Stay With Me ~ Kristen Proby Read online

  “Can’t resist you,” he murmurs, kissing my jawline, before rolling away. “Now, it’s time to get up.”

  “You have a lot of energy this morning.”

  He grins. “It’s going to be a busy day. Get up so we can get you dressed and to the hospital.”

  “Shit, my dad!” I sit up, frantically reaching for clothes. “I need to get to the hospital.”

  He rolls his eyes. “That’s what I just said.”

  “You don’t have to go with me. I know it’s a workday.”

  “Let’s not have this conversation again. I’ll go with you, and if things are good, I don’t have to go again, but I want to be there for you, Amelia.”

  “Thank you.” I check my phone. “No news is good news, right?”

  He nods, watching me, and I can’t help but reach out and brush his hair off of his forehead. “Thank you. For everything.”

  He plants his hand on my ass, giving it a little squeeze. “You’re welcome.”

  “How’s your dad?” Jules asks the next day. We’re at lunch on the waterfront, enjoying a Friday afternoon in the sunshine.

  “He’s doing much better. He should be able to go home tomorrow. I was at the hospital this morning, and he was grouchy. I apologized to the nurses for his behavior.”

  “I’m sure he’s ready to go home,” she says with a laugh. “Men aren’t good patients.”

  “To be fair, I’m not either. I had my appendix out about five years ago, and I wasn’t a delight. I must get it from my dad.” I shrug and take a bite of my chicken and avocado sandwich.

  “Do they know what caused it?”

  “Well, yeah. He doesn’t eat as well as he should, but they think it mostly stems from genetics. Mom will be on him to eat better, and he’ll be on medication for the rest of his life.”

  “And how are you?” she asks. “Any news from L.A?”

  “Not in about a week,” I reply, wiping my mouth. “We’re still waiting. I’m so over this, Jules. It’s frustrating.”

  “I know. How are the makeup people taking it?”

  “It cost them some money to put the launch on hold, but so far, they’ve been understanding. They moved the release date to late fall, so it should be in stores by Christmas.”

  “That’s still good,” Jules assures me.

  “I know, I’m just impatient.”

  “I’m sure you’re ready to go home and get back to your life.”

  I stare at the French fry in my hand for a long minute. “Actually, I’ve been thinking. I don’t miss L.A. like I thought I would. I have some friends that I miss, but honestly, I just don’t think I fit down there anymore.”

  “What are you saying?” She’s staring at me with so much hope, it gives me excited butterflies.

  “I think I want to move home. The other night when we were at the hospital, I just kept thinking that if this had happened when I was in California, I could have lost my dad without being able to be here with him. I miss my family, all of my family. Even though your brothers are overprotective and drive me mad, I love them. I love all of you.”

  “We love you, too,” Jules says. “And trust me, I get it. I thought Caleb was going to kill Nate the first time they met.”

  “I only have one protective brother. I don’t know how you do it with five of them.”

  “I don’t either,” she says with a laugh. “But they mean well. And we all just want what’s best for you. Have you talked to your family about it?”

  “No, I don’t want to get their hopes up in case it doesn’t happen. But I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s going to happen.”

  “This is so exciting!” She dances in her seat. “What does Wyatt think? He must be excited, too.”

  “I haven’t talked to him yet, either.” I shift in my seat. “That’s a whole different conversation.”

  “Oh, are you ready to break it off? I thought you guys looked so happy the other night.”

  “No.” The thought of breaking it off makes me sick to my stomach. “It’s not that. Jules, I think I’m in love with him.”

  “Okay.”

  She’s watching me as if I’m about to drop some bombshell. “That’s it. I’m in love with him.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  “Is it?”

  “Okay, you’re confusing me.” She sets her empty plate aside and sips her iced tea. “You’re in love, with the opportunity to move home. Why is this bad again?”

