Big & Beautiful 11: Curvaceous & Captivating

“What?” Riley shrieked. “Why would you sleep with him for doing you a favor?”

“Shh! Not so loud!”

Riley clapped her hand over her mouth and closed her eyes. After a minute, when no one came running up to the counter, she pulled her hand away. “Whoops.”

We both giggled, then Riley put her hand on my arm. “Who is this guy?”

I sighed. “Ethan Norwood. He owns Timeless Timber Toys over by Winter Ridge. He’s seriously hot and like walking sex. I swear, Riles, I’ve never had this kind of reaction to a guy before.”

“What reaction did you have?”

“Well, I met him yesterday morning. For a meeting. Frankly, I thought he was kind of a jerk, but he was a hot jerk. I practically drooled on him. Then he showed up at my house last night.”

Riley’s eyebrows peaked. “Okay. How did he know where you lived?”

I shook my head. “He wouldn’t tell me. It’s not like I’m hard to find, though. I’m the only Olivia Humphrey in Winterville.”

“Still. He looked. Why did he show up?”

“He said he knew he upset me and wanted to apologize.”

“And what did he do for an apology?” Riley asked with a waggle of her eyebrows.

“Ha. I wish. He brought sushi. He didn’t know I have kids and was kind of weird. The whole thing was weird.”

“Okay,” Riley said seriously, “I’m failing to grasp what actually happened. Did something happen?”

I shook my head. “He didn’t even kiss me. Just made me want him to.”

A slow smile crept over Riley’s face. “He wants you to want him.”

“Yep. And it’s working.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, he’s a lot older than me, doesn’t seem to actually like kids, and he’ll never stick around. He has this assistant that had her boobs hanging out. She implied they were sleeping together, but he said they weren’t. Men like him don’t look twice at women like me.”

“Connor’s kind of like that. Confident. A little cocky.” She shrugged as if that explained it all.

“I know,” I said gently. “Connor is special. He’s different. He’s amazing. Ethan… I know it’s a recipe for heartbreak. I’d be stupid to even think about getting involved with him.”

“I felt the same way about Connor. Sometimes you have to take a chance.”

I shook my head. “I have two kids, Riles. I don’t have room in my life for chances.”

“You might be missing out.”

I laughed mirthlessly. “Yeah, on a few orgasms and a whole lot of heartbreak. He’s not the kind of guy who settles down. He’ll be single forever. I can just see it in the way he is.”

“If he was just going to sleep with you, he’d pick an easier target.”

“That’s what I told him.”

“You said that?” Riley blurted.

I shook my head. “Not exactly, but I implied it. He didn’t back down. He actually made it harder after I said that. I felt like I was on fire by the time he left.”

“I think you might be in trouble with this one, Olivia.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

* * *

I didn’t hear from Ethan the rest of the weekend. By Monday, I felt like I could breathe and was feeling normal again. It was insane to have a man affect me as much as he did. Even when I met Bill, I didn’t feel the way I did with Ethan. I told myself it was because it had been so long since I’d been involved with anyone, but there was definitely more to it than that.

Heck, he hadn’t even kissed me yet.

Yet.

Just thinking about when he would gave me hot flashes.

Focus, Olivia.

I shook my head and directed my attention back to my computer. I hit the mouse to bring the monitor to life and logged back in, because I’d been daydreaming that long. The spreadsheet I was working on reappeared on my screen, and I scanned it quickly before printing two copies. I locked my computer and went to the kitchen to get my lunch. I left it on my desk and picked up the printed sheets on my way into Wyatt’s office.

“Ready?” he asked, looking up from his computer as I settled into a chair at the table in the corner.

I nodded and pushed one of the sheets toward the seat next to me.

“Where are we with everything?” Wyatt sat and lifted the sheet in front of him. “Is this final?”

I nodded. “Yes. Everything is on track as of right now. We have the vendors all lined up and paid. With the sponsorship from Timeless Timber Toys, we have enough to set up the second egg hunt in the lot across the street. I’ve spoken to the police department and have people working overnight the night before to set up the road blocks. All vendors will be given instructions to get through the barricades the week leading up to the event so they can park close and unload.”

“And we’re going to let them stay within the barricades, right?”

I nodded. “Yes. It’ll be easier than having them go back and forth.”

“Do you have the schedule for the day set up?”

“I’m working on that next. Now that we have this all done, that’s going to be my focus.”

Wyatt looked at the sheet again. “All these vendors are set? They’ve all paid? Their profits are going to be their own, right?”

I nodded. “Yes. Some have asked about donating a portion of their proceeds. I told them if they do, they will get additional billing. So far, only two have signed that paperwork.”

I watched Wyatt as he scanned everything. The spreadsheet included all of the details. The names of each vendor, the contact person, the portion of proceeds they wanted to donate, the size of their space, and the type of vendor they were. I wanted to make sure we had enough variety and could spread them out. We had everything from hot dog vendors to Chinese food to desserts. The Easter Bunny was making an appearance, and some of the local stores that specialized in children’s items, like books and toys, were going to be there, too. It was very different from the Memorial Day picnic we did a year ago, and I was really excited about it.

“I still can’t believe this is all coming together the way it is. You’re really on top of all this.”

I shrugged. “It’s my job.”

Wyatt looked at me closely. “Yes, but you always go above and beyond. I wish I could give you a raise.”

