Draw Me Close (19 page)

Derek glanced across the street to where Rico had nodded. A rather ugly white truck with the words
PETE'S BBQ
stenciled onto the side sat parked on the curb. Things started to click into place in Derek's head. He glanced at Lindsey who appeared embarrassed.

“You're right, no more food trucks for me. I just love your mama. Tell her hi for me, will ya?”

“Will do, Linds,” Rico said. He turned to Derek. “Later, man.”

“Yeah, later.”

Derek was in shock and he waited for Lindsey to explain, but when she didn't he put his drink down and stared at her. “Lindsey, were you really not going to tell me you painted that truck?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don't know.”

Derek's shoulders dropped in annoyance. “Don't bullshit me, Linds. I mentioned the paint job, the least you could have done was say it was your work. It's beautiful.”

She gave him a smile. “Thank you. But if you must know, part of the reason I didn't say anything was because I didn't want the cartoon genius critiquing my work.”

Derek went silent. They stared at each other for a long moment and he was surprised she didn't look away. “Did I ever critique your work?”

She shook her head. “No, I guess not.”

“All right, then. So next time you brag when you do something amazing.”

 

Twelve

The following Wednesday evening, Derek stepped out the front door of his office, locked up, and then immediately headed around the side of the building toward his best friend Mike's shop.

Derek had purchased his building about five years ago, mainly because it seemed like a sound investment. Also because he'd thought moving to a smaller town would be nice for Tanner when he visited. Seemed a little silly now because he didn't see Tanner enough.

But he didn't regret the purchase. He did like the small town of Preston. And he'd remodeled the building to house his office and meeting space in the front, leaving a large empty bay and second office in the back.

It just happened to have been ideal, because not long after he'd bought it Mike had needed a space. Since then Derek had leased the rest of the building to his buddy so he could use it to continue his car restoration business. It had worked out well for both of them. Mike was the perfect tenant. On time with his payments, and when he felt like it, Derek could walk around the corner and shoot the shit.

The weather was surprisingly mild so today he found the garage bays open and Mike on his back underneath an orange Camaro.

“You about done for the day?” Derek asked in greeting.

Mike slid out from under the chassis and grinned. He had a dark streak of God knows what greasy substance running the length of his cheek. “I think I am. And you're just in time. Wanna take a test-drive with me?”

Derek shrugged. “If we drive it to a place that serves beer.”

Mike chuckled. “How about I'll test-drive it tomorrow and we can walk over to Smokey's.”

“Even better,” Derek said. “But wash your damn face first.”

Fifteen minutes later, Mike had showered, changed, and together they started the five-minute walk down the alley to Smokey's. Wednesday night was wing night, so Derek intended to get a dozen extra hot, the largest beer they served, and try not to think about how he hadn't seen or heard from Lindsey since Friday afternoon.

They'd both been quiet for the rest of their shopping excursion although she had ended up finding a piece for the island. Seeing her happy about that had made things a little better. He'd even loved watching her haggle over the price. That was a side of her he hadn't expected, but it had been sexy as hell.

The thing that was irritating him was that on the drive home she'd been noncommittal about when they could get together to work on the island. And the total radio silence since then. That was really starting to piss him off.

He knew she'd been a little freaked out by the kiss, but he'd never imagined it would affect her this long. He'd texted her Monday but she hadn't responded. Later that night he'd realized he'd made the critical error of sending an open-ended text by saying
Let me know when you want to start on the island
instead of something more definitive. Something that required a response.

And now he was overanalyzing everything. Not cool. This was Lindsey. They'd had rules. They broke them and now she was pulling back. The two steps back had now become five. He was beyond ready to start moving forward again, but that required her cooperation.

Derek followed Mike through the bar, giving the bartender a quick wave as they headed toward a table near the back. Several televisions showed various basketball games, one Dr. Phil. Weird. In no time they'd ordered and were sipping a cold beverage.

“Now that hits the spot,” Mike said as he set down his glass.

