Caught Up In Love Read online

  She gave me a strange look. “Don’t tell me you’re creating another sacred space.”

  I had redone my bedroom, turning it into a sacred space for me to meditate and release the tension of the day. “No, but I am about to extend the crystal garden. My collection is growing.”

  Lissa walked over to the sofa and plopped down, putting her feet up under her. “And that’s so you can live with the rocks instead of under them?”

  “Very funny. You know you love my collection.” She had bought me several of my crystals and even bought me a large bowl to keep my tumbled stones in. I had dedicated a large area of my living room to the indoor feature, which was slowly taking over the rest of the house.

  “I do, and I wish I knew as much about them as you did, but I’m worried that you’re spending more time with your stones, and Jasper over there, than people these days. When was the last time you went out after work?” Jasper, who had heard his name, came padding into the room and jumped up on the sofa beside her.

  “I go run my errands, and then I come home. That’s what half of the world does after a long day.” I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ears. “Besides, I doubt I’d meet anyone interesting in this town. And I have Jasper to look after.”

  “Yeah.” She looked at Jasper out of the corner of her eye as he licked himself. “I can see what’s not to love.”

  “You love Jasper too. What’s the problem?” She had never made such a fuss over the decisions I made with my life.

  “If you don’t go out, you’re never going to meet anyone. And I’d like you to meet someone so you could double with me and Christian.”

  Ah, that’s what this is about. “You and Christian date? I mean, I know you fuck and hang out when he’s on shore, but that’s really not the same thing, is it?”

  “Ouch. It’s better than spending Friday nights alone with my cat.” Jasper got up and crawled into her lap, and she stroked his soft fur. “It’s just sad your only option at the moment is to get back with Maddox.”

  My eyes widened, and I shuddered at the thought. “Not going to happen!”

  “Exactly, and thank heavens for that. I’m just saying. Maybe the asshole will lay off of you if you meet someone.”

  “I couldn’t get so lucky.” There weren’t many men that I considered my type in our town. I needed someone who was going to love and accept me, who wasn’t going to leave on long trips offshore and not return for months.

  “Not with that attitude, you can’t. You’re the one always talking about positive minds and good vibes.”

  “And that’s much easier to achieve when you shield yourself from other people’s bullshit. It’s part of being an empath. I’m an introvert because other people tend to wear me out.”

  “You’re one of the most outgoing people I know, Sage.”

  “When I’m forced to be.”

  She let out a breath which was so loud, I could hear it with my back turned.

  I turned around, wondering if she had run out of fight, but she was on her phone. “They are trying to get me to come in early,” she explained as I stepped back and took a look at my drawing.

  “Are you?”

  “Hell no. That’s Paddy wanting me to open the registers. He hates messing with the money and acts like the cash register is going to bite him. I’m over it. Christian will be home soon, and I’m just ticking down the minutes and hours so I can take a day off to stay in bed with him. I need the release, and my batteries are running low, if you know what I mean.”

  Lissa had always been free-spirited when talking about her sex life, and while I wasn’t shy about sex, I had never had any to talk about. I hadn’t even used sex toys very much, but to be fair, those batteries had died ages ago, and I was just too lazy to replace them. Sex hadn’t been at the forefront of my mind for some time.

  “I don’t see how you do it. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I admire you for your restraint and wanting to wait for Mr. Right, but I’d be humping every man who came within two feet of me if I had waited as long as you.”

  “I guess it’s different since I don’t know what I’m missing. Besides, I thought you already did hump every man who came within three feet of you.” I gave her a wicked smile.

  “Ha! Not in this town, baby.” The two of us shared a laugh. I wasn’t sure what was going through her mind, but in mine, all I could see was some of the dirty old fishermen who had long retired and hung around the docks waiting to help unload the fish.

  “Yeah, and you want me to go out.” I was better off staying home with my rocks.

