LOVER
Ford: Get home safe?
Lake: Yup. Thank you for showing me around your town and introducing me to your friends. They are all wonderful and I really enjoyed myself.
Ford: Don’t thank me. You gave me the best week of my life, Red. If you take one thing from our week together, please let it be that. You’re in charge. You call the shots. Demand what you want and take it. You’ve fucking earned it.
Lake: It was the best week of my life, too.
Lake: Thanks for the flowers. They’re beautiful.
Ford: Amanda said the show was incredible. Keep kicking ass.
Lake: I got my hair cut today.
Ford: Yeah?
Lake: I didn’t have the nerve to chop it all off. <pic of Lake smiling>
Ford: Gorgeous as always, Red. And you had the balls to do what you wanted. That’s all I meant that night. You’re in control.
Lake: Doesn’t feel like it. Feels like the only things I want are the things I can’t have.
Ford: You can have it all. Just have to ask for it.
Lake: Have you spoken to your kids?
Ford: Daniel and I are meeting at the rink tomorrow. No word from Millie or Paul.
I scroll through our messages while I wait for the show to start. Messages. That’s all I have left of him. Even the marks he left on my body have all disappeared. I cried when I woke up to discover the last bruise had faded.
“Almost ready?” Amanda asks, her smile big.
To protect my vocal cords, I don’t speak before shows, so I give her a nod and haul myself to my feet. It takes everything in me to pull my shoulders back and smile like I’m excited for tonight.
The crowd’s energy is such a welcome blessing. It worms its way into me, breathing life into my lungs and into my soul. And despite my previously melancholy mood, I walk offstage at the end of the night feeling like I’ve gone through a full spectrum of emotions. Singing about heartbreak and love so soon after experiencing both is new for me. It’s excruciating at times, but working through it all this week has made me a better musician. It’s one more thing Ford gave me. It’s not all bruises and messages after all. My career will be better for the time I spent with him.
So much for swearing no man can take credit for my career.
I toss my head back and laugh at myself as I make my way to my dressing room. It’s the first time I’ve truly felt light in a week. God, I hope the sensation remains after tonight. Refusing to sulk for another minute, I decide I’ll find Amanda and see if she wants to come with me to the nearest, loudest bar and grab a drink. I don’t want to talk, but at least I won’t be alone.
When I walk into my dressing room, though, my heart stops. She’s here, but she’s got company. Devastatingly handsome and yet a bit disheveled, Ford Hall standing in front of me takes my breath away. I blink twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating as a labyrinth of emotions fight to break free.
As soon as he spots me, the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from him splits his face. Then he’s moving toward me, his gaze focused, his movements steady.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Amanda says, disappearing from the room.
Two feet in front of me, Ford pauses and curls his hands into fists at his sides, like he can’t keep them still. “You were incredible tonight.”
“You were watching?” I whisper.
Dipping his chin, he gives me a subtle nod. “I—uh—brought ice cream.” He holds out a hand, palm up, gesturing to the table in front of the small couch. Two crystal sundae bowls filled with chocolate ice cream, a mountain of whipped cream, and chocolate shavings sit side by side.
I blink at the display, baffled. What is he doing here? And why are there lit candles on either side of the sundaes? “Ice cream?”
“Frozen hot chocolate. You still haven’t had it, right? Fuck.” He roughs a hand over his chin. “Tell me I’m not too late.”
“Too late?” I’m like a parrot, mimicking his every word. Sweat trickles down my neck as I gape at him. Without looking away, I lift my hair and fan myself. “Is it hot in here?”
The devastating smile I missed so much spreads across Ford’s face, and his stormy eyes pool inky black as he holds his arm out in front of him. “Here, put your hair up.”
My heart stutters at the sight of a fucking scrunchie on his wrist. The hot pink elastic pops against his tan skin and white dress shirt. Is this man kidding me right now?
When I don’t make a move to take it—I’m too busy melting into a puddle—he lets out a frustrated breath, circles me, and grasps the makeshift ponytail I’m holding on to. He brushes my hand away and ties the strands into a loose ponytail, cooling me instantly. Just as quickly, though, my body heats again. This time it’s from his proximity. Ford presses his thick frame against my back and holds himself there, towering over me. Rather than dominating, his presence is comforting. He sucks in a deep breath, and then his lips brush against my neck in a featherlight touch. “Please have ice cream with me, Red.”
I take in the setup, practically floating. “Why did you bring ice cream?”
“Because Serendipity is your favorite movie, and you deserve the treat.”
I smile as I peer back at him over my shoulder. “It’s from Serendipity?”
