Secrets & Admirers Read online

  Harriet

  I dashed out the next morning, tucking a new book in my bag and attempting to not trip over my long green skirt. Maybe my “beware of the hippies” shirt would get a response from him. I slowed my pace as soon as the thought crossed my mind. Why did I care what he thought? I didn’t know him, so his opinion didn’t matter. I dressed for myself, always had, and that wasn’t about to change because a man was infatuated with me. I dressed for me and me alone. The idea of someone watching me was exciting, but I would not let him affect me in any way. I climbed the steps to the bus, scanned my card, and took my seat. Then I scanned the people, counting as I went. Thirty-seven including me and sixteen were men. Nine in suits, three in other business attire. So, he was most likely one of those men, but some were tucked in corners or buried in one device or another. Once I was done, I settled back, pulling out the notebook and rereading the pages he had written before setting it casually in the empty seat next to me. I hid my cocky smile behind my new book and waited for two stops to pass before I got off, leaving the notebook behind. It meant I had to walk three blocks to The Dog House instead of half a block, but it also meant he got his book back and still kept his anonymity. Maybe it would be fun, like a game, like You’ve Got Mail. All the suits were still on the bus when I got off, but none of them paid any attention as I made my exit. Damn, he was good. None of the men in suits were grotesque, either. They were just average guys, all in their thirties to mid-forties from what I could tell. Some were short and round, others were thin and tall. No one stood out. Nothing objectionable from what I could see. Thank the Universe.

  I went through my normal routine until Jovie came in. “Harriet, tell me about your mystery man!” she yelled at me over the water where I was rinsing dishes.

  “I wrote back in the notebook and left it on the bus.” I smiled like a moron and faced where she was leaning against the doorframe. Her mouth hung open like a big mouth bass, making me giggle. “I just said that I was flattered and told him the H on my bag was for my first name. Then I asked if he had a drug habit.” Her laugh joined mine and she had me repeat the story to Erica. I was not opposed to many habits, but after my mother, anything harder than marijuana was a deal breaker with me, even for a pen pal.

  “So, you guys are going to play that little game?” Jovie adjusted my long, turquoise necklace, shaking her head.

  “I hope so. It seems fun. Well, unless he’s married or something. That would be sad, but maybe it will at least lead to a new connection.” I could feel the mischief swelling in me. I hadn’t thought about a partner since moving. I spent time with Rae and little George a few times a week and cooked for Mrs. Chastain down the hall. I was satisfied, happy, even, with my new life. But the thought of getting some physical action was intriguing. “I need to run, Jim gave me the dagger eyes yesterday. I’ll be at your place at six, Jovie.” I was so thrilled to get my hands on her little chunky babies. They had brown hair, one with curls one without, Ewan’s dark eyes, and the perfect mix of their parent’s skin tones. Not to mention all the fat rolls. I loved yummy fat babies.

  My work day went on as usual. We were sadly busy, but it was nice to keep my mind off the mystery man. I walked the five blocks to Jovie’s house after work and Ewan practically ran out the door dragging her behind. Poor guy was overwhelmed in a house full of women. He liked to complain, but heaven help the person who messed with his girls. He called over his shoulder that my list was on the fridge and peeled out of the driveway. I loved their house. It was tall and Victorian with a clean homey feel. They were both accomplished but lived simply.

  The twins played in their room, rolling on the floor and cooing. Norah was figuring out how to sit up and kept tumbling backward, grabbing her fat little toes. Jovie had stocked the fridge with vegetarian staples for me and I snacked on grapes while the girls chased bits of bananas with chubby fingers in their high chairs. Merlin and Clark dashed through the browning yard, dragging a toy of some kind. I gave the kids a quick bath, fed them the warmed breast milk from the fridge, took a few pictures for Jovie, and put them to bed. They were both such content babies.

  I dove into my new Colleen Hoover novel, hoping to finish it and have something fresh the next morning. The fact that he was keeping up with my reading was making me slightly giddy. Maybe it was the general interest in me that was making my chest fill with butterflies, but no one ever talked to me about what I was reading. Blake had barely talked to me at all. Rae texted me, asking me to lunch the next day. Of course I would go, the twins one night and George the next was awesome. I never really thought about having my own kids, but I loved everyone else’s. Jovie and Ewan got home just before midnight, and I called an Uber to get me home. Ewan offered to drive me, but after a date, I knew what they would be doing, so, I left them to it. They were really the sweetest couple.

