Landlady: A New Adult Romance (Northbridge Nights Book 1) (8 page)

“Hey, Cam.” Callista waved.

Cameron looked up, and a huge, rugged grin creased his face. “Two
of my favorite ladies. How are ya? Haven't seen you two in a while.”

“Been busy with work,” Callista said.

I nodded in agreement. “Looks busy in here. I'm glad business is
doing so well.”

Cameron grinned. “What can I start ya off with?”

I ordered a bellini while Callista had a margarita. Cameron placed
the cocktails in front of us within minutes.

Between sips, Callista asked, “What did you want to rant about?”

I looked over at Cam and realized he was busy chatting up an
African-American goddess. I didn't really want Cam to overhear any of
this, even though he probably wouldn't care anyway.

“It's about Asher,” I said in a low whisper.

“Why are you whispering?” Callista whispered back.

My eyes dart to Cam. “I don't want Cam to hear me.”

“Sisi, he's not going to care. You two ended things months ago.”

“Still.”

“All right then. Tell me what you want to tell me.”

I led with the news that bothered me the most. “Asher was engaged.”

Callista's jaw dropped. “What? Wait, how did that come up?”

“His father told me.”

Callista arched her brows. “Correct me if I'm wrong but it's only
been like three days since I last saw you right?”

“We kissed.”

“Holy shit, Sierra! What the hell happened? Start from the
beginning.”

So I explained everything, down to the last detail. I swear she
didn't even blink for two whole minutes, and her jaw was permanently
agape.

“All that happened in less than forty-eight hours?”

“Yup.” I threw her an imploring look. “Am I an idiot?”

Callista sighed. “You were a bit of a tease,” she finally said.

“I know,” I admitted. “And I feel horrible about it now.”

“Why?” she asked. “For having a little fun? It's not like he
was looking for a committed relationship or anything. Besides, you
didn't even sleep
with
him. Just in his bed,” she winked.

“He wants to chat. Should I hear him out? Is it even worth the
bother or should I just move on?”

“I think you should at least give him a chance to explain himself.
If you've learned anything from watching years of rom-coms with me,
you should know the alpha hero almost always has a reasonable
explanation for his actions.”

“You're right. I guess I'll talk to him tomorrow then. Thanks,
Cally. You know, for listening to my rant.”

“Would you like a refill?” Cam asked, his large hands wrapped
around our empty glasses.

“Sure. Put it on my tab please,” I offered.

“So what's the celebration?” Cam asked.

I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“You two look smoking hot. Celebrating something?”

Callista laughed. “On the contrary, we're discussing some juicy
gossip.”

“Care to share?” Cam asked, mixing our drinks.

“Not tonight,” I said.

“Sure. No worries.” Cam leaned in closer, and I could see his
muscular pecs stretching his t-shirt. “Listen, some of my mates and
I are going to a beer fest next weekend. It'll be a two-day thing.
You two wanna join?”

“Sorry, Cam, I'm going on a weekend road trip with my boyfriend,”
Callista said.

“Oh, I didn't know you were serious about that muppet,” Cameron
said.

“Pretty serious,” Callista said. “But anyway, Sierra might go.
Right, Sisi?” Callista nudged me with her knee.

I wasn't sure going to a beer fest with Cameron and his friends all
by myself was such a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I trusted Cam. I
just didn't know anything about his friends, that's all. Plus, beer
wasn't really my thing.

“Are your friends okay with me coming?” I asked, unsure if I'd
fit in with his buddies.

“They're great lads. And I think some of them will bring their
girlfriends too so you won't be the only lass there,” Cam
explained. “It'll be fun. It's on the island.”

He was, of course, referring to Penderton Island, a quick
twenty-minute ferry ride across Northbridge Bay.

“How many of your friends are going?” I asked.

“Let's see, there's Chris, Mike...” Cam counted off. “Four
guys, including me and maybe two of their girlfriends.”

“I'll think about it, Cam. Can I get back to you?”

“Aye. I have an extra ticket, but I won't hold on to it forever.
Let me know at the latest before Wednesday, all right?”

“Sure. Is your number still the same?”

“Aye,” Cameron nodded. “Just text me.”

“Got it.”

