Page 37 of Gunner

Chapter 17

Lacey closedthe door and slid the lock into place. Today had been an emotional rollercoaster, and she needed a couple of hours to get herself together before Gunner came over. She hadn’t planned for this. Holding Deacon and then Gunner arriving had been a lot but then going to the bathroom and finding out her period had arrived had felt like a blow.

Turning to Gunner had been the most natural thing in the world, the feel of his arms instantly making her feel stronger and more able to cope but it also made her miss him more and question her decision to turn her back on him so quickly.

Like the true gentleman he was, he hadn’t made her work for it when she’d asked if they could talk, he’d simply accepted it. Lacey shivered a little as the cooler air that had blown through earlier this week tickled her neck.

She loved this house but the feeling of safety that she’d had when she’d bought it wasn’t the same now that someone had been inside it. Everything felt tainted even though she knew there was no way it could be Carmine.

Deciding to take a bath to try and relax, Lacey turned on the tap in her master bath and poured some of the honey milk bubbles under it, watching as the steam rose fragrant with the scent. Undressing, she pulled her hair back into a bun on her head and pulled up a relaxing playlist on her phone.

The jitters in her belly were from too much stress, and it dawned on her she could finally have a glass of wine which was precisely what the doctor ordered. She didn’t need to get completely pissed, but a nice buzz might take the edge off. Turning off the water, she ran downstairs and grabbed a glass and bottle of Riesling from the fridge before taking it back upstairs.

Pouring a decent sized glass, she shed her robe and sunk down into the water, hitting play on her iPhone, and letting the sounds of Lewis Capaldi and the fruity German wine relax her tight muscles.

The light from outside was still bright as the last day of August drifted away, and she knew it would be thoughts of summer which consumed her now. Her brain was always out of sync with the seasons, looking forward to whatever line she would create next.

Cocking her head, she froze as she heard a sound in the bedroom. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as her belly clenched and she froze, unable to move. Listening intently for the sound to come again, she let out a loud breath and laughed when she heard the sounds of the immersion heater clicking on.

This was her first bath in the house since she’d bought it, preferring showers until now and she must have emptied the tank, meaning the heater kicked in. She heard danger where there was none. Her relaxing bath now ruined, she got out and wrapped a towel around her body before entering the bedroom.

Drying off quickly she put on some yoga pants, and a vest top and went downstairs, her glass still in her hand. Placing it on the kitchen island, she got out her sketch pad and went back into the living room and curled up on the couch to sketch out some ideas for a boy’s summer range.

It was hard not to picture Deacon when she did it, the cute bundle enough to inspire anyone. Her phone rang, and she smiled to see Taamira’s name. The princess had become a good friend in the last few weeks, often showing up when Liam was on duty to work on designs with her.

“Hey, Taamira.”

“Hello, Lacey, I hope I am not disturbing you?”

Lacey placed the pad on the sofa by her feet and took a sip of wine. “Of course not. What can I do for you?” Lacey had learned that Taamira never called unless there was a reason.

“Well, I was wondering if you would be interested in a girl’s night next week with Evelyn, Callie, Pax, Autumn, and me? Nothing fancy. It will be at my place and each of us brings a dish we made.”

“I don’t know. This sounds very much like a wives or girlfriend’s thing.”

“Oh, please say you’ll come.”

“Did Pax put you up to this?”

Silence met her and Lacey had her answer.

“Yes, but I was going to ask anyway. We would really love you to come. Please say yes?”

Lacey considered it. She had no idea what would come of this conversation with Gunner, but she owed it to herself to make this new life work and that involved embracing every opportunity that came her way, especially when it was the hand of friendship.

“Fine, are we going healthy or full-on food porn?”

Taamira laughed. “Let’s go food porn.”

“Okay sounds good, text me the details.”

“I will, and, Lacey? Just, just so you know, I’m team Lunner.”

Lacey laughed and shook her head. “Have you been drinking, Taamira?”

“No silly, I don’t drink. I mean I’m team Gunner and Lacey.”

“There are teams?”