Crazy For You: Romance in the Lakes, #3

By Tracey Mayhew

Falling in love was never part of the plan...

 

Sofia de Luca has never been one to take life too seriously; always up for a laugh, she's the life and soul of the party. That is, until she hits thirty-three and realises that, while her friends are all happy and loved up, she's been left on the shelf.

 

Enter Joe Stapleton, a childhood friend: charming, sexy and, more importantly, not looking for commitment. To Sofia, he's a safe bet, someone who can make her happy but not get too attached to... But, the more time she spends with him, the more she realises her feelings run deeper than she would care to admit.

 

When Joe gets an offer that threatens to take him away from her, and any future they may have together, can Sofia finally find the strength to risk it all and be honest about what she really wants?

 

Crazy For You is the third book in the Romance in the Lakes series; it can be read as a standalone novel but is even better when read in order. Each book in the series has its own guaranteed HEA and is perfect for fans of Paige Toon, Sarah Morgan and Cressida McLaughlin.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Download your copy today!

 

Official reading order:

 

Book One: All I Want For Christmas

Book Two: Because of You

Book Three: Crazy For You

Book Four: Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Book Five: Endless Love

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tracey Mayhew
• Release date: Jun 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781386870623

Book preview

1

Are you kidding me; another one?

I stare at the offensive thing in the mirror, frowning at my reflection. Since when did I start finding grey hairs? That’s… I quickly do the math in my head but sigh dejectedly. To be honest I’ve lost count of how many I’ve found over the last few weeks. I’m thirty-three for goodness sake; don’t I have a few years before I start turning grey? I chuckle bitterly; maybe I should start collecting them, like badges, a testament of my life experience... but then I remember I barely have any life experience and I start to feel that wave of pity wash over me again.

Turning away from the mirror, I pick up the bucket from the floor, place it on the bench of sinks and pull out the Marigolds. Putting them on, I shake myself free of this horrible gut-wrenching, self-induced pity and get on with the job in hand, scrubbing at the sinks until they sparkle. I may not have much experience with life but I have plenty of experience when it comes to cleaning these toilets.

I pause as I hear a faint commotion from the back of the pub; I can hear my papa’s ecstatic cries of joy and can’t help but smile. Looks like Matty, Joanna and the kids have arrived; Papa always gets excited when the grandkids visit. These early morning visits are a de Luca family tradition on someone’s birthday. Usually, I’d be more than willing to be out there, ready to greet the birthday boy, or girl, but the problem is that, this time, I’m the birthday girl.

And I don’t want to be found.

But why? I hear you ask.

The simple reason is: this year, I don’t feel like celebrating. This year, I want to ignore the fact that I’m a year older and would rather curl up in bed with a bag of Doritos and a tub of ice-cream, watching that new Henry Cavill show on Netflix, pretending time has stopped. I want to pretend that I’m not finding grey hairs every day, I’m not constantly tired and I’m not doomed to spinsterhood while everyone else in my life is happy in new relationships that are actually going somewhere.

Now, before I go on, I don’t want you thinking I’m jealous of my best friends… I mean, I am, but not in a bad way. I would just like to find the happiness they have; to find someone whom I can love and who'll love me back without any expectations; someone who I can argue with but can also cuddle up with on the sofa at night or go for a moonlit walk with…

I shake myself from this, all-too-familiar, train of thought, wishing I could stop thinking like this. I mean, it’s not like I’m not happy with the life I have: I love my family and friends, I live in a great little village and have a great job working alongside my nearest and dearest. What do I really have to complain about, right?

It’s just... there are some days… when I look around at all the happy couples surrounding me, I can’t help thinking: why can’t I have that?

And, before you start forming a picture of me in your head, I just want to make it clear: this isn’t like me. I don’t wallow in self-pity and I don’t dwell on the things I don’t have. Usually, none of this stuff bothers me; in fact, the single life was very appealing to me at one point (after your heart’s been so badly broken, you don’t look for that kind of commitment again, do you?).

Of course, I blame the grey hairs.

I’m getting older and there’s something that comes with that realisation that makes you wonder where your life’s going.

Ahh, there you are!

I glance up in the mirror to see my brother, Tony, grinning back at me, over my shoulder, the gold chain around his neck, glinting in the harsh light of the toilet.

What are you doing in here? he asks, stepping inside as the door closes behind him.

