1 Pre-Season Mischief
PRE-SEASON MISCHIEF
Six Months Later
Lucy
“ Y ou should’ve let me set you up with Jordan from marketing. He’s cute, and you need to date more. You’re not getting any younger, you know,” Lily says above the pounding music of the club while nudging me with a smirk.
“Whatever, Mom. Twenty-six is not the age to start worrying,” I say, rolling my eyes and sipping my drink.
“Did I just hear that correctly? It sounded like my fiancé just said her coworker was cute. I’m sure I must be mistaken. It is quite loud in here.” Sebastian—as he insists I call him when we’re outside of the office—butts in while putting his finger in his ear and wiggling it.
Lily leans over and places her hand on his chest while batting her eyes at him. “We almost had something before you came in like a caveman, you know.”
I swear she gives me a heart attack every time I’m out with the two of them, constantly pushing his buttons. As I’ve been working for Sebastian this long, I know his buttons are not ones you should push. She’s the only one who can manage it unscathed.
“Lily, if you talk about having anything with another man again, you’ll regret it,” Sebastian says in his authoritative tone that anyone who knows him fears—except Lily.
“Sebastian, you do realize you weren’t the first—” She squeals as he lifts her mid-sentence and tosses her over his shoulder, giving a swat to her ass as he carries her off, probably headed to Sebastian’s back office since he and Eli own the place.
Because we’ve become such good friends over the past few months, I know Lily goaded him on purpose. It’s funny to watch, but it also causes a slight amount of jealousy to sneak up. Almost having that connection with someone not so long ago makes it difficult to see. I’ve yet to put myself back out there—and it’s been six months. I’m not a total recluse, but it affected me more than I expected.
“I’m sure they’ll be gone awhile, and I’m headed to the bar. Do you want me to grab you another drink?” Eli asks as he rises from his seat.
“That’d be great. I’ll take a prosecco.”
He nods to security as he walks away, indicating they should move closer to the table while I’m alone. The Dubrees have had constant security in place ever since Lily’s kidnapping. It was weird to get used to when Lily and I started hanging out, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s barely noticeable other than constantly reminding me of the one that got away. Or should I say ran away?
“Are you having fun tonight, ma’am?” the guard asks. Tom, I think his name is.
“You did not just call me ma’am. I mean, you’re like, what… twenty-nine? Thirty? I’m younger than you.” Do I look like a ma’am? I was going for more of a hottie vibe. Dammit.
He holds his hands up in defense. “Whoa, I didn’t mean to offend you. The term has more to do with respect than age.” He holds his hand out. “I’m Tom. You’re Lucy, right?”
Well, now I feel bad. “Yeah. And sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Maybe that answers your question—I guess I’m not having as much fun as I’d hoped.” His hand is surprisingly soft for his rugged appearance.
“That’s too bad. If it’s any consolation, your costume’s great.” His eyes couldn’t make it more obvious which part he thinks is great.
I look down to see my breasts pushed up from the top of my Tinker Bell costume, and I can’t blame him—they do look damn good. It’s the one day a year the ladies get attention thanks to the rolls of socks stuffed in my bra, which is the goal, of course—why else would I have socks anywhere other than my feet?
I smile up at him. “Thanks. Lily picked all our costumes. Speaking of, I’m not sure how Eli’s going to carry both our drinks back with one hand.” He got stuck being Captain Hook. I think Sebastian’s more suited for the character, but with Lily being Wendy and all, that wasn’t about to happen.
“He’ll manage, I’m sure. So, are you two dating then?”
“Who? Me and Eli?” He nods. “God, no. He’s my boss—well, technically Sebastian is, but Eli is by default.” Months ago, that question would have made me turn ten shades of red since it was once a dream of mine. But after spending more time together now that Lily and I are friends, Eli and I have become friends as well.
“Does that mean you’d want to go out later?” he asks with a smirk.
“Oh… uh… I don’t know…”
He raises his eyebrows in question.
“You work for the Dubrees, too, so that might be messy.” Been there, done that, security guard and all.
“Good thing I like to get messy. Plus, I’m going to fantasize about being showered in your fairy dust all night,” Tom says, wiggling his eyebrows as Eli appears with my drink, my mouth hanging open in shock.
“Dude. You just spewed that shit?” Eli says to him.
“Hey, just tryin’ to have a little fun, is all.”
“Yeah, well, get back to your job before Sebastian gets here and sees you flirting with his woman’s friend.”
Tom gives me a wink and a sexy smile before walking away, which isn’t a minute too soon since Lily plops down next to me in the second that follows.
“Hey, what was that about? Was Tom flirting with you?” she asks immediately, seeing his departure.
“Something like that,” I respond, then add, “I can’t believe you just left. Scratch that—I can.”
“It’s not like I was given a choice.”
“Riiight. You egged him on, and you know it.”
“It happens to be my favorite pastime,” she says with a sly smile. “Now, tell me about Tom over there. What did he say?”
Before answering, I glance over to make sure Sebastian isn’t paying attention since Eli’s comment made it clear that Sebastian wouldn’t handle Tom’s flirting very well. “He asked if I wanted to go out later,” I finally respond.
