Searching for Beautiful by Jennifer Probst
It was more of a threat than a promise. Arilyn tried to keep her cold dignity, but stumbled once on her way out. His chuckle told her he'd caught it.
Gen decided not to bring up the odd dialogue between them and got to work.
fifteen
NOW, THIS IS something I hope to avoid when my son is of age."
Wolfe looked up. Maximus Gray, his stepfather's close friend, general badass, and partner in La Dolce Maggie bakery--a local New York chain born from the Contes' original bakery in Italy, La Dolce Famiglia--stared at him through the bars of the jail. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt dribbled with baby saliva and an array of interesting stains, he still looked more intimidating than most men Wolfe knew. A touch of humor twisted his lips.
Wolfe got up from the bench and walked over. "You will. First thing I'll tell Max Jr. is to call his old friend Wolfe to bail him out. You've always been cranky about losing sleep. Hey, who contacted you? I didn't get a chance to make my one phone call."
"Gen. What happened?"
"A clusterfuck."
"Sounds familiar. Give me the story."
His muscles relaxed. He related the whole story, sparing nothing. Usually he was stubborn enough to get himself out of his own messes, but there was one goal in his mind that left all others to the side.
Get back to Gen as quickly as possible.
He couldn't do that in jail.
Max scribbled a few notes. "First thing to do is get you out. I'll make some calls. Riscetti's restraining order sounds fishy. No prior evidence, so maybe strings were pulled. Is Gen okay?"
"Think so, she's strong. But I need to get out of here, Max. I need to be with her."
Max nodded, looking thoughtful. "You guys together now?"
Wolfe let out a half laugh. "No. Just friends. Why has the whole family been intent on hooking us up since day one?"
He waited for Max to laugh with him, but he was strangely silent, probing his face as if he suspected something Wolfe didn't even know. Wolfe tried to keep calm, hoping no one ever found out about that one stolen, perfect kiss between them.
"Because you both fit," Max said simply. "Not that I didn't want to see her happily married. Glad she ran from the asshole before it was too late. She's always been wicked smart."
"Yeah. This guy's good, Max. He set the whole thing up, got her to quit the hospital, and likes to control her. I'm worried. I don't want him near Gen."
"Got it. Let me take care of some things. Want me to call Sawyer and Julietta?"
Wolfe winced. He didn't need them worried when they couldn't do anything for him. "No, I'll tell them when it's all over. Knowing Sawyer, he'd fly here and start kicking ass and taking names. Let's get this done first." Max nodded. Wolfe was so used to Max being able to do anything, he remembered he wasn't a lawyer. "Hey, how are you gonna get me out?"
A vicious smile curved his lips. "Let's just say I know people. I'll be back."
Wolfe shook his head. Thank God Max was on his side. He wouldn't want to be the other guy.
Wolfe paced back and forth in his cell and waited.
"YOU'RE OUT!"
Genevieve flung herself into his arms. He lifted her easily, kicking the door closed with his foot, and let her cling as tightly as she wanted. Usually he laughed and called her a girl when she was overcome with emotion. Right now, he seemed content to allow the well of messiness to overflow on his behalf. Good, because she didn't know if she could let go if she tried.
His lips pressed against her scalp and he whispered low nonsense to her. The ugly events of the night unfolded and caused a deep trembling. She expected him to smell like stale sweat and musk. Instead, she caught the soothing scent of cotton, water, and soap. His familiar warmth wrapped her in a cocoon, and his soft shirt cushioned her cheek.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
He tilted her chin up. "That's stupid. You gonna apologize for serial killers and natural disasters, too?"
She gulped in a breath and ended up snorting. "Yes. I'm sorry for those. I'm sorry for anything that's hurt you."
His face softened and something hot flared in his blue eyes. He stroked her messy hair back, which he'd done hundreds of times, but this felt different. More intimate. Like she was a lover rather than friend.
Uh-oh.
