Forever Love: A Friends to Lovers Collections Read online

  “No. Maddy’s had drama, but she doesn’t bring it home. If things with you and Carly get awkward then we’ll really have drama.”

  “Well, it’s too late now. I already offered her the place if Maddy agrees.”

  “You didn’t think asking me beforehand was important?” He shook his head. He wasn’t actually annoyed. He just wanted to give me a hard time about it.

  “You’re the one offering to help her get a job at the Grille.”

  “How is that even remotely the same?”

  “You like her, admit it.”

  “I’m not into her, but I get the sense she really needs a job.” Brody leaned his head back against the cushions.

  “She also really needs a place to stay. She can’t camp out at her brother’s all summer.” I felt for her. From what she told me, her family life pretty much sucked.

  “Fine, I agree she could use the break. Besides, it’s probably only for the summer.”

  I laughed. “That’s what we said about Maddy.”Of course this time I knew I might not even stay around past the summer, but I wasn’t willing to worry about that yet.

  “And a year later she’s still here… but in her case that’s a good thing. She’s been a fun roommate. Maybe Carly will be that way too.”

  “I know she will. She’s cool, trust me on this.”

  “Do I have any other choice?”

  “Nope. You might as well start getting used to it.”

  * * *

  The forecast was beautiful. Sunny skies, a slight breeze and calm ocean conditions. It was the perfect morning for diving. I took a glance at the books. I was scheduled to take a group of girls out for the last day of their certification course. They’d been an entertaining bunch so far. I knew more about swimsuit shopping then I ever wanted to know, but I didn’t care. There was something awesome about introducing people to scuba diving and the underwater world. Maybe it was in my head, but it made me feel like I was making a difference.

  “What do we have on the books today?”

  I groaned. Caleb, the son of the shop owner rarely ventured in, but when he did he always managed to ruin my day. I generally like people, but not Caleb. He epitomized everything I hated in a person: entitled, rude, and disrespectful.

  “Is anyone going to tell me, or do I have to do it myself?” Caleb acted like he owned the place, and technically he would soon, but not yet. I still had a few months to enjoy my job.

  “Just one dive today. The last day of a certification,” Anna Marie answered carefully. She specifically didn’t mention the gender of the divers. I didn’t know for sure, but I got the hunch that there was some history with them. When it came to history with Caleb it was never good.

  “Oh yeah? Who’s in the group?”

  “A few girls right out of high school.” She looked down.

  “Oh. Awesome. I’ll take them out then.”

  “That’s okay. Macon’s on it. He’s been with them all week.”

  “Macon’s going to be busy refilling tanks today.” He shot me a shit eating grin. “Have fun with that.”

  So much for enjoying the perfect conditions. Caleb was so sleezy it made me sick. At twenty-eight he had no business hitting on eighteen-year-old girls, but he didn’t care. Luckily there’d be a boat captain with them. So much for a good end of the week tip. Caleb would be pocketing that.

  “You might as well enjoy the grunt work, Macon. You won’t be diving for this company once I take over.”

  I resisted the urge to flip him the finger, and I headed toward the back of the shop. At least I was getting a cool new roommate.

  Carly

  “Absolutely not.” Colin slammed his coffee mug on the granite counter top. I’d decided to confront him before he could leave for work. “Live with two guys? Are you crazy? Mom and Dad would kill you and me by association.”

  “They already want to kill me, so it’s just you we’d have to worry about.” I smiled. Colin could be so uptight sometimes. “Besides, you don’t want me staying here all summer.”

  “I could help you find a summer sublet or something.” I could practically see him going through his contacts in his head. If I’d agreed he would probably have had me a place by the end of the night.

  “Which is what I’m doing. I’m not signing a twelve month lease or anything.” We hadn’t exactly agreed on lease terms, but Macon had made it sound very informal.

  “Come on, Colin. It makes sense for all of us.” Maddy gave me a reassuring smile. “I want to move in with you, but I can’t leave Macon hanging. This way we all win.”

