Love on the Line Read online

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2018 Laura M. Baird

  ISBN: 978-1-77339-663-7

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To all those searching for their special someone—they’re out there. Doesn’t matter how you find them—just don’t stop looking.

  LOVE ON THE LINE

  Laura M. Baird

  Copyright © 2018

  While AJ’s friends sat around her living room trying to convince her to join them for a Saturday night out, she silently mulled over excuses to make, knowing she was running out of them.

  She had pretty much wasted her entire summer—her favorite time of year—doing nothing but sulking, and now with Labor Day only a week away, the rest of the year would surely fly by.

  “Come on, AJ, it’s been six months for goodness’ sake. That man shouldn’t still be dragging you down.” Jen, AJ’s best friend, made no bones about her dislike for that man—AJ’s ex, Brad. Jen rarely said his name, preferring to call him a host of other colorful ones, her latest favorite being “fucktard.”

  “I knew you were always too good for that slimeball and you’re finally rid of him. So, time to start a new chapter.” She took a healthy drink of her wine while winking at AJ over the rim of the glass.

  AJ scoffed at the idea that she was rid of him, when he’d been the one to dump her after two years together. She wrinkled her nose in thought, poised to protest, but before she could say a word, Jen started again as if she’d read AJ’s mind.

  “And so what if he’s the one who gave you the send—off, he’s gone. He was a fucktard of the highest order, and so not worthy of you. I’m just sorry you didn’t see his duplicity behind the fake façade, and wasted all that time with him.”

  “Well, I learned the hard way that looks aren’t everything,” AJ responded. She set aside her glass of the wine, preferring beer over the sweet drink Jen insisted she try.

  “It’s definitely a start,” Kayli said. “I mean, who wants to be with an unattractive person?” Although Kayli wasn’t drinking, one would think she was already half tipsy as she giggled constantly through the conversation. She was also a bit of a klutz, seeming to trip over lint as she made her way to the bathroom twice in the span of an hour.

  “True that.” Jen laughed.

  “Yeah, well, I’ll be sure to look beyond a pretty face before I let the next guy move in and start making wedding plans.” AJ’s sarcasm wasn’t lost on her friends. Jen seemed to go through guys faster than a newborn went through diapers, whereas Kayli hadn’t had a boyfriend in what seemed like years. AJ was more cautious, practically putting them through a screening process tougher than the FBI. Evidently, Brad had been a master at hiding his selfish, manipulative side.

  He had been a new coworker at the advertising agency where AJ worked, and an instant attraction occurred when they were assigned to the same team to work on a major project.

  “To your defense,” Jen started, “you did put him through the paces before you got really serious. I think the jackwad actually thrived on the challenge. He only cared about the conquest, proving he could get whatever he went after.”

  “Gee, thanks,” AJ mumbled.

  “And then the jerk had to go and take credit for all your hard work,” Kayli added. “What a douche move.”

  Jen spewed her wine, obviously not expecting sweet, reserved Kayli to use that word. Her two friends couldn’t be more different from each other, with AJ falling somewhere in between, but the three of them meshed perfectly. Jen, loyal to a fault, was brash and brutally honest, never intending to be mean even if many of her comments came out that way. Kayli, although intellectually smart in a freaky way, was more naively innocent in an endearing way when it came to matters of the heart. Each had one another’s back no matter what the crisis may be.

  While AJ handed Jen a napkin to wipe up her mess, Kayli continued on. “And to accuse you of being the unsupportive bitch who wouldn’t stand by her man! Uh, hello, 1950 called and they want their chauvinistic pig back!”

  Jen howled with laughter causing Kayli to giggle, and AJ couldn’t help but join them, thankful for their support. They’d been friends since college, and even now in their early thirties still managed to act like schoolgirls at times. Lighthearted occasions like this had been sunshine in an otherwise bleak period for AJ over the past few months.

  She had been steadfastly focused on her career, having only a few casual relationships, so Brad’s intense interest in her had thrown her off-kilter. When he had relentlessly wooed and pursued her, she’d been flattered. After all, who could resist a charming, handsome, and seemingly like-minded man who said they could be the next dynamic duo of advertising? And while she would’ve liked to have said she’d been smart about how she eased into their relationship, truth was, she fell head over high heels faster than a cat could go from loving you one minute to scratching your eyes out the next.

  AJ was not a cat person.

  Then, finding out she had just been a pawn he wanted to use in his attempt to rise higher in the agency had been quite a blow. It shook her confidence, both personally and professionally.

  “If you ask me, he got off too easy simply being fired.” Jen threw aside the napkin and finished off the little remaining wine in her glass. “He should be blacklisted from any agency and forced to drive a garbage truck for the rest of his life.”

  “Yeah, he’d fit right in with the rest of the stinky trash, huh?” Kayli giggled.

  AJ could only chuckle as she shook her head, actually thinking about Brad behind the wheel of a garbage truck. Her chuckles turned into full-on laughter, causing tears to stream down her face, which in turn became muted sobs as she began to feel sorry for herself. Again. Something she never did. And it pissed her off that it was happening too frequently.

