Love Struck (Miss Match #2) (19 page)

“Sure thing, Lacy. Let’s do that.” Eli’s voice was thick with sarcasm and resentment. “How about you let this happen—I’m leaving.”

Panic coursed through her like ice in her veins. “Eli, wait!”

He turned back, his expression impatient but obviously willing to hear her out.

Except, she didn’t have anything else to say. Nothing to make it better. The truth was, he really wasn’t more than a placeholder. Their first night together had come about organically and unplanned. And she’d enjoyed it more than she’d thought possible. But was one night of good sex enough to make it worth throwing away a whole seven plus months with someone else?

No. It wasn’t. She was holding out for Jax, and her tryst with Eli today had only been an experiment in stimulating her creative juices.

God, who was this person she had become?

Eli was still waiting for her to speak. Lacy met his eyes and said the only words she could. “I’m sorry.”

If the hotel didn’t have those mechanisms on the doors to make them close slowly, she was certain hers would have slammed behind Eli as he left.

Numb, she stripped and climbed in the shower. Any words that had been floating inside had left with Eli. She leaned her head against the tile and let the water pour down on her. Even though it was steaming hot, she still felt cold.

Chapter Fifteen

Lacy paced the green room waiting for the Blue Hills to finish their last song and meet back there as always. It had been only twenty-four hours since she’d been there last, and so much had happened. Her night with Eli, her day in Baltimore. Her afternoon with Eli that ended in her saying all the wrong things.

Or all the true things, anyway. Funny how true things often felt like wrong things when said out loud.

The memory of how she and Eli had left things made her stomach tighten and twist—and not in that fabulously delicious way he’d made it twist the night before. He probably hated her. And he should. She’d used him. Worse, was what she’d done to Folx. Her heart belonged to him, which in turn meant it belonged to Jax, and she’d been caught up in a silly physical connection that somehow seemed to spark her creative inspiration.

She felt terrible. Truly, truly terrible. She had to find a way to apologize to Eli. Then she needed to cut things off with him for good and focus on Jax. If she could just get him alone long enough to have a meaningful conversation, she was sure their online sizzle would translate to real life. At least, she hoped it would.

First, though … Eli. She had to deal with this if she was going to sleep tonight.

The door burst open, and Lacy spun around to face the band. Wes led the way, followed by James and Other Guy, the guitar players. Then Jax arrived. The door closed behind him.

She waited for a few seconds for Eli to show, but the door stayed shut. “Uh, where’s Eli?”

“He went straight to the hotel,” James said standing in front of the portable fan in the corner of the room. “Goddamn, that feels good. It was hot out there tonight. Did the AC break or something?”

“We were just on fire,” Jax said. “The audience loved me.”

“What they loved was Eli.” Wes dropped onto the couch, a cold beer bottle pressed against his face. “He nailed every single riff. Killed it.”

Lacy bit her lip remembering how Eli said she’d inspired him for the show. She didn’t know if she should feel guilty or flattered. Maybe she should stop by his room …

“He might have played great, but his mood sucked ass.” Jax wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel. “He seriously needs an attitude check. Thank God he went to bed instead of grumping on all of us for the next half hour.”

Maybe she wouldn’t stop by then.

“Hey, Lacypants, would you mind dropping this in the basket over there?” Jax threw Lacy his towel, not waiting for a response.

She caught it easily, trying not to cringe at the source of its dampness. “Sure thing.”
It’s a step in the right direction
, Lacy told herself. Sharing sweat was intimate. Right? Although she could do without the patronizing nickname now. What seemed cute on the streets today was a lot less cute when she was playing den mother.

He winked as he grabbed himself a beer from the cooler. “Thanks, baby.”

Now he’d called her
baby
. That was definitely an improvement, a good sign.

And if Eli was gone for the night, then perhaps she should skip her amends and work on Jax. “Hey, so … Jax…” Why was it so much easier to talk to him online than in person? After the day they’d spent together, this shouldn’t be so awkward.

He hadn’t heard her anyway. Too busy giving Wes a high-five about something or other. She took the opportunity to swipe a beer for herself. After wrestling with the cap, she tipped back a swig. Or several, rather. Nothing wrong with liquid courage. She’d learned that from her big sis. And had it reinforced it by her wedding planner. God, she missed Andy.

