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“I want you to do something for me. Think borrowing my flaming red dress. Some sexy lingerie. Your tallest heels, even if that means purchasing a pair and don’t you dare tell me you can’t afford them. And sipping on some incredible merlot while sitting lakeside at one of the finest restaurants in Smith Mountain.”
I could tell she was holding back a laugh.
“No, I am not going out with Chip Carter. That’s final. Red dress or no red dress.”
“Come on, girl. You need to get out there or you’ll die an old maid.”
“Stop it!”
I suppressed a groan as my best friend rattled off names of eligible bachelors as if my dating some guy was the last item on her bucket list before her life faded away. I placed the last of the dinner dishes into the dishwater and wiped the counter.
Karen snorted as only she could do, which made me laugh even harder. I stood staring out the kitchen window, watching Dillon as he played with his best friend, our beloved German Shepherd/Labrador mix. The kid could play for hours with the dog and nothing else and be perfectly happy. With the windows open given the warm May evening, the happy sounds the two were making brought a sense of peace that I often found difficult to achieve, even though the town had welcomed me with open arms.
“And why not? He’s a year older than you are. He has a good job and from what I can tell, he has decent hygiene,” Karen teased. She was a preschool and kindergarten teacher, and our friendship had made it much easier to allow Dillon a chance to meet and find new friends. I wanted to keep him locked away, protected as I believed only I could do, but that wasn’t in his best interest.
It had taken a night of cocktails and listening to eighties music to convince me he needed social interaction. She looked after him when he was in her class.
“Um, so good hygiene is now tops on the list of male contenders?” With the light breeze, I caught the lovely scent of my roses that I’d painstakingly nurtured over the past couple of years. I’d never had a green thumb before, but I adored flowers, eager to plant a half dozen varieties in my flowerpots in the next couple of weeks.
Her laugh was as bodacious as the woman, even if she presented as conservative and demure inside her classroom. I’d seen her in action with disgruntled parents while I’d stood in the back. I’d made faces at her, rolling my eyes every time I’d heard something stupid coming from someone’s mouth. I hadn’t anticipated our friendship would be so strong or that I’d blossom because of it. I’d been determined to remain entirely on my own for the rest of my life.
“Look, honey. You’re not getting any younger. When was the last time you got laid?”
I choked on my lemonade, groaning afterward. “Let’s not go down that road. Sex isn’t everything. Besides, I have a hot vibrator.”
“Um, that’s thanks to your birthday present I gave you this year.”
Birthday. It wasn’t the day I was born, just like the name I now used didn’t really belong to me. However, after almost four years, I’d gotten used to both. “Very funny. I am not going out with a stodgy accountant who thinks bowling is a date.”
“Maybe you’ve set your sights just a tad high. He’s hot. He’ll provide orgasms, which you obviously need.”
“Maybe you need eyeglasses and what the hell is that supposed to mean?” I noticed Dillon was finally playing fetch with Max, the dog barking up a storm. I was thankful I’d gotten the puppy not long after I’d moved to the quaint town. It had given me a true sense of comfort. The gun had been something else to provide me with a feeling of safety. However, when Dillon started walking, I’d been forced to store the weapon far away from his reach, which didn’t exactly make it handy.
Not that Smith Mountain was a mecca of crime, but I could never let my guard down.
“It means you’re cranky, darling.”
We both laughed and I leaned against the counter, keeping my eyes on my son. He was my little fighter, my darling boy who I adored to the sun, moon, and stars. He’d been born premature, spending almost a month in the hospital but he was strong, a little fighter like his mommy. “I’ve just had deadlines up the yin yang.”
“How is that latest hot book of yours? Another bestseller?”
When I’d first arrived in town, I’d been terrified to attempt getting a job, able to skimp and save a good portion of the money Sasha had provided. I’d started writing as a way of keeping my mind occupied. Somehow, I’d found a wonderful publisher and had been able to make a living off writing as well as being an influencer. Unfortunately, I’d had to lock down my profiles, never using my picture on any social media platform or attending conferences. I couldn’t risk being seen by anyone, even though the bastard I’d left had no interest in anything but his brutal business any longer.
“I’m planning on turning it over to my editor within a couple weeks. My publisher is eager.”
“I can’t blame her given how hot, hot, hot you are. That means our next dinner is on you, Miss Money Bags.”
“Ha. Ha. Success in the book world can be fleeting.” When I noticed Dillon had thrown a mean toss of the ball, I grinned. The kid could wind up being a pitcher for a major league baseball team. Seconds later, a wave of terror skittered through me as Max bumped it down the slope toward the water, chasing it happily, my fur baby a complete water dog, but Dillon was running behind him. What the hell was he doing?
“You’re a brilliant writer, doll. Stop being so hard on yourself.”
I willed my boy to stop but he was determined to get the ball. “Oh, no. I need to go. Dillon is in trouble.”
“Oh, God. Call me.”
“I will.” I tossed the phone onto the counter and fled outside, trying to keep from panicking as I raced down the grassy area toward the water. “Dillon. Max. Come here!” My boy was giggling up a storm, not realizing he was in any kind of danger. I managed to grab his arm only seconds and feet away from tripping over debris I’d told myself I’d clean up days before.
I yanked him into my arms, my heart racing, gasping for breath.
