Tap (Men of Lovibond 1)

Porter stops in my office doorway. “What would be cool?”

“Tap’s going with me to the meeting with the Macon guys and then on to Savannah. I told him Lawrence would give him a tour.”

“You’re gonna turn him loose in Savannah with your sister?”

“It’s a tour of Savannah.”

“He’ll probably take her to the nearest hotel and give her a tour of his dick. You didn’t see the two of them together at the festival.” Come on, Porter. Don’t ruin this for me.

“You need to shut the fuck up talking about my sister like that.”

“Stout put me in charge of covering for him. It was easier to keep up the façade if I kept her close.” Lie.

“He kept her close all right.” What the hell?

“I’m warning you once more. Be careful what you say where Lawry is involved so you don’t find your ass yanked over your ears.”

“Tell me you didn’t fuck her.” Porter points to his face with his index and middle finger. “And look me in the eyes when you say it.”

“I did not fuck Lawrence.” But I wanted to. Bad. Still do.

“We’re done talking about this. Tap didn’t touch Lawry so give him a break.” I never said I didn’t touch her but if he wants to assume that without asking, I’m okay with that.

Stout gets up to leave. “Be ready to roll out at eight if you plan on going with me.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“What’s your fucking problem, dude?”

“I saw you together. I know you tried. Did she turn you down?” I think he’s seriously hung-up on Wren and believes he can snuff out any chances I have with her by ratting me out to Stout. Bastard.

“Drop it. You’re annoying me.” I crumble a piece of paper and throw it at his head, hitting him between the eyes. “Get out of my office, jackass. I have work to do.”

He gets up but stops in my doorway. “I know you’re planning to get Lawrence in bed.”

I swipe the stapler from my desk and throw it at him, narrowly missing his nuts.

“Motherfucker. You could have hit me in my nads with that.”

“Not another word to Stout about me and Lawrence. Mention it again and I will hit you in the balls with a speed stapler next time. You won’t ever walk right again.” Porter knows I can; I was starting pitcher. “I’ve still got it.”

“Okay, okay. But a warning from one friend to another. Stout’s gonna know something’s going on when he sees the way you are with her.” He’s talking complete nonsense.

“How the hell am I when I’m with her?”

“Not you.” What does that mean? I’m not me around Lawrence? Who the fuck could be? She’s . . . all-consuming. But his arrogance is pissing me off.

“I think we can agree Lawrence is unlike other women. Have you considered maybe I’m different with her because she’s unique and needs to be handled in a specific manner?”

“You handle women one way and one way only.” The ass is referring to my four-step dating process.

“Back down, motherfucker. I’m not planning on handling Lawrence at all.” Lie. And he knows me well enough to probably see that. “I’m done talking about this.”

“Okay. Let me say this and then I’ll shut up. It’s obvious you want her so bad you can’t stand it. When Stout finds out, there’s going to be a fallout. Serious repercussions. You’d better be damn sure she’s worth whatever you’re planning.”

Don’t worry. She is.

* * *

Our meeting with the Macon guys ran so long it’s after five when we pull into Savannah. “Mom and Dad said you’re welcome to stay at their house. You don’t have to go to a hotel.”

“I don’t want to put them out.” I have no idea where the Thorns live but I’m certain it isn’t within walking distance to Wren’s shop like the hotel I chose.

“Sure you don’t want to come out to the house for dinner? Mom will have plenty.”

No. I have somewhere to be. “It’s been a long day. I think I’ll have room service brought up and turn in early.”

“Want me to call Lawrence and see if she can do a tour with you tomorrow?”

I’m not ready for her to know I’m in town. “Wait until I’ve done a little research. There may be some public tours I want to do.”

“Whatever.”

I’m having him hold off because I assume he hasn’t already told Wren I’m in Savannah with him. I guess we’ll see.

I didn’t want Wren to have notice I was coming; I was afraid she might put too much thought into this and decide spending time together was a bad idea. It may be but it’s still what I want. I haven’t stopped thinking about it once since the night I had to leave her at my house.

It’s a short walk to River Street from my hotel. Wren is right. With its cobblestone streets, picturesque parks, and historic buildings, this is a beautiful city. I can see why she loves living here.

I have no trouble finding Law of Attraction Boutique. It’s right across from the river, just as Wren described.

A bell rings when I enter her shop. Dammit. I didn’t want to immediately draw attention to myself. I sort of imagined us having one of those movie-like reunions where our eyes meet and we race into each other’s arms.

Damn, I must be growing a vagina. That sounded like something a woman would dream.

What is this woman doing to me?

“Hello. May I help you?”

Not Wren. That’s good. I still have a chance at the reunion I want. “Just came in to look around.”

“Feel free. My name is Wynter. Let me know if I can help you with anything.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you.”

I browse the store while searching out Wren. I occasionally catch the sales associate eyeing me but I don’t get the feeling she’s checking me out. Maybe she’s surprised I’m looking around this kind of boutique. I’m guessing they don’t get a ton of men shopping in this store considering most of the items are for women.

I circle the store for ten minutes without hearing or seeing a trace of Wren. I’m starting to think she may not even be here.

“Are you looking for a gift?”

“No. Actually I’m looking for Lawrence Thorn.”

“She stepped out to grab dinner at the restaurant on the corner. Want me to call down there and let her know you’re here to see her?”

I’m relieved to know she’s here. “Has she been gone a while?”

“Long enough I would expect her to be back soon.”

I don’t want her to have notice of my arrival. “I’m not i

n a hurry so I’ll keep browsing around the store until she gets back.”

“All right. Would you care for some water or chai tea while you wait?”

I smile inside remembering the morning we had chai tea together. “I’m fine, thank you.”

I look around and come across an oddity. Looks like a grass dildo. “Wynter, what is this?”

“A sage and sweet grass smudging stick.”

“What do you do with it?” I’m a little frightened to hear the answer.

“You burn it and use the smoke to purify or bless people and places.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed that.” Wren, you have weird shit in your store. I think you may be much deeper into this bohemian stuff than I thought.

“Have you ever been in?”

“No. I have no idea what most of this stuff is or what you do with it.”

“That’s okay. I’m happy to answer any of your questions.”

There’s an entire wall of natural remedies. Insomnia. Depression. Cold and flu symptoms. The list goes on and on. Looks like there’s an oil, herb, extract, or healing stone for whatever ails you.

The display of lavender catches my eye so I open the tester for a sniff. Mmm. Smells so much like Wren.

The door chimes but I don’t turn. If it’s Wren I don’t want to be seen. Not yet.

A minute later, I hear the aged wood-plank flooring creak behind me. “I might be able to help with choosing an oil if you . . . give me a description of your symptoms.”

Ahh. Sweet Wren’s child-like voice is music to my ears. A melody my ears have craved. It’s been too long since I heard it.

I return the bottle of lavender to the shelf, keeping my back turned on Wren. “I met a woman last month and I believe she has bewitched me.”

I hear her gasp and know she’s pegged me. “Brou?” Her voice is a whisper.

I continue standing with my back to her. “I can’t sleep. I can’t concentrate. It’s impossible to work because she’s in my head. All. The. Fucking. Time.”

I turn around and my eyes meet Wren’s. But more than that happens. She’s beaming. And I may even see a glisten around those beautiful baby blues. I realize in this moment how very much I want her. It’s worse than I thought. I’ve come here like an ocean reaching and running toward her as though she’s my shore.