“Agreed.”

“So, how goes it with the house? I've been so busy lately, I haven't had a chance to see it. It sure has been nice having you on the project. It's nice knowing I don't have to worry about a damn thing. Anne tells you and Lindsey what she wants and that's that.”

Derek appreciated his friend's trust. “Yeah, it's looking good. You guys need to come out.”

“Yeah, Anne wants to this weekend.” Mike took another drink of his beer and then hesitated for a moment before speaking. “So she said you and Lindsey have been working together?”

Derek had yet to discuss the developments between him and Lindsey with Mike, but it was no surprise he knew. “We have been. And it's been good.”

Mike raised an eyebrow. “Good? How did this transpire exactly? If you recall I was there last fall when she lost it in Anne's kitchen when you showed up.”

Derek couldn't help but smile a little at the memory. Lindsey had most certainly lost it. Once he'd realized that his friend's girl knew her, he'd arranged to be there at the right time. It had backfired. Big-time. Looking back, he should have known better. Eight years was a long time, but not long enough for what he'd done, and she hadn't taken well to having him surprise her.

“So when you say good, do you mean
good
good?” Mike asked.

Derek was saved from responding when the bartender delivered their baskets of wings. “Extra hot, extra ranch, extra napkins,” Aiden said.

“Thanks, man, you're the best,” Derek replied.

Aiden saluted them and headed back to the bar. Derek and Mike came into Smokey's a few times a month, usually on Wing Wednesdays.

Aiden owned the place and served a very small menu of food that he'd created himself. Funny thing was, the guy looked like he belonged in a biker gang with his huge muscles, goatee, and closely cropped hair. Mike and Derek liked to quietly try and guess Aiden's story. They'd had him as an ex-con, a former priest, and even involved with the Witness Protection Program. More than likely it was nothing even half as crazy as any of those, but it was fun to guess.

“Thank God Aiden learned how to make these wings when he was touring with that death metal band,” Mike said.

Derek shook his head, reaching for a piece of chicken. “I'm pretty sure he got this recipe from the shaman of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon.”

“That does sound right now that you mention it,” Mike said, grabbing a napkin off the large stack on their table. He nodded toward the bar. “Check out our man. Whatever his story is, he sure does well with the ladies.”

Derek turned in his seat to find three women sitting at the bar laughing at whatever Aiden was saying. He looked back at Mike who was tearing into another hot wing. “Yeah, we've noticed that before. Seems women like that badass-motherfucker look he's got going on.”

“No lie. I couldn't grow facial hair like that if I tried,” Mike said.

“Nope, you're destined to look like a frat boy without an inheritance.”

“Screw you, just because I don't wear a suit to my fancy office every day. I work with my hands, chicks dig that.”

“You think I don't work with my hands?” Derek said, wide-eyed. “I'll have you know I spent all last week staining
your
kitchen floor and cabinets. How manly you feel now?”

“Hey, thanks for reminding me. So, is this going to turn into something with you two?” Mike asked, unwilling to let Derek off the hook.

Derek sighed. “Things are complicated.”

Mike stared at him. “Tell me you haven't slept with her.”

“No.” Derek shoved a piece of chicken in his mouth, not liking where the conversation was going. What he wanted to say was
If I did it would be none of your damn business
. He kept that to himself. He knew Mike meant well.

“Have you guys done anything?”

“She kissed me Friday,” Derek said. It was the truth. For the most part. No need to clarify that he'd asked for it. Practically begged.

Mike choked. “The hell you say.”

They both chuckled. When they were younger that had been Mike's dad's favorite saying. He'd always had the cool father and Derek had enjoyed spending time at their house. Mike's mother had died when he was young so his father had stepped up and been the ultimate parent. Strict but understanding, fun but demanding respect. Derek had always wished his own dad had been more like Chuck Everett. Sadly, his best friend's father died from a sudden heart attack their senior year of high school. Derek remembered how it had destroyed Mike. They'd actually lost touch for a time while Mike dealt with his grief.

