It All Started With a Lima Bean (22 page)

He cleared his throat. “Let me take that for you.” He put the strap over his shoulder, and led her outside before he did, in fact, pounce on her. He stood next to her, examining the beautiful skin on her face as she locked the door. She caught him when she turned to walk to his car, and his favorite beet red color appeared on her cheeks. They hadn’t even left yet, and he was hopelessly ogling her.

He placed his hand on her lower back and led her to his car. Man, how was he going to handle being in that small space with her for the next couple of hours? He opened her car door, closed the door once she sat down, then went to the back, and placed her bag next to his. He took a deep breath of ocean air before entering the car himself.

“Hopefully we can beat some of the traffic.” He started the engine and pulled onto the street.

She shyly smiled and looked out of the window as though she’d never seen the scenery of her driveway before. She must be as nervous as he was. That was good because he hoped he wouldn’t be the only one making a fool of himself this weekend. It also wasn’t good though, because he wanted her to be comfortable with him.

“What kind of music do you like?” He rested his right hand on the shifting knob just under the radio controls.

“I like most music. Leah is a dancer, so she’s exposed me to different styles of music.”

“I know she is. We saw her at the dance studio last month. It made sense because she has a dancer’s body. Well, not that I’m thinking of her body, or actually have taken notice of it, I mean...” He was digging a bigger hole with every word he said. She started giggling. Ah, his new favorite sound.

“That’s ok; I know what you mean.” She smiled, and then rested her hand on top of his to reassure him. He was enjoying the feel of her soft skin on his, but she pulled her hand back far too soon for his liking.

“Okay, so who is your favorite singer or band?” He wanted that touch back from her, but didn’t want to push her.

“I love Colbie Caillat and Nora Jones.” He could live with that.

“Then Colbie Caillat it is, and some Nora Jones afterward.” He searched through his satellite radio stations while they sat at a red light.

They entered the freeway, and both traffic and conversation remained light during their two-hour drive. He didn’t want to scare her off with heavy questions. There was plenty of time for that stuff this weekend.

They pulled up to an extremely fancy and popular hotel just before 5:00. The butterflies started to dance in Abby’s tummy again. Even though they were staying in separate rooms, she was still checking into a hotel for the weekend with a man. And a HOT man she was in love with no less. She started to go get her bags when Caleb pulled her by the elbow. Oh, the feelings that erupted in her body when he touched her.

“Let’s go check in first.”

They stood in line, and she looked around at the crowd. She loved Los Angeles. The people in L.A. had such a distinctive facet to them. A tall, platinum blonde stood with her hands on her waist, gawking at Caleb then Abby. The blonde was probably wondering what the heck Caleb was doing there with such a
ordinary
woman. Well, maybe she didn’t like the attitude of everyone in L.A. This woman was not even hiding the disgust on her face while checking Abby out. Abby turned her back to the woman because she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Everything okay?” Caleb’s concerned eyes followed the frown lines on her face.

“Oh fine.” She lied.

“You sure?” He didn’t look convinced.

Shake it off Abby. You don’t even know that woman.
Inhaling through her nose, and then puffing out through her mouth, she fibbed again. “Yeah, I’m fine. Really.”

Walking up to the registration desk, Caleb gave the clerk all the necessary info to check them in. The two room key cards were handed over to Caleb. As they turned to get their bags from his car, Abby saw that the feline and a couple other women who had joined her were shooting daggers with their eyes. Feeling her bottom lip begin to quiver, and tears welling up in her eyes, she ducked her head, not wanting to give those bitches the satisfaction of seeing their effect on her.
What the heck was their problem anyway, and why was she letting them get to her? She must be PMSing.

Caleb noticed her demeanor change and turned her body to face him. He bent his knees so that he could see her eyes, worry covering his face. “Abby, what’s wrong? What did I miss?”

She didn’t want those women to see that they had gotten to her, but Caleb deserved an explanation. “I’m just being sensitive. There were some girls giving me snotty looks; that’s all. I don’t know them, so I’m not sure why I let them get to me.”

“Where?” He craned his neck around, searching the room.

She looked at him with tears still threatening to fall. “Behind me. Blonde. All of them.”

His eyes zoomed in on whom she’d referred to. “Damn it. I’m sorry Abby. Let’s go to the car.” He wrapped his arm protectively around her waist and guided her outside.

She kept her head turned toward him as they left the hotel. He pulled their bags out of the car and handed the keys to the valet.

“Come on, let go to our rooms, and I’ll explain along the way.”

She was confused.
What did he have to explain?
“I can get my bag Caleb.”

“No, I’ve got it. Let’s just get inside.” His disposition seemed to alter.

They strolled through the lobby on their way to the elevator. As Abby scanned the room, she felt confident that the girls were not waiting for them. Caleb and she made it to the elevator, got inside, but just when she thought it was clear, the group of women stopped the closing doors and entered. Abby’s heart started to pound rapidly when Caleb turned her body to face him before drawing her into his torso. This was quickly becoming her favorite spot to place the side of her cheek. She heard and felt his heart beating radically.

“Caleb.” The blonde ringleader seductively sang.

“Paisley.” Hearing his voice rumbling through his chest prompted Abby’s eyes to grow wide.
Oh, crap. He knew this vixen.