  Tattered jeans, a long-sleeved top, and leather boots were the best I could do the next morning. I had tossed and turned, unable to sleep, unable to relax when I realized that the following day was Saturday. While I worked, Creepy Coward would most likely not. Most suits had nine-to-five weekday jobs. Oh, well, I still had to ride the bus. If only he would let me see him, let me talk to him. I really needed to get laid, like really bad.

  I dragged myself onto the bus to see only a handful of people. I spotted the notebook immediately, despite there being only two men on the bus, neither wearing suits. I sat, snatched up the book eagerly, and flipped to the next page with black ink.

  Day 18: Dear H,

  I won’t see you today, but asked Sal to make sure you got this. He assured me he would and I paid him to not reveal my identity, so don’t even try to pry it out of him. You looked lovely yesterday, but you always do. Thank you for returning my property, most would not be so kind, and I would have been fine if you hadn’t. I can assure you that you are the only one I am stalking and that is the only objectionable habit I possess. As of late I have been reading far too much to worry about anything else. Hugh Howey is a new favorite, but Colleen Hoover is a little too romantic for my taste. At least that book was. If you would be so kind as to save your response until Monday, I would appreciate it. I am eager to see what other questions you may have for me.

  Sincerely,

  B

  I sorted through name possibilities. Brian, Brandon, Brayden, Ben, and I had no idea. I couldn’t even try to come up with a name. I had no idea what he looked like. It was going to drive me batty. I ran by The Dog House, even though I was off. “Good morning, ladies.” I handed out coffee. Cori practically jumped me for her cup. Her daughter had been sick off and on for weeks, so sleep was hard to come by. “If you need a break, I can spend some time with Axel this week.” Cori looked confused at my offer.

  “Really?”

  “Of course, I have no desire to procreate, but I love other people’s kids. I watch George and the twins now too. Here.” I wrote my cell number on the white board near her grooming table. “Anytime, I really mean it.” Cori still looked confused but moved my number to her phone.

  “Thank you. My parents keep her some, but I hate unleashing my monster on them too often.” Cori finally gave me a genuine smile.

  “Well.” Jovie held her hand out for the notebook which I promptly delivered. She bounced excitedly naming off B names that included names like Baratheon, Bartholomew, and Bartley. Dork. Jovie thanked me again for watching the twins and gave me a quick hug before I dashed across the street.

  I had only been working an hour when Jim came down and cleared his throat. “Harriet, is everything all right?” He handed me an envelope identical to the first one.

  “Yeah, it’s fine,” I lied, smiling at my boss. I had forgotten the other envelope. Jim gave me a nod and handed me the envelope before leaving me to my work. I slid my finger along the seal and pulled out the folded paper with red writing. “I warned you…”. It all had to be a mistake. My name was on the front, but I didn’t even know anyone outside of my tight circle of friends. There was
no one for me to have angered. I tossed the note and envelope in the trash and went on about my day. Either it was a mistake or a sick joke. Either way, I wasn’t going to let it ruin my day.

  Half a day at work meant I got to leave in time for lunch with Rae, Nick, and some people he works with. Then I got to hang with Rae and George that night while Nick and Jovie did a book store thing. Everything fell into place as soon as I stepped into East Tennessee, except for my weird notes at work, and I loved it.

  Chapter Eight

  Briggs

  Beck dragged me to lunch the next day very much against my will. I liked Nick and Rae just fine, but being social on weekends fell outside my normal comfort zone. Ruby’s had the best burgers around for sure. My goal was to stay out of the conversation, finish the beast of a book H had inadvertently recommended, and enjoy a burger. What I got was much, much different. Nick tapped me under the table and I looked up to see her coming in. I felt my face blanch and I fumbled my phone into my lap, dropping it between my feet. I had to just stare. How screwed up was that turn of events? It was like I was being forced to meet her. She took a seat directly across from me, staring directly at me, and things slowed down for a moment. Beck started immediately. The asshole better not touch her. I would fucking kill him.

