It All Started With a Lima Bean (27 page)

Peeking around him then smiling, she asked, “How did you know that hydrangeas are my favorite flowers...wait, when did Leah deliver those?” Naturally, she knew her best friend dropped these flowers off for her.

“Like two minutes before you walked up to the door. I’m surprised you didn’t see her pulling out of my driveway.”

“After my awful day, I wouldn’t have noticed if Adam Levine himself pulled out of your driveway.”

“Adam Levine? From Maroon 5?”

“Yeah. What can I say? I kinda adore him. He’s my free pass.” After seeing his expression change, she lifted her shoulders then giggled nervously.

Confused, he asked, “What does that mean?” There was no way she was referring to what he thought.

“You know, the celebrity I’m allowed to be with no matter who I’m actually seeing.” She didn’t look so sure of herself or her answer once the scowl on his face expanded and audible growl rumbled in his chest.

The inner Neanderthal came out of him. “Abby.” Slowly, he moved their bodies down until her back was flat on the couch, and she was under him. With his face mere inches above hers, he looked her dead in the eyes. “You are with me, and there are no free passes. I would beat the hell out of any son of a bitch who would even think he had a chance with you. I hope you are kidding. I would not stand for that.” Continuing to hover over her, his urge to claim her mouth with a deep, passionate kiss took over.

Caleb’s lips were demanding against hers until a little voice asked, “Daddy, why are you on top of Miss Abby kissing her?”
CRAP!

Caleb wished more than anything that he could celebrate Thanksgiving at his home this year instead of at his parents in Chicago. Grace and Robert decided to join Abby’s mom and step-dad on a Thanksgiving weekend cruise, but Caleb couldn’t help but feel as though they would have rather been anywhere other than his parent’s house. He understood completely and only came here out of courtesy himself.

Separated for only one day, he couldn’t believe how much he missed Abby already. She truly held his heart. When he’d asked her to come with Madison and him, she said that she had already promised to go with Leah to her mom’s house. Reading her body language, he knew it probably had more to do with all of the unsavory stories he’d shared about his family. Then again, it could have something to do with the fact that she was still uneasy about Madison catching them making-out on the couch. He was not overjoyed about it either. Madison hadn’t even been aware that they were dating. Caleb did not want his little girl to grow up thinking it was okay to kiss someone that passionately in the beginning of a relationship. However, if Abby had decided to come with them, Caleb would have insisted on separate rooms anyway.

It had only been a couple of weeks since they were officially together, but he knew. She was the one for him. Still trying to take it slowly because of her past, he prayed she felt that he was her forever. He understood that she had some baggage to unload, and longed to be the one to help her unpack her hurts. Once she did, he knew in his heart that Abby would offer a deeper commitment to him.

Madison played in one of the upstairs bedrooms with Bri while Caleb and Stefen hid out in the formal lounge, trying to avoid their parents as long as possible. They sat on the uncomfortable white Chesterfield
 
leather couch that was all for show, just like everything else in his parent’s house. Although they had talked on the phone and had texted each other often, the guys hadn’t been in the same room with each other since the previous Thanksgiving at Caleb’s house.

Stefen started with the banter as soon as he’d joined Caleb in the large sterile-looking room. “Why didn’t you bring this woman that has you acting like such a chick?”

“She’s with her best friend’s family. Honestly, I’m okay with it now that I’m here and remember what it’s like. I don’t want to scare her off. I’d rather have a stronger commitment from her before bringing her home to meet you.” Immediately, Caleb punched his cousin in the arm. Surprised it had even taken that long for one of them to hit the other, Caleb prided himself for doing it first.

“Ow, you prick. You’re going to leave a bruise.” Stefen rubbed his bicep before smirking.

“Pansy ass.” They loved messing with each other the way only guys could.

“Are you afraid I’d steal her from you? I AM the handsome one after all.” Stefen ran his fingers down his chiseled scruff-covered jawline while lifting one of his well-groomed eyebrows above his hazel eyes.

“With your ego? Hell no. My girl would never give you a second glance. YOU and your high maintenance looks are not her type.” Caleb felt confident about Abby. Her beautiful blue eyes would not even give his cousin a momentary look, even if Stefen did resemble a male underwear model.

“What the hell does that mean? I’m every woman’s type. I’m flexible like that.” Damn, his little cousin was arrogant. It was fun teasing him, but Caleb was also bothered. He really wished Stefen would wise up, see what life was really about, and stop living the pompous facade they grew up in. Staring absently at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling by the entryway, Caleb let out an exasperated breath. This same long-standing argument with his cousin was getting old.

Moving forward a bit, Caleb peered around his cousin toward the nearby dining room, and spotted his overly made-up mom and aunt sneering at each other past their wine glasses, same as usual. You’d never guess now that they had actually been best friends at one point in time. Caleb imagined that their fathers were in the office talking business. He expected the summons for Stefen to join them soon. Yep, this was their typical Thanksgiving gathering.

Sitting back into the unpleasant couch, Caleb inquired, “So what ever happened to that sweet innocent girl you were going out with the last time we talked.”

“I’m done with her. Let’s just say that she’s not so innocent anymore.” Stefen wiggled his eyebrows.
Un-freaking-believable.