  “I’m so confused.” I hang my head and rub my hands over my thighs in agitation. “It’s not that it’s bad. But it’s scary. I did the love thing once, and it turned out horribly. I trusted him, I loved him, the sex was great. And then it went to hell in a handbasket.”

  “So you think it’ll happen again.” She nods, thinking it over. “I mean, there’s no guarantee that it won’t, Lia.”

  “That is not encouraging.”

  “But you’ve been through the bad, and you know what signs to look for. Is Wyatt like Vinnie?”

  “Not even in the same wheelhouse.”

  “Well, there you go. You can’t judge Wyatt based on what you’ve been through before him. Have you said it yet?”

  “No. That’s the other thing. It doesn’t seem fair to tell him I love him when I could turn around and move away.”

  “But you’re ninety-nine percent sure you’re moving to Seattle.”

  “There’s still that one percent. And I don’t want him to think that I’m moving here just for him. That’s a lot of pressure, and it’s not true.”

  She narrows her eyes at me. “What are you afraid of?”

  “Getting my heart broken,” I admit right away. “Wyatt is, well, he’s everything I thought I’d never find. He’s amazing. And what if he decides that I’m not amazing and he bails?”

  “Not gonna happen. Sweetie, you didn’t see the way he was looking at you the other night. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you. And when my brothers grilled him, and he replied with it’s none of your business? Yeah, that was hot.”

  “Totally hot,” I agree.

  “He loves you, too, even if he hasn’t been able to say it either. You’re on the same page.”

  “I wish I was as sure as you are.”

  “It’s early days yet,” she assures me. “You can give it more time. Relationships aren’t a race.”

  “You don’t have my mother hassling you for grandkids.”

  Jules tips her head back and laughs. “True. But still, it’s really none of her business either. Give it time, say it when it’s right. You’ll know.”

  “You always were really smart.”

  “I know.” She winks at me and picks up the dessert menu. “I really want something lemony. Will you share with me?”

  “Of course. Also, back to moving here, do you think Nat and Luke would let me stay in the house until I find my own place? It shouldn’t take long, and I’d be happy to pay rent.”

  “Oh, I can’t see why not. You should just go over and talk to them. They’re awesome.”

  “Luke intimidates me. Even more than Nate.”

  She cocks a brow. “Really? That’s awesome. I can’t wait to tell Nate.”

  “Don’t tell him!”

  “Why not? He thinks he’s so intimidating.”

  “Well, he is. But there’s just something about Luke that makes me nervous.”

  “He’s a really nice guy.” She tips her head and frowns. “I don’t think he has a mean bone in his body.”

  “It’s not that.” I shake my head, trying to put my finger on it. “It could be because he’s so fucking hot, he could set the sun on fire.”

  “There’s that,” Jules says. “And maybe because he’s a movie star?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. But you’re right, I’m silly. He’s great, and I’ll go talk to them about it this week.”

  “Lia! I’m so excited! You’re going to live here. We need to celebrate right now with some shopping.”

  “Well, I’ll never t
urn that down.”

  Shopping is my happy place. Rachel, our sales associate at the Chanel boutique in Neiman Marcus, is an enabler, God bless her.

  Both my and Jules’ cars are full of happy purchases.

  I should head home right away. Wyatt and I have plans for dinner, and I still need to get ready, but something tells me to swing back by the hospital to see Dad one more time today.

  The fact that he’s going to make a full recovery is a blessing, and I want to say goodnight. It shouldn’t take long.

  “Hey there, poodle,” he says when he sees me in the doorway. He’s in the hospital gown and his own sweatpants from home, with his slippers.

  “I always hated that nickname,” I reply and cross to him, sitting in the chair my mom’s been in for three days.

  “Why do you think I always kept using it?” He winks at me and reaches out for my hand. “I’m happy you’re here.”

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “I talked her into going home for a shower and a change of clothes. I lied and told her she smelled bad.”

  “She loves you, Dad.”

