Her Love Lost (Love Shattered Series Book 1) (5 page)

Courtney

Everyone in the car is completely silent at my revelation. I am at a loss for words. We were having a good time carrying on a nice conversation and I want it to continue on that way. I don’t want everyone to feel sorry for me. So I look around the car and say.

“It’s alright guys, it’s been a long time. I miss my husband very much but I am okay. Really I am. So let’s just get on with the evening. I can smell the yummy flavors from the restaurant out here in the car and my mouth is watering so what do ya say? Let’s go get our grub on.” I open my car door and just like that all the tension in the car vanishes and everyone lets out a laugh. The truth is for the first time in two years I really do feel like everything is going to be okay. I feel happy and I am finally looking forward to this evening.

We all exit the shiny SUV and head inside where we are greeted by the hostess at the front of the restaurant. She must know who these guys are already because all she says is, “Right this way gentlemen, I have your table ready for you on the back deck.” We are escorted through the dimly lit restaurant, through a set of glass doors out to a patio. The sight is breath taking. Strewn across the beams outside are twinkling white lights that set of a romantic vibe. It is the perfect place, for a date. Maybe this is a date after all. If not it sure is giving off a very date like feel to me. It appears the four of us are the only ones that will be sitting out here tonight, and I have to wonder if the guys set it up this way.

Dexter pulls out my chair for me to sit down as Rob does the same for Lillian.

Me and Lil share a look across the table and silently speak to each other.

Oh my gosh! How romantic,
she is saying.

I nod back
yes, it sure is and I am okay really,
because I know she is worried about me after the revelation in the car back there. I can see it in her eyes and sense it in her body language.

“So do you guys come here often? The hostess seemed to know exactly who you were.” I say out of curiosity. After the question leaves my mouth, I feel stupid though because I seem to keep forgetting these guys are actors. They film in this town, of course everyone probably knows who they are. It’s just so easy to forget that they are famous television stars because they just don’t act like it. They aren’t cocky and don’t treat people like they are above everyone else. I get the impression that they are genuinely decent charming good looking gentlemen.

“Stupid question! Forget I asked that. I am sure everyone in town knows who you two are.” I say casually.

“Actually, we do come here often.” Rob pipes in, “This guy here loves his Italian food, so we come here several times a month to get our fix. The food is just too delicious not to come here.” Rob finishes explaining just as the waiter shows up to take our drink order. We order our drinks and everyone takes a chance to look over the menu to decide what we want for dinner.

“What’s good here? There are so many options that sound delicious I can’t decide which one I want to try.” Lillian asks the guys.

“The Chicken Marsala is good, and if you like seafood then the shrimp scampi is amazing too.” Rob replies to her.

I look over at Dexter and ask him what he recommends, and he tells me I need to try the Lasagna, and then if I trust his opinion on the lasagna and I love it as much as he does he would bring me back another night this week before we leave. That way I can try his second favorite dish which is the chicken marsala as Rob had suggested before. So, I agree to try the lasagna secretly hoping he doesn’t back out on his promise to bring me back before we head back to North Carolina on Saturday. It’s easy being around him. We have an undeniable connection, and I find myself sad about going back home in a few days.

Our food arrives and he was right, the lasagna is to die for. The blend of different cheeses and sauce with the pasta, it almost melts in my mouth and I let out a moan of approval at the taste.

Dexter looks at me with one eye brow raised.

“I guess I can take that moan as a good sign, and that you will be allowing me to bring you back here in a few days.” Dexter asks.

“Absolutely, this is delicious. You’ve got yourself a date.” When I realize what I just said I start to backpedal a bit.

“Ugh..I mean not like a real date. I just meant that ya know we will be coming back here again on a different date like date as in a different day, like today is Sunday so we can come back like on Tuesday. Ya know a different day. I didn’t mean ya know, me as the date you’ll bring or whatever.” I had to stop myself from rambling on. I was having trouble forming complete sentences and I was making myself look like a fool.

Dexter is looking at me with amusement in his eyes.

“God you’re adorable when you ramble on like that. Relax sweetheart. I should have made myself clear to start with. When I asked you to come back with me another time you can bet your sweet ass I meant it as a date with you. Courtney will you do me the honor of coming on a date with me back to this fine establishment of Italian food and try the chicken Marsala with me?”

“Oh ugh yeah Dex. I would love to go on a date with you.” I peeped up at him through my lashes. I could feel the blush on my cheeks. I stole a peek at Lillian and Rob as well. Lillian is looking at me with shock and maybe a tiny bit of approval. Rob is looking at Dex like he has grown two heads. Hmmm maybe this is a new thing for Dexter. Maybe, just maybe I am the only woman he has ever asked out on a second date before. Well maybe he doesn’t consider this an actual date and he’s planning on our next night being our first and only date. Heck, maybe he is just still trying to be nice. Aw hell, I don’t know and honestly I don’t really care at this point, I am only here until Saturday. Best make the most of it while we are here because once we cross back into the North Carolina border its back to reality. Besides it’s not like anything could ever come of us anyway. I have three kids, once he finds that out I am sure that will be enough to send him running to the hills.

