The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) (4 page)

“Hello honey-bunny.” I beamed at her, ignoring him.

“Hi.” She gave me her fake smile. I’d know it anywhere.

“I saw you from the bar, and I knew I had to come over and say hi,” I explained.

“Did you? You just knew to come over and interrupt us?”

“Yep.” I kept my smirk in place.

“Excuse us, George. One moment.” She slid from the booth and tugged me to the other side of the bar. “I owe you one.”

“What?” I thought she’d be yelling at me.

“Seriously, thank you. If I have to hear one more boring accounting story from him, I might stab my ears with a spoon.”

“Ah, so I’m your hero?”

“Don’t get cocky, puppy.” She pushed on my chest sharply with her finger. “Help me get out of this.”

“You want me to get you out of the date?”

“Yes. Come up with something quick, so I can leave.”

“Why me? You’re not able to come up with an excuse?” I figured she would have a list of get-out-of-dates excuses.

“Because I’m too nice.”

I laughed. “Really? Too nice? Oh honey-bunny.”

“Help me, ass.” She slapped my shoulder this time.

“Ouch!” It didn’t hurt, but I pretended. “Fine, go back over there, and I’ll get you out of it.”

She nodded and went back to the bald guy as I went back to Remington.

“What’s that all about?”

“Harlow wants me to get her out of the date she’s on. I have no excuse I can come up with.” I shrugged.

Remington began chuckling. “Maybe you should pull a
girl
move.”

“And that is…”

“You know they go over there, well, they go up the guy and pretend to be married to the guy or ask if he’ll come home to the children. Shit like that.”

I grinned. “Dude, she’d kick my ass.”

“Depends on how bad she wants to get out of the date.”

I glanced over my shoulder and Harlow sat there, politely nodding her head. I couldn’t act, but Remington’s idea did seem logical, and it might work.

“Here.” I pulled money from my wallet and slapped it down on the bar. “Enjoy the night.”

I walked back over to Harlow’s booth, and she glanced at me. “Yes, Keaton?”

“I just want you to clarify something.”

“What?”

“Are you wanting to ditch this guy because you want a second chance at our marriage? I can call the lawyer right now if you want.”

“You’re married?” The guy seemed stunned, and Harlow’s face paled.

“Yes.” I turned to him. “She cheated on me so many times.” I made my voice crack. “But I love her and our children do too.” I faked sniffled.

“You have kids?” he asked, more perplexed.

“We have five,” I answered.

“Keaton,” Harlow growled. “George, I have to go.” She slid out of the booth, jerking me out of the bar, faster than if I’d been skating on the ice. Her nails were digging into my arm so tightly I thought she would draw blood. “Have you lost your ever-loving mind?” She pushed me up against my truck.

“No. You wanted an excuse to leave.”

“Yes. You could have said you needed a ride home. You could have pretended to be drunk. You could have pretended to be sick and needed my help. But, hell no, you think telling a stranger we’re married with five kids is the better idea.”

“Harlow, it’s a joke.”

“No, it’s not. It’s cruel. And you’re an ass, Keaton.” Harlow spun around on her heels and stomped to her SUV.

Chapter Five

Harlow

“I’ve never been so furious in my entire life. That prick probably ruined my sex life for eternity.”

Meadow and Maxima stared at me. We were at The Latte Bean, and I completely went off about what happened with George the other night.

“But you asked him,” Maxima clarified.

“Yes, because I thought he would help me out of the date, not ruin my life.” I hadn’t touched my coffee because of my rage toward Keaton.

I shouldn’t have even asked him for help. It was stupid of me to do it. I could have handled it on my own, but I’d tried to spare George’s feelings. Mistake number one. Usually, I told everyone my thoughts, but George just came out of a bad relationship, and essentially, I did him a favor. I did talk to him yesterday afternoon, when I went to my accountant’s office, who works in George’s firm. I did my best to explain, but by then it was too late.

“Harlow, I highly doubt Keaton ruined your sex life.” Meadow sipped her drink. “You’ve never had a problem getting a date.”

“Okay, I’ll concede to me being a tad over dramatic on that part, but I’m still pissed off at the little prick.”

“All right.” Meadow nodded. “Then you’re mad at him. But,” she leaned forward. “You have to admit it’s a little funny.”

