Crush by Aubrey Wright

Author:Aubrey Wright [Wright, Aubrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-22T16:00:00+00:00

21

Dixie

Present day

“So, I’ve been out of my mind organizing everything, but it looks like it’s finally happening,” I said, and leaned my butt against the counter in my mom’s kitchen.

She bent in front of the oven, her I Love Lucy apron tied on tight, courtesy of me, and wriggled her nose at the cookies baking inside. “You know, I’m not sure I used enough butter.”

“You always say that,” I sighed. “And your cookies are always perfect, Mom.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet?” She straightened and came over to me, tucking a few strands of gray hair behind her ear. She pulled me into a hug. “Have I mentioned how proud I am of you for taking this on? I think it’s fantastic that you came up with this joint venture and Valentine’s Day celebration idea.”

“Not by myself,” I said. “I—well, Luke actually gave me the idea.” It was tough to say his name now. We’d slept together. We’d avoided each other. We’d talked about business. Everything between us was off-kilter and up in the air, and I’d done my level best to avoid him like the friggin’ plague the past week.

I’d used the time to chat with Fox instead, get to know him better, and use him to forget about all the background with Luke. I’d tried to, at least.

“Luke,” Mom said and drew out of the hug. “I’m glad you too are finally getting along. I remember how tough it was in the beginning, when we first moved in. You two were always fighting.”

Only because we couldn’t handle the sexual tension. Or, I couldn’t, at least. “Yep,” I managed. “Anyway, I’m just really happy I’ve got this under control. I was sure there wouldn’t be enough time. All that’s left is the music and then just ensuring that the guys who’re setting up the tents on the day are there on time.”

Excitement wasn’t the word for this new endeavor. It had reinvigorated me. Reminded me why I’d started my own business in the first place. Allowed me the power to finally ignore Luke’s calls and try to put the tension, the need, the taboo thoughts behind me.

If he was angry with me for dodging his calls, all the better. That would only drive us further apart.

“It sounds like you’ve got everything under control,” Mom said as the timer went off on the oven.

“Fingers crossed.”

“Have you talked with Luke about any of your plans?” she asked, and walked over to the oven. She opened the door and the delicious scent of chocolate-chip cookies flooded the kitchen, carried on a tide of heat.

She slipped on an oven mitt and retrieved the tray then turned and delivered it onto the kitchen counter.

“Why would I talk to Luke?”

“Because he helped you come up with the idea, sweetheart. I know you probably see him as the irresponsible jerk who set fire to the beach, or wrecked your cafeteria at school, but he’s grown. He’s changed.”

“This is not about whether he’s changed or not, Mom. I thanked Luke for the idea when we spoke about it and expanded on it myself.

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