  He smiles, the way he always has when he speaks of my mom. “And I love her, but the woman hovers, Amelia.”

  I laugh and kiss his rough hand. “That she does. Are you being nicer to the nurses?”

  “Speaking of hovering,” he mutters.

  “You had a heart attack, Dad.”

  “I was there,” he reminds me. “But, yes. That nice little brunette took me out for some fresh air, and that helped me feel better.”

  “That was nice of her,” I reply. “Looks like they’ll be springing you free in the morning.”

  “Thank God,” he says. “This bed is hard as a rock, and they have me eating cardboard.”

  “It’s a heart-healthy menu.”

  He scowls. “A salt shaker wouldn’t kill them.”

  I sigh and roll my eyes. “I just wanted to stop by to say goodnight before I head home. Do you want me to come up tomorrow morning when they discharge you?”

  “No, your mom will be here. I’ll text you when I’m home.”

  “Well, hello there.”

  I turn at what sounds like Wyatt’s voice, but it’s Jace, in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

  “Hi, Dr. Crawford,” I reply, making him grin.

  “You can call me Jace just about everywhere,” he says with a smile. “Your dad’s doing great.”

  He spends the next ten minutes filling us in on his most recent blood work and EKG, and when he’s done, I’m surprised when he says, “Want to grab a quick bite in the cafeteria?”

  “Do you know each other?” Dad asks, hope in his blue eyes, and I can’t help but laugh.

  “I’m actually dating Jace’s brother,” I reply, catching the grin on Dad’s face. “Sure, that would be great, Jace. Just give me a minute.”

  I say goodbye to Dad, and Jace is waiting for me at the nurse’s station when I walk out.

  “I have a break,” he says. “And, honestly, I’d like to get to know you a little better.”

  “Likewise. Let me just text Wyatt.”

  Hey! Sorry, I got hung up at the hospital. Everything is okay, but I think I’m going to miss dinner.

  When we’re in the elevator, Wyatt replies.

  No worries, I’m swamped with work. See you tomorrow?

  I grin. Yes. I’ll be around all day!

  “Is he mad?” Jace asks.

  Sleep well, sweetheart.

  “No, he’s busy tonight anyway.” I tuck my phone into my handbag and follow Jace through the cafeteria, choosing a salad and a bottle of water. We find a seat by a wall of windows that looks out across the city. “This is actually pretty nice.”

  “And the food isn’t bad,” he agrees, shaking his bottle of chocolate milk. “Protein.”

  “So, how is Dad, really?”

  He frowns. “He’s going to be fine.”

  “But you’re not going to tell me the nitty-gritty.”

  He shakes his head. “There are laws, Amelia.”

  “I’m his daughter.”

  “Not his wife,” he reminds me. “But I’m not lying when I say that he’s going to be fine.”

  “It was scary.”

  “I know.” He takes a bite of his burger.

  “How do you eat like that and still look the way you do?”

  “And how do I look?” he asks with a grin.

  “All three of you look like you walked out of an action movie.”

  He laughs. “I’ve never heard that one before. I’m claiming Thor.”

  “That’s what she said.”

  He laughs again. “I burn a lot of calories every day. We are blessed with fast metabolisms.”

  “No kidding.”

  “So, I’m going to get to the nitty-gritty of why I asked you here,” he says, using the words I did a moment ago.

  “Okay.”

  “My brother is invested. I can see it in the way he looks at you, and you’re spending a lot of time together.”

  “Is this where you threaten me about breaking his heart?”

  His eyes narrow. “No. He’s an adult, and he’s no fool. Despite what Cruella pulled. I guess I’m curious if it’s reciprocated.”

  “The investment?”

  He nods.

  “It is.” I sigh and set my fork down. “We’re both spending a lot of time together. I think we’re bad for each other’s productivity. At least, he has been for mine. It’s a good thing I’m self-employed.”

  I prop my chin in my hand.