  Wasn’t she stronger than this?

  Jen was quick to pull AJ off the couch. “Oh, no you don’t. He doesn’t deserve your tears.” Jen practically dragged AJ up the stairs, leading her to her own bathroom as Kayli followed. “Kayli, pick out something awesome for AJ to wear, and while you’re at it, please find me another blouse. Can’t be seen with wine-splotched clothes, now can I?”

  “But—” AJ started to protest, only Jen was quick to interrupt.

  “But, nothing. You’re going to splash water on your beautiful face, you’re going to put on some makeup and clothes, and you’re coming with us. No protests, no excuses. You need this.” While Kayli made her way to AJ’s closet, Jen lifted AJ’s chin, making eye contact. “You are stronger than this, you will get through this, and we need our friend back. So let’s go.” Jen turned AJ around and gave her a swat on the rear before turning to join Kayli in front of the closet.

  AJ stared at herself in the mirror, hating the puffy red eyes staring back at her. She took a deep breath and a longer exhale. “Okay, let’s do this,” she mumbled.

  “Louder, and with more conviction,” Jen called to her. And when AJ didn’t sound off soon enough, Kayli followed that up with, “We can’t hear you,” in a sing-song voice.

  AJ smiled, loving her friends more than ever at this very moment.

  “Okay, let’s do this!”r />
  “That’s our girl!” Jen said while Kayli laughed.

  AJ took care of matters in the bathroom and joined the others in her bedroom. Jen had slipped on a mauve blouse that looked better on her than it ever did on AJ, so she told her to keep it. “It was always too tight, I just never bothered to get rid of it.”

  “Glad you didn’t,” Jen remarked. “You are just a wee bit bustier than me.” She winked at AJ.

  “Ya think?” AJ snorted. The three were close to the same height around five eight, with AJ being lean and having bigger boobs than she wanted, while small-busted Kayli wished she could relieve AJ of some of her double-Ds to supplement her padded B cups. Jen’s figure was more robust in the hips with what she considered the perfect size Cs on her chest.

  While Jen freshened her makeup, AJ slipped into the outfit Kayli had set out which consisted of a loose-fitting, sleeveless cream blouse over wide-legged slacks in a rich nutmeg.

  “Those slacks distract from your boobs,” Kayli said, handing AJ a pair of studded sandals. “And these will go perfectly.”

  AJ chuckled as she slipped on the shoes and joined Jen in the bathroom to put on her makeup. “Guess there’s a reason you’re a fashion designer, huh, Kayli?”

  “Yep!” The woman practically bounced with joy before she stumbled over her own feet, thankfully falling against the soft bed. She quickly stood, righted her glasses, and smoothed down her tunic dress before running a hand through her kinky raven hair.

  “And not a runway model,” Jen quipped. “Although you’re much more beautiful, you’d never make it three feet without falling on your lovely rump.”

  Kayli was a darling with rich mocha skin and deep brown eyes. Jen enjoyed a year-long brown tone thanks to the Latino running through her genes. And AJ spent as much time outside as she could to tan her pale skin due to her Icelandic heritage.

  “That’s why you’ll never see me dancing,” Kayli said. “I’d wipe out the entire dance floor. Mom never could understand me not having any rhythm.”

  After makeup was complete, AJ whipped her blonde hair into a messy bun that shouldn’t look good on her but thankfully did. Jen applied more hairspray to her mahogany-dyed locks bouncing just below her shoulders.

  They joined Kayli, and the three made their way downstairs. “Aw, you may surprise yourself, chicka. That’s why tonight we’re going to give it a try.”

  “What?” AJ and Kayli said at the same time. AJ had to catch Kayli’s arm to keep her from tumbling on the last two steps.

  “Yeah. We’re heading over to the Grove Hotel for drinks and dancing. And we just might run into some delicious hockey hunks.” Jen wiggled her brows. “The Steelheads have been practicing, getting ready for their season, and word is they like to hang out at the Grove.”

  AJ and Kayli began a simultaneous complaint.

  “Seriously, Jen? You know I’m not ready for any kind of hookup,” AJ said.

  “Oh, no, no, no, no, I can’t do this,” Kayli said, frantically shaking her head back and forth.

  “One, it’s not all about you,” Jen said with sass, pointing at AJ. “Although I do want you to come out and have fun. And two,” she turned to Kayli, “you can do this, and you will. Now, time to woman-up and go.” She looped her arms around each of theirs and steered them toward the front door. “Grab your purses, Kayli’s driving, ‘cuz I’m drinking.”

  “I may need a drink after all if I’m going to attempt to dance,” Kayli mumbled.

  “Or three,” AJ added.

  Jen just chuckled as they all gathered their items and left AJ’s house, locking up behind them. Piling into Kayli’s car with her driving—at least for now—they made their way into downtown Boise.

