Forever Love: A Friends to Lovers Collections Read online

  “Is that offer to lug my bags still on the table?” I unbuckled and got out.

  “Better than that. You get two capable helpers.”

  I popped the trunk and watched Macon and Brody running down. Was I really going to be living with two guys that looked like that? I’d already gotten the embarrassing towel only incident over with, so hopefully things would be smooth sailing from then on.

  “Welcome back, roomie.” Brody grinned. His smile put me at ease. I couldn’t tell how excited he really was to have me as a new roommate. At least on the surface he seemed all right with it.

  “Thanks.” I stood back while they pulled out the rest of my bags. I grabbed my backpack and purse myself and locked the car.

  Thirty minutes later I was all unpacked. Macon knocked on the doorframe. “Feel like going to a party tonight?”

  “Whose party?”

  He sat down on the edge of my bed. I was using the same comforter as Maddy so on the surface my room probably didn’t look very different. “Does it matter? Aren’t you the one who knows no one?”

  “Well, four people. You corrected me on that already, remember?”

  He laughed. “True enough. It’s a friend of a friend. We don’t have to stay long, but I thought it might be worth swinging by.”

  I thought about it. “I’m working until ten.”

  “What time did you think we were going?”

  It was my turn to laugh. “Ok. Sounds good then.” A small part of me wondered if this was some kind of date, but he’d definitely made the wing girl thing clear.

  “Enjoy work, I’ll catch you later.” He disappeared through the doorway.

  Macon

  Carly seemed much more at ease her second night at the Grille. I held back and watched her for a few minutes as she chatted with a group of college aged girls and directed them over to the bar. She seemed very much in her element. I was strangely excited about it. I guess it’s because if she liked her job she’d stick around for the whole summer, and for one reason or another I really wanted that.

  “Hey, roomie.”

  Her eyes lit up a little when she saw me. She must have been in a really good mood. “Hey!”

  “I’m a little early, so I thought I’d bother you.”

  “Why not bother Maddy? She’s outside.”

  “Yeah, she’s not as much fun to bother anymore. She’s so perpetually happy.”

  “The nerve. She needs to be moody and pissy all the time.”

  “Not all the time, just some of it. She at least has to let me rile her up.”

  “That’s exactly what a girl wants a guy to say about her.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “You on the other hand are very easy to rile up.”

  “Am I?”

  “Uh huh.” I stepped closer.

  “I think it’s the other way around.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Why don’t we see whose better at it tonight?”

  “Who’s better at getting the other person irked?”

  “Exactly.” She glanced at her watch. “Looks like you’re done bothering me.” She took off down the hall, and I knew she was clocking out. I waited by the entrance, and we walked out.

  “Want to drop off your car? You can get changed and we’ll go. Brody’s meeting us at the party.”

  “Brody’s coming?” She seemed surprised.

  “Yeah, I think he wants to protect you.”

  “Protect me from what, you?”

  What was she getting at with that line? “No, from me ditching you or something. Which I wouldn’t do by the way.”

  “I’m a big girl, Macon. I assure you I can take care of myself.”

  “But you’re new here.”

  “So? And by the way, I don’t need to stop home and change.” She started to pull her black t-shirt over her head. For a second I thought she was going to strip down to her bra right there in the parking lot, but she was wearing a bright pink tank top underneath. The bottom rode up, giving a glimpse of a strip of her lightly sun kissed skin. Before I could look for long she’d smoothed out the shirt and tugged down slightly on her black skirt.

  I forced my eyes up to her face. “Okay, so let’s drop off your car.”

  “Sure, see you at home.” She opened her door and got in.

  I drove back to the condo in an insanely good mood. A female friend who’d make bets with me. I really was spot on about this girl.

  * * *

  The party was in full swing when we arrived. I recognized about half of the people there and assumed the rest were new in town for the season. I glanced around the room and noticed a red head smiling at me. I smiled back, and Carly snorted. I looked at her. “What?”

  “Nothing…it’s just that I can’t believe that’s going to work on you.”

  “What is?”

  “That look she’s giving you. I bet she’s been practicing in front of the mirror or something.”

  “Are you seriously going to critique every girl I notice?”

  Carly laughed. “This is too easy.”

  “What is? Ohh… got it. You were doing that on purpose.”

  “Exactly. Have fun with the fake red-head.”

  “Fake?”

  “You think that’s natural?” She arched an eyebrow.

  “Maybe?”

  “Not a chance, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to her.” She started to walk off.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To give you space, you can’t pick up girls with me around.”

  “Sure I can. You’re my wing girl, remember? You’re the friend that helps me seal the deal.”

  She groaned. “I don’t think you need my help.”

  “I don’t need it, but it’s going to be fun.” I had no plans of taking the girl home, but it seemed like a great way to annoy Carly back.

  Her face scrunched up. “Okay, fair enough.” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that got me nervous, but I let it go.

  We hadn’t even made it to the keg when the red head reached us. I could already nix her. A girl that made things that easy wasn’t even fun.

  “Hi.” She smiled.

