Page 23 of The Proximity Factor

I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. Southern women were pure seduction. “I appreciate that. But back to my original point. I’m under the wire and I have a lot hanging in the balance right now.”

“That’s what your sister said. She also said you could use a little fun in your life. And ... I’ve been told I’m a friendly,” she emphasized, “fun girl.”

“I’m sure you are,” I half grumbled. “But I don’t really have time for fun right now.” With friends or otherwise.

“I get that,” she gave up quicker than I thought she would. “But would you mind watching a movie or something with me tonight? This might sound too damsel in distress like ... which I’m not, by the way. It’s just, after what happened, I don’t want to be alone right now. You should know, though, that before you showed up, I was about ready to kick Greg in the groin. I might be small, but I can kick some booty.”

I laughed. “The fact you used the word booty makes me question that.”

“Listen, buddy, I can bench-press some serious weight, and I run a six-minute mile.”

“I’m sure you’re in great shape,” I said while doing my best not to look at her shape. “And I’m sure you didn’t need my help.”

“Maybe not, but I’m really grateful you stepped in,” she conceded.

“Me too,” I admitted. “I would have hated it if he hurt you. You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t let him back in this house.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Honestly, though, he’s the one who should be afraid. When my mama and all of Goldenville find out what he did here tonight, it’s going to be worse for Greg than those Walmart executives who tried to muscle their way into town. Greg is going to wish he’d never heard of Goldenville once the town gets ahold of him.”

“He deserves the pitchforks.” I smirked, remembering the comment she’d made at Anna and Pete’s.

“Um.” She curled her feet under her. “You should probably be afraid of my mama too. When she finds out you’re a guy, she’s going to go as crazy as a dog in a cat factory. She’s definitely going to want to meet you. A body-cavity search may be a possibility.” She grinned.

I tilted my head, not liking the sound of that. There was no reason for me to meet any of Lanie’s family, and especially no reason to conduct a body-cavity search. “I don’t think that will be necessary. You can tell your mom she has nothing to worry about. This is a platonic arrangement. Businesslike, even.”

She put a hand to her chest and laughed. “You don’t know southern mamas very well. That will not fly with Goldie Davenport. Believe me, it will be best for you—and me—if you just willingly submit to meeting her.”

“Why didn’t you tell her you were living with a man to begin with?” I was getting a little testy. I had zero time for a southern mama. Unfortunately, I knew all too well about them. Maren’s mom was a force to be reckoned with. She’d somehow tried to pin the divorce on me, even though she knew very well it was her daughter who had cheated.

“Because, like you, I thought I would be living with someone who was my same gender. And it’s not like Mama was all that thrilled I was doing this stupid experiment to begin with. Mama is old school and believes things should be done in a certain order. In her world, a woman doesn’t live with a man unless he has sworn his undying devotion before God and all her kinsfolk until death do they part. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Well, that’s never happening.” As soon as I said those words, I regretted them. But they were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I knew Lanie wasn’t implying she wanted to marry me. It’s just the idea of marriage to anyone was an unwelcome thought at the moment.

She snort laughed and then scoffed. “I hate to break it to you, Prince Charming, but you’re too old and grumpy for me.”

Heat rushed up my neck and spread across my face, making me wish I’d just gone back to my room after kicking Greg out. This woman was going to be the death of me. “I wasn’t intimating that I want to marry you. You’re not my type,” I lied.

Lanie smiled a mocking smile, like she knew she was exactly my type.

It made me wonder how much Anna and Brynn, or even my sister, had told her about Maren.

“That just breaks my heart, darlin’.” She laughed a laugh that sounded a lot like she was jeering at me.

I scooted farther away from her, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot.

“Don’t go pouting now. We still have to pick a movie. I’ll let you decide what we watch while I go pop some popcorn.” She jumped off the couch and flitted over to the kitchen, giving me the chance to escape this madness—meaning her.

But I didn’t move. No. Instead, I sat there on the plush couch, thinking about how long it had been since I’d taken the time to watch a movie with a beautiful woman, or even watch a movie at all. Sadly, I couldn’t remember. I wondered if Lanie would like The Fellowship of the Ring, The Matrix, or the original Tron, some of my favorite movies. I shook my head. It was ludicrous thinking. I went to stand and go back to my room when Lanie called out.

“I have two kinds of homemade popcorn seasoning—parmesan garlic or salted peanut butter. Which one would you like best? You know, I’ll just make both kinds,” she answered herself. “This way you won’t have to miss out on either.”

I lowered myself back onto the couch, realizing how much life I was missing out on. I looked toward the kitchen, thinking that no matter how maddening Lanie was, she’d made me feel more alive than I had in years. Maybe one movie night wouldn’t hurt. I could go back to placing distance between us tomorrow.

It sounded like a good plan.

I SAT CROSS-LEGGED ON my bed, staring into the camera, ready to start my weekly video diary. Oddly, I wasn’t dreading it this week. It probably had something to do with Parker playing hero the night before. Or maybe how cute he was watching Tron—a sci-fi movie that came out in 1982, before either of us were born. The special effects were awful, but Parker waxed almost poetic about how groundbreaking the CGI effects were at the time and how the movie had inspired a video game franchise. Parker couldn’t say enough about the soundtrack, which he admitted he listened to at least once a week.

Honestly, I didn’t really get the appeal of the movie, but seeing Parker even nominally animated made it worth the price of admission. I caught a glimpse of the man his sister and friends knew, and I wanted to know more. Of course, all in the name of friendship. I meant what I said last night—he was too old and grumpy for me. I’d learned my lesson about dating older men. Stupid Greg. I curled my lip, still disgusted by him. Because of his creepy antics, I’d slept on the couch last night, not wanting to be alone. Parker actually slept on one of the accent chairs with his feet propped up on the coffee table to keep me company. It was really sweet, even though he brushed it off like it wasn’t a big deal.

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