  I watched acceptance cross Colin’s face. “Fine, but I’m going to have to have a talk with those guys first.”

  I groaned. “They aren’t into me. I wouldn’t worry.”

  “Oh, I’ll worry, but that doesn’t change anything.”

  I rolled my eyes. “The whole big brother protective thing is supposed to have worn off by now. I’m twenty-two.”

  “Why would it wear off?” He stopped pacing long enough to look at me. “It’s just as present now.”

  Maddy laughed. “Macon and Brody are good guys. At least she’ll be well protected.”

  “Fine, but how are you going to pay rent? Want me to get you something temporary at the office?”

  Work at his real estate firm? No thanks. “Actually Brody is going to talk to Max for me.”

  “You want to work at the Grille?” Colin asked incredulously.

  “Hey, watch it, Mister.” Maddy scowled.

  “What? I’m not saying it’s a bad place to work, I’m just surprised Carly would want to work there.”

  “And you think I’d rather work at your office instead? At least I’d get to work with cool people at the Grille.” I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. That wouldn’t exactly help my whole ‘I’m not a little kid anymore’ argument.

  Colin sighed. “What kind of job are you applying for exactly? You don’t have any waitressing experience.”

  I hadn’t thought that far through the plan. Thankfully Maddy saved me. “I know Max needs more hostesses. Carly would do great at that. She’s friendly.”

  Colin seemed to relax. “Hostess? Ok. I guess I can see that.”

  “Why don’t you come in with me tonight and talk to Max?” Maddy suggested. “Unless you want to wait a while.”

  “Nope. I’d like to get the ball rolling.” The sooner I got a job, the sooner I’d have money and could move in with the guys. I refused to be dependent on my brother for too long.

  “I have an out of town meeting today, but I’ll stop in to see you guys when I get back.” He shot me a look, and I figured out exactly what the meeting was. He was going to see Maddy’s parents. I hoped for his sake and mine that it went well. Clearly it was a bigger deal for him, but I really wanted Maddy as a sister-in-law.

  “Okay.” Maddy kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to get ready for a run. Want to join me, Carly?”

  I laughed. “Yeah… running, not exactly my thing.”

  “I run slow.” She smiled, and I could tell she was really hoping for the company.

  “How slow is slow?”

  Colin chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll survive, Carly. See you girls later.” Colin picked up his black briefcase and headed to the door.

  “So, are you in?” She started up the stairs.

  “Sure. Let me get changed.” It’s not like I was completely out of shape, but I was more of an elliptical kind of girl. It had been awhile since I’d actually run any real distance. I figured it couldn’t hurt to go with her. I could always turn around and walk home. I didn’t want her to think I was completely lazy or anything.

  I dug out some gym clothes and my tennis shoes.

  Fifteen minutes later Maddy and I jogged down the back steps and out toward the beach. The sun was out, and the heat beating down on us was enough to make me reconsider my decision. “Remember that you promised to go slow.”

  Maddy smiled and kept to the jog
. “Let me know if I get too fast for you.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll notice when I fall back.”

  She glanced at me. “You don’t look out of shape.”

  “I’m not exactly, but I don’t do this often.”

  “Are you more a gym person then?” She picked up her pace slightly. I could tell she was trying to talk to me so I didn’t notice.

  “Usually.”

  “You should see if Macon will take you to his. He gets lots of buddy passes. I haven’t bugged him to use one in a while.”

  “Oh, cool.” If I was going to spend my time in a beach town I was probably going to have to make sure I kept working out. I didn’t spend my life worrying about how I looked, but I think most girls have doubts when they put on a bikini.

  A mile in I decided I was done for the time being. I could just picture Maddy calling Colin to visit me in the hospital for heat stroke. “I’ll meet you back at the house.”

  “Ok, I’ll see you in a little bit.” She waved before continuing down the beach. If she minded that I was turning back, she didn’t show it.