  It didn’t mean I wouldn’t be polite though. “Hi, having a good time?”

  “I was kind of bored.” She twirled a piece of her hair.

  “Never a good sign for a party.”

  “Then you should hang out with Macon, trust me he’s exciting.” Carly filled a cup from the keg behind me. “See you later, babe.”

  I shook my head. She really didn’t get the wing girl idea. Or maybe that was just another attempt at her whole annoy me thing.

  “Is that your girlfriend?” Red head asked.

  “No, my roommate.”

  “Oh.” I could see the wheels turning in her head. “So you’re single?”

  “Uh huh.” I tried to pay attention to what she was saying as I searched around the room for Carly. How had she disappeared so quickly? She was supposed to be helping me get out of this situation and move on. “Can you excuse me?”

  I needed to find her. I hadn’t seen Brody yet and otherwise she didn’t know anyone. I didn’t want her getting bored or anything. I headed outside and found her pretty quickly. She was leaning against the railing of the lower deck talking to Caleb Anders. Forget me. She was the one who needed a rescue.

  “Hey, babe.” I used the same term she had.

  “Hey.” She barely glanced at me.

  Caleb did however pay attention to my arrival. He scowled as soon as his eyes set on me. “Hi, Macon. Didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

  I smirked. “What can I say? It’s not really a party without me, is it?”

  Carly laughed, and Caleb turned back to her. “Don’t mind Macon, he thinks highly of himself.”

  “Yeah… I know that.”

  “Wait. Do you guys know each other?” He looked between us.

  “She’s my roommate.” I forced down the ‘you idiot’ part I wanted to add. M
outhing off to my boss’s son probably wasn’t the best idea. It was hard not to when he was practically breathing down Carly’s throat, and worse yet she didn’t seem to mind. Either she had really bad taste, or she was trying to annoy me more. I hoped it was the latter and decided to test it. “But I’ll leave you two to continue your conversation. I’m sure it’s been stimulating.”

  “It has been.” She smiled. “But thanks for stopping by.”

  I tried to get a read. Did she actually like Caleb?

  I reluctantly walked away, but I still kept them in view. I knew she could take care of herself, but I didn’t want her getting hurt. Caleb didn’t date much, but he always seemed to go for the younger girls when he did. Getting mixed up with a rich boy with way too much time on his hands wasn’t good for anyone, especially not a girl as cool as Carly.

  “You make me sick.” Brody rolled his eyes at me.

  “I know I do, but is there a particular reason why I do at the moment?”

  “You’re staring at her like a puppy or something. Either you like her or you don’t. And as much as I’d rather not have roommates who are dating, if you do like her I’d move fast. She’s not going to stay single long.”

  “We’re just friends. Completely and utterly friends.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.” We had to stay friends whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t go down that road with Carly and screw things up for everyone.

  “Then why are you over here alone staring at her like that?”

  “Shut up.”

  “I’m just saying…”

  “I’m taking Carly home. I promised her I wouldn’t ditch her.”

  Brody sipped his Coke. He rarely drank alcohol. “But I could easily drive her home too. I also live with her.”

  I glared at him. “I’m driving her home, and I’m doing it soon.”

  “She’s not going home with him, just watch the body language.”

  “I’m watching.”

  “She’s leaning away. He’s the one in her space, not the other way around.”

  My body relaxed. “Good. If she wants to date I could hook her up with someone better than that.”

  “Oh yeah? Who would that be? You?”

  “Maybe it’s you, Brody. You seem to talk about her just as much.”

  “Oh yeah? You’d be okay with me dating her?”

  “If she weren’t our roommate.”

  “Yeah… it’s all because of the roommate thing.” He turned to leave. “Keep telling yourself that, maybe eventually you’ll believe it.”

  “Go to hell.”

  “Nah, I’m just going to get another Coke.”

  Carly

  I had to get ready for work. After lazing around at the beach half the day I’d taken a pre-dinner nap. I’d have probably slept all night if Maddy hadn’t texted to see if I could pick her up. I got dressed quickly and searched around for my brush so I could at least attempt to make something of my wind blown hair. I realized I’d left it in the bathroom.

  I heard the water in the sink running, and I assumed someone was brushing their teeth. I knocked while pushing open the door. “I just need my—”

  The rest of my words were lost as Macon turned toward me. There he was holding a toothbrush and wearing nothing. Absolutely nothing.

  “Oh my god. I am so sorry.” I backed out without finding my brush.

  “Can I help you?” His voice was amused. How was he amused?

  “Why are you naked?”

  “Because I just got out of the shower.”

  I kept looking down. “But you were brushing your teeth.”

  “I like to dry off before I get dressed. You should try it sometime.”

  “That’s what a towel is for.” I heard the ping of the towel bar. I glanced up, half hoping he’d be covered and half hoping he wouldn’t be. He had a towel tied around his waist.

  “I guess we’re even then.”

  “Even?” I could barely think straight. I was still picturing Macon naked.

  “Yeah, I walked in on you in a towel, now you’ve seen me baring it all. We’re good to go.”