  “Hey, have you seen the new house they are building over on Lincoln near the water?”

  “Yeah, it’s gorgeous, but a bit showy for my tastes.” The light-blue house was at least three stories and looked like it came with its own live-in staff.

  “I’d live there in a heartbeat,” said Lissa.

  “Oh, I’d live in it too. I mean, if you gave it to me, but the first thing I’d do is paint it. It’s periwinkle.”

  “Yeah, you’d turn it into a sacred crystal museum and give tours.” She faked an accent that wasn’t quite British. “And over here we have the amethyst room, and this is where I keep my rose quartz toilet seat. It does wonders for your butt and makes you feel serene while you’re praying to the porcelain gods.”

  A rose quartz toilet seat sounded like a dream to me. “I’d have my water crystal-infused through filters,” I said with a teasing dreamy look. I had fantasized about how I’d have my home so many times; it was like I’d already been to the place.

  She chuckled. “You’re such a nerd.”

  “And proud. I’m good, though, because my best friend is a big nerd too.”

  “You got me. And I wouldn’t have you any other way. I just think your husband better be prepared for you. I mean, special filtrations for the water, persnickety cat, and essential oil remedies? He’s going to have to be a very special guy who’s into hippie chicks.”

  I knew it was better not to argue with her about being a hippie. She’d called me everything from a gypsy to a witch, but I was okay with it, even though I was none of those things. “Yeah, you’re right. There’s probably not another soul on earth who is into all of the things I like, much less that would put up with Jasper. So, see there? Staying in is the smarter option.”

  “I didn’t say that. As for that new house, I heard that Patrick Dodd was the contractor, and the house was built by some man from New York.”

  “See, it’s just some rich old prick. It’s probably not even his full-time house. Just another weekender who will come and go like everyone else.”

  “Hmm, quick guesses. It’s a gay old man who lost his partner to a rare toenail disease and decided to move out here to reflect on their time together.”

  I tried to think on my feet, throwing out the first scenario that popped into my head. “It’s a family. Politician husband, snobby wife who will sneak into Anchor Management to flirt with the locals and day drink. You will hate her.”

  “Maybe he’s a hot, rich, single man with millions who is going to come in and sweep you off your feet. He’ll buy you a palace made of quartz.”

  “As long as he’s not an ugly old man coming to try and do that, I’m good with it.”

  “Me too,” she said. “He’d throw his back out.” She stroked the cat, and when I glanced back and gave her a dirty look, she giggled.

  “You’re the only friend I have who can get away with that kind of remark.”

  “Because you love me,” she said with a shrug.

  “Yes, I do.”

  She got up and walked over to stand with me. “So, are you coming down tonight?” I glanced over to see her pleading look.

  “No. I’m going to stay in and finish this.” I drew the final squiggly line and then put the pencil down. “I’ve got a lot of steps to get this right.”

  “You’re so lucky you get to paint. I can’t do shit in my house. Tilly is such a freaking hard ass.”

&
nbsp; “Sweet little Tilly?” The woman had the kindest disposition of anyone I’d met. And I only got to paint the walls of my house because my father had left it to me, along with other things.

  Lissa’s eyes widened. “Tilly is sweet until you rent from her. Then she plays that kindness shit for a while, and the next thing you know, she’s a nasty witch who is throwing your boyfriend out of the house.”

  I had forgotten that Tilly had thrown Christian out of the house, and I laughed thinking about how that had played out. “Didn’t she grab his ear?” I kind of remembered picturing that in my mind when I’d first heard about it. Still funny.

  “Yes, and it’s not been the same since. I think she’s broken the cartilage.”

  Lissa could over exaggerate, but I thought it was funny. She liked to make me laugh too, and that made her an even better friend than most. “I’m sure that’s not true. His ears have always been that way.”

  I turned to find the color I wanted the first section of my geode to be, and she walked over to get her handbag. “I guess I should go. I’m going to text you in my downtime, so keep your phone on.”