“But no, seriously. I can't believe she kissed
you.
We're talking about Lindsey, right?”

“Obviously I played a pivotal role. But the point is I didn't push. We've been getting closer the past couple of weeks.”

“Is this gonna turn into something?” Mike asked.

Derek sat up and listened for a moment. “You ever notice that U2 plays like every third song in this joint?”

Mike lifted his chin toward the bar at the front. “Aiden loves this shit. And stop trying to change the subject.”

Derek sighed. “I want it to be something. I didn't at first. Or at least I didn't want to admit I did. But I've never gotten over her.” Damn. It felt good to say it out loud. Just put it all on the table.

Mike nodded as he loaded up another sauce coated drumstick with ranch. He held it up as he spoke, dressing dripping off the end. “If she kissed you she must want it, too.” He stuffed the chicken in his mouth.

Derek shook his head. “I don't know. There's an attraction definitely, but she's fighting it. I can't tell what she really wants, but if the fact that we haven't spoken since the kiss is an indicator, the forecast isn't good.”

“You don't know that. Maybe she's just processing it. You know they are all at Pie Mia right now having their blog meeting. After this we can surprise them.”

Derek gave Mike a long stare. “How the hell did you manage to get yourself engaged to a woman like Anne? You have no clue about women and you eat like a caveman.”

Mike grinned. “You're just jealous.”

They laughed together and tucked back into their food and drink. But the truth was, Mike was right. Derek was jealous as hell. He wanted Lindsey and the kiss had only served to solidify his feelings. It looked like he might have to ambush her again.

*   *   *

Lindsey grabbed her third piece of chicken, onion, and goat cheese pizza. Callie had just revealed their bachelorette party idea to Anne.

“You guys, I can't tell you how much I appreciate that idea. Hanging out with the girls and Mike sounds like the best of both worlds. Besides, I'm too old for the typical bachelorette shenanigans.”

“Hold up,” Callie said. “Just because your man's going to be there doesn't mean you get out of wearing a giant penis pacifier around your neck!”

Anne's eyes went wide in horror.

“I'm kidding, silly.” Callie laughed. “Oh, speak of the devil.”

Anne and Lindsey both turned to see Mike walking through the small restaurant toward them. And he wasn't alone. Derek trailed behind him, sending Lindsey's heart racing. She'd been avoiding him the past few days since that mind-boggling kiss. But apparently—in typical Derek fashion—he was taking the situation into his own hands. She really couldn't deny that she was happy to see him.

“Hey, babe,” Mike said, leaning down to kiss Anne. “How's the meeting going?”

“Good,” she replied with a big grin. “I'm so glad you're here. I haven't seen you all day.”

Lindsey couldn't watch anymore. She looked at Callie who put her finger in her mouth, faking a gag.

“Oh please,” Lindsey said in a whisper. “Like you can talk.”

Callie only winked before her eyes traveled over Lindsey's shoulder and up. Lindsey glanced up to see Derek staring down into her eyes, giving her a quick wink. She smiled back, catching the faint masculine scent of him.

“Hey,” she said quietly.

“Hi.”

“Why don't you guys pull up a chair,” Anne said, grabbing an empty chair from the table next to them. Mike immediately took it and sat down. “We've wrapped up all of our official business. Actually, we were just discussing something exciting. Tell them, Callie.”

Lindsey didn't look but she sensed that Derek was pulling another chair over right next to her. She wondered what all of their friends were thinking. Had he told Mike that anything had happened between them?

“So basically Lindsey and I just decided we should have a coed bachelor party.” Callie grinned at the table. “All of us together at the new casino in Mayville.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Mike said, before reaching out and resting his arm along the back of Anne's chair. He glanced across the table at Derek with a grin. “Sorry, Walsh. Your stripper idea is out.”

Lindsey's body instantly froze at the comment but before she could react Derek reached out and squeezed her thigh under the table.