He seemed to reach the same conclusion simultaneously. Wolfe cleared his throat, released her, and stepped back. "You were smart to call Max. He straightened everything out, but I still have to appear in court. I've got a few things to do first and then I'll be back. Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yes. Arilyn stayed with me last night. Slade's taking care of the restraining order against David. I'm sure he'll never come near me again when his reputation is at stake. Slade said he'll make arrangements to get my stuff back without me having to see him."
His lips tightened. "There's only one way to guarantee he never comes back. I'm moving in with you."
His words slammed through her. A crazed laugh escaped her lips. "Are you nuts? You can't move in with me."
"Do you feel safe here, Gen?"
She fought a shiver. "No. But I'm getting a locksmith to install a dead bolt and get an alarm system. Everyone will be on the lookout for his car. I have legal protection. I'm covered."
Wolfe narrowed his gaze. "Not good enough. You insulted him by leaving, and he wants revenge. I don't trust him, and I'm too far away from you in Manhattan. We'll both feel safer if I'm sleeping here at night."
Gen paced the room. She couldn't let him disrupt his life. Once again, he was rescuing her, and he must be getting sick of it. "No, I appreciate the offer, but I can handle this. You can't live in Verily when your apartment is close to Purity. The commute is an hour. My home has only one bedroom. We'd be ready to kill each other by the second week."
"You're being ridiculous--we get along great. I'll sleep fine on the couch. It'll be fun, like a monthlong slumber party. Girls like that, right?"
She rubbed her forehead at the craziness of his suggestion. "We gonna braid each other's hair, too?"
"If you want."
"No! I can take care of myself. My friends live local, and I can always have Arilyn stay over if I get spooked. You are not moving in with me."
"Fine, then I guess I'll be bunking in my car. Because I'm packing up my stuff and keeping watch every night. If you want to ban me from the house, that's on you. Personally, I'd prefer the couch."
He'd do it. He was stubborn and frustrating when he decided on a course of action. She'd watch him sleep by the curb every night until she broke down. Gen fisted her hands. Dammit. When had she become a damsel in distress? She hated those stupid Disney princesses--they sucked.
But the truth was his presence would make her feel safer. She was spooked. Afraid she'd see David's face around a dark corner, at her window at night, telling her to relax and fake it like she always did. The ugliness ran too deep to forget overnight.
Maybe a week or two. Tops. She'd prove David had lost interest, and soothe Wolfe's protective instincts. They'd look back on the episode with a few laughs, their friendship stronger, and she'd be able to finally move on.
Besides, she had no choice. Better to save her strength for a battle she could win.
"Fine. You win."
"Good choice." He ruffled her hair and grinned. "I'll pack, check in with Purity, and head back. How about I cook dinner for our first official night together?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'd like to actually eat, so I'll cook."
"Even better."
Gen crossed her arms in front of her. "Don't think I'm gonna spoil you like Julietta does. I swear, if you begin leaving dirty underwear around the house you're out of here."
He actually looked wounded. "I'm the perfect roommate."
"Because you've never had one."
"It's been on my bucket list. Now I can cross it off."
He left. She looked around the small bungalow, noting some of the cobwebs she hadn't gotten to clean yet, and decided it wo
Still, she loved her place, and refused to let David steal her sense of safety.
Or the Witch steal her right to have a healthy tree in her yard.
Gen pulled her hair into a ponytail and got out the buckets, sponges, and cleaners. Later she'd hit the store for pillows and bedding. At least he'd be comfortable. She needed some groceries, too, so she could cook a nice dinner. Maybe pork chops with an apricot glaze.
Gen hit the music on her iPod and set to work.
"YOU'RE MOVING IN TOGETHER?"
Kate squeaked out the words and fell down onto the purple chair. They were in the counseling room, going over some of the most important characteristics in order to match up a couple. After cleaning and shopping, she'd gone in for her shift, needing work as a distraction. Funny, she'd gone from endless hours on her feet at the hospital to trying to fill her time so she didn't implode. But she was determined to look at the change as an opportunity. Work had become her crutch and a distraction from the real truth.