  “Yeah, the investment is mutual.”

  A slow smile spreads over Jace’s face. The Crawford men are sexy, I’ll give them that.

  “Good.”

  “Are you going to eat all of your fries?” I ask.

  “Help yourself.”

  ~Wyatt~

  It’s early Saturday morning, and I’ve already been in my office for an hour. Since I’ve been seeing Amelia, my work has slipped back a peg on my priority list, and I have a massive amount to catch up on. My partners aren’t pleased.

  They aren’t pissed. No one has had to pick up my slack, and they won’t have to. But I’m not as available as I usually am, and rather than being way ahead of deadline, I’m rushing to meet them.

  That’s not how I work.

  Amelia is the priority right now, and that’s not going to change, but I need to find the balance between work and my love life.

  I never expected to have this problem. It’s not a bad one in the least.

  I’m finishing some changes to the outdoor space on a project when my phone rings.

  “Hey,” I say to my brother.

  “What’s up?” Jace asks.

  “I’m working. Isn’t it early for you? You’re not a morning person.”

  “I haven’t been home yet. I was on last night and ended up working on an emergency quadruple bypass.”

  “Jesus,” I mutter and push my fingers into my eyes. “Just the words are exhausting.”

  “Tell me about it.” He yawns. “I’m driving home now and wanted to give you a quick call. I spent some time with Amelia last night.”

  I frown, looking up from my computer.

  “You what?”

  “She was at the hospital, and I spent some time with her. I really like her, Wyatt. I had a good feeling about her after we had dinner together, but after spending some one-on-one time with her, I think she’s really great.”

  I’m still scowling at one-on-one time.

  “How much time did you spend?”

  “Why do you sound like that? She texted and told you she was hung up at the hospital.”

  “Yeah, she did.” I clear my throat and stand to pace my office. “I’m glad you like her. I like her, too.”

  “Anyway, that’s all I was calling about, not that it matters.”

  “It matters,” I reply. “Go get some sleep.”

  I hang up, toss my phone on the desk, and shove my hands
into my pockets, turning to stare at Amelia’s house across the street.

  So, she wasn’t just spending time with her dad last night. She missed dinner because she was with Jace.

  I trust them both. I know this is not Claudia, and that she wasn’t boning a friend of mine. Or a stranger, for that matter.

  She was just hanging out with my brother.

  I trust them.

  But I’m completely irritated at the situation.

  It’s still early enough in the day that there’s no one out and about. The sun has just come up. So, I put Amelia, my brother, and all of my feelings into a box so I can sit down and get some damn work done.

  I’ll see her later and calmly talk to her about last night.

  Rationally.

  I’m not feeling rational yet. I was able to get most of the work done that I wasn’t able to get to during the week. Amelia texted when she woke up to say hi, and then again about thirty minutes ago to tell me she’s free for a while.

  So, I’m walking across the street, slower than I normally would, my hands in my shorts’ pockets.

  I’m not sure what to say or how to bring it up.

  Because any way that I run through it in my head, I sound like a jerk.

  “Hey,” she says with a bright smile when she opens the door. She grabs my hand, pulls me inside, and reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “How are you?”

  “I’m good,” I reply, some of my irritation evaporating. “You look fantastic.”

  “I just filmed a video,” she says with a grin. “This is my everyday look.”

  “I like it.” She kisses me again, then leads me through the kitchen.

  “I can’t get enough of the pool. I hope you don’t mind sitting out there for a while.”

  “Not at all.”

  She happily leads me to a chaise lounge big enough for two. I sit, and she joins me, snuggling close.

  “My dad went home this morning,” she says. “He was better last night when I saw him. Not nearly as grouchy.”

  “That’s good. How does he feel?”

  “Pretty good, from what he says. Mom will take care of him. I went shopping with Jules yesterday.”

  She tells me all about her shopping trip, what she bought, and I try to follow along, but she’s talking quickly. She’s happy today.