Page 53 of Made For You
“Have you looked into the hotel yet?” was his first question. Dean didn’t mess around with pleasantries when his money was involved. It probably wasn’t the best idea to have the two of us working together. We were both the kind of people who always think we’re right. But our friendship had lasted thus far, so as long as he dealt with the company for any financial decisions, then our friendship should stay intact.
“Not yet. I’m going by this week. Though, if the view from the lodge is anything like the view during the drive, then we won’t have any trouble selling that part.”
“What did your grandfather say when he found out?” he asked.
Gigi was thrilled I was taking on the project, but Grandfather had been less than, as expected.
“He was livid. It was a property they’d been trying to ignore for years. But if he didn’t want it, then he should have sold it.”
“You think he kept it in memory of your mother? The picture you have of her is from that location, right?”
It was. The image had been blown up for her funeral, something my grandmother thought I was too young to attend. But my grandfather insisted I should go. I was an inconsolable three-year-old, and Gigi said the nanny sat in the hall with me after the first five minutes of the funeral, because my grandfather had been angry I wouldn’t stop crying.
“I don’t care why he kept it. I’m going to make it the place she would have wanted.”
As the car approached the downtown area, I saw the blinking sign for the bar.
“Hey, before I go save Aurora from herself, I wanted to… you know… thank you for this. All of it.” I wasn’t about to go down a checklist, but I hoped Dean knew me well enough that he would understand I was thanking him for everything.
“You’re my best friend. No thanks needed. Now. Tell Aurora I said hello and not to hurt your pretty face too badly.”
She really was likely to slap me when she saw I followed her to the bar. And again when she figured out I tracked her here. Chuckling, I exited the car after I found a place to park on the street. I couldn’t wait to feel her wrath.
Because she was fucking hot as hell when she was all worked up.
Chapter Fourteen - Aurora
Typically, I didn’t head to the bar on a Sunday night, but when Talon and I started fighting on the way home from dinner, I immediately messaged Franny that I needed a night out. When she asked why, I told her I would explain everything when she picked me up.
The Ferrari resting in my driveway hadn’t even crossed my mind. So, when I flung myself into her aging sedan, I thought I had more time to come up with my excuse. Then, of course, my GQ model of a husband himself had to appear on my porch, calling out my name, and Franny wasted no time asking who he was and why he was in my house.
She almost ran the stop sign at the end of my street when I told her he was my husband. I fed her the same story I gave my parents, and I could tell she was hurt by the end of my explanation. Franny couldn’t understand why I kept the relationship hidden from her; we’d been friends since we were little.
Now, I was sitting at the bar next to my best friend, who wouldn’t even look in my direction. We had only been seated for ten minutes, and Franny was already on her third piña colada. I was going to have to call us a ride home. I gestured to the bartender, someone I didn’t recognize, and asked her if she could make sure Franny and I found a safe way home tonight in case we both had too many. The bartender nodded in understanding.
“Franny, talk to me.”
“No.” She turned her back to me. Now, she was facing the dartboards and pool tables. Not a minute later, she spun back in my direction, her hand gripping my forearm.
“What, Franny? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I forgive you. I think we should go. Maybe we can go get a margarita at Rodeo Chico’s.”
“But I just got a new drink,” I said as she tried to pry me off the stool. “Woman! What’s going on?” But any more words died on my lips as my eyes fell on Jeremy and his friends at the farthest pool table in the room. I didn’t have the kind of luck that would allow me to sneak out of the bar scot-free. No, I had the worst kind. Jeremy and I locked eyes, and that asshole had the audacity to smile in my direction. Like he hadn’t upended my life and told me my hopes and dreams were foolish little hobbies.
“Oh, God. He’s coming over.” Franny was perched back up on the stool she’d vacated, but I was struggling to get situated back on mine.
“Fuck,” I mumbled as my heel slipped off the metal footrest again.
“Rory Easterly, aren’t you looking mighty fine.” The sound of Jeremy’s practiced politician's voice made my skin crawl. My eyes caught the bartender’s, and we both sneered. Thankfully, she was cleaning glasses right in front of where Franny and I sat.
“Jeremy. I’m surprised to see you here.” I wasn’t only surprised to find him in Ashfield, but also in the bar. In the years we dated, he never stepped foot in Ole Days. He called it dirty.
“I’m full of surprises,” he said, sleazy vibes pouring out of him in waves. I had to choke back the vomit at his unspoken meaning.
“Another old fashioned,” Jeremy demanded from the bartender.
“You can leave,” Franny said, her lip snarling as he positioned himself between the two of us, his arm snaking around my waist possessively. I tried to twist my body out of his hold, but he held on tighter.