We finish our dinner and the conversation flows easily. We chat about how it is for the guys filming and all the fun pranks they pull on each other on set. Lillian and I talk about our family back home. We safely avoid the topic of Dave, and I silently signal to Lillian to leave out anything about the kids tonight. She seems to get the hint because she doesn’t bring them up at all. I know that is hard for her because she could win the proud aunt of the year award with as much as she usually brags about the kids twenty-four seven.

They ask what we do for work. I almost slip up and say that I don’t work that I am a stay at home mom. However, I remember the job I am going to be starting a week after we arrive back home and tell them all about that instead. They seem genuinely interested in the bakery and my role as the manager which surprised me, because compared to what they do and how much money they make they must think of my job as something they probably did as teenagers. Lillian explains that she works as a dental hygienist and that she loves her job but she is enjoying her much needed vacation and she can’t wait until her maternity leave. We also talk a little bit about her asshole boyfriend Greg. That doesn’t seem to sit too well with Robert. Interesting.

Once the check is settled by the guys who refuse to let us pay reminding us that this was an apology dinner, we head back out to the car and get settled in.

Dexter jumps into the driver seat, and claps his hands twice and says, “Are y’all ready to head to the beach? I don’t know about y’all but I could really go for some s’mores at the shores right about now.”

“Dude that’s probably the corniest thing I have ever heard you say man. You’re going soft on me and since when do we eat s’mores at these bonfires?” Rob jokes with Dexter. 

“First time for everything. We just gotta stop off by the store real quick for the supplies, and then were all set.” Dexter puts the car in gear and heads to the closest grocery.

While the guys are inside, Lillian pops her grinning face up in between the driver and passenger seat.

“Courtney, Dexter has got it bad for you girl.” Lillian sing songs to me.

“Whatever you say Lily Pie. It’s not like it matters or anything were only here for a week, and I have decided that I am going to make the most of it. Let my hair down a little and have some fun.”

“Sounds like a marvelous plan to me, but why didn’t you want me to tell him about your kids, if this is all just for fun this week?” She looks puzzled. I love my kids to death, and I would be more than happy to tell Dexter all about them, but I just wasn’t ready not tonight anyway maybe by the end of the week.

“I just don’t want to appear less attractive to him or something. I feel like if he knew I was a mom he might not find me as appealing and then I won’t see him anymore this week and I am really looking forward to seeing him again after tonight.” I tell her honestly.

We saw the guys heading back to the car so our little chat session was over for now. I am sure she would grill me some more tonight when we get back to our hotel. The guys hopped into the car and before I knew it we were at the beach. The bonfire was looking to be in full force already. I am twenty eight years old and have never been to a bonfire.

Well here goes nothing. My first bonfire, here I come.

Dexter

I could tell she was nervous. I wanted to try and put her as at ease as possible, so after introducing her to the gang I wanted to take her down to the shore line so just the two of us could talk.

We enjoyed making some delicious s’mores. I most enjoyed watching Courtney lick the chocolate and marshmallow off of each finger. She was not doing it to be seductive or anything but it was sexy as fuck.

When we were done with the s’mores I took that as my opportunity to steal Courtney away so I could get her to myself for a bit.

“Courtney, will you take a walk with me down to the shore?” I asked her. She shot a nervous look over to Lillian, who only gave her a hand wave as if to say go I will be fine. Then Courtney looked up at me and shrugged one shoulder.

“Sounds good. I’ve never seen the Alabama coast before. Even though its dark out the moon seems to be shinning so bright I might as well check it out while I’m here.” Brilliant! That gave me a great idea for tomorrow now. I don’t know what it is about this woman, but I already want to spend more time with her, and I haven’t even dropped her off for the night yet. So asking her to come to the beach with me tomorrow seemed like a no-brainer.

“Why don’t you let me pick you up tomorrow and bring you back during the day? We can pack up the cooler and grill out here and enjoy the beach in the day light so you can check it out better. Maybe even find some shells out here tomorrow if we come out early enough. We can make a day of it.” I turned a hopeful look to Courtney and I could see the excitement in her eyes, but there was hesitance there also.

“I am not sure. I will have to check with Lil and see if she is okay with it, I mean I don’t want to leave her stranded since this is her birthday trip and all.”

“Lillian is invited too. Rob pretty much goes everywhere I go and those two seem to be hitting it off pretty good. The four of us can hang out and enjoy the sun, sand, and waves. If you guys get to hot or Lillian needs a break, you guys can always head into the house for a bit to cool down.” I nodded my head towards the beach house a few feet away. I knew if I wanted her to spend time with me Lillian was the way to go. If Lillian had to be included in our plans just so I could spend as much time as possible with this girl before she went home, then I would be seeing a lot of Lillian too. I just hope I can get her to agree to a date alone as well before she leaves. See what she is like away from her sister.

We walked closer to the water and she just stared out over the open ocean letting the calm waves lap at her feet. She looked deep in thought and she also looked calm and serene for the first time since I met her. She seems to really enjoy the water and you don’t have to get to know her to know that the beach is her comfort zone. The place that calms her soul.