Ford nods. “Flew it here myself. I took it out of the freezer a few minutes ago. I would have waited if I realized you’d have so many questions. It’s probably melting.” He chuckles, though the sound is equal parts humor and uncertainty. He’s nervous, and it’s absolutely adorable on a man who is used to being so sure of himself in everything he does.
I slide my hand in his and step forward, leading him to the couch. Before I can sit, I notice the television on the opposite wall. It’s on, and it’s paused on the opening credits of my favorite movie.
“Dammit,” I mutter, my eyes welling with tears. I have to release my hold on him to swipe away the evidence of my insanity.
Ford doesn’t allow it, though. He snatches my hand before I can bat at the tears. Then he shuffles closer and presses his palms to either side of my neck, his thumbs holding me in place, eyes filled with concern as he dips closer. “What’s wrong?”
I huff out a deep breath. “I can’t even fling right.”
His brows crease in confusion. “Huh?”
I roll my eyes, but it’s not at this sweet man. He’s been everything he promised he’d be. “I did it again. Fell for someone unavailable. God damnit,” I growl, trying to step back. If I don’t put some distance between myself and this perfect date that Ford set up, then I’ll ask him to stay and put his babies inside me. What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I always fall for unavailable men?
Ford’s lips tip up in the hint of a smile. “You falling for me, Red?”
I wave my hand and scoff, but it only makes him smile bigger.
“Obviously not,” I mutter. “It’s just, no one ever goes out of their way for me, and here you are, flying ice cream in from a place featured in my favorite movie.” I narrow my eyes on him and poke him in the chest. “Who does that?”
The laugh he barks out is loud and free and filled with joy. “Let me get this straight. You’re mad at me because I brought you ice cream? Because I did something thoughtful?”
“Fuming, actually.” I back away and pace across the room. “You told me this was a fling. We agreed it would be over when I went back on tour. But then you go and do the swooniest fucking things. Ford,” I say, the single word a plea, “this is husband level shit. You don’t do stuff like this for flings.” Hand on my hip, I stare him down. “You actually aren’t very good at flinging either.”
He eats up the space between us until we’re practically touching. “I never said it was a fling.”
“Yes you—” I snap my mouth shut and rack my brain for the memory. Didn’t he use that term? Fling?
“No.” He cups my cheeks, forcing me to hear his every word. “You told me to let go if I didn’t want you to kiss me.”
I nod as I’m taken back to that moment only two weeks ago. To New Year’s Eve. The night everything was set in motion.
“I didn’t let go then, and I sure as fuck am not letting go now.”
My heart clenches so tightly I have to press a palm to my chest to ease the ache. “What are you saying?”
“If I thought we’d be nothing more than a fling, Lake, then I would have let go. I wouldn’t have let us burn our reputations to the ground for something so small. I’d have given a fuck.”
“So this isn’t a fling?” I whisper, clutching at his shirt, holding on for dear life.
He caresses my cheeks with his thumbs and hovers closer. “No, baby, this isn’t a fling.”
Anticipation coils low in my belly, and a shy smile peeks through. “So you like me?”
Ford’s relieved smile is devastating. “I’m fucking gone for you, Red.”
Trembles overtake me as he presses his lips to mine. As our tongues tangle, he drinks up my moans like the most satisfying glass of whiskey, savoring each gasp and whimper.
“Fuck, I missed you.”
There’s no air left in my lungs. Dizzy and speechless, I claw at his thick hair, desperate for more. With a groan, he pulls back and smiles at me. “Ice cream, baby. My girl deserves her first date.”
“We’re really going to date?”
Grasping my hand, Ford leads me to the couch, then he pulls me onto his lap. “I’m going to date the fuck out of you.”
I laugh as I push against his chest, but he holds me in place. Giving up the fight, I settle in and relax in his arms. I’m struck by the love I see in his eyes. Slate blue heated with a mix of affection and desire. God, he’s beautiful.
“I’m in love with you, Lake Paige. With all of you. The girl who’s always so goddamn polite, and the girl who takes what she wants. The musician, the naughty girl hidden behind that sugary façade. The sweetheart who loves big and feels too much. I can’t think of a goddamn thing I don’t love about you. And I can’t fucking live without you.”
Tears flood my eyes as I press my lips to his. “I love you too, Ford Hall.”
His gruff laughter cuts our kiss short. “I take that back. There’s one thing I can’t fucking stand.”
My mouth falls open in shock, but he smiles as he kisses me again. “Your last name. I hate that it’s not mine. Seriously, Lake, if it wasn’t insane, I’d get down on my knees right now and beg you to spend your life with me. Beg you to become Lake Hall.”
There’s power in knowing precisely what you want. But the true power comes when you ask for it.
“I like being insane with you. And I like you even more on your knees, Mr. Hall.”
