My Big Fat Fake Honeymoon - Lauren Landish Page 0,127
cactus. Maybe poke it with a few pins, voodoo-doll style too. I wonder if a pin hurts a cactus? You know, because they’re already full of stabby sticks? I should look that up.
Lorenzo nods as he stirs the eggs, oblivious to my new botany plans. “She has it out for you, more than just the wedding. She told me that she would refuse to work with you so her brides wouldn’t be able to use you as their florist. I don’t know what kind of power she might have in your town, in your crowd,” he warns.
“Not that kind of power, that’s for damn sure.”
I am furious. How dare she? I rocked that wedding, made Claire over-the-moon happy, and created some of my absolute best work. What is her deal? I mean, does she hate flowers on principle or just me?
“What are you gonna do?” Lorenzo asks as he sets a plate of perfectly fluffy eggs in front of me.
He doesn’t tell me to let it go, doesn’t suggest that maybe I’m overreacting, doesn’t even come up with some crazy scheme of his own. He just lets me be me.
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.” I take a bite of eggs and moan at the deliciousness. “Oh ma gawd, these are so good,” I say around the mouthful. After I swallow, and before the next bite that’s already poised on my fork, I ask, “Speaking of, what’s the deal with this job offer from Esmar? That’s what Meredith hung over my head about you.”
“That bitch! How did she even know about that?” Lorenzo says around his own monster bite of half-chewed eggs, not shy at all about the new label we’ve bestowed upon Meredith’s head.
Maybe I should rename that cactus? Bitch has a nice ring to it.
“He offered, but I couldn’t accept. I couldn’t leave you, even when you weren’t mine,” he confesses boldly.
“I was always yours,” I tell him.
“And I yours, mia rosa.”
We lock eyes, no words needed before we shovel the rest of our eggs down our throats at eating-contest pace and run back to the bedroom.
Chapter 26
Lorenzo
We roar down the tree-lined street. I can feel the eyes peeking out of the windows as we pass by each house, the inhabitants wondering who dares to disturb their peaceful, gate-controlled community.
Abigail points right, and I follow her directions, praying that our destination is what she promises it is. Not that I think she’d mislead me, but we grew up in very different worlds and this will be my first true step into hers.
I’m nervous.
Fine, I’m fucking mental about it. I’m not the sort of guy girls ever took home to their fathers. And later, when women would suggest it, I’d run for the nearest exit before their misconceptions could go any further astray. But this time? When Morgan Andrews invites you to dinner, you do not say no. You go.
Even if it’s with his daughter on the back of your motorcycle.
The private gate begins a slow swing open as we approach, reinforcing my thought that we’re being watched. Abigail waves to a camera. I stare directly into it, not sure who’s watching on the other end of the feed.
We cruise down the long drive and I park. Abigail climbs off first, and I take her helmet. I’ll need to buy another one today so I can be safe as well. I’m an asshole ninety percent of the time, but a safe one.
Actually, I’m feeling less of an asshole these last few days. I simply can’t quit smiling when Abigail explains American reality television to me by acting out the shows charade-style, has entire conversations with her plants while she waters them, and implements naked yoga Sundays as a household rule.
I’d fought that one because downward dog with my dick hanging and my ass in the air isn’t exactly a pleasant look, but Abigail had argued that she would only do it if I did. So down dog, I did.
And so did she, my cock reminds me.
She’s nothing if not interesting, a delight to experience each day with as she sees things I would never even notice.
In return, I’ve kept to my vow to feed her and she’s enjoying foods she’s never tried, become a pro at riding behind me, and has pulled a promise from me to go see Reno again . . . for some new ink for myself that she’s designed as a surprise.