"Not together like a couple," she quickly corrected. "As friends. Just until I convince him I'm safe from David."
Her friend studied her, blue eyes thoughtful. "Do you think he'll try and hurt you again?"
Gen shrugged. "No, but Wolfe isn't convinced. It was easier to let him do the 'I am man, let me protect the little woman' thing rather than fight him. Besides, I was a little freaked out. It'll only be a short time."
"Actually, I think it's a great idea. You know you could've moved in with me, Slade, and Robert though, right?"
Gen laughed. Robert was a paraplegic pit bull Kate had rescued from death, and the sweetest dog on earth. Slade had fallen in love with both Kate and Robert in a two-for-one deal. "Two doors down? Thanks, but I'll pass. Besides still being stuck next to our nightmare neighbor, I'd rather be living with someone not having sex."
"Is she bothering you again? I swear that woman has a telescope to spy. Do you know what she did to me last week? Left a paper bag of doggie doo on my porch. The note said, 'If you leave it on my lawn, I give it back.' As if Robert would ever stoop to poop on her property!"
A strangled laugh rose to her lips. "Poor Robert. Verily would be so much better without her. Think she'll ever move?"
"Who knows? The senior citizen center wouldn't take her. Not after the Jell-O incident. Does she still want your tree cut down?"
Gen nodded. "I now term it the Tree of Spite."
Kate laughed. "I love it. At least it blocks her view. She's gonna freak when she gets a look at Wolfe."
"It'll be so worth it."
"Back to the sex." Kate pointed to the files on her desk. "The faster you fill out the questionnaire and sign on as a client, the faster we'll get you hooked up."
Gen hesitated. "Wolfe said I'm not ready. Suggested I lie low for a while."
"Is he jealous?"
"No! He's just a worrywart. Kind of an older brother thing. But not."
Kate seemed to analyze her words but remained silent. "You've been in an abusive relationship for two years. I don't think it's a bad thing to experiment with the dating world. It's been over a month since the wedding, and I think dating will be good for you."
"That's what Arilyn said. As long as it's safe and I take it slow, I'm willing to try." Gen examined her nails, bitten short again, and gathered the courage to ask the question haunting her. "Did you ever feel the touch with me and David?"
Gen knew she crossed a line. They had all made a pact no one would ever use Kate to test a connection with the men they chose. Kate expressed fear in giving her opinion and not allowing them free will. She'd broken the rule only once, confessing to Kennedy that she was meant to be with Nate. Of course, the circumstances were different. Kennedy had believed she wasn't meant for love, and almost lost Nate forever. But Gen knew her question was different.
Kate sighed. Sadness glowed in her eyes. "No. But I only had one opportunity to touch both of you at the twins' birthday party. That was when I realized I had lost the touch. I never tried again, so I really don't know."
Her shoulders slumped with relief. She was glad. If Kate had experienced the touch between them, it would've made her even more confused about why they couldn't work. "I remember that day," Gen murmured. "He took me by surprise when he asked me to marry him. I never expected him to do it in front of my family."
"I think it was another control move. To make sure you didn't say no." Kate shifted in the chair, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. "In fact, I noticed you glanced at Wolfe before you said yes."
"I did?"
"Yeah, you did. Why?"
Gen turned away from her friend's probing gaze. God, she'd wanted to forget. The man she loved and wanted for so long finally proposed, and before she gave her answer, she'd needed to look into Wolfe's eyes. He'd been standing on the edge of the crowd, face hard and frozen. What had she wanted from him? Approval? A smile? Or something else?
Their gazes locked, and raw heat licked at her nerve endings--a promise and threat in those aqua depths that scared her. It had all happened so fast. For one crazy instant, she opened her mouth to tell David no. But something passed, and Wolfe turned away, and her family was staring, with David on bended knee, and she said the only word she could, and thought she wanted to.
Yes.