After Cam had bounced off to serve his other customers, I felt
Callista tug on my sleeve. “You should go, Sisi. It'll be the
perfect way to get over your little crush and play the field a
little. Cam mentioned three girlfriends and five guys, including
himself. Which means, you'll have your pick of two—”

“—Cally, maybe I don't just think about hooking up with guys all
day long, hmm?”

“Yeah okay,” Callista said. “So you didn't just spend twenty
minutes ranting about your sexy tenant who you kissed and really
wanted to hook up with?”

“Cally,” I warned.

“Just saying. It's not like you're exclusive or serious about this
Asher guy. Go out and have some fun. Drink some beer and get laid.”

“I don't even like beer that much,” I pointed out.

“It's about socializing, Sisi, something you need to do more of.”

“Ugh, Cally, you make me sound like a hermit.”

“When was the last time you hung out with anyone other than me and
Brandon?”

I sighed. “Fine. Point taken.”

It really had been way too long.

Before we left the bar, I tapped Cam on the shoulder and told him I
was in.

Beaming, he said, “You won't regret it, Sierra. It'll be fun.”

“Counting on it,” I replied.

CHAPTER 8

ASHER

SHE ASKED FOR SPACE.

So I gave it to her. After all, I learned my lesson when I snooped
through her boxes. I just didn't expect she'd avoid me for three
whole days before texting me again.

SIERRA:
Engaged huh? You owe me an explanation.

ASHER:
Finally! You were driving me crazy with all the waiting.
Are you home? Can I see you?

SIERRA:
Still at work. Meet me somewhere close by? At 7? There's a
café—Minnie's on Maple and Verne.

ASHER:
I'll be there.

I still had a shit ton of work to do on the Holdom merger, but I
didn't want to pass up the chance to explain myself to Sierra. So I
unloaded most of the work onto my paralegal, partner on the case, and
good friend, Mike Hannigan.

“You owe me big time,” he'd said, shuffling papers.

“I'll make it up to you this weekend, I promise. Dinner on me,”
I'd replied.

“I'm taking next weekend off then. Taking the girlfriend out of
town,” Mike said.

“Deal.”

Minutes later, my Jag was revving down the street. My mind raced the
entire drive there, rehearsing over and over what I'd say to her.
Perfecting my speech so it'd sound natural but also sympathetic
enough for her to forgive me.

I arrived at Minnie's with ten minutes to spare so I waited in the
car until I caught a glimpse of plaid and wavy dark blond hair brush
past.

Hopping out, I called, “Sierra!”

She paused mid-step and turned, her beautiful face locking onto mine.

“You're early,” she said.

“I always am when it comes to important meetings.”

“So this is a meeting?” she asked.

Don't twist my words, woman!

“No, but I value it just as much as one. I've been dying to see
you. You left me in a quite a lurch on Sunday. I haven't been able to
focus on my work all week.”

“Glad to see you're somewhat human. And have a conscience.” She
strode into the café and right up to the counter. As she placed her
order, I received a text from my buddy Cameron.

CAM:
Sorry mate. Forgot to tell you I'm bringing a date this
weekend. Hope you won't feel too left out. You can still bring a date
if you want; VIP tickets still on sale.

I quickly tapped out a reply:
It's okay, I'll be fine.

Turning back to Sierra, I realized it was my turn to order. I ordered
a black coffee, and we brought our drinks to a table by the windows.
The café had a great view of Northbridge Harbor, and I could see
seagulls weaving their way through throngs of ferries and commercial
freights. Peaceful and picturesque. The perfect view to go with the
perfect apology.

“Well, don't make me ask. Tell me what you've been dying to tell me
all this time,” Sierra said.

I dragged in a deep breath.

“The engagement, it wasn't real,” I began.

Sierra cocked her head, questions swirling in her eyes.

“Vicky was my long time friend. She needed someone to be her fake
fiancé, so I agreed. Her father was in town, and she wanted to show
me off. She didn't want her father to be disappointed in her choice
of men. She had a bit of a reputation for being a playgirl and
falling for bad boys. So I played along and eventually started to
develop some feelings, but it wasn't mutual. I found out she was in
love with someone else; someone her wealthy father disapproved of.
After her father had gone back to Mexico, I publicly broke it off,
because that had been the plan all along. It hurt me, but I got over
it a long time ago.”