  “I will.” I had a bad habit of turning off my phone, but I liked to be lost in my world, and I wasn’t as attached to my phone like most people.

  “If I meet the hot guy in the big house, I’m keeping him for myself.” She went to the door, and I took one last look over my shoulder at her.

  “Have at him. I’m sure he’s a wrinkled old prune with a limp dick.”

  We both burst out laughing as she left, shutting the door behind her after turning the lock. I glanced down at Jasper, who was curled up asleep. “Looks like it’s just you and me, my little furry friend.” I turned the music up and went back to my painting, wondering if there was a man out there in the world for me, and if so, what he was like.

  3

  Greyson

  The drive to Maine was long, but I had plenty of time to clear my head and dream of a fresh new start. As I drove along the road to the house, I could see something through the trees, a color that put me off and gave me a sick feeling when I realized where it must be coming from. “No. No, it can’t be.”

  I sped the car up, and sure enough, when I came to the clearing, there stood my house. The gorgeous structure had been painted the most horrible shade of blue or purple. I wasn’t sure which.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

  As I pulled up to the house, it only got worse as the color clashed with the flowering bushes I’d had planted outside. “Jesus. This is bad. This is really bad.” I could hear Eric if he had seen the house. At least it matches your socks. I glanced down and lifted my pant leg. Yep, that was the color.

  The color was fine for socks or maybe golf pants, although I preferred mine pink, but this was totally unacceptable, and I was sure I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

  “Excuse me,” called a voice as I got out of the car. “Are you the homeowner?”

  I turned around to see a man I’d never met before. “Yes, sir, that’s me.” A moment of pride had turned into an embarrassment as I glanced at the purple monstrosity.

  “I’m not sure you’re aware, but there is a code you have to follow to live in this neighborhood. It’s one thing to build something that diminishes our homes in scale, but to then paint it this sickly shade of lavender, or lilac, or whatever other sissy color you like is just deplorable.”

  I had never had any intention of building the bigger, better house, and I could tell by his tone, the man already hated me. “I’m actually just seeing it for the first time myself. And I can assure you, this is not the color I intended it to be.”

  He looked me up and down as if my dark blue suit said otherwise. “Intentions or not, there is a certain standard we follow around here. Houses have to be gray or white, although most of us go with white. It’s just easier to maintain. I’m sure if you wanted to express your lifestyle or make some type of progressive statement, you could have moved into a different neighborhood. You were given the regulations when you bought the land. I asked the realtor.”

  “I beg your pardon?” What kind of lifestyle did he mean?

  He was already so red in the face that he looked like he might have a stroke. “I want this corrected as soon as possible.”

  “I plan on it. I’m Greyson Young.” I put out my hand and gave him my best winning smile. “It’s good to meet you, Mr.—”

  “Abbot,” said the man. “I’m Lyle Abbot. My wife June and I live next door.”

  “A pleasure. I’m calling the painters, and I’ll have them out here as soon as possible. I can assure you, this is not the color I chose. It’s supposed to be a warm gray.”

  The man took a deep breath. “Well, that will do. You did notice all of our houses here are white, did you not? Most trimmed in black.”

  “Yes, and while I’m not trying to make any statements, I did want to stand out. Within the rules, of course.”

  He frowned. “Well, just get it done before your permits run out.” He stormed away, and I let out a deep breath.

  “Welcome to the neighborhood,” I told myself, looking up at the stupid color. I went inside, and the first thing I did was hold my breath that everything else was the way I wanted it to be. If I had to call my contractor, it would be to make one call.

  The feature wall was underwhelming, and I wasn’t sure what to do with the large piece of driftwood that had been used as a fireplace mantle. I liked it, but I wasn’t sure it was my style. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t sure the entire house was me. I had gone for things that were popular and natural, but for some reason, the house looked more farmhouse than I had intended. Especially in the kitchen where the milk-washed cabinets were staring me in the face like my grandmother had painted them herself ages ago.