“And…?”
“And nothing. I told him we work together, so…”
“So, nothing. Lucy, you need to get out there… date… have a one-night stand or something.”
“Yeah, because that went so well last time.”
“You know what they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Let’s go dance and see if there’s anyone you can’t use the work excuse with. Come on.” She stands, dragging me with her.
It doesn’t go unnoticed that Tom and another bodyguard follow us to the dance floor, flanking us on either side. I’m not sure how we’re supposed to find anyone else with Starsky and Hutch hovering.
Maybe Lily’s right and I do need a one-night stand. Tom is undoubtedly easy on the eyes and probably good in the bedroom. Damn Justin for making me question everything so much. He really did a number on me if I’m still letting his rejection affect me months later. It’s just that I still don’t know if it was because I lacked bedroom skills or if he pulled the wool over my eyes, and his plan all along was to one and done me.
The bottom line is this is completely ridiculous, and I need to stop thinking about him because it doesn’t matter. What matters is that right here, right now, he’s gone, so it’s time to get my damn groove on.
“I’m glad you at least gave it a go. Sorry it didn’t work out,” Lily says as she fixes her coffee the next day.
Last night, after a few flirty looks from Tom on the dance floor, I decided to sample the goods. Giving my goodbyes to Lily and the others, it was no surprise when he offered to escort me to my Uber. Of course, since I’m with the owners, I use the back entrance, which was apparently private enough for a test run.
He made his move the moment we stepped outside and after being met with no resistance, he let me have it. Sure, it was hot, but the spark I was hoping for—the one to make me want to climb him like a tree then and there—was unfortunately missing. By the time he pulled away, rather than alluding to wanting more and leading him on, I graciously thanked him and said I’d see him next time, leaving him speechless as I got into the car.
“That’s okay. I still had fun. And besides, you never know, right?” I shrug.
“You should still let me set you up with Jordan.”
“Again, Lily, he works for the same company. It’s bad enough that I’ll be seeing Tom all the time.”
“Yeah, but you’re not even on the same floor as Jordan. And as you can see, I brought Patrick instead of Tom. I’ll keep doing that when I only need one of them.” She nods toward the guy near the café’s entrance. Sebastian insists a guard is always with her, but for special occasions, he requires two. I’m guessing that coffee with me was small enough to warrant only one.
“Thank you, but it’s still too close for comfort with Jordan. It would be uncomfortable if things ended badly, which is my track record lately. And if it did work out, then it could get awkward. It’s a double-edged sword.”
“Or it could be a win-win. Look at me and Sebastian, it’s not awkward, and we get to see each other more.”
“Totally different. He owns the fricking company and makes the rules. Plus, you guys are engaged, not dating. And by the way? News flash—it’s definitely awkward now and then. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing in his office half the time. You’re lucky I love you.” I point my spoon at her as she guiltily looks down at her cup.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that and feign ignorance. As for being engaged, we didn’t start that way. We dated. Just like you need to do”—she points her spoon back at me—“to find Mr. Right. Any other excuses before I get the ball rolling?”
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll go on one date,” I say, rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
A smile lights up her face, and she opens her mouth to respond, but I cut her off, holding my hand up before she has a chance.
“Hang on. How do you even know he wants to take me out—have you talked to him? And why hasn’t he already asked if he’s so interested?” I ask suspiciously.
“Okay, I haven’t actually talked to him yet, but you’re both single and good-looking, so why not?” She shrugs.
“I’ve been arguing about a hypothetical this whole time?” I roll my eyes.
“Hey, at least I got your permission first. You’re lucky I’m not Cici. That girl does what she wants, when she wants, and doesn’t think about asking permission from anyone for anything. I seriously can’t wait for you to meet her.” She beams.
“Me too. Hopefully I’ll get to before the wedding.”
“I hope so too. Especially since you’ll be working on the fun stuff together.” She wiggles her brows.
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up about the fun part. Sebastian has his own definition of fun, and I’m pretty sure he’ll have a lot of say in what Cici and I put together.”
“I have faith she’ll get what she wants when it comes down to it.”
“We’ll see about that. Anyway, back to this Jordan thing, keep me posted, okay? I don’t want any surprises.” I give her the stink eye.
“I will. Promise. In case it leads to something, what are your plans for the holidays?”
“I’m going home. My parents allowed me to move a thousand miles away on the condition I come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a bargain, trust me,” I say, taking a sip of coffee to wash down my distaste for the topic.
“Oh,” she says in surprise. “I feel bad that we’ve never talked about your family. I’m so used to not talking about mine that I forget to ask other people about theirs. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I prefer not to, honestly.”
“Okay, spill. What’s the scoop? Less than perfect parents, I’m assuming?”
“Oh no, that’s the problem. They’re so perfect that no one is good enough for them, and they won’t be happy until I marry the perfect man, have perfect babies, and live in the perfect house on the perfect street while my perfect brother gets the moon handed to him. Get the picture?”
“Sounds perfect to me,” she deadpans, causing us both to crack up.