"I don't remember." Kate's silence was almost worse than the lie. Guilt struck, but she didn't want to think about that day ever again. "Can I ask one more question? And then I promise to never say another word."
"Sure."
"Did you ever feel the touch with me and Wolfe?" Kate jerked. Shock radiated from her in waves. Why had she asked such a stupid thing? She didn't want to know. They were friends, not soul mates. "Forget it, you don't have to answer. My brain is mush from lack of sleep last night."
"No."
Gen held her breath. "No, you haven't?"
"I sense a connection with you both, but never had the touch. I'm sorry."
Gen forced a laugh. "Don't be silly, I never expected you to. I'm still not sure why I asked."
"I think you do, sweetie."
She refused to analyze her comment. Gen smiled brightly and grabbed the files. "I'm going to input this into the computer, and then Kennedy is taking me to a makeover session so I can see what goes on behind the scenes."
Kate nodded, allowing the retreat. "Let me know if you need anything. We're trying to plan a girls' night out this weekend. You in?"
"Absolutely. Cocktails and gossip is exactly what I need."
She went back to work, trying to ignore the rush of disappointment. Maybe in some screwed-up way she was dealing with her breakup by spinning odd fantasies about her and Wolfe. Sure, the kiss had been wonderful, but they'd never repeat it. They treasured their relationship too much to cross the line into sex, especially if there was no future for them to fight for. Kate had never felt the touch. Therefore, they were never meant to be more than friends. And this was good.
Very good.
sixteen
I DON'T LIKE BRUSSELS sprouts."
Gen glanced over and noticed the toddler's sulk. With his tattoos, piercings, and massive muscles, it fell a bit flat. "Tough. They're good for you. You'll like the way I make them." She pulled the pan out and tested them with a fork. Deliciously crispy on the edges, they tasted like heaven with the olive oil and seasonings. She'd learned early that roasting anything makes it tasty. "Can you double-check the biscuits? I tend to burn them."
He popped open the
"Shoot. Turn off the oven, please, and put them on that plate over there."
His large hands fumbled a bit and she held in a laugh. Wolfe dominated the small kitchen by his looming presence, but seemed a bit intimidated by each task. She swore he'd learn to cook a few things while he stayed there. He needed some survival techniques in the domestic zone. He figured out they needed butter, fished around, and put it on the table. The mismatched china and uneven glasses would've given David a heart attack. When they first got together, she was a disaster in the kitchen, preferring takeout or a bowl of cereal for dinner. He'd quickly divested her of that attitude, insisting she needed to cook a homemade meal in preparation for their family and upcoming dinner parties. Soon she was able to set a stunning table, with silverware in its right place and the napkin neatly rolled up. She'd stopped burning most things, learned to follow a recipe, and resented every moment when David ate the first bite, waiting to proclaim his opinion.
Gen smiled at the messy place settings, chipped dinnerware, and cramped pine table covered with the assortment of pans lined up. It was . . . perfect. Even the burned biscuits yelled a big fuck you to her ex-fiance. How many times had he clucked his tongue in disappointment at her inability to serve a decent biscuit?
Personally, she liked them crispy. But she still burned them. "Sorry about the biscuits."
He snorted. "You kidding me? The last time I had biscuits was back in Italy. I always liked them burned a bit anyway."
Gen laughed, her heart a bit lighter. "Me, too." She poured two glasses of Chianti and sat down to eat. Wolfe bent his head and closed his eyes. She watched in fascination at the humble act of honoring his food. When he grabbed a biscuit and slathered butter on it, he caught her staring.
"What?"
"I never noticed you saying grace before."
A tinge of red flushed his cheeks. Another thing she loved about him. Big and bad, playboy millionaire, with a tendency to blush. Did it get any better than that? "Mama Conte always said every meal is a gift. There was a time in my life I had to scramble for food on a daily basis. I ate from the garbage a lot. After eating home-cooked meals awhile, it didn't take much to give thanks for getting out of the shit that was my life."