Page 8 of Mine This Time

Chapter Eight

Mari

“What the hell, Max?”

“I knew you’d be pissed, Mari. For what it’s worth, I should apologize for telling you I thought Brett was an asshole the first time I met him. Even if he proved my point for me, I shouldn’t have done that.”

I wanted to throw the phone across the room, but this was my brother, and I did love him after all. I paced back and forth in front of the windows. “Oh yeah, Brett proved you right and then some.”

“I also spoke to Nash Reynolds.”

I could practically hear the trepidation in Max’s voice. “Nash called you?” I sputtered.

“No, I called him. If you’re gonna be pissed, be pissed at me.

I know Nash because he hired me to set up the security systems on the buildings he manages in New Orleans.

He’s a good man. I wanted to ask him to check in with you in case you needed any help.

Sounds like he beat me to the punch on that one. ”

I wanted to scream, but I bit my tongue.

Hard. “Yes, Nash has been very helpful. I went to meet him when I realized Brett was gone. Brett left a note in his online calendar about meeting with Nash. Nash was dropping somebody off at the airport when I discovered Brett canceled my ticket for the refund.”

“Don’t be pissed at Nash. Be mad at me for being an overbearing older brother. Meanwhile, I’m gonna see if I can find Brett.”

“I don’t want to find Brett. I just don’t want my credit all messed up.”

Max said something in a mumble.

“What?”

Max’s voice came back to full volume. “Well, if—“ After an abrupt pause, Max began again, “That’s Harlow telling me not to be an ass. Would you like to talk with her?”

“Please.”

About the only woman Max didn’t try to boss around was his wife. Harlow was a total badass and a hotshot firefighter to boot. She could handle herself and Max.

“Hey, Mari,” Harlow’s voice came through the line.

“Hey, Harlow. Max is being a big brother. Could you just tell him he was right about Brett? Now I know, and he can let that go.”

Harlow laughed. “I can tell him, but you know your brother. It’s all I can do to get him to back off with me sometimes.”

“I feel like such an idiot, Harlow. Don’t you dare tell Max this, but if I’m honest with myself, I tried to stay with Brett because I wanted to prove Max wrong. Instead, Brett turned out to be the overachiever of assholes.”

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up. We all get to make mistakes with relationships. You know my history before Max. God, sometimes I can’t even believe what an idiot I used to be.”

“Oh, I can believe it. I’m feeling downright stupid now.”

“Did you call your boss like you said?” she asked, referring to a text I’d sent earlier after she texted to check on me.

“I did. I’m all set. He’s going to give me a few assignments in this area. It’ll pay the bills while I figure out what to do next. Plus, Nash has promised to show me New Orleans the right way.”

“Oh, really?” Harlow asked. “I’ve met Nash. He’s pretty easy on the eyes.”

The memory of the feel of Nash’s lips over mine sent a wash of heat through me. He was more than easy on the eyes, but I wasn’t about to get into that with Harlow.

“He’s easy on the eyes, all right. I think he’s just a Southern gentleman. I’ll take it, because I’d like to see the city and not have my only memory be my asshole ex taking off and leaving me behind at a bed and breakfast.”

“That’ll be fun,” Harlow replied. “Just forget about Brett. Don’t let it get to you that Max didn’t like him when he first met him. Max isn’t likely to like any guy who’s with you at first. He can’t be considered objective.”

“Well, that won’t be a problem. I don’t intend to date ever again. My luck sucks, and I think I’ll stay single.”

Although I couldn’t see Harlow, I could imagine her eye roll. Gracious friend and sister-in-law that she was, she simply said, “Perfect then. You don’t need to worry about it.”

My phone chimed, indicating a text was coming through. Putting Harlow on speaker, I pulled the phone away from my ear and glanced at the screen. Nash’s name was flashing. “Hey, I’ve got to go. Will you tell Max I love him?”

“Absolutely. Enjoy yourself.”

I ended the call with Harlow and tapped the message window.

Checking to see if you need anything.

I ignored the shaft of disappointment. I didn’t know what I expected, so I nudged aside the feeling.

All set. Thanks for checking.

There. I could be normal and brief too.

I crossed the kitchen and checked through the cabinets to discover that, while there wasn’t much food, there were some basics such as coffee, tea, and crackers. I quickly made myself a pot of coffee. I made a mental note to pick up some creamer when I went to the grocery store.

I needed some food to tide me over for the next few days.

I logged onto my email to check if I had received my assignment.

My boss’s promised email was already waiting.

Tyson asked me to do a spread on small inns in the New Orleans area.

Unfortunately, he thought I was still staying at Creek’s End Inn and wanted that to be my starting place.

I bit back a sigh. This meant calling Hannah.

I quickly replied to his email and told him I would get started. He didn’t need to know the mess of my personal life. I figured perhaps I could persuade Nash to show me all the best places. He had offered to give me a proper tour of New Orleans.

I logged in to my bank online next to see just how much cash I might be able to withdraw for some groceries. Fortunately, my boss was going to send me a check in advance for gas money and lodging. Maybe I could use that to repay Hannah and stay here in the meantime.

When I logged into my online account, I was pleased to see my boss had already sent through a direct deposit in advance.

It was only one thousand dollars, but I could buy some groceries and probably pay Hannah with that.

While I was scanning the bank window, another deposit showed up in the account.

When I clicked on it, I narrowed my eyes. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Max.” My overbearing brother wasn’t above sending money over. It wasn’t that I minded it, but I wanted to not be in my current situation and need the money.

