Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate Book 1) (23 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

After we leave the park, Keegan and I stop for ice cream sundaes—his idea, of course. I’m not sure if it’s the chocolate or his closeness that puts me in a better frame of mind about the Met gala.

Then we walk around town, hand in hand, reminiscing about our childhood. We watch as some inebriated patrons from Patti’s bar hang from the Jimmy Stewart statue in the middle of town. While some things change, some things always stay the same. That statue has been a magnet for drunkenness for as long as I can remember. Poor old Jimmy and his wonderful life.

After watching the shenanigans of some of the town’s youth, we head back to my dad’s house where we find him sitting in his recliner, watching television. He already has the couch made up for Keegan to sleep on. Although it’s quite amusing, thinking of my poor Keegan sleeping on our lumpy couch makes me feel sorry for him. He’s Keegan James, respected and influential architect worth billions. To my dad, though, he’s merely my boyfriend.

I kiss Keegan goodnight and head up to my room that hasn’t changed much since I left for college. It still boasts the corkboard where I tacked pictures of my friends from high school, ones I lost touch with after I left. No pictures of Keegan grace that board—it was too hard to look at his picture after he disappeared—so I find a picture of us hidden in my old dresser from when we were kids and attach it with the others.

After putting on my pajamas, I crawl under my covers and grab the teddy bear that is placed against my pillow, hugging it close yet wishing I could be holding Keegan. My thoughts rewind, and I relive the night’s events in succession, making a permanent place for them in my heart. I finally fall asleep, wrapped in the comfort of the quilt my grandmother made for me years ago.

I’m awakened when the bed dips, and the covers are lifted. I feel the familiar warm body pull me close before Keegan kisses me softly on my neck.

“If my dad finds you in here, he’s going to grab his shotgun.”

He stiffens, but holds me tighter. “It’s worth the risk to hold you in my arms.”

I grab ahold of his hand and link our fingers together. “It’s your funeral.”

He chuckles in my ear. “I have my alarm set on my phone for a few hours; we’ll be fine.”

Keegan lightly brushes his thumb across my knuckles, and it doesn’t take long to fall asleep wrapped in him. When I wake in the morning, he’s gone, and for a moment, I think I may have dreamed him until I roll over and smell his intoxicating scent on my other pillow.

We stay for breakfast, during which my dad shoots Keegan scrutinizing looks. He reminds us that he’s a light sleeper and can hear every bump in the night, his nonchalant way of telling us we are busted. It doesn’t matter that we are adults; I’m still his little girl who needs protecting.

Saying good-bye to my dad is always very difficult. I miss and worry about him. He doesn’t have any major health issues except being a tad overweight. Sometimes, I wish he would have moved on and met someone to share his life with. He has his friends, but I wish he had someone here who could take care of him.

We head home and spend the rest of the weekend holed up in Casa James with no unexpected visitors, just us. At night, we look at the stars through his high-powered telescope and spend a lot of time exploring each other’s bodies. By the time Monday rolls around, every muscle in my body aches from my Keegan James weekend workout.

When I arrive at work, there is a beautiful bouquet of roses sitting on my desk from him. The card attached only says six little words that mean so much to me:
I love you to the stars.
I hold the card close to my chest, smiling at what we have quickly become.

Although it’s only been a few hours since I have seen him, he spoiled me with his attention this weekend, and I’m selfish for more.

“How was your weekend?” Reese asks in a singsong voice, taking me out of my thoughts.

“Terrible,” I answer.

She looks at me with confusion, eyeing the flowers on my desk. It takes her a second, but she catches up.

“Are you upset that I didn’t tell you about your surprise?” she questions, looking at me quizzically.

“No, why would I? It’s not like I was whisked away on a freaking helicopter to Pennsylvania or anything.” I give her my evil eye reserved for moments like this.

“Wow, a helicopter? Do you think Kaleb can borrow it? I’ve never flown in one.” I’m pretty sure she’s being serious right now. “He wanted to do something special for you. He wants to make up for all the time you spent apart. I wasn’t going to ruin it for you or him. Plus, Kaleb and I had the apartment all to ourselves, and the things we did I didn’t even know were possible.”

This conversation just took a very awkward turn.

“If you shut up right now, I promise to forgive you.”

She smirks at me without another peep escaping her lips. Well played, my best friend. Well played, indeed.

Reese tells me she’s leaving work early to pick up her brother from the airport; as a result, we decide to catch up over dinner. Keegan and Kaleb will be at the Met gala tonight, so it will just be the three of us.

That uneasy feeling creeps up on me. Maybe I should flat out ask Keegan if there is something he’s not telling me. I only wish I could be with him tonight instead of Gretchen. I want to be the one on his arm, not her.

Yelling at my insecure thoughts to get lost, I continue with my workday.

***

When I enter my apartment, I follow the sound of laughter into the kitchen where I find Reese, Kaleb, and Liam. It looks like Kaleb and Liam have become fast friends. Kaleb looks up and sees me watching their exchange.

“Aimee’s home,” he yells.

Clearly, they have all been enjoying a few beers from the empty bottles that are lined on the counter. I smile and wave as I enter the kitchen. Then Liam sees me, and his eyes light up before he grabs ahold of me then envelops me in a warm hug.

“You are a sight for sore eyes, Aimee.”

Liam towers over me. His blond hair is cut shorter than the last time I saw him. He’s wearing a navy blue T-shirt that stretches across his chest and a pair of faded blue jeans. A tattoo peeks out from underneath his sleeve, something new from the last time I saw him. He’s quite beautiful with eyes that match his sisters.

“Hi, Liam. How are you? How was your flight?”

He releases me. “I’m great. It was uneventful.”

