Page 20 of One Weekend in Los Angeles

DEACON

My tie didn’t stay on past the gate. As I navigated the LA roads, I glanced over at my date.

“I apologize for the comment about you visiting me in Australia.” It hadn’t been my intent to throw out the lie, but Nina had gotten under my skin, and I hadn’t been able to help myself.

“I take it she’s the only woman you ever brought there, and she wanted to make sure we all knew it.”

“What she failed to mention is that she was never invited. She simply showed up unannounced after I’d told her I’d be gone for four weeks. After she caused a scene at my lack of gratitude for her gesture, I told her we were over.”

“Wow. No wonder you wanted to make it sound like I’d be visiting. Hopefully, they can just be happy together.”

It was a nice sentiment, but given tonight’s antics, I had my doubts.

Andrea took her buzzing phone out of her clutch, frowned, and ended the noise, apparently sending the call to voicemail. But it immediately started buzzing again.

“The ex?”

She looked down as if reading a text, sighing at whatever was there. “Yeah, evidently the picture of us at the valet station didn’t wait until tomorrow. It’s online now, and Jeff is somehow angry? I don’t get it.”

“He didn’t expect for you to move on so quickly.” It pissed me off to hear she might have to deal with this asshole when she got home. “Is he at the house?”

“Not yet, but he said he’s on his way.”

“You could stay at my house tonight. I have three guest bedrooms you can choose from. Besides, it might be easier to get ready for the wrap party tomorrow at my place.” It wasn’t the best plan considering I was already fighting my attraction to her, but I hated the alternative where she’d be tangling with her ex.

“What about my dog?”

“Bring her. I have a fenced backyard and plenty of space.”

Relief relaxed her features. “You’re sure you wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all.”

I didn’t expect the jealousy that hit me when I walked into Andrea’s house. It was tastefully decorated in neutral tones, with both comfortable and showy pieces intermixed. The kitchen appeared newly remodeled with high-end appliances, but it was the cozy towels and mini cow salt and pepper shakers that had me smiling. Her personality definitely showed through.

Glancing around at the other personal touches scattered around that Andrea had gathered with her ex over the years had acid crawling up my throat.

Thankfully, a medium-sized, brown-and-black, long-haired dog came up and broke the mood with a wagging tail and lolling tongue.

“Hello, beautiful.” I knelt down to scratch her ears.

“This is Callie. Callie, this is Deacon.”

“Nice to meet you.” Scanning around the room, I noticed the yellow Post-it notes on almost every piece of furniture. “These are the sticky notes you mentioned?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yep, Jeff’s way of calling dibs on the items he wants.”

There had to be dozens of notes in this room alone. Looking closer, I could see the block letters, “JEFF.” “What kind of petty bullshit is this?” He’d cheated on her and imploded their marriage, and now he wanted to claim things?

“It’s his way lately.”

Anger coursed through me, but then I remembered our earlier agreement in not talking about him and stopped my thoughts.

She flashed a soft smile. “I’m heading upstairs to pack my things.”

“If you point me in the right direction, I’ll grab Callie’s stuff while you do that.”

After packing up Callie’s bed, food, and dishes, I led her outside for a quick potty break. Then I loaded her into the small back seat of my car.