Lacy knew the alcohol wouldn’t do anything that fast, but she convinced herself she felt braver anyway. Then she stepped up to join the conversation. Perfect timing too, since Wes and James were discussing their plans for the rest of the night.

“They have pool next door,” James said. “I owe you for that slaughter last week.”

Wes smirked. “You mean you’re ready for another ass kicking? I could go for that.”

“I’m in.” Other Guy stood—what the hell was his name?—and stretched. “I’ll hit the shower and meet you guys over there in twenty?”

The guys nodded and dispersed. Jax, however, was still there, scrolling through his phone.

“How about you, Jax? Are you joining the others for pool?”

“Huh?” He looked up as if just realizing everyone had left. “Oh, nah. I’ve got—” His phone chirped, interrupting him. Whatever the message was, it made him smile. She wondered if her messages made him smile like that. She hoped so.

The thought of it gave her a burst of fearlessness. “Because, if you aren’t hanging with them, I thought maybe we could grab a drink or something?”

Jax typed something into his cell, then stood and pocketed his phone. “Actually, I have, uh, something I have to do. Someone I’m meeting.”

“Like a date?” She was sure he meant LoveCoda. Maybe he’d admit it.

“Sorta like that.” He gave her his best panty-melting smile. “Rain check?” He waited for her nod before shooting her a wink and leaving.

I’m holding you to it,
she said to herself as a sudden sweep of loneliness fell over her. Oddly, it was Eli whom she imagined comforting her, not Jax. Surely that was only because she felt so embarrassed about how she’d acted. That had to be it.

So she’d go back to her room then. Alone. But not for long. Folx/Jax would ping her later, and she’d forget all about Eli. She hoped.

When Lacy entered the hotel lobby, however, an unexpected sight met her. Eli at the front desk. With her sister.

“Andy?”

“Ah, there you are, thank God.” Andy gave a dramatic sigh of relief that may have only been half exaggerated. “I tried to explain to the desk clerk that I was your sister, but he refused to give me any information about you. Wouldn’t even tell me what room you were in. I don’t know. Must be a HIPAA compliance thing or something.”

“HIPAA is for doctors, not hotels. What are you even—I can’t believe you’re here!” But as she questioned her sister, Lacy kept her eyes on Eli. He refused to meet her gaze, and that stung. More than she wanted to admit.

Andy waved her hand dismissively. “Then the National Security Act. I always get the two mixed up. Ruined my surprise.” She glared at the hapless desk clerk. “Anyway, get over here and hug me.” Andy pulled Lacy into her embrace, and the feeling of
home
was overwhelming.

Eli cleared his throat. “You’ve found her now. I’ll be going. Nice to meet you, Andy.”

Andy shoved Lacy away in order to give Eli a proper wave. “You too, Eli. Thanks for the help. Hopefully we’ll see each other again.” Then she pulled Lacy closer. “God, he’s delicious. Please tell me that you’re, you know, getting with him. Because, clearly, I’m off the table.”

Thankfully, Eli was well out of earshot at this point.

“Why were you even talking to him?” That probably shouldn’t have been her first question. Lacy corrected her mistake. “Why are you here?”

“Eli heard me telling the clerk your name, and he stopped to help me out. I wouldn’t have even known I was in the right hotel if he hadn’t confirmed it. Nice guy, that one.” Andy sighed as if remembering the extent of Eli’s deliciousness.

Which bothered Lacy. She never lusted after Blake. Because, for one,
ew
. But, for two, not appropriate. Not that Eli was comparable to Blake in terms of their relationships. Just … it was weird.

“And I’m here because I missed you! Blake sensed my misery. I wasn’t exactly subtle, though. Anyway he sensed it and offered me a surprise trip to visit you.”

If she were a crier, Lacy was sure this was one of those moments that might have made her teary. An impromptu visit from her sister was exactly what the doctor ordered. “You know what, Andy? I’ve never been fonder of your fiancé.”

“I knew you’d warm up to him eventually.” Andy threw an arm around Lacy’s and tugged at her rolling luggage with her other hand. “Show me to our room. I brought wine.”

Thirty minutes later, their wine had been uncorked and their second glasses half-consumed.

“I have a confession,” Andy said, drawing Lacy’s eyes up from her phone.