“You are an absolute asshole; you know that right?” He snorted at the absurd attitude someone who was meant to be a grown professional would have. Caleb couldn’t believe Stefen was still playing the same games they’d perfected during college. He imagined his cousin did very well with women since he did have a successful career, a crap load of money, charisma, and yeah, Caleb could admit, devilishly good looks. His sense of superiority was ridiculous though.

“Yeah but I don’t really give a damn. I didn’t force her to be there. She was free to leave whenever she wanted. I never lied to her. She knew what the deal was.” Stefen defended his actions to Caleb, confident in his stance and his words.

“Despite what you want other people think of you, I really do have hope. One day, I promise you are going to meet THAT girl, and you are going to have to change. You will hate every stupid decision you made in the past, and will wish you had made better choices.”

“You keep those false hopes. I’m not you, and that’s not what I want. I enjoy having
many
women in my life. No woman has ever stood a chance of being asked to eat breakfast with me, let alone have enough influence to make me regret any of my choices. It’s never going to happen.”

Caleb stood up with his arms crossed over his chest. Looking down at his still seated cousin, he shook his head, fed up with this chauvinistic viewpoint.

“Not everything is about you. Have you considered the fact that the women you take home may not want what you have to offer?” He knew Stefen would never force a girl into anything but worried he might use his womanizing skills to confuse them long enough to do things they would regret later.

Trying to match Caleb’s stance but failing, since, unlike his cousin, he was less than six feet tall, Stefen stood up and pointed to himself. “Please. Look at me. Women fall all over each other to get to me.”

“You are so damn arrogant, I swear Stefen. I’m not even talking about your looks. Those can only take you so far. I’m talking about what you bring to the table. What if a woman really doesn’t want to have sex? With you or anyone else? What do you do when a woman refuses you?”

“That’s never happened before, but if it were to happen, there would be plenty of others to choose from.”

Caleb’s body was starting to vibrate because he was letting himself become upset with Stefen. Things were getting a little heated when Bri entered the room. As usual just her presence around them softened any egotistical attitudes. Although Stefen disrespected other woman, he loved his sister and treated her like royalty. Caleb felt the same; they were all each other’s rocks.

“What are you guys talking about?” Bri had only been in town for about an hour. She’d flown in from Barcelona where she’d just broken up with yet another boyfriend.

“Your manwhore brother.” Stefen wasn’t even offended by Caleb’s insult. He just shrugged his shoulders.

“Ah, so nothing new huh?” Bri did not look surprised in the least.

“Nope.” Caleb was clearly disappointed by the lives both of his cousins led.

“So Bri, you’ve flown in on your own?” Stefan changed the topic, concern lacing his voice. She sat down and started fidgeting with the couch’s arm. “Yeah, I broke things off with John just before I left Barcelona.” Stefen dropped beside her and pulled her into a hug. Caleb placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He really hoped they both would each find someone and settle down soon. He wanted them to experience the true bliss he’d been so blessed to discover.

Abby sat at the lavishly decorated rectangular table. The dining room was cozy, and scents of Leah’s mom Marie’s extravagant cooking filled the air. “So Leah tells us you are dating that gentleman from Leticia’s wedding, Sweetie he is so handsome. Muy Guapo. Congratulations.” Maria gushed, her whole face lighting up.

“Yeah it’s only been a couple of weeks, but I really like him.” Unable to contain the smile that broke out on her face, Abby cherished talking about him.

“Stop pretending Amiga. Your words do not match the little twinkle in your eye.” Leah made a gesture by her eye as though it was sparkling, then patted Abby’s forearm. “Mama, this girl right here has found the man of every woman’s dreams, and she is in love with him.”

Abby couldn’t hold in her nervous little laugh nor could she deny what her friend just announced to the Thanksgiving dinner table.

“Oh Mija I’m so happy for you. Abby you are like one of my girls and seeing you glowing just warms my heart. You are so deserving of a good man.” Maria reached passed Leah, held Abby’s hand, and rubbed the top with her palm.

Abby chanced a glance at Leah’s oldest sister, Elena, who sat across the table from her, holding a glare. Abby knew that Maria didn’t approve of Elena’s husband, and she imagined this statement probably hurt Elena’s feelings. Elena had never brought a guy home that her family accepted. Her oldest son’s father was never introduced to the family. Once she found out she was pregnant, the sperm donor admitted that he was married. Abby was told that he’d been Elena’s teacher at the University.

Abby didn’t know too much about the father of Elena’s second child, but thought she was the result of a one-night stand. Her current husband owned his own corporation and worked a lot. He didn’t enjoy spending too much time at home with the family. Abby supposed it might have something to do with the fact that his children were grown adults and these kids were not his. He didn’t join them for Thanksgiving. Abby continued to scan down to the other end of the table where the kids sat, unsociable with earphones in their ears, ignoring everyone around them. Leah bumped Abby’s elbow.

“Not your problem. Don’t worry about her.” Man her best friend really could read her like a book. Daniella or as they liked to call her, Dani, their middle sister, sat on the other side of Abby. There were many times that Abby felt as though she was the third sister in this family and not Elena.

“This turkey is amazing as always, Mama.” Leah praised her mom’s cooking whenever she sat at her dinner table. Leah spoke to Abby. “The original recipe is for gallo en chicha which is basically Coq au vin, but it works well for Thanksgiving turkey, too.” Realizing her mistake, Leah backtracked. “I don’t know why I tell you these things. It’s not like you are ever going to make it.” Then she took another bite of the white meat full of juice on her plate.