“I see you’ve met Kaleb.” I look over at Kaleb who is watching us.

“Yes, I’ve decided I approve of him dating my sister after he brought me my favorite lager.” He points to the beer lining the counter.

I had no doubt these two would hit it off. Kaleb is very outgoing and makes friends with everyone he meets. I used to joke with him that he was everyone’s best friend.

“You look different, Aimee, good different.” Liam smiles at me.

Reese interrupts, “She looks different because she’s in L-O-V-E.”

I shoot her a dirty look. I can tell she’s had a few drinks.

“It looks good on her,” Liam tells her.

The moment has become awkward, thanks to my best friend and the history between Liam and I. When we broke up before he moved away, it was on amicable terms, so I know all he wants for me is my happiness, but it doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable.

Kaleb grabs Reese and plants a huge, sloppy kiss on her lips. “I have to run. I’ll call you later.”

Reese looks at him and pouts a little. They are kind of adorable together.

“Liam, it was great hanging out. You coming to my dad’s surprise party on Saturday?”

“Sure, man, I’ll be there.”

Reese leaves the kitchen, walking Kaleb out.

“Those two serious?”

“As serious as they both can be.”

“He’s your boyfriend’s brother?”

Knowing he’s fishing for information, I nod. “I’ve known Kaleb forever. He’s a good guy, Liam. He won’t hurt her.”

He relaxes a little. “This boyfriend?”

“Keegan,” I interrupt. “His name is Keegan.”

He continues, “Keegan, he’s also a good guy?”

“The best.”

Reese chooses that moment to walk back into the kitchen. “So, ladies and gentlemen, you guys hungry? Because I’m starving.”

We decide to hit a diner around the corner so Reese won’t eat her arm from hunger. I change out of my work clothes into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved, black top. Then I send Keegan a quick text, telling him I miss him. When I don’t receive a reply right away, I figure he’s busy getting ready for the gala tonight.

We end up staying at the diner after a nice dinner, simply catching up. Liam is a lawyer, and things seem to be going well for him in California. Reese asks him if he’s dating anyone, and he tells her not at the moment. The wheels are turning, and I’m sure she’s going to try to set him up with someone. She misses him living on this side of the country. If she could kidnap him and lock him in a room to have him here, she would.

It’s late when we get home, and since I’m beat, I go straight to bed with still no reply from Keegan.

When my alarm wakes me in the morning, I groggily look at my phone sitting on my nightstand, relieved to find a message from Keegan that tells me his phone died and that he’s home from the gala, wishing me sweet dreams. The time stamp is four in the morning, only a couple of hours ago. Despite my reservations, I want to hear all about the gala. I know he’s in his office all day, so I decide to surprise him with lunch later, partly because I just want to see him. After the weekend he gave me, I want to do something nice for him.

I decide to bring him his favorite sandwich, a Reuben from a little deli close to my office. I grab a taxi to his office and make my way inside, stopping at the front desk where Bob is sitting.

“Just bringing the boss lunch.” I hold up the bag.

“Go right up, Miss Brennan.”

“Please call me Aimee, and thank you.”

I head over to the elevator, pushing the button for his floor. I’m anxious to see him, tapping my foot on the ride up. When the elevator doors open, I step onto the floor. No one is around that I can see, so I head straight toward his office, wishing the entire way that Gretchen isn’t with him. No such luck. As I approach, I can hear her voice berating Keegan.

“I can’t believe you blew off the weekend for her. Really, Keegan? This isn’t just your company.”

He spent the weekend with me and ditched work? I think back and remember that I didn’t see him on his phone once. He deserves a weekend off; therefore, I’m guessing she’s more upset by the person he was with than the work part.

“We went over this last night, Gretchen. I know you haven’t forgotten, but Aimee isn’t negotiable. She’s also none of your business. I’m telling you one last time to drop it.”

I’m sure she hates me even more now. When I don’t hear them arguing any longer, I decide it’s time to show myself.

I step into the open doorway to see Keegan sitting at his desk, typing on his computer. He’s dressed in another dapper, navy suit. Gretchen, on the other hand, is sitting in one of the chairs placed in front of his desk, wearing a short crimson dress and reading the paper.

I knock lightly, and both their heads turn toward me. Keegan and I exchange smiles while Gretchen merely looks at me with a blank stare; however, I decide not to pay her any attention.

I hold up the bag in my hand. “I brought you lunch.”

I see Gretchen roll her eyes as I approach his desk, placing the bag in front of him.

“You didn’t have to come all the way from across town, but I’m happy to see you.”

Gretchen stands up with her paper in hand then smiles at me viciously, and I expect to see fangs, but instead only see her perfect pearly whites.

“Look, Keegan and I made page six. Isn’t that wonderful?”

She puts the paper in my hand. I open it to see a picture of her and Keegan looking glamorous and standing close with their hands held. I gulp at the feelings I’m having right now. I don’t even bother looking at the headline. I hand it back to her.

“You both look lovely. I hope you two had a nice time.”

Keegan studies me and then looks over to a smiling Gretchen. She knows she’s accomplished her task. She spent the evening schmoozing with my boyfriend. I’m sure anyone looking at that picture will assume they are a couple. Gretchen wants to hurt me. She wants to make me believe I don’t fit into Keegan’s life.

“Gretchen, don’t you have work to do?” Keegan reminds her.

She places the paper directly in front of me on Keegan’s desk with the picture face up. I see the headline now “
New York Super Couple
.” Then Gretchen saunters out of the office, swaying her hips without another word.

Keegan speaks up. “Come here, beautiful.”

I follow his command, feeling relief now that it’s only the two of us.

Once in front of him, he pulls me onto his lap. “You look nice.”