Sierra sat in stunned silence. Finally, she said, “I thought that
stuff only happened in movies. Or books.”

“Where do you think they get the ideas from?” I snickered. “If
you ever need a fake fiancé, you know who to call.” It was a joke,
but Sierra didn't laugh.

“So do you still keep in touch with her?”

“No,” I admitted. “Two weeks after we 'split up,' she eloped
with her real boyfriend. Last I heard they were honeymooning in
Thailand.” I tried to hide the bitterness in my voice.

“I see,” Sierra said.

“So do you forgive me now?” I asked, hoping she'd say yes.

Sierra shrugged. “I was never mad at you or anything.”

She was a horrible liar. But I didn't call her out on it.

“Are we good?”

Sierra nodded. “It's quite the story. But I'll buy it. Anyway, I
should head home now. I'm wiped. Long day at work.”

“Wanna talk about it?” I offered.

She shook her head. “Just want to go home and veg out.”

“Let me give you a ride,” I said. “Please. I'm headed the same
way.”

She thought about it then nodded. “I guess we do share the same
roof.” A tiny laugh escaped her lips, and it was the sweetest sound
I'd heard all day.

Once we were on the road, I decided to go for it. I'd wanted to ask
her ever since Cameron first invited me to the beer fest three days
ago.

“Hey,” I began, “There's this thing I'm going to this weekend
with my buddies. Would you be interested in joining us? Just as a
friend?”

Sierra's lips wiggled. Then she said, “Sorry, I already made
plans.”

I didn't expect her rejection to hit me so hard. Swallowing I nodded,
“That's okay. I just wanted to check, in case you were free.”

“Thanks for the invite, though.”

“Mmhm.”

After I had parked, Sierra got out of the car, said goodbye, and
disappeared around the back. I was really, really hoping I could
bring her to the beer fest. So I could make it all up to her. Have
fun, get to know her better. Introduce her to my friends. I'd been so
riled up by the possibility that now she'd dashed my dreams, I felt
somewhat sullen and defeated. Should I bother trying to bring a date,
or just show up stag?

Mike and Jeremy were bringing their girlfriends. And now even Cam had
a date. I would look like such a loser they'd think I lost my A-game.

Fuck.

I could always try to hook up with a girl at the festival, but even
that didn't hold the appeal it once did. Because lately, there'd only
been one girl on my mind. The one girl who was slipping farther and
farther away from me.

Sierra fucking Maywood.

Someone I couldn't just wine, dine, then sixty-nine.

Someone who spoke her own mind and was fiercely stubborn about almost
everything.

I wanted her to be all mine.

But it was starting to look like that first kiss we shared would also
be the last.

CHAPTER 9

ASHER

SATURDAY MORNING ROLLED around, and I was still without a date. I
decided to just tough it out and show up stag. Who knew? Maybe I'd
meet a cute chick this weekend to distract me for a few hours. A
little flirting was just what the doctor ordered. Something to prove
that Sierra Maywood wasn't the only woman who could tug at my
heartstrings.

I'd already decided to carpool with my buddies Mike and Jeremy, and
their girlfriends. Cameron and his date would meet us at the ferry
terminal.

Mike's SUV pulled up shortly after 9a.m. His girlfriend Terri sat in
the front passenger seat while Jeremy and Rose were in the back. I
could see a few coolers and fold-up chairs jammed in the trunk.

I'd packed my duffle bag with two days' worth of clothing,
toiletries, and swim trunks because I read there was a pool at the
hotel. I relaxed my hunched shoulders and waved to my buddies.

“Get in loser, we're late,” Terri called, her loose blond hair
twisting in the breeze.

I locked up the front door and made my way to the car. “When does
the ferry leave?”

Terri checked her watch. “In an hour. If we don't hit a traffic
jam, we should get there fifteen minutes early. But you never know.
It's the weekend.”

I slid in beside Jeremy and said hi to him and his girl. I'd known
the two of them since high school, and they'd been dating for just as
long. It was inspiring, actually.

“My man,” Jeremy said. “Spending the weekend solo?”

“Not if I meet a hot chick there,” I shot back.

“Are you over that Vicky chick yet?” Mike, my paralegal and the
designated driver, asked from up front. “What happened to her?”