“So, tell me a little bit about yourself Courtney. I want to get to know you better while we have the chance away from everyone else.” She look over and me and smiled that beautiful smile.

“What do you want to know?” She flirts back.

“Well I already know where you live, and what you do for work, and about your husband, which I am deeply sorry for by the way. I just want to know more about you. What you do for fun other than collect shells. I really like you Courtney, and I can see this going farther than next Saturday if you will let it. I am all in. I don’t know what it is about you but I can’t get enough of you. You are still here and just the thought of dropping you off later tonight at your hotel room has me missing you already.” I can’t believe I just threw all that out there and opened up my heart to this girl. I just can’t help it she brings out this side of me I have never experienced before. The thought of her leaving Saturday and never talking to her again keeps sending this pain to the center of my chest.

“Slow down there Dex. Let’s just take this one day at a time. See what happens this week. I admit that I feel something for you, probably more than I should after just meeting you today. I know this sounds crazy but I feel like I have known you forever. This is the first time I have even been out with someone of the opposite sex since Dave died. I am going to need some time to process all of this. There are some things about me that once you find out you may even change your mind. So can we please just take this slow? Can you do that for me please?” As she looked up at me with the most hopeful expression I knew I couldn’t deny her that. I also seriously doubted whatever she had to tell me about herself would change the way I feel about her either.

“I would do anything for you Cor. So if taking this slow is what you need then I am willing to try for you. Just know, no matter what you have to say to me would make me change my mind.” I stated firmly.

“Not even the fact that I have three children would change your mind about me? Who wants to be with a widow with children when you can have your pick of beautiful unattached women lined up at the drop of a dime?” Courtney asks with all the seriousness in the world. She couldn’t be for real right now. Children? She has Children? She thinks that’s the big revelation that’s going to turn me against her. She is in for a big surprise, because I love kids, so I tell her as much.

“I love kids Courtney, so if that was your shot at trying to get me to change my mind then you better try again. Come on hit me with your best shot. What other secrets do you think are going to turn me away?” I egg her on.

“Seriously you don’t care that I have kids? Three of them at that?  I thought for sure that would scare you away. That’s all really. I don’t have any other secrets or big reveals. That’s my biggest one, I just thought for sure that once you found that out you would change your mind about this. Whatever
this
is. You don’t just get me. You get the four of us.”

“Well I truly do not mind the fact that you have kids. I am sure they are just as great as you are. How old are they, and what are their names? Boys or Girls?” I asked with honest interest. I want to know everything about her life and her kid’s lives. She comes as a package deal, and I am willing to deal with that as long as I can have her. I grab her hand as she begins to tell me about her kids. The way she speaks about them you can just see the love pouring out of her eyes. I bet she is a wonderful mother. I would love to see her carrying my baby inside of her one day. Wow, I am really getting ahead of myself here. Slow down boy.

“I have two boys and one girl. Jason is 12 and he looks just like his Daddy. Caleb is 6, he looks more like me and Miley is going to be 3 in about 6 months and she is my mini me. They keep me busy and on my toes all the time. I have always stayed home with them until now. I had to find a job because the money from when Dave passed away is starting to run low. So, I had to find a job and I have been looking for 2 years.  I finally just got this job at the bakery last week, so once I get home I am forced to take on the task of finding someone I trust to watch the kids for me while I work. That is going to be very hard for me considering I have been the only one to take care of them since they were born. I am not sure how I am going to do it.” She looks up at me and the sadness and unease is back in her eyes again. If I had it my way I would pay all of her bills and make sure she never has to work another day in her life. That thought startles me. I need to remember I just met this woman. Here I am wanting to take care of her and make sure she never wants for anything.

“I am sure that is going to be very hard for you. I can’t begin to imagine what you have been going through the past several years. I hope that one day get to meet the kids. They must be as wonderful as their mother. I hate to say it, because I am really enjoying our time together but I just looked over at Rob, and Lillian is passed out in his arms. I think it’s about time we get you ladies back to your hotel.”

I led her up the beach back to where the bonfire was dwindling down to nothing but embers. We met up with Rob who carried a sleeping Lillian back to the suburban.  I made sure everyone was strapped in safely and as much as I didn’t want to let Courtney go for the evening I turned the car in the direction of their hotel.

We got back to the hotel and Rob carried Lillian up to the room, and I made sure to see Courtney safely inside her room. She took the key card from her pocket to open the door to let Rob inside and told him what bed was Lillian’s. Then she turned toward me and told me she had a great time tonight.

I stared down into Courtney’s eyes. I could tell that she wanted me to kiss her, and man did I want to kiss her too.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening Court. Are we on for tomorrow and the beach?” She nodded her head up and down signaling yes we were on. I wrapped my hand around the side of her face and stroked her cheek with my thumb and bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Pulling away I placed my forehead to hers trying to gather the strength to leave her side. I looked back down into her eyes again.

Rob was walking out the door, so I took that as my sign it was time to go. I rubbed my thumb over her cheek one more time, and then I kissed her on the forehead and turned to leave.

“Until tomorrow, beautiful girl.” With one last wink I watched her walk inside and shut the door she was speechless. I waited until I heard the lock click in place and only then did I turn to walk away.