Lacy was sure Folx would ping her any moment now, and she didn’t want to miss it. But Andy’s serious tone warranted attention. “What’s that?”

“I didn’t just come because I missed you. I have another meeting with my wedding planner, and, well, I just couldn’t do it without you.”

“So you flew to Baltimore? What, did you bring him with you? Is Tim hiding in your suitcase?” Frankly, it wouldn’t totally surprise her if he were. Tim was nothing if not committed.

“Ha ha, funny.” Andy watched her thumb trace along the rim of her glass. Was she avoiding Lacy’s eyes or just suddenly interested in hotel tumblers? “No, my appointment’s via FaceTime. I thought maybe we could talk to him together.”

“Okay.” And there was the real purpose of Andy’s visit. But Lacy didn’t mind. She was happy to have her sister around, wedding freak-outs or surprise wine party or whatever. Unless it was just an excuse for Andy to check up on her. Her heart swelled a little. “When’s the call? I’m free all day tomorrow until six. Except for a load in at two. That will only take half an hour or so though.”

Andy finished off her glass and poured another before responding. “Actually, our appointment’s now. Well, in three minutes. At midnight.”

“At midnight? Who makes appointments at midnight?”

“He’s a night owl. He said he prefers the way the full moon inspires him, or something goofy like that. As if he wasn’t inspired in the daylight when we saw him last. Oh, God.” Andy took another gulp from her glass.

Lacy grabbed the glass from her sister’s hand. Then swiped the bottle away when Andy tried to drink directly from that. “Why the hell are you drinking? This is your chance to face him sober.”

“You know I’m terrified of him. I thought the wine would settle my nerves.”

“Jesus, Andy. Get a grip. He’s
your
employee. You aren’t scared of
him
, you’re scared of planning this huge public wedding.” Lacy’s phone buzzed with an incoming message. She glanced down to confirm it was indeed Folx. Dammit.

Obviously, Folx would have to wait. She entered a quick message.
Family emergency. I’ll catch you tomorrow?
This would be two nights they’d missed each other. But it couldn’t be helped.

His response came back quick and made her smile.
I’ll be here, Love.

Now. Back to Andy. “So it’s midnight now. Do we need to log in or something?”

“He’s calling my iPad.” As if on cue, Andy’s bag began ringing. “That’s him. You answer!” Lacy would have protested, but her sister had flung the tablet into the air, and she had to dive to catch it.

“Hello, Tim,” she tried to be cool, as if she hadn’t just accidentally hit the connect button at the same time she’d connected with the floor.

“Oh God, it’s you again.” His scowling face filled the screen. “I thought I only had one opinion to override.”

“No such luck, Timmy. I’m sort of part of the Andy deal.” She could practically see the steam curling from his ears at the unwanted nickname. Now this could be fun. Without him personally there to cow her, she could mess with the guy a little.

“Hi, Tim!” Andy yelled from over Lacy’s shoulder. His eyes were darting back and forth between them.

“Are you…? Have you…? Why don’t you two just grab a drink and set me on the desk so we can talk.” He was making a visible effort to take back control of the situation.

“Oh, we aren’t drinking tonight.” Lacy nudged Andy to slide the bottle of wine away as she set the iPad up on the desk as requested. His sharp intake of breath almost made her lose her poker face.

“What do you mean you aren’t drinking? Just one, then, to be polite.”

“Nah, we’re fine. You wanted to talk catering tonight, right?” Andy smiled innocently at him.

“Yeah, catering. I had some thoughts, but I was hoping to share them over a beverage…”

“We didn’t even consider that, Tim. Sorry. Go ahead with your thoughts, though.” The girls sat and waited. He adjusted his collar. Then adjusted his glasses.

“French food, in small plates. We’ll serve it in courses, with wine pairings. Are you certain you don’t need some wine to have this meeting?”

“Nope. Tell me more about the food. I’m not really sure…” Lacy leaned out of the frame to hide her grin. She knew perfectly well that Andy adored French food, possibly more than most French people. Who knew it was so easy to get Tim’s goat? The man was actually beginning to perspire.

“Soup in shot glasses. Something light, maybe leek or asparagus. Beef tartare, and a beet version for the vegetarians. Those—
people
always want something. Sherbet after that course, made with champagne. No one leaves a Boston Bride’s wedding sober.” He smiled at the thought.