“No.” I crossed my arms.

“It is,” Maxima added.

“If the shoe was on the other foot, you would have done the same thing.” Meadow called me out.

I gazed up at the ceiling and avoided eye contact. They’re somewhat right, I would have done something with a bit more pizazz to it. “Fine, I shouldn’t be that mad at him, but I am.”

“Are you acting this irrational because you like him or because he’s the only one who can dish out what you give?” Maxima asked.

“What?”

“I’m serious. I’ve known you for a long time, and you’ve never really dated. Now, I’m wondering if something is going on between you two.”

“Good observation, Maxima,” Meadow chimed in.

I reclined back in the seat and thought about what she said.

Do I like Keaton?

This was a no brainer. He had a hot body, anyone could see that. Plus, my eyes worked fine.

Does he have a smart mouth?

Oh, yes he did, and it turned me on to see a man not offended by what I say or my language. I’ve never kept my feelings or thoughts to myself. Sure, I knew some of the things that popped out were inappropriate, but who cared? If you didn’t like me, then you shouldn’t fucking talk to me.

Do I want Keaton?

Technically, Maxima didn’t truly ask this question, but it had been on my mind every time I turned on my vibrator lately. Keaton has been the only one on my mind during my
private time
.

“Nothing is going on between us,” I told them.

“Do you want something to happen?” Maxima asked.

“Aren’t you supposed to the shy, quiet one of our threesome?”

Maxima smiled as Meadow snapped her fingers. “You’re dodging the question; therefore, you
do
want something to happen with Keaton.”

Without even acknowledging Meadow, I picked up my purse, stood up and said, “I have work to do. See ya.”

I sat at my computer reading a client’s newest book, but I couldn’t focus on it. Meadow and Maxima both asked me if I wanted something to happen with Keaton, and I did, but at the same time, I didn’t.

The age difference wasn’t the issue. Something like age didn’t make or break a relationship. He was hot, but looks weren’t everything either. Although, people were lying if they wouldn’t admit it was in their top five deal breakers. He had a similar personality to mine, which I couldn’t be sure was a pro or con at this instant.

Yes, I thought about Keaton a lot. Yes, he has been part of my fantasies, as well. Yes, I would go out with him if he asked me. Should I ask him out? What would he say? I was well aware he flirted with anything with breasts, but I’ve never seen him really take anyone home.

“Good grief,” I said aloud. I couldn’t believe I was thinking this way. I was forty and this wasn’t my first time around the block.

I couldn’t focus on working right now. I had to get up and walk away. Maybe if I had a snack, focusing would be easier. Unfortunately, an interruption came by way of my doorbell. I figured Meadow or Maxima were stopping by to either apologize or tease me some more.

When I opened the door, bed-head blond hair and blue eyes greeted me. “Are you coming by to check on our five kids? Or, since I’m your wife, should I be cooking dinner at this time of night?”

“Honey-Bunny, I came over here to say sorry.”

I gripped the door handle tightly and thought about slamming it in his face. But he pulled a bottle of wine from behind his back.

“You’re trying to bribe me, puppy?”

“It’s the American way.” He slightly smirked.

“I’m only letting you in because of the wine.”

“I’m hurt.” He placed his hand over his heart and created a pained look on his face. “I thought it would be because of my gorgeous face.”

“Are you coming in or not?” I asked more firmly, trying not to stare at his sexy face.

He quickly stepped inside, and I took the bottle he handed me and shut the door. He followed me into the kitchen, and I grabbed the wine glasses from the cupboard.

“I’ll open it.” Keaton reached for the bottle, but I pulled it away from him.

“I’m a professional,” I countered.

“How so?”

“I’ve been drinking alcohol for as long as you’ve been alive.” I found the corkscrew and easily popped the cork.

“So, you’ve been drinking since you were fifteen?”

I poured the wine slowly. “It seems that way at times.” We sat down at the table,

Keaton didn’t say anything for a beat. “Harlow, I really am sorry. I meant it as a joke. I didn’t think it through.” He seemed sincere. Actually, for the first, he looked it too.

“I
may
have overreacted a bit.”

“How so?”

“I’d tried being nice to George, but I should have told him the truth.”

“That you don’t do relationships.”

“No. Who told you that?” I scrunched my face up as if I smelled something foul.