While I contemplated sending Max a text, my phone chimed on the kitchen island counter where I was sitting on one of the stools. Spinning it around, I saw a text from Max.

I’m sure you’re swearing at me. Let me help you out. It’s not your fault you’re in this situation, and Brett’s an asshole. I’ll track him down, and you can pay me back later if you insist. Love you.

I took a sip of my coffee and sighed as I stared at Max’s text.

I loved my brother, I really did. I was so happy he’d found Harlow because it has softened the sharp edges of him.

After he’d been burned by his girlfriend in college, he’d gotten cynical.

Finding Harlow had gotten him past his cynicism.

He was kinder and gentler, even if he could still drive me crazy.

Lifting my phone, I quickly tapped out my reply. I WILL pay you back. Love you.

After hitting send, I looked up the closest grocery store and was pleased to discover it was within walking distance. I certainly didn’t need to waste money eating out all the time. I changed into more comfortable clothes and good walking shoes.

Throwing my purse over my shoulder, I headed out.

With it being late afternoon now, the humidity had broken and the air was slightly cooler.

I walked along the sidewalk, glancing around at the lovely old homes.

The famed balconies of New Orleans were in abundance with flowers spilling over the railings.

Many of the people I walked by cast me a smile.

The tension bundled in my neck and shoulders began to ease for the first time in days.

Now that I had adjusted to the bitter reality of my relationship, or lack thereof, with Brett, hindsight was giving me a clear-eyed view.

Although I didn’t like how it happened, I was relieved it was over.

Brett had blown into my life with plenty of charm and good looks to butter me up during a fundraiser at an art gallery in San Francisco.

Max was the reason I was there. He and Harlow were there because she was supporting a friend of hers from Alaska who sold whimsical painted furniture.

Looking back now, I could see Brett probably saw me as his avenue to Max from that very night because I’d been standing with Max and Harlow when we first met.

My mind was nudged off of Brett when an older man with weathered skin cast me a broad smile as I walked by. I reminded myself I didn’t need to dwell on Brett. I could be angry, but I was in New Orleans, and I intended to enjoy it.

Another block later, I saw the sign for the grocery store up ahead. It wasn’t a large box type store, but a smaller neighborhood store. “Food and sundries” was all the sign said in curly blue script.

As soon as I stepped through the doors, the air was strikingly cool against my skin.

There was hot, and then there was what New Orleans was.

At its peak earlier when I was leaving the airport, the sun felt merciless, almost as if it was trying to melt me on the spot.

Even now though, hours later, as the sun slid slowly down the sky, I couldn’t imagine life here without air-conditioning.

I snagged a basket by the door and paused to survey the store and get a lay of the land. Grocery stores were a funny thing. They all had their own sense of organization. This one was filled with colorful produce in the front and cute little signs marking staff favorites as I meandered the aisles.

“Mari, hey there.”

The moment I heard my name in Nash’s voice, a prickle of awareness ran down my spine. I didn’t know what it was about the way he said my name, but it felt special. Maybe it was the way the vowels rolled slowly off his tongue? Whatever it was, I reacted physically every time he spoke.

Turning in the direction of his voice, I found Nash approaching me.

The man never seemed to be in a hurry, and now was no exception.

He strolled toward me with his smooth gait.

Even in the harsh fluorescent lighting of this grocery store, Nash managed to look kissed by the sun.

His sandy hair glinted with gold didn’t dull.

His hazel eyes stood out, crinkling at the corners with his smile when he stopped in front of me.

“Hi, Nash.” My voice came out breathy, and I felt foolish.

I wanted to think after my pride smashing experience with Brett that I would be immune to the charms of men, at least for a little while. But Nash was heavy on charm—even when he didn't seem to be trying —and nature had been exceedingly generous with him in the looks department.

“Grocery shopping?” he queried as he glanced down into my basket.

“What else would I be doing in a grocery store?” I teased in return, feeling my cheeks heat slightly.

“Excellent question,” he drawled as he lifted his eyes to mine again. “I was thinking about texting you to see if you wanted to start your tour tonight.”

“How come you didn’t?” I countered, feeling a grin tug at the corners of my mouth.

Oh my God. I was actually flirting with him.

Nash’s lips kicked up at one corner, and he cocked his head to the side. “I wanted to give you the night to settle in.”

“Good point.”

He looked back into my grocery basket and shook his head slowly. “Darling, all you have in there are bananas, hummus, and crackers.”

“What’s wrong with bananas, hummus, and crackers?”

“Not a thing, but it’s certainly not a meal. Those are all snacks. That does it. You’ve lost your privilege of a night to settle in. We’re going out to dinner,” he said firmly.

I laughed, feeling my blush deepen. Against all of my better judgment, I really wanted to go out to dinner with Nash.

“Let me get a few more things, and then you can take me to dinner. Where are you taking me?” I turned and began walking as Nash followed along leisurely. Without a word, he reached over and divested me of my grocery basket.

“I can carry that, you know?”

“Of course, I know that. But, I was raised with manners. I can actually feel my mother’s disapproval even though she’s not here.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

The only reason I didn’t push the point was I didn’t have any sense at all that Nash looked at women as wilting flowers who couldn’t take care of themselves. In his case, I sensed his chivalry was deeply instilled and almost a habit. He was also alpha as all hell.

“Tell me what kind of place you’d like to go to for dinner, and I’ll pick the perfect one.” He looped our conversation back to my question.

“Your favorite hole in the wall diner,” I said promptly.

“Oh, you are a woman after my heart. Diner food is my favorite, and I’ll make sure you have the best.”