  “I’m Beck Layton.” He had that tone, and I had to clench my jaw to keep from gutting him with my butter knife. My pulse tore through me like a pin ball, ricocheting through my brain and making my hands numb. Nick said her name, introducing us, and I forced a smile at her. I wanted to be elated that she was sitting in front of me having lunch, but I was too stunned. Her smile was genuine, beautiful, and sincere. It lit up the whole fucking room. Harriet. Her hair was piled on her head and her eyes sparkled. Harriet watched me while she settled in. Did she recognize me from the bus? I pretended to read, pretended to not stare at her. Harriet was perfect, friendly, and composed, while I was a complete mess.

  Chapter Nine

  Harriet

  I looked down at my sloppy outfit as I walked into Ruby’s to meet Rae and Nick. Eh, oh well, not like I had anyone to impress, and if I did, they could get over it. I found them at a round table in the back and Rae had already ordered my water when I got there. She stood to hug me and I blew a kiss to Nick before sitting down. Then I noticed the other men at the table and froze. They were both dressed in polos and khakis and looked way too much alike. The pair was far too attractive for their own good, but one more so than the other. Double hot sat parked right across the small table.

  The more arrogant-looking and less attractive of the two stood, leaning across the table, and grinned like the Cheshire cat. “I’m Beck Layton.” Beck looked at me with one intent and he was obviously used to getting his way. I shook his hand, telling him my name. Nick rolled his eyes.

  “Harriet, this is Briggs Layton. Beck’s worked with me a while, but Briggs just transferred in from the firm Ewan works at.” I offered my hand across the table and Briggs took it, bowing his head slightly, and mumbling a greeting. Two B names, way too weird. The universe was full of jokes. Both men had short sandy hair, but Beck was clean shaven, with a buzz cut, and had a slightly bulkier build. Briggs was sexier of the two by far, and I had the hardest time pulling my eyes off him He wasn’t cocky but was quiet and reserved, letting his brother take the spotlight, and fading into the background. He had the quiet and mysterious thing working for him, and I just kept staring like a complete fool. Beck had a different idea; instead of studying the menu, he stared at me, licking his lips occasionally and talking incessantly. The waitress arrived and we ordered, watching Beck flirt with her too. It was going to be a long lunch.

  “Jovie said you have a stalker? You wouldn’t think someone like her would get excited about a stalker considering last year, but it’s all she’s talked about.” I knew about Jovie’s client-gone-psycho and wondered the same thing. Anything remotely stalker-like should have scared the crap out of her. Nick’s blue-green eyes vanished behind his round cheeks, and my worry for our mutual friend faded. Rae had done well, Nick was so sweet and had a gentle nature about him. He was a giant teddy bear.

  “Not quite a stalker. More like a secret admirer, but yes.” I felt the blush creep into my face and took a sip of my water. I scanned the table again to see Beck watching with rapt attention while Briggs was on his phone, avoiding the conversation, but glanced up to look at me a few times. The man was insanely handsome and my staring was getting too obvious.

  “Well, are you going to enlighten us?” Nick was going to push it, but I wasn’t budging.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Not yet. That would defeat the purpose of the admirer being a secret.” I noticed Briggs flick his eyes to me, catching mine for a second, and quickly look back at his phone. I wanted him to talk to me but wasn’t entirely sure why. He was easily the most attractive man I had ever seen, even if his twin looked just like him. Briggs was hard not to stare at, just simply gorgeous, but in a mysterious, brooding sort of way. I was good at listening to my inner voice, and my voice was saying to avoid Beck, but it said something else about Briggs. It was screaming at me to be as close to Briggs as possible. I really need to get laid. Beck started asking about me and in volumes, most of them too personal for my liking. I answered him as vaguely as possible, mostly because I had a hard time focusing on him with his quiet brother sitting next to him, still staring at the phone. I had to avoid answering if I was seeing anyone, if I was straight, and how I spent my nights. Briggs struck me as a little rude, but who was I to judge? Beck laughed heartily at any light joke I made and laughed harder when he made fun of my veggie burger. His vibe was arrogant and not in a sexy way. I could tell Rae didn’t like him much either by the way my friend rolled her eyes when Beck bragged about anything and everything. He made up things to talk about only to hear himself talk.

