I didn’t trust myself, and I don’t want to take advantage of her. But I struggled with that decision all night.
I know Kevin went to her place this morning to collect the milk because I have already spoken to his mom. As a token of appreciation, I had Lacy take up a few bags of groceries to help her and the kids out for the next few weeks. The local church assists her out with these things, but I try to support where I can.
Now walking around the warehouse at the distillery, I am waiting for Connor who came back this morning to go over our stock for the month. I scroll through Victoria’s social media, looking at image after image, seeing her ideas come to life. She is talented, there is no doubt. Why she hasn’t been working in this area of interior design, I have no idea.
I spot a new photo on her social media from this morning of her foot elevated, resting on the arm of the sofa. I feel the stress leave my shoulders a little, knowing that she at least got downstairs safely this morning. When I double-click the image, a heart pops up on the screen, then I follow her page. Isn’t that what kids do these days?
“Why are you on social media?” Connor asks from over my shoulder, and I jump so high my cell almost flies from my hand.
“Dammit, Connor,” I growl at him, although not upset, just surprised.
“What are you doing?” he presses, eyebrow quirked as he tries to peek at what’s on my phone.
“Nothing,” I say quickly, then close the screen and pocket my cell.
“Who are you following? You hate social media.” His eyes thin in question.
“No one.” I wasn’t about to text her… see if she needed anything.
“Bullshit,” Connor says, walking in front of me with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Don’t speak to your father like that,” a new voice says jovially, and we look to the side to see Huxley, Hudson’s brother and our longtime family friend, strolling into the warehouse. He spends a lot of his time in Baltimore these days, but we are happy to have him back in town.
“Like he said,” I tell Connor, smiling. I love my son, but now that we are both older, we are even better friends.
“Are you texting a woman?” Huxley pins me with his gaze as he walks over to where we are standing. Shaking hands, he backslaps Connor, the two of them friends since they could walk.
“No!” I huff as I shake his hand in greeting and hug him just the same. Since he married the love of his life, Lucy Bloomer, here in Whispers, he and Lucy have become a regular local couple and spend as much time in Whispers as they can at his ranch on the outskirts of town. The luxurious ranches of the many wealthy people who come here are spread all around Whispers. I have a vacant plot ready for building, on what locals call Billionaire Boulevard, but I prefer to live here, close to town, in my home at the back of the distillery, right where I need to be. Connor has built his own place, also on distillery land near mine. This is our home, always will be.
“He is just looking at her social media,” Connor teases.
“Holy shit. Who is she?” Huxley asks, pulling back and looking at me in shock.
“No one,” I tell them both as Connor smirks my way and Huxley looks dumbfounded.
“From Whispers? Who is it? I know everyone in Whispers.” Huxley continues trying to get it out of me. He doesn't know everyone .
“None of your business,” I say, just as Connor says, “Our new neighbor.” That earns him scowl.
“You know you can have a girlfriend, Dad. I have been waiting for the day that you actually commit to someone.” Connor’s smile doesn’t waver.
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I reiterate, but they don’t care. By the looks on their faces, they are having a fucking field day.
“Who’s the new neighbor?” Huxley asks, his interest now fully piqued.
“Hudson didn’t tell you?” Connor says, and the two of them start talking all about Victoria like I am not even here.
“My brother hasn’t mentioned her…”
I am surprised by that, because Huxley and Hudson are joined at the hip, the two of them always meeting here as one lives on the East Coast and one on the West Coast.
“She is from the city, lives in Marie’s old place. Her niece,” Connor says. “I think Dad likes her…”
“She is half my fucking age.” Although the visions of Victoria practically naked at my feet last night are still very vivid, regardless of our age difference.
“So?” Huxley asks, and I’m already shaking my head.
“That’s what I said. Age is just a number.” Connor gives me an I told you so look.
“I mean… you will need someone to wheel around your wheelchair soon,” Huxley jokes, and I roll my eyes.
“Alright, that’s quite enough, asshole,” I growl, running a hand through my hair. If they keep this up, I will head home for the day .
“Maybe you should go for her then, Connor?” Huxley offers, and I almost buckle at the thought.
“Not his type,” I say too quickly, and they both look at me before they double over in laughter.
“What is this? Are you two really ganging up on me? You know what? She might be more suited to you, Connor,” I relent, even though it kills me. They are much closer in age… It would make more sense.
“Ahhh, not for me, Dad. I’m not looking at the moment. Besides, I think this one has you all up in knots already.”
I feel tension instantly ease from my body. I would never stand in the way of my son finding love, but I am relieved that I saw her first.
“It’s about time you dated properly, Dad, don’t you think?” Connor says to me, his face now serious. Here we go again.
“Tanner, if I have learned anything, it is to not let the past affect my future,” Huxley says, slapping my shoulder, and I roll my eyes again.
“She is just the neighbor. Nothing more.” I try to drill that statement into my own brain. A very sexy neighbor, but my neighbor just the same.
“So you won't care if we go over there, then. You know, introduce ourselves,” Connor says, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and grabbing his keys. I grind my teeth.
“She doesn't need new people around.”
Connor raises an eyebrow at me.
“Bullshit. Now I really want to meet the woman who has you all tied up. ”
“I parked out front, we can take my truck,” Huxley says, already walking away.
“Knock it off,” I reiterate, but they’re not listening.
“I’ll take over a bottle of whiskey as a gift. I hear she is a bit quirky and always wears pink. I think we have something pink in the gift shop we could take as well. You know, get on her good side,” Connor says, stepping over to grab a bottle from the shelf.
“She doesn’t like whiskey,” I tell him, and he stops mid-stride.
“Really? What else doesn’t she like?” Huxley asks as they look at me, both of their smiles threatening. I can tell they are holding in their laughter. Assholes.
“Drop it. Both of you.” Releasing a heavy breath, I think they can finally see how serious I am.
“Fine. We will meet her some other time,” Connor says, laughing.
“You do the stock.” I point at Connor. “You go back to your wife.” I point at Huxley. “I’ve got to call Griffin,” I tell them both, walking away from them toward the door. I need to organize Griffin to come and look at Victoria’s kitchen. Preferably this week, because I know she can’t do a lot and having this ball rolling will help.
“What’s Griffin doing for us now?” Connor asks, and it’s a very valid question. I do need Griffin for my other project, but that can wait.
“Just helping out a friend,” I say as I quicken my pace to walk out of the warehouse.
“Must be a pretty good friend to get a builder like Griffin involved,” Huxley says to Connor, loud enough for me to hear .
“Hmm, the only friend whom I know needs a builder would be our new neighbor?” Connor yells out to me as I step outside, and I hear the two of them cackling. Once I slam the door behind me with a huff, I call one of the country's best builders to get him sorted for renovating my new neighbor’s kitchen.
Because that is just the neighborly thing to do. Keep telling yourself that, Tanner.