Page 23 of It Shouldn't Be You
“How have things been going, Abbie girl?” Hearing Mum’s soothing voice over the phone has tears welling in my eyes and the homesick feeling increasing tenfold.
After feeding Rocky and Teddy and attending to their toilet needs, it became obvious I was home alone, so I helped myself to a quick breakfast and cup of tea before curling up on the sofa and ringing home. Between St Theresa’s being a boarding school, living in the dorms for college, and then moving into my ownplace, this is far from the first time I’ve lived away from home. But it’s the longest I’ve gone without seeing either of my parents or even talking to them.
“Hey Mum, things are good. I just miss everyone, you know? I can’t wait to be back for a couple of days around Cora’s wedding.”
“Oh, sweet girl, we miss you too. We will always be here for you, but you need to put your energy into making that place a home, otherwise you’ll forever be wishing your life away. Have you made any friends yet?”
“I know it’s just...hard. I’ve seen a handful of girls my age around, and I keep meaning to make an effort to invite a few of them round for dinner one night and seeing if we can make that a thing the way you and the other wives do back home.”
“That sounds like a brilliant idea. Let me guess, you rang to get my recipe for my homemade cheese pie?” Laughing at how well she knows me, I write it down as she explains it to me and with promises to FaceTime her when I’m making it so she can help me through it, we hang up.
“Remind me again why you’re doing this?”
“Because this is my new home, Cole. And eventually, I’ll have to let you go back to your brothers, which will be a hell of a lot easier if I have some friends here by that stage.”
“That fucker should be helping you. Not holing up in his office and letting you fend for yourself.”
Letting out a sigh, I glance at the closed kitchen door before turning to Cole. I’d asked him and Smithy to help me put my dinner party plan in motion and from the moment Smithyheaded into town to grab some things for me, Cole has been sullen and snarky. So far from my playful, fun-loving bodyguard, it’s a joke.
Enough of this bullshit.
“Cole Finaly, if you don’t cut this shit right now, I’ll ask for a trade. Liam over you.” I take pride in the way my words have him freezing.
“You wouldn’t dare. You know fine rightly they would never let me live it down.”
“Well then, lay off my husband and cut the attitude. You should be focusing on stirring that sauce and not trying to stir the pot between him and I.” I point my knife at him with a pointed look before turning back to chopping up the fruit to go along with the homemade pavlova.
After my call with Mum, I’d taken Rocky on a much-needed walk to get some of his energy out. Which had led me straight into Rene and Olivia’s path, both granddaughters of some of the Old Guard members, who were walking their own dogs when Rocky ran over to introduce himself. A quick conversation later I extended an invite for dinner to them and with promises to come and bring their other friend, Samantha, it was a done deal.
Mum had been highly amused when she’d picked up my FaceTime to see Cole in an apron with a scowl on his face and was all too happy to talk us through her cheese pie recipe and talked me through what to serve it with. So here we are with a cheese pie in progress, hunter's chicken in the oven, and some pavlova ready to serve for dessert.
All that’s left to do is set the table, get changed, and pour the wine.
Oh, and the small detail of telling Logan I let Kelly go home early and he’s not invited to dinner tonight.
“Fine. But that doesn’t mean I think this plan of yours is smart. How do we even know if these girls can be trusted?”
“While it warms my heart you care so much, it’ll be fine, Cole. You and Smithy will be here, and I doubt Logan will be far.”
“Far from where?” With a clatter, I drop the knife as I spin around to see Logan leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his face as his gaze narrows in on me.
“Far from this house. I’ve invited a few girls over for dinner, so you need to find a new dinner partner for tonight.”
“You’ve replaced me already? With who?” he teases as he stalks closer, boxing me in against the kitchen counter.
“Rene, Olivia, and Samantha,” I supply, trying not to think about how close he is to me.
“The Old Guard's grandkids.”
“That would be the ones. I figured it was about time I tried to make some friends here.” I shrug while trying not to let his closeness affect me. Trying not to think about how damn good he smells or the heat that’s seeping into me. Or the way if I moved even half an inch, his arm would be brushing the outside of my chest.
And I’mdefinitelynot thinking about how the last time I saw him he was naked. And I’m certainly not thinking about all his tanned, toned muscles or his pierced cock.
“Alone?” He raises his eyebrows, and with an eye roll, I duck under his arm so I can head towards the door. "What do you take me for? Of course not. Cole and Smithy will be around, and you and Alex can have a guy’s night somewhere. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a table to set and I need to get ready before they get here.” With that, I leave them to no doubt discuss tonight’s security stance.
After a quick change of clothes, I slip on a pair of black heels, curl my hair, and apply some heavier makeup. With a spritz of perfume and my jewellery firmly in place, I make my way back down just as Smithy lets himself in, arms weighed down with bags.
Perfect timing.