I laughed. “I make more than anyone else in a job like mine. Trust me, Wyatt, I’m good.”

It was the truth. I loved my job. Working with Wyatt made life a whole lot easier. I felt like I was constantly floundering at home, but at work, I felt at peace. Like I could actually accomplish something. Yeah, more money would always be nice, but I learned a long time ago that being happy was worth more than a big paycheck.

“Want to eat?”

I nodded as my stomach growled. “Yeah. We’ve got a busy day.”

We both stood and left the office. I grabbed my lunch bag from my desk, and Wyatt kept walking.

“Give me a second to get my lunch. I’ll be right back.”

I picked at the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I’d packed while I waited for Wyatt to get back. I didn’t notice his usual lunchbox in the fridge, so I didn’t think to grab it when I got mine. When he came back a few minutes later, I learned why.

“Who cooked for you?”

Wyatt rolled his eyes. I was constantly trying to set him up on dates, but he always refused. He was too focused on being the mayor and doing the best job he could for the town of Winterville. He hadn’t been on a date at all since we’d met. At least, not as far as I knew.

“Relax. I ordered take out from Nicolino’s. I couldn’t eat it all last night.”

“Oh, that place is so good. A friend of mine knows the owner and had her wedding reception there.”

“Wow, really? Is she one of the friends you’ve tried to set me up with?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Nope. Charlie was already married when I met her. You missed your chance for an inside track at Nicolino’s.”

“Charlie? Is she the one who owns the cupcake place?”

I nodded. “Bite Me! Yeah.”

“And her husband is Abby’s brother?”

I nodded and grinned. Abby was one of our vendors at the Memorial Day picnic and signed up for another booth at the Easter Egg Hunt. She and Wyatt hit it off and had stayed friends. “See, you’re all set for girls’ night. You really should come one of these weeks.”

Wyatt laughed and shook his head, like he always did. “Wouldn’t I be cramping your style? I just think you’d feel weird because I’m your boss.”

I rolled my eyes. “You need to get out more. My friends are great. You already know Abby. We’d all love to have you join us.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Seriously? That’s the first time you’ve ever not shot me down completely.”

A throat cleared behind me, and we both turned toward the door. Ethan stood there, glaring at me.

Wyatt stood, not fazed at all by the look Ethan was giving me.

Ethan reluctantly pulled his gaze away from mine, and my breath whooshed out of me.

The man was dangerous to have around.

“Ethan,” Wyatt said, extending his hand. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”

Ethan shot me another look and said, “Yes, I can see that. I wondered if I could have a minute of your time.”

Wyatt nodded and glanced at me.

I quickly packed up what was left of my lunch and scurried out of the room before my clothes caught fire.

Jeez, the man was hot.

Ethan closed the door, eliminating my opportunity to eavesdrop on their impromptu meeting. I finished my yogurt and ate my strawberries. I’d just tucked the containers back into my bag and put it next to my purse in the bottom desk drawer when Wyatt’s door opened.

I refused to meet Ethan’s eyes. He had no reason to be upset with me. We hadn’t even spoken since he left my house Friday night. Whatever he was so pissed off about had nothing to do with me. It couldn’t.

He stopped in front of my desk. I couldn’t pretend I was busy because he’d seen me putting my lunch away and knew my computer screen was dark. I forced myself to look up at him, taking my time scanning his body as my eyes lifted up and up to his stormy black eyes and ticking jaw.

“Is there something I can do for you?”

“What did I walk in on?”

My eyes narrowed as confusion swept through me. “What do you mean?”

He sucked in a breath and leaned closer. “Don’t fuck with me, Olivia. You and Wyatt. What did I walk in on?”

“Our lunch?”

His eyebrows lifted, begging me to continue.

“Um, we were eating lunch together.”

“And you were flirting with him.”

I shook my head, trying to understand the question. No, not a question. He didn’t ask. He stated like it was gospel. Ethan thought I was flirting with my boss.

“Are you serious?”

“After the things you said to me the other night about fucking my assistant, I didn’t expect to show up here and find you eager to spread your legs for your boss.”

Anger tore through me, pushing me to my feet. I was nose to nose with him over my desk, breathing heavily and not for the reasons I’d imagined I would be when I finally got so close to him.

“How dare you accuse me of sleeping with him. Or even wanting to. Wyatt is my boss, but he’s also a friend. If you’re going to act like this, then I think we need to stay away from each other.”

Ethan shifted, his face moving closer to mine. I backed up just an inch to avoid touching him. A look of triumph crossed his face before his eyes shuttered and the disgust reigned again.

“Too bad Wyatt just told me you are my primary point of contact until the Easter Egg Hunt. Maybe you can talk your boyfriend into passing me off to someone else.”

I shook my head, wishing I’d never let him into my house the other night. He was just like every other man I’d ever known. A jerk. Someone who thought he could have what he wanted, when he wanted it, and I’d be there to bend over backward for him. I was done catering to arrogant men.

“Maybe I will. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do. Work that doesn’t involve you.”

I sat back down, smoothed a hand over my skirt, and logged onto my computer. I tried not to notice how long he stood there staring at me. Or the way he smelled. Or the uncomfortable tingle between my thighs at the thought of him being jealous.

None of it mattered. Because Ethan was a jerk. A jerk I had to deal with for work but would definitely not be seeing outside work again.

He could kiss my butt.