Page 11 of Finally

Ileaned back in my chair and rubbed my hands over my face wearily. I hadn’t slept more than a couple of hours the night before, and now I was paying the price for it. I’d ended up tossing and turning most of the night, my mind and body too keyed up over the knowledge that Greg Wright had shown back up in my life and was sleeping under the same roof as me. The only comfort had come through his muffled yawns as we drove into work together, which let me know that his night hadn’t been any more restful than mine.

Neither of us had very much to say that morning, but he’d doted on Charlie who, like the attention seeker she was, rolled right over and showed him her belly. There wasn’t much that a good belly rub couldn’t fix in her world and I found myself envious of the simplicity of her life. At least that’s what I told myself I was envious of and not the fact that she had the full attention of the man I’d once loved while he’d barely even looked at me since the night before.

I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Who cared if he was showing attention to my dog instead of me? I didn’t even want his attention. In fact, I’d be happy if he’d just go back to his life and leave me to mine. It had taken me a long time to get over what had happened between us, and honestly, if Maddie hadn’t come into my life when he did, I’m not sure I would have. I’d never been through anything like that before and had no idea how to get myself through it; but then again, I’d never been in love before either.

Maddie knew I’d been going through something rough when we met, but I’d never told him any of the details. At the time, it had still been too fresh, too painful to talk about. Once I’d begun to heal, I’d worried that if I picked at the scab that I’d start bleeding all over again. Maddie had been kind enough not to pepper me with questions. Instead, he’d held my hand patiently as I’d cried all over him, then he’d cleaned me up and forced me back into the land of the living.

Slowly but surely, I’d begun to feel like myself again, but there had always been a hollowed-out part of me, a hole that Greg had left behind that could never be filled. Of course, I wondered what his being there would do to me when it was time for him to leave, but I’d have to cross that bridge when I came to it. For the time being, I just needed to focus on getting through one day at a time.

A knock at the door had me tensing in my seat, until it opened, and Maddie stuck his head around the corner. “Can I come in?”

“Of course. What’s up?” I asked.

“Nothing much. Thought you might want some coffee.” He held two mugs up in front of him and I nearly wept.

“Oh my God, you are the best, best friend ever!” I exclaimed, reaching my hands out for the steaming cup of Heaven. Maddie used his foot to kick the door shut behind him and crossed the room, gingerly setting the coffee in front of me.

“I know, I’m pretty great. But you’re always welcome to tell me again,” he teased as he settled into one of the chairs on the opposite side of my desk.

I took a sip, letting out a groan of pleasure. “I’m going to need more of this if I’m going to make it through my meeting with the mayor this afternoon without falling asleep.”

“Yeah, I noticed you were looking a bit rough this morning. What’s going on?” I glared at him over the rim of my cup, but I was too busy enjoying the caffeine that was running through my bloodstream to argue with him. Besides, I knew it was true. I’d woken up with dark circles under my eyes and a pounding in my head that could put any drummer in a marching band to shame.

“I didn’t sleep well, that’s all.”

“Are you worried about your trip to New River tomorrow? Because we can go over your speech again if you want to, but I swear, you’ve got it down pat. They’re going to love you there,” Maddie assured me.

“Thanks, but it’s not that. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“Would it have anything to do with a certain sexy Marine god that’s staying with you?” he teased.

“Technically, he’s not in the Marines anymore,” I corrected.

I immediately realized my mistake as Maddie’s eyebrows reached his hairline. He set his coffee down and leaned forward eagerly. “First of all, you know the code; once a Marine, always a Marine. Second, this does have to do with him? I want details and I want them now.” He let out a loud gasp and pointed a finger at me. “Did you sleep with him last night? Were the two of you up doing the mattress mambo all night and that’s why you both look so tired?”

“Mattress mambo? Really? Who even calls it that? And keep your voice down before the rest of the office hears you,” I scolded.

“Is that a yes?” Maddie screeched, not bothering to lower his voice at all.

I held my hands up in front of me. “No! It’s a no. One hundred and ten percent no. Now, will you please be quiet?” I pleaded.

“Well, damn. That’s disappointing. I mean, have you looked at the guy? It’s been all I can do to get any work done this morning, what with him out there climbing ladders and stretching those muscles as he installs the new security system. If I were you, I’d let him guard my body all night long.” Maddie got a faraway look in his eyes and I snapped my fingers in front of his face, not liking it at all that he was probably picturing Greg naked.

“Get your mind out of the gutter. Greg is here in a professional capacity to ensure that I stay safe during the election. That’s all,” I insisted.

He frowned as he picked his mug back up and took a drink as he leaned back in his chair. “Fine, I get it, but it wouldn’t kill you to have a little fun once in a while. Just because you’re running for office, doesn’t mean you can’t still have a life, Topher.”

My chest tightened painfully as I heard that name. “What did you say?” I asked hoarsely.

“I said you can still have fun,” Maddie said, looking at me like he thought I might be going crazy. I couldn’t blame him, I was starting to wonder that same thing.

“Not that part. The name. What did you call me?”

“Oh, I called you Topher,” he said like it was no big deal.

“Why would you call me that?” I whispered.

Maddie shrugged. “I heard Greg call you that yesterday and I figured if he gets to use a nickname on you then I should too. After all, I am your best friend.” He started to laugh, but the look on my face stopped him. “Hey, what’s going on? Seriously, you’re starting to scare me.”

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