  “I wasn’t naked.”

  He grinned. “So what you’re saying is now I’m the one with the extra points. Nice.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “I am? You’re the one who opened the door without waiting for an answer, and what did you need anyway?”

  “My brush,” I answered sheepishly. He was right, I did pretty much barge right in.

  “Here you go,” he held out the brush.

  I took it, and my hand brushed against his in the process. Even tiny touches from him got me. “Thanks, and sorry.”

  “Not a problem, roomie.”

  “Okay.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “Oh, no. Nothing.” I backed out the rest of the way and closed the door. Could I get more embarrassing?

  With my hair halfway decent, I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my purse. I made it to Maddy’s with no time to spare. I got us there minutes before our shifts started. Luckily I was getting used to the job and was able to jump right in. A week in and I might as well have been working at the Grille for years. The mix of customers was different, but otherwise nothing really changed. I knew I wasn’t being paid much, but it gave me something to do, and any money was better than nothing. I worked about five nights a week, and if it were up to me I’d have switched to seven. I liked staying busy; it helped keep my mind off other things.

  “Carly?” Max strode over. He generally only did that when there was a crowd of guys around. He was protective that way.

  “Hi, Max.”

  “I was hoping to talk to you about something.”

  “Oh?” My stomach sunk. Was he going to fire me?

  “You’re doing a great job as a hostess, but would you be interested in doing something that would get you more in tips?”

  “Absolutely!” Phew, he definitely wasn’t firing me.

  “I’m looking to hire another bartender. I’m going to be reopening the upstairs bar.”

  “There’s a bar up there?” I’d seen the stairs leading to the upstairs, but I hadn’t actually been up there.

  He nodded. “It’s an antique the original owner put in. Solid mahogany and everything. Business has really picked up this summer, so it seems like the right time. The problem is my bartenders are already over worked.”

  “That sounds great, but I have no idea how to bartend.”

  Max laughed. “I know. Maddy said you’d say that. She’s going to work with you. I’ll cover the front for an hour a night so you can watch her. Does that work for you? We can start it slow up there too, even just make it beer and a few drinks at first.”

  “So you’re really offering to hire me as a bartender?”

  “Yes, contingent on you learning the ropes. Take your time. I have Dale and Alana pulling some extra shifts the next few weeks.”

  “The next few weeks? So you’d want me to start that soon?”

  “If you can.” He smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled back before he turned and walked away.

  I barely had time to contemplate the possible new job before Maddy showed up. “Hey, did Max talk to you yet?”

  “Yeah. It looks like I’m going to get to bartend after all.”

  “Do you want to shadow me tonight or wait until tomorrow night?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’m kind of jumping at the chance.”

  She laughed. “Okay, tonight it is.”

  Max showed up again twenty minutes later, and I took a slow walk out to the tikki bar where Maddy was working. The place was hopping, and I hoped I didn’t slow her down or anything.

  “Hey. You can take a seat.” Maddy gestured to a stool.

  I decided to stay standing. It was easier to see that way. It wasn’t like I hadn’t watched Maddy work before, but it was different watching from behind the bar. Maddy seemed to
grow more confident behind it. I felt intimidated. It was like every patron was looking at me. They probably were wondering why I wasn’t helping her.

  She mixed something in a blender and turned to me. “Could you grab three Coronas from the fridge?”

  “Sure.” I searched around for a second until I found the beer fridge. I pulled out the three bottles and then awkwardly waited until she finished ringing up a customer to talk to her again. “Am I supposed to open them?”

  A guy around my age laughed. “I’m hoping this is your first night.”

  Maddy glared at him. “And I’m hoping you’re not expecting service if you bother her again.”

  He held up his hands in defense. “I was just joking. I have no problem being patient for a pretty girl.” He ran his eyes up and down me. I was glad Max had ordered some more medium shirts. At least my breasts weren’t quite as vividly on display when I worked anymore.

  She turned her back on him and rolled her eyes. I stifled a laugh.

  “It’s easier if you use this.” She pointed out the built in bottle opener.

  “Nice. Thanks.” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed that myself.

  Maddy got swarmed, but she tried to give me a play by play of everything she was doing. “Remember to always set out a cocktail napkin for every drink.”

  That seemed basic enough, but I wished I could get away with taking notes. As the crowd grew I felt bad just sitting there. “Isn’t there anything else I can do?”

  “He just wants a gin and tonic. Want to make one?” She gestured to a man waiting with his arms crossed.

  “Uh, how do you know how much gin and how much tonic to put in?”

  She smiled. “I’ll show you.”

  “First grab a glass. Oh, also remember at the beginning of each shift to check to see that you have enough clear barware.”

  “Gotcha.”

  “Fill this with ice.” She pointed to the glass.

  “The ice is…” I could feel my cheeks heating. It was my first time back there, but shouldn’t I have been able to figure that out on my own?

  She pointed out the ice, and I waited for the next instruction. “It’s just a single shot of gin, and then tonic. I’ll do it now to save time.” I stepped back to let her work. “Then it’s just adding the lime and stirring.”