The unknown was there nipping at my heels. The threat of something that would break me unlike anything else was too close. I knew I had to flee to save myself.
STONE WASN’T HOME WHEN I woke up. I had listened for him as I got ready for work, but heard nothing. The smell of coffee didn’t linger from the kitchen. When I walked out of my room, I noticed his bedroom door stood open. I didn’t have to look inside to know his room was empty.
I didn’t go to the kitchen or look anywhere else for him, but I did stand at the door and wait in case he was lurking somewhere and decided to show himself. After several silent minutes, I opened the door and left the apartment.
Drinking three glasses of wine had been a terrible idea. I never drank because I was a lightweight. I remembered everything, but I worried that my memory was hindered from the alcohol. Had I offended him, or worse, said something embarrassing? Something embarrassing, like my thoughts out loud. My attraction to Stone wasn’t going to be welcomed by him. It’s possible he’d hate me for it. I only knew of two people in this world he loved unconditionally. Geraldine and Jasper.
I glanced at the closed door on the second floor and thought about how I’d assumed the wrong things about the girls living there. In my head, they were all like Presley. I found it shallow of Stone, and I might have judged him for having women like her surrounding him. I knew differently now.
When I reached the bottom floor, I saw Mack wiping his face with a towel. He was sweaty and dressed in running shorts and a T-shirt that was soaked. A bottle of water sat empty on the floor beside him. Did everyone who lived here run? Was I the only one without an exercise plan?
He looked over at me and frowned, then smiled slowly. “You must be, Beulah. I think I’m the last one to meet you.”
He didn’t remember meeting me. That was either embarrassing for both of us or he was drunk that night and I hadn’t realized.
“Oh,” I said thinking of how to straighten this out. “Um, well, we did meet. The night of the party that Presley threw for Stone.” I wasn’t sure if that was rude or not, but acting like we hadn’t met seemed silly.
He chuckled. “No. I’d remember meeting you. A guy doesn’t forget that face. You met Mack. I’m Marty. Except for the birthmark on my left calf in the shape of a warped looking heart we’re identical. We tried changing our appearance over the years to make ourselves look different, but we outgrew it. No more piercings, weird hair colors, or glasses that aren’t needed. We just accept that we look alike and go with it. But I’m the smarter one. So there’s that.”
Identical. Wow. I studied him a moment and didn’t see anything that differentiated his appearance from his brother. Maybe if I were around them more I would find a distinguishing factor.
The entry door opened and in came Fiona with a to-go coffee in her hands. She was wearing high-heeled boots that came to her knees and a skirt that was barely covered her bottom. She looked like she’d just done a photo shoot for a magazine.
“Good morning, Beulah. Marty,” she said knowing exactly which brother was standing in front of us. She had no problem telling them apart. There must be some trick.
“Morning,” he said less enthusiastically without sparing her more than a glance.
“Good morning,” I replied.
She smirked. “Be careful with him.” Then she headed up the stairs.
I glanced at him and said nothing. I tried to think of a way to end the conversation now that Fiona had just made it awkward.
“She hates me, ignore her,” he said grinning as if that was normal and okay.
“You fucked someone else when we were dating,” she called from the second floor.
My eyes widened in shock. I really wanted out of this conversation.
“We were on a break! Jesus, Fiona. Let it go!”
“I was in Italy you bastard. Our break didn’t mean we could fuck other people!” She then slammed the door and I stood there wishing I hadn’t witnessed their argument.
He sighed. “It was a year ago. I had asked her to marry me. She said she needed space and went to Italy for work. I took it as she was breaking up with me. I got smashed and slept with an ex-girlfriend. But hey, I was honest with her about it. I told her the truth. She didn’t take it well.”
I nodded. “Obviously.”
He chuckled. “Old news. Anyway, it was nice to meet you. Don’t be a stranger. Shay, Fiona’s sister, hangs out with us often. The door’s always open.”
“Thanks,” I said glancing at the door. “I need to go. I’ll be late for work.”
He was still grinning when he said, “Have a good one.”
“You too,” I replied then hurried out the door and to my car.
Stone’s Rover wasn’t there. I pondered where he’d gone. Was he hiding at Jasper’s pool house again? This time it was from me instead of Presley. I didn’t want to run him out of his home.
It was peaceful here with her gone. My presence in his home shouldn’t keep him from enjoying his peace. If it did, I would find somewhere else to live. I was making good money with Geraldine. I shouldn’t continue living with him anyway. I’d talk to him about it tonight.
The drive to Geraldine’s was short, but my thoughts bounced from Stone and last night, to Jasper at Geraldine’s yesterday, to Heidi and the fact I needed to visit her. This week had been too busy adjusting to it all. I had only called Heidi three times, grabbing time to speak with her while Geraldine napped. During our last telephone call, I’d promised yellow and pink cupcakes on my Sunday visit. I needed to get to the store for the ingredients and attempt to make them in Stone’s kitchen.
I rolled up to the gate and buzzed Geraldine.
“Hello,” came her voice over the speaker.
“It’s Beulah,” I told her.
“Oh good! You must be here with the Chinese food I ordered. You know it’s been three hours. You need to work harder to make your delivery times.” The speaker cut off abruptly and the gate opened.
My morning was going to start off interesting. Maybe when Geraldine came back around I could ask if she wanted to make cupcakes with me and join me for a surprise visit with Heidi later this afternoon. Geraldine needed an outing.
Stone issues would have to wait until tonight. I would deal with it then. Jasper issues would never be gone. My focus needed to stay on Heidi. I also had to find my way in the world and move on. Thinking about anything more was a waste of time. Being attracted to Jasper had led to all kinds of pain. I didn’t need to add more to it by letting myself feel something for Stone.
My mother had a perfectly happy life without a man.
I could too.
IT WAS ALMOST TIME FOR lunch when Geraldine’s mind was back in the present. Before that occurred, she thought she was living in New York City and was engaged. I wasn’t sure what year that had been, but she was happy and excited about her wedding. She was also very upset I wasn’t the Chinese delivery driver. She had wanted eggrolls and orange chicken.
“Do you feel like going out today? I was thinking I could make some cupcakes and we could visit my sister.”
Geraldine was cleaning the makeup off her face that she’d applied earlier to attend a ball with her fiancé. She paused and smiled. “That would be lovely. I’ve heard so many things about Heidi. Meeting her would be a treat.”
Relieved that she liked the idea, I glanced at the pantry. She was stocked with everything needed for baking. “Could I use your supplies to make the cupcakes? I’ll restock all the items I use. It would save me some time.”