  “Fuck.” It was no wonder why Cassie and Katrina had taken over designing the café. While I was a wiz at wardrobe, I might lack the ability for interiors.

  After a quick tour, just to see if the second floor and attic space were just what I ordered, I realized it was perfect. The only other things I thought might need changing were the cabinets’ finish and the driftwood mantle, but after a second and third look, I had decided they were gorgeous. So, thankfully, the exterior paint was the only thing that needed changing.

  I took out the phone, and after shooting a quick text to Eric that I’d made it safely, I dialed Patrick Dodd and walked back upstairs. As I entered my master bedroom suite, which was a combination of three rooms plus a large closet and huge bathroom, I walked over to the window and stared out across the balcony into the distance. I finally had a much better view than Eric. As I looked over the water at the boats in the distance, I knew I was home.

  Dodd answered on the eighth ring. “Greyson, my man. Please tell me you’re in town with my final check.”

  “I’m in town, but the final check will come after you have your men come out and change the color. If I didn’t know your reputation, I’d swear you did this as some kind of cruel joke.”

  “Cruel joke? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “The house is purplish blue. It’s an eyesore, and I’ve already gotten a complaint from the neighbors. They’re going to report me to the HOA, and I’m sure I’ll get fined. If that happens, you can kiss your final payment goodbye.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Dodd. “I looked at that swatch myself.”

  “Well, did you see it once it dried on the house? It’s somewhere between lavender and lilac, according to my neighbor.”

  “I know you’re going to be upset, but I had to leave the job in my son’s hands. My wife wanted to go on a day trip, so I thought he could handle it. The paint was bought. I didn’t think there’d be a problem. He must have thought it was okay.”

  “It’s not okay. It’s terrible. The neighbor is questioning my sexuality. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m gay.”

  “And you’re not?”

  “No, I’m not.” I took a deep br
eath and tried to calm down. Other men often got that impression from my perfectly quaffed looks, but at least the ladies appreciated it.

  “Of course. I’ll have my crew come out and take care of it.”

  “You realize I wanted to have my house complete before I moved in, right?”

  “Yes, sir, and I’m going to make it right. I promise. I’ll get back with you soon.” He hung up the phone like it was a hot potato.

  I opened the door and walked out onto the balcony, trying to ignore the paint job which was clearly visible from where I stood. Instead of looking at the house, I looked out over the water and then closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. The salt air blew through my hair, and I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair.

  It was slightly stiff from the product, but as I worked it more and more, it became much looser, the stiff strands breaking from their hold until my hair was a mess. I felt my face, the stubble of my dark blond facial hair just breaking through the skin, and I wondered if I could stand to let it grow.

  It was time for a change, and not because of what others thought, but because I was free to do as I pleased. I didn’t have clients to impress or ads to sell. I had only my house, the water, and a dream.

  I reached up and loosened my tie. Then I undid my cuffs. I walked back into my room to the stack of boxes that had been sent over the week before and found the one marked “closet.” I opened it up to find my jeans, which I had folded nicely in the box, and pulled out a pair. Then I had to find the next one with my shirts, where I pulled out a plain, pale-gray shirt that looked more like what my house should have been, and shrugged it over my head.

  After changing my shoes to something more fitting my casual look, I walked downstairs. After another glance at the mantle, which was still growing on me, I went to the car to get my suits, which I had laid across the backseat. It was then I caught a glance at myself in the mirror. There was no fighting the urge to smooth out my hair. “Baby steps, Greyson. Baby steps.”

  As I reached for the suits, my private pier caught my eye, and it was a magic moment as the breeze picked up and messed up my hair. I left the suits, shut the door, walked out to the boathouse, and went inside. This was the first thing they’d built for me. My own pier and boathouse. I looked at the empty slip. “There’s just one thing missing.”