“Oh, I just assumed,” he quickly said, but appeared shocked.

“I’ve dated and been in relationships. I don’t want to get married or have kids, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with someone.”

“I’m a little surprised.”

“Did you really think I’m some slut?” I crossed my arms and leaned back in the chair.

“No, I never thought that at all. I figured you did the casual thing.” He shrugged.

“Not since my twenties,” I clarified for him. “In my thirties, I had two long-term relationships. One for four years and one for almost three.”

“What happened?”

“The usual. They wanted the American dream and a family, and I don’t.”

“How come?” Keaton rested his arms on the table and sipped his drink.

“How come, what?”

“Why don’t you want a marriage, big house, and kids?”

“It’s not in my DNA.” In truth, I had no real answer on the
why
of it. I have just been this way forever.

“Have you ever been in love?”

“I’ve been in love. I’ve cared about men and was saddened when the relationship ended. I have a heart, you know.”

I hated when people thought I was nothing but some cold-hearted bitch. The men who have been in my life have meant something to me, have helped me grow and/or taught me something about myself. When the time came to end the relationships, there were tears, sadness, and a couple times, I did question if it had been the right move for me. The answer was always yes. The ending of a relationship didn’t mean it had been wrong.

“I think you have a very big heart, honey-bunny.”

“Thanks, puppy and apology accepted.”

“Thank you,” he smiled.

We sat at the table and finished our glasses and mainly talked about Keaton’s book. I deeply wanted to ask him more about Grams and college, but I needed to ease into the subjects.

“How’s Grams?”
Start off slow.

“She’s good. She went back to her place. I swear every time I’m hurt, she’s the first one there.”

“That’s not a bad thing, Keaton. She loves you.”

He nodded. “She does, and she shows it all the time to embarrass me.”

“She did tell me a lot about you,” I giggled.

“Harlow, please don’t tell anyone.” The anguished look was back on his face.

“Why? You should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished. How many professional hockey players are working on a master’s degree, writing a book, and the top player in the league?”

He shrugged.

“You like being a workaholic, don’t you?”

“I like to be busy,” he simply stated.

I laughed. “Busy? Puppy, you’re way beyond busy. Do you like running like your head is cut off?”

“Actually, yes. I hate sitting around. Well, I do sometimes when I read, but that’s it.”

“Read?” This caught my attention.

“I like the classics, true detective books, and the occasional memoire.” He hung his head a bit, and I could see his shyness had made an appearance.

“I’m more of a romance girl. Although, I’ve recently been reading paranormal romances more.”

Keaton tilted his head, studying me. “I find that odd.”

“What?”

“You reading romances, but don’t believe in it.”

I scoffed. “I never said I don’t believe in romance.”

“Don’t all those books end with the couple riding off into the sunset?”

“First, those are westerns. Second, it’s not always a happy-ending. Some of the books end like real life, with couple just being happy. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to end in marriage and babies.”

“I guess you’re right.” He took the last swallow of wine. “I think I’ll head home. Thanks for accepting my apology, honey-bunny.”

“You’re welcome, puppy.”

We both stood up, and I escorted him to the door. Right before he reached for the handle, he turned back to me.

“What?” I furrowed my brow, curious why he stared at me without saying anything.

“I’m internally debating something.”

“Which would be?”

He stepped closer to me, close enough I could see the light blond stubble on his face. “If I kiss you, would you kiss me back or knee me in the groin?”

I gave him my best resting bitch face, trying to seem unimpressed. In reality, I wanted to feel his lips on mine.

“What do say honey-bunny?” His voice lowered.

“Do you think you can handle what happens afterward?”

“Neither of us want a relationship, right? I don’t want one for sure. I definitely don’t want kids or the America Dream Family.”

“Is it because of your parents?” I didn’t know why I popped the question out to him, but I watched his face fall. “Keaton, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ask you that question.”

“It’s okay. No problem.” He stood taller to get away from me and backed toward the door.

“No, seriously, I’m sorry.” I reached for him, but he pulled away.

“It’s no big deal. I’ll send you those chapters this week.”

Before I could say something to try to get him to understand how sorry I was he rushed away. I hated myself for bringing up his parents and I still didn’t know why I did it.

“Shit.” I mumbled as I watched him speed away from my house.