  I sighed with relief and walked down to the water. The waves were gentle that morning, creating a slow and steady rhythm as they made contact with the sand. I closed my eyes, taking in the relaxing sound.

  “Doing some morning meditation?” A very familiar and sexy voice asked.

  My eyes flew open. “Hey, Macon.”

  “So? Were you meditating?” He stared at me with an intensity that unsettled me.

  “Nope, just relaxing.” I wasn’t relaxed at the moment. He was shirtless and wearing only a pair of shorts and running shoes. I’d seen him in less when we were in the ocean, but it was hard to turn away.

  “Cool. I’m just out for a run. Care to join me?”

  “You too? What is it with you people and running?”

  He laughed. “Uh, am I supposed to answer that?”

  I shook my head. “No. I just went on a mini run with Maddy when she insisted. I’m just not the runner type.”

  He looked me up and down. “Whatever exercise routine you do is working.”

  I could feel the blood rushing to my face. “Thanks.”

  “So any news on the moving front?”

  “I think it’s a go. Maddy seems on board.”

  “Awesome. Let me know when you’re ready. I can help you move your stuff if you want.”

  I redid my pony tail so my hair was further off my neck. “How much stuff do you think I have to move? I’ve only been at Colin’s a few days.”

  He shrugged. “I had to offer.”

  “I’m going by the Grille tonight with Maddy to see if I can get a job.” I’m not sure why I decided to tell Macon, maybe because it was his idea to start with.

  “Good luck with that.” He turned to leave. “Maybe I’ll catch you there.”

  “Oh. Cool. Enjoy your run.”

  “Enjoy your meditating—or that’s right, relaxing.” He waved before running off.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled knowing he couldn’t hear me. I watched his retreating figure. I needed to snap out of it. I wasn’t allowed to crush on a roommate. He had made his feelings clear, and the last thing I needed was more drama in my life.

  * * *

  I double checked my outfit choice one more time. I figured you could never go wrong with a simple black skirt and blouse, but I didn’t want to emphasize just how inexperienced I was when it came to job interviews. My resume was sadly short. One summer working at The Gap and tons of babysitting rounded it out. Unfortunately, work experience wasn’t something I had a lot of.

  I waited by the front door for Maddy. A minute later she walked down the stairs two at a time. She was dressed in a black skirt and black Surfside Grille t-shirt. “Sorry.”

  “That’s fine, I haven’t been waiting long.”

  “I assume you want to drive over.” Maddy had finally gone home to get her car from her parents’ house, but she sometimes still rode her bicycle to work. She was like that; she wanted to do things her way.

  I smoothed out my skirt. “I don’t think this outfit and a bike would work well together.”

  She laughed. “I realize that not everyone prefers riding a bicycle to driving a car.”

  She seemed to have mastered the art of biking in a skirt. I wasn’t there.

  “I’d be up for it once in a while, but not for an interview, or whatever this is.”

  “Relax.” She gave me an understanding look. “Max is a sweetie. He’s not going to grill you or anything.” Maddy always talked fondly about her boss, but I didn’t know him. I was usually good at staying calm, but I really wanted this job to work out.

  In the end I drove, which was fine with me. Sometimes driving, even a short distance, helped me keep my mind off things. I needed the interview to go well. I was so close to buying myself an entire summer away from my family—away from Kim.

  All too soon I pulled into the lot of the Grille. I drove around to one of the far spots where the employees usually parked. Maybe I was jumping the gun on that, but I wasn’t going in as a customer. Besides, I drove Maddy in, and she worked there.

  The restaurant was mostly empty. The Grille had a lunch crowd, but by four o’clock in the afternoon those diners had left. All that remained were a sprinkling of customers mostly just enjoying drinks.

  I followed Maddy down past the restrooms to an employee only area. She knocked on the doorframe of an office. “Hey, Max.”