“It’s been a long time, Lover.” Pay emphasized the last word, ripping a hole in Abby’s heart. Had he slept with this woman before? In an attempt to keep tears from springing loose again, Abby closed her eyes.

“That’s enough Paisley.” He grumbled.

“Surely your little mousey woman here knows about you, right?” The venom in this woman’s words burned like acid.

“Stop Pay. My past is just that. I live another life now.” He informed them, with complete confidence.

“Well, I’m in room 309 if you get tired of Sandra Dee here. I can make you remember how much fun we had before you decided to go vanilla.” She started to slip her room key into Caleb’s back jean pocket.
WTF?
Abby had enough.

Grabbing for the key card, and straightening her back, Abby faced the tramp. “He said that was a long time ago. Give your key to someone who is interested in a cheap woman.” Abby flicked the key card at Paisley’s stunned face where it smacked her forehead before hitting the floor. The women with her wore the same expression. They were probably used to dishing crap out, and not prepared to receive anything in return.

The door opened to the third floor. Abby rotated her body so that her back was in a protective posture directly against Caleb’s front. She would gladly claim this man any day. “This is your floor, correct?”

The women got off the elevator without picking up the key, and Abby exhaled loudly as soon as the doors closed. She hadn’t looked at Caleb yet, and sidestepped away from him, took a brief glance and found him smirking.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from. I never retaliate when I’m being attacked.” She knew exactly where it came from.
He
was being harassed. There was no way Abby was going to let that woman stand there and demoralize the man that she’d fallen in love with.

“No, I’m the one that should apologize. You shouldn’t have been subjected to her. I’m impressed though. You know how to handle yourself.” His expression said that he was more than impressed. She really hoped that was true.

“It was actually my inner Leah channeling thorough. She just made me so angry. I can’t believe the nerve she had.” The doors opened to their floor.

“Well, remind me not to make you mad.” He led her out of the elevator and down the hallway toward their rooms.

“Who was she anyway?” Abby didn’t really want to know the answer to this question.

“My past.” He simply answered.

“She was your girlfriend?”

“Not exactly.”

“Oh.” She didn’t even want to know what he and that woman had done together. Her imagination was pretty active though, and she didn’t need him to confirm her thoughts.

“Well, this is you, and I’m next door. We can drop off our bags, I have to make a few calls, and then we can go to dinner if you like, say in maybe thirty minutes?”

“That sounds wonderful to me. I’m starting to get hungry.” She opened the door and grabbed her bag from him, brushing her fingers along his shoulder. “See you in thirty?”

He stood at her door much as he had when he first picked her up. She’d like to think it was a look of admiration, but still didn’t want to get her hopes up. He gave a half grin, shook his head, then turned saying he’d see her in a few. She closed the door behind her. So, this perfect man she adored actually did have a past. Unfortunately, that past included a tall skinny blonde. Abby unconsciously looked down at her body. She didn’t have body image issues, and knew everyone was different. She was her perfect weight, but obviously had larger curves than Blondie. Abby had full bosoms and a round rear. Either Caleb liked her generous curves or he didn’t. Her body was perfectly her own, and she wouldn’t fret over this. She scolded herself for even thinking about it. Now she had to do what any other girl would do. Call her best friend, and tell her all about the catfight on the elevator.

They stepped into one of his favorite chain restaurants, and he couldn’t wait for Abby to taste his favorite veggie burger. The friendliest staff met and led them past several large display cases holding music memorabilia, and to a table right beside the famous sign “Love all; Serve all”. The hostess took their drink orders, and said she would love to take any requests they had for music. Caleb turned to Abby. “What will it be?”

“Hmmm, how about Depeche Mode? I love their music videos.” That surprised him.

“Sound’s good, and how about you sir?” The hostess now faced him.

“Since we are going with the 80’s, how about some Def Leppard?”

That apparently surprised her. “Hair bands huh? I didn’t pin you as an 80’s hair band fan.”

“You’ve got to go with Def Leopard if you are talking about the 80’s.”

“Your waiter will be with you in a moment.” The hostess announced after taking their drink orders.

“So veggie burger huh? You promise it’s the best right?”

“Absolutely the best.” Caleb said as an extremely colorful and flamboyant waiter with pink hair approached.

“Hello, my name is Jonathan, and I’ll be serving you tonight. I see that Jennifer has already taken your drink order. Do you need more time with the menu?”

“No.” He turned to Abby. “May I place both of our orders?” She nodded. “We will both have your veggie burger with regular fries.” Caleb spoke to the waiter who was now ogling him. Caleb didn’t know what it was, but for some reason, he and his cousin Stefen always attracted gay men. They both loved women, and didn’t know if it was a vibe they put off or what.

“Jennifer will be right back with those drinks.” Jonathan winked.

Abby snickered a little. Great. She noticed too. Needing to switch subjects, and feeling as if he had to explain what had happened earlier, he started, “About Paisley.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation Caleb. That wasn’t your fault.” The hostess brought their drinks, and Abby took a sip of her soda.

“Yeah, actually it was. You see, we went to college together, and I wasn’t very nice to her or her friends. I’ve done some things that I’m not proud of, but you are right, they are in my past. I’m at peace about it now. It’s just difficult when things like this happen that remind me of what a bastard I used to be.”