  “What are you doing, Briggs?” His brother’s demanding tone made him turn the phone off and set it on the table, his face turning red.

  “Reading, sorry.” Briggs took a long drink of his water.

  “What are you reading?” I asked it too eagerly, but I was determined to bring him into the conversation to avoid any more jabs from his brother on either of our parts. Plus, I had a thing for men who read. Especially really gorgeous men who read.

  “Oh, uh, it’s a sci-fi action type book.” His mouth hinted a smile, but it quickly fell. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just sort of fell in.” His dark eyes caught mine, creating a heat that filled the restaurant and I had to look away after a few moments. It was like he could read my thoughts for a second. Maybe I had been single too long because Briggs was tugging at something in me and I was loving it despite barely having exchanged a sentence with him.

  “Happens to me all the time. If you like sci-fi, Hugh Howey is great. He has a couple of series out, and they’re all equally entertaining. I devoured them in a week.” Briggs gave me a thoughtful nod and went back to his burger. Nick and Beck chatted about work and Rae tried to pull details about my mystery notebook guy out of me. I promised to tell her later and went back to staring at Briggs. Good grief, he is sexy.

  “So, where do you work, Harriet?” Beck gave me a sly smile that made my stomach clench. The man looked at me like he wanted to eat me.

  “Oh, I work part time at The Dog House with Nick’s friend Jovie and then full-time across the street at the mortuary.” I smiled back, knowing my occupation would shut him up. No one thought my job was normal by any means. As I glared at Beck, I saw Briggs watching me too. “I do the makeup and clothing for those who have passed.”

  Beck made a face. “You put makeup on dead people?” I nodded, chewing my veggie burger and smiling at him. Briggs looked between his brother and me, smirking. At least Briggs found it amusing. Nick broke up our conversation with something a little less morbid and less amusing which meant I could study the men across from me again. Beck had lighter eyes than his brother, but they were the same height. Briggs had longer hair on top and it w
as nearly buzzed on the sides with chocolate eyes and a stronger jaw line that was covered with blonde stubble that was almost a beard. He was unnecessarily handsome—no, hot. The guy was hot as hell and I let out an inward dreamy sigh. We kept catching each other’s gaze across the table, but no one seemed to notice, or if they did, they stayed quiet. I was glad Beck was too busy bragging about some meeting to pay attention to where my eyes actually were.

  I let my mind wander to the response I was going to give B. I had until Monday so there was plenty of time to think, but I was anxious. I was never anxious. I didn’t worry about things. I had the true, hippie, free spirit, artist mentality of “what will be will be”. All the notebook swapping with a mystery man paired with the sexy man across from me had me all confused. Yeah, need to get laid.

  “You never told me what you were reading, Briggs.” He jerked to attention, eyes wide. I waited, but he just stared at me blankly for a minute. Apparently, my question caught him off guard.

  “Douglas Adams,” Briggs admitted it quietly, and I had to drink to wash the dry from my mouth. He mirrored my gesture. I had a Douglas Adams in my bag currently, what a coincidence. Small world and such. Really small.

  “No wonder you’re lost in it. He’s one of my favorites. I’m nearly finished with So Long and Thanks for all the Fish. Shame he isn’t around to keep writing. Nick and Jovie love him too.” I smiled, and Briggs returned it, nodding, gaze locked on mine. Everyone else just watched the tension bounce between us. Rae kicked me under the table and it settled the butterflies taking off in my chest. Nothing sexier than a man who reads.

  “I found it a little dry at first, but he’s British so that is to be expected. Once I got into the story, it was pretty enthralling.” Briggs turned the corner of his mouth in a half-smile. Is he B? There was no way he could be the same guy. Surely, he would have just told me, but the Universe worked in mysterious ways. I wasn’t going to embarrass him by asking anymore questions, because he obviously wasn’t keen on the attention, but I had to know. Rae grabbed my attention again telling me about how much trouble George was getting in with all the walking he was doing and how they had to George-proof the whole place. I assured her that I could still watch him, no matter how much trouble the little guy was getting in.