  ****

  Two hours later, AJ could admit she wasn’t sorry she was forced into going out. While enjoying her second local IPA—Indie Pale Ale—she was also enjoying feasting her eyes on some very handsome men. Not that she planned to do more than look. Nope, not going there, she thought. No harm in looking. Jen on the other hand was doing more than her share of looking by dancing and flirting with a handful of them. AJ had been introduced to six members of the local hockey team along with some of their non-hockey friends who were just as sexy.

  Earlier Kayli had decided she needed a shot of courage and ended up indulging in a few too many mixed drinks, thereby causing her to become embarrassingly sick. AJ had just returned from taking her home, and was now wondering if she’d also have to rescue Jen from any precarious situations. It was doubtful, as Jen always knew her limits and remained in control.

  As AJ sat comfortably at a booth in the bar, she snacked on appetizers as the lights dimmed and the area began filling up. Although the space didn’t really lend itself toward dancing, the bar’s piano player started in on a jazzy number that had Jen and two guys taking up floor space to move seductively around one another. AJ watched, almost envious of her friend’s ability to be so loose and carefree.

  AJ had become so wary of a guy’s intentions, she wondered if she’d ever be able to hold a simple conversation without thinking there were ulterior motives involved. She sighed to herself, lifting the bottle of brew when her eyes caught sight of a man across the room. Even in the lower light, she could see he was utterly gorgeous, with his tall frame, perfect build, and stylish glasses on his face making him even more attractive. Her body responded before she could make sense of what was happening.

  Sheesh, one minute I’m thinking a guy would only talk to me in order to get in my pants, and here I am about to cream my panties just by looking at a hottie. Hypocrite.

  Even after her self-admonishment, AJ couldn’t help but stare and wonder about him. Was he an athlete? Was he even available? There weren’t any women hanging on his arm, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t involved with someone.

  Suddenly, his gaze connected with hers and she forgot to breathe. The intensity in his look had her suddenly turning away, seeking an escape. She set her drink down and searched the area for Jen, seeing she was still tangled up with two guys, not the least bit concerned it looked as if they should get a room. As she quickly scanned the bar, trying to discretely locate the hunk, she saw him still staring and making his way through the crowd in her direction.

  AJ felt her eyes widen in panic, thinking there was no way she was going to engage in conversation with this man. She was not prepared and didn’t want to look like a fool. Small talk and flirting was so not her forte. Luckily the guy was having difficulty moving around the many occupants in the bar, giving AJ a chance to maneuver out of the booth and hurry across the room. She barely made eye contact with Jen before she slipped out of the bar and hurried down the corridor into the furthest bathroom she could find.

  Leaning against the counter, AJ tried to get her breathing under control while also hoping Jen would understand her look and seek her out. She couldn’t just leave without at least letting Jen know. Although AJ knew her friend could take care of herself, Jen would be worried first and then pissed to know AJ had bailed.

  After a few moments, the door burst open with Jen coming through, flushed with a look of confusion marring her face.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I, uh, I just needed to use the bathroom. I think I’m ready to go,” she lied. Well, it wasn’t a total lie. She was ready because she didn’t want to have a run-in with the gorgeous stranger. She quickly rattled on. “I just didn’t want to abandon you without letting you know, even though it looked like you were doing just fine and couldn’t care less about being left alone with those hunks you were dancing with.”

  Jen cocked her brow as a smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “What the hell, AJ? A hot guy wants to talk with you and you hightail it outta there?” She made a move to take AJ’s elbow as she said, “Come on, let’s go back and have some fun. Well, I’ll resume my fun while you start to have some.”

  AJ whipped her arm away from Jen. “No, no, um, I really am ready to go. Listen, you’ll be fine taking a ca
b, right? Or are you, you know, gonna—”

  “Am I gonna hookup with one of those boys, you ask?” She placed her hands on her cocked hips. “I most certainly am, and if you had stayed put, you might have had the same luck.”

  AJ sputtered. “I don’t want any such luck! Listen, I’m just going to go. It really has been a great evening, but I’m ready to head home. So, um, are you sure you’ll be fine? You sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

  “Hell, no. I’m about to go home with not one, but two gorgeous guys who I’m sure will show me more than just their hockey sticks.” She winked.

  Although not a prude, AJ still gasped, causing Jen to laugh.

  “All right, listen, hun, you go home then. But I sure wish you’d stay and at least talk to a guy. It doesn’t have to be any more than that, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I guess I’m just not ready. I can’t handle all that gorgeousness in my face.” A strangled laugh escaped her.

  “Okay.” Jen hugged her. “Drive safe, and don’t worry about me. You know I can take care of myself.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it.”

  The two walked out of the bathroom, giving each other one more hug before Jen made her way back to the bar and AJ made her escape before anything else happened. She took the first exit and had to circle around the building before finding Kayli’s car. Once inside, she breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a groan at how stupidly childish she had acted.

  She banged her head against the steering wheel and mumbled. “Thirty-two years old and acting like I’m twelve.”

  With a deep breath, she buckled up and headed home, promising herself she’d try to act more mature next time. If there was a next time.

  ****

  “I can’t believe you fled like that!” Kayli exclaimed when she saw AJ the next afternoon. “Think of the fun you could have had!”