Page 23 of Meeting Mr. Adorkable
“Is for these parts.” Bibi snorted. “‘Read out the specials board… Can you repeat that, nice and slowly, and then do it again’. Oh, Lucian.” She laughed, but it was affectionate and kind.
“You just used my proper name. You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Don’t get used to it.” Her levity dropped away. “I’m not making fun of you, honestly — don’t look at me like that,” she said, when Lucian rolled his eyes. “If I sounded surprised at Arlo making a pass, that’s honestly because I am. The guy’s had a lot of interest thrown his way since he came back to the Creek, from both men and women. For months now, he’s batted every single one away. I’ve lost count of the number of times Francine has tried to match make, although some of her choices have left a lot to be desired—”
“Like Wilbur the Demon Dentist?”
They shuddered before they both smiled.
“The point I’m making is that Arlo’s rejected everybody who’s thrown themselves in his way, or has been thrown, with a big fat no way. All very polite, all very charming, but a no way is a no way. And then you come along. He’s interested, Luci, interested in a way he’s not been interested in anybody. A fuck up of a kiss or not.”
“I’m not so sure.” He bit down on his lip, dialing up his courage for what he had to say next. “I don’t think I want him to be interested.” The words were acid burning his tongue. “I’ve had enough complications in my life recently. I’m not looking for any more. Plus, afterwards, we kind of agreed it’d be best if we didn’t muddy the waters, and stayed as friends instead.” And maybe that’s for the best, because hadn’t he come to Collier’s Creek to keep away from all entanglements, no matter how short-lived they could only ever be?
Bibi crossed her arms over her chest and studied him, her quiet, assessing gaze unnerving. Always upbeat and irreverent, this was a side to her he’d not encountered before.
“I don’t know what made you leave your home and come out here to a place where you had no contacts or connections. I’ve never asked, because I figured you’d tell me if you wanted to. But whatever made you move, you’ve got to put it behind you, just like you need to have more faith in yourself. Perhaps it’s time to stop licking whatever wounds you brought with you and look out from under the stone you’ve buried yourself under.”
“I’ve not buried myself under a stone. Or not a very big one.”
Bibi shrugged. “Just think about what I’ve said. And when Arlo comes knocking, make sure you open the door and greet him with that big, beautiful, bright smile of yours.”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
The park was busy with parents pushing strollers and helping toddlers take their first steps. Over on the grass, a game was taking place. Baseball, Lucian knew, though to him it looked just the same as rounders, a game he’d played as a kid.
He bit into the sandwich he hadn’t had time to eat. He couldn’t taste a thing and when he swallowed, it hit his stomach with a thud. Late Friday afternoon, five days since the almost kiss, and four since Bibi had told him to open the door wide when Arlo came knocking. The door had remained firmly closed because Arlo hadn’t, and with almost a week gone past, he never would.
He took another bite of his sandwich before dropping it into the trash, whatever appetite he had gone. Bibi had closed up earlier than normal, to get ready for her date. He’d been happy to escape into the late afternoon warmth, yet he had no idea what to do with himself. Making his way through the park, he headed back toward the town square, which was always buzzing with life with its busy coffee shops and restaurants. He turned a corner, and stopped.
Just yards ahead of him, Arlo leaned against a battered, mud spattered pickup as he talked into his cell phone. Indecision grabbed Lucian and held him tight. It’d be best if he just backed away, before Arlo looked up and saw him gawping, but his feet, rooted to the ground, had other ideas.
This was Arlo, but a different Arlo. The Arlo he knew had neatly brushed hair, and wore chinos or smart jeans, and button-down shirts. This Arlo didn’t.
Jeans, sure, but these molded themselves to Arlo’s long legs, hugging his slim hips. They were old and faded, with a few rips that didn’t look like they had much to do with fashion. A loose, checked flannel shirt, unbuttoned to reveal a crisp, white T-shirt clinging to his strong, honed torso. And… Lucian swallowed… heavy, scuffed workman’s boots. And that hair… oh my god. It was roughed up and messy, as if he’d just rolled out of bed, or somebody had shoved their fingers through… Oh, shit.
With his attention still glued to his cell, with his free hand, Arlo thrust away a hank of hair that had fallen over his forehead. A tight little noise that was part groan, part moan, and all want pushed its way past Lucian’s lips as heat coiled in the pit of his belly. Arlo looked like something out of Hot Wyoming Man, because that magazine just had to exist, and Arlo McDonald absolutely needed to be on its front cover, rugged, masculine, and so fucking sexy.
He was staring, and he needed to stop, wipe the drool from his chin, stop fucking hyperventilating, and retreat.
Arlo frowned hard, his face thunderous, as he muttered something and stuffed the cell into the hip pocket of his jeans. Lucian stepped back — and crashed into a parcel delivery guy, balancing a couple of large boxes in his arms.
“Hey, watch what ya doing!” the guy yelled.
“Sorry, I didn’t—”
But the delivery guy didn’t wait for the apology as he barged past Lucian, banging into his shoulder as he disappeared through a door Lucian hadn’t noticed.
Any chance of making a quiet, unobserved escape had vanished as Arlo strode toward him.
“Hey, are you okay? I just saw what happened.” Arlo frowned as he jerked his head toward the door.
“I’m fine. I suppose I did almost cause him to drop his boxes.”
“He still had no right to talk to you like that — or smash into you.” Arlo propped his hand against the wall, the stance barring Lucian’s way.
“Honest, I’m cool about it.” He didn’t feel very cool, not with Arlo standing just a breath away, and looking like a wet dream as he stared down at him. “Nice pickup.”
“What d’ya mean?” Arlo stood up straight, face flushing red.
