Chapter 6
SIX
Lilliana
“Crap!” I grumble when I look outside and realize that I never returned the U-Haul.
I had forgotten about it when I first woke up, too busy getting settled into my new apartment.
I had meant to run errands today too, but then inspiration had struck, and I spent most of the afternoon sketching out a new design.
I grab my keys and head downstairs, determined to return the trailer and then maybe grab some groceries. I slide behind the wheel and I’m about to start it when Foster’s truck pulls up behind me.
“Where are you off to?” He asks me, leaning against my driver’s side door.
“I need to return the U-Haul. Want to come with me, and then we can grab something to eat?” I ask him.
“Sure. Slide over. I’ll drive.”
I hop over the center console, and he scoots the seat all of the way back. I’m tired of driving so I’m happy that he’s taking over.
He steers the car down the street. The U-Haul station is in the next town over, and I stare out the window as we go, smiling at all of the familiar sights.
“What are you hungry for?” He asks me as we pull into the station.
“A burger from Toasty Buns,” I tell him right away, and he smiles.
“Of course. I should have known.”
Toasty Buns was my favorite restaurant when we were in high school. They have the best milkshakes and burgers. I missed it while I was living on the East Coast.
“I’ll go in and take care of the trailer,” Foster says, already climbing out of the car.
“Thanks, but I think that I have to sign something.”
We head inside, and Foster asks where to park the trailer then heads outside to drop it off while I sign the papers and turn in the keys.
I head back out to my car and Foster opens my door for me.
“Thanks,” I say as I slide into the car.
“Ready to eat?”
“Yep!”
We head back towards Wolf Valley, and I tell him about some of my favorite restaurants and spots in New York along the way.
“How’s your dad doing?” I ask him as we park outside of Toasty Buns.
“He’s good. He retired a few months back. Now he putters around the house and helps out at the shop when I need a hand with something.”
“You took over for him?” I ask as we head inside.
“Yeah, I bought him out.”
“Good. I know how much you love that place.”
We head over to our favorite booth, and I slide in across from him. Neither of us reaches for a menu, and I grin as a waitress comes over to take our order.
“We’ll take two bacon burgers and two chocolate shakes,” Foster orders for us, and I grin.
“I can’t wait,” I say once the waitress leaves to place our order.
Foster grins, and I grin back at him. He’s got a smudge of grease close to his hairline, and I stare at it, wondering why that little smudge makes him so damn hot.
“Cameron said that you were still single,” I blurt out.
I want to take the words back as soon as they’re out, but it’s too late.
“Yeah, I’ve been busy with work and stuff,” he tells me, and I nod. “What about you?”
“Still single,” I confirm.
“Well, at least we still have the marriage pact,” he jokes, and my heart kicks against my ribs.
I’ve thought about the marriage pact a few times over the years, but I guess I thought that Foster had forgotten about it, or maybe that it was just a joke to him.
“That’s true,” I try to joke, but I’m not sure that it comes out like one.
Our food is dropped off, and I take a bite, moaning as the burger melts in my mouth. Foster stares at me, his hungry gaze locked on my mouth.
A tightening starts in my core as I stare at him. Only Foster has ever been able to make me feel like this, like I’m burning up. An ache settles deep inside of me, one that I’m familiar with.
I’m a twenty-two-year-old virgin. No one at college ever tempted me. No one besides Foster has ever made me horny like this. He’s fueled all of my fantasies, and now that I’m back here and close to him again, all of those feelings are bubbling up inside of me.
I want to seduce him, but I don’t even know how to go about that. A bubble of courage grows inside of me, and for the first time in years, I want to make a move on my best friend.
Foster finishes his food first, and I drain my milkshake, looking around as the place starts to fill up with people. I recognize more than a few of the people, and I smile and wave at a few.
Everyone looks so much older, and it hits me then just how much time has passed since I was here last.
I’ve wasted years pining after Foster. I should have told him how I felt about him long ago.
Mrs. Campbell shuffles past with one of her grandchildren. My parents told me that her husband passed away last year, and regret starts to nag at me.
I want to know what it’s like to be with Foster. I don’t want to waste years or decades wishing that I was with him. God forbid if he starts dating someone in town. I know that I would never be able to handle seeing him with anyone else.
So maybe it’s about time that I made my move.
“Anyone that you want to stay and talk to?” Foster asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
He’s, as usual, ignoring everyone in the place except me.
He’s always been like that. There could be a whole group of people calling his name or trying to get his attention, and he would never look away from me. I know that most people in town think of him as a grump, and he is, but not with me. Never with me.
“No, I’m getting tired. I’m ready to go if you are.”
“Sure thing.”
Foster pays the bill, ignoring me when I try to offer him some money. He takes my hand and leads me out of the crowded restaurant and back to my car. He opens the door for me and I smile up at him as I climb into the car.
The drive to my new apartment is short, and when we pull up out front, I turn to smile at Foster.
“Want to come up for a bit?”
“You’re not too tired?” He asks, and I shake my head.
Tired is not what I’m feeling right now. I want to jump his bones. That same feeling from dinner is back and growing inside of me. All I can think about is being with Foster. I know that he would make my first time special, that he would make sure that I got off. Now that’s all I can think about.
Maybe inviting my best friend up wasn’t the best idea…
It’s too late now, though. He’s already out of the car and opening my door for me.
“Thanks.”
We head up to my apartment in silence, and I unlock the door, letting us in.
“Are you thirsty or anything? All that I have is water,” I tell him.
“I’m good.”
He heads over to the couch, and my eyes lock on my design pad. An idea starts to form inside of me and I take a steadying breath before turning to him.
“Want to see some of my designs now?” I ask him, and he nods.
“Sure.”
“I haven’t unpacked them yet, but there’s one that I can show you,” I tell him as I tug my shirt over my head.
He’s looking around the apartment so he doesn’t notice me stripping behind him. I feel bold and sexy even as I step out of my yoga pants and kick my shoes to the side. Standing in just a bra and thong, I smile as I walk closer to him.
“This is my latest design,” I tell him, and I smile as his eyes lock on me and his mouth drops open.