  A man probably in his fifties or so with slightly graying hair glanced up from his desk. “Hey, Maddy. Is this the friend you mentioned when you called earlier?” He smiled at me.

  “Yeah, this is Carly.”

  Max stood up. I didn’t know much about him other than he was supposed to be a really good boss. He held out his hand. “Max Bankwell, nice to meet you.”

  “Carly Morris.” I accepted the handshake.

  “I’m guessing she’s related to your boyfriend then?” Max looked to Maddy.

  She smiled. “She’s his little sister.”

  He turned back to me. “How little? Are you twenty-one?”

  “I’m twenty-two.” For some reason twenty-two sounded so much older than twenty-one.

  “Do you have any work experience?”

  “Lots of babysitting and I worked at a store once.”

  He chuckled. “You want to hostess?”

  “That’s probably what I’d prefer.” Really I would have taken anything, but greeting people and making sure I seated them right sounded like a good job for me.

  “Great. When can you start?”

  I blinked a few times. Was I imagining things or did the guy just offer me the job. “Excuse me?”

  “When can you start?”

  “Anytime…” I looked at Maddy. She just smiled.

  “Are you free tonight?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m free.”

  “Ok. I’ll get the paperwork together and then we’ll get you started.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes. I was going to have to put one of my waitresses on it tonight. Looks like I won’t have to.” He smiled. “Nice to have you on board, Carly.” He looked at Maddy. “Want to find Carly some shirts before you get to work?”

  “Sure,” Maddy quickly agreed. “Mary used to be a hostess here, right? Maybe she can show Carly the ropes?”

  “Great idea. Here.” He shoved some papers in front of me. “You don’t happen to have your social security card on you, do you?”

  “Uh, I do.” I’d brought it down with me just in case. I pulled it out and handed it to Max. He put it in one of those combination printer/copier things and handed it back to me. I looked down at the papers and quickly filled in my information. Everything was happening so fast. I handed over the forms.

  “Welcome to the Surfside Grille family.” He shook my hand again.

  Maddy took my arm gently and led me to another room. “Here’s the break room.” She went into a closet. “Are you a small
or medium?”

  “It depends.” I didn’t want to be difficult, but it was all about how tight across the chest a shirt was.

  “I don’t see any mediums, so try the small.” She tossed a black t-shirt at me.

  I glanced around, and satisfied we were alone I pulled off my top and put on the t-shirt over my black bra. It fit snuggly, but I had a feeling it looked good.

  “Colin’s going to pass out if he sees you in that one. Want to try a large? It’s going to be big though.”

  “No, I’d rather not look silly.” I’d swim in a large.

  She shrugged. “Well, you’re not working for tips, but the male customers will be friendly with you.”

  “Oh, yeah. No tips.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s not like you have to stay as a hostess the whole summer.”

  “Okay. I’m just glad to have a job.”

  “Let’s find Mary and get you started then.”

  “Thanks.”

  * * *

  Mary was in her mid-twenties, and she had this giant smile that immediately put me at ease. So far everyone I’d met at work had been insanely nice to me, and I was just waiting for the other shoe to fall. There are always a few bad apples in the mix.

  “I’ll leave you in good hands.” Maddy patted my shoulder before walking off. Mary showed me where everything was kept, and how to decide what sections to seat people in. The seating chart was pretty self-explanatory, and the entire training session took less than ten minutes. After showing me where they stored the crayons for the kids she took a seat on a stool.

  “So you’re Colin’s little sister, huh?” Mary reached underneath the large table and pulled out some menus.

  “That’s one of my titles.”

  “He’s a nice guy.”

  “I’m glad you think so. He’s a cool brother.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “So I’m dying to know, is he going to pop the question to Maddy soon?”

  “Maybe.” I smiled to myself. I guess everyone knew how much Colin loved her.

  “I hope so. They make a great couple.”

  “I think so too.”

  “What about you?” She crossed her legs.