I look around at the bucket and cleaning products that litter the side and floor. Oh, now, let me see… What does it look like?

Cleaning toilets on your birthday, huh, Sis? he teases. Are you really that depressed at the thought of getting old?

I’m not getting old, I retort through gritted teeth, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn spot on the porcelain. I knew these needed doing and-

At seven twenty in the morning? Tony asks, glancing at his watch. He scoffs. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were avoiding us.

Oh, if only he knew.

Instead, I shake my head. I’m not avoiding anyone; why would you think that?

Tony comes to stand next to me, leaning on the bench. I can feel him watching me and know my act isn’t fooling him.

Sofia, stop. His voice is gentle, serious now.

Surrendering, I pause and raise my gaze to meet his.

We all go through this at some point, he continues.

I frown. Go through what?

Whatever this is, he says, waving his hand about in the air. Birthday blues, a mid-life-

Don’t, I practically explode, pointing a finger at him. Don’t say it: this is not a mid-life crisis.

He holds up his hands in surrender, a smile tugging at his lips. Okay, now there’s the feisty little sister I know and love. He moves closer to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me close to him. I felt the same way last year, you know.

You did?

He nods. Just after Julia dumped me, remember?

How could I forget? At the mention of her name, my blood starts to boil; how could someone dump anyone so cruelly, so unexpectedly; one minute she had been telling Tony how much she loved him and talking about their future together and the next… the next she was telling him she couldn’t see them working anymore. It had been a terrible time for him, especially when he had spotted her in Keswick the following week hanging off the arm of some other guy.

It was like nothing was going to come together for me, you know? Like, he shrugs, trying to find the right words, like I would never be truly happy again. He gives me a squeeze and kisses the top of my head. But, you know what? It does. You get past it... eventually.

How?

I’m not sure, he admits. It’s just… you realise it doesn’t hurt quite so bad any more.

I rest my head against his shoulder. Thanks, Tony.

Anytime, loser, Tony jokes, pulling me into a proper hug.

Of the two of my brothers, I’m closest to Tony who, at thirty-five, is only two years older than me; Matty, on the other hand, is seven years older and, when you’re growing up in a tiny village in the Lake District, that’s a massive age gap. Especially when said brother wanted nothing more than to get out of Keldsthwaite and pursue his dream of becoming a hot-shot barrister. Tony and I, however, have never had that itch to escape, meaning we’ve both ended up working at The Green Dragon, the pub Mum and Papa own.

Right, then, Tony says, pulling away and holding me at arms length. Ready to greet your public? Papa’s already said he’ll come looking for you if you don’t make an appearance soon.

I sigh, knowing I can’t put off the inevitable. Yeah, I guess.

Great. Taking my arm, he guides me towards the door before pausing to turn me to face him. Oh and, before it becomes too hectic: happy birthday, Sis.

I smile, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Thanks.

Opening the door, he guides me through as I lead the way, past the bar, avoiding the squeaky floorboard as I go. That’s what I love about this place; despite all the other pubs in the area going through renovations to make themselves more appealing to a younger crowd, The Dragon has remained resolutely the same. Mum won’t change a thing about it, which means floorboards creak, the windows are tiny so hardly any natural light gets in and the fire sometimes smokes the whole room out, but it’s home. It’s a proper, quintessentially, English pub and people love us for it.

Ducking my head to avoid the lower entryway into the back part of the pub we call home, I smile as Alfie, my seven year old nephew, comes running up to greet me.

Auntie Sofia! Throwing his arms around my waist, he gives me a hug.

Hey, Alfie! I laugh. Bending down, my arms wrap around him, hugging him for all he’s worth; it’s not often I get to see my nephews, what with Matty and Joanna having busy jobs and both kids being in school now.

I smile at my brother and his wife, who are eating toast with Gio, their eldest, at the table and am about to say hello...

But, before I have a chance, I hear the very thing everyone in this family (with the exception of Mum) has come to dread on their birthday: the first notes of Papa’s accordion as he prepares to play ‘Happy Birthday’.

Oh no… I mutter, shooting Tony a backwards glance. I figured he might have given this a miss.

With a pronounced frown, he asks, And why on Earth would you think that when it’s his little princess’ birthday?

As if on cue, I hear Papa’s voice.

There she is! His face breaks into an enormous grin. My birthday girl!

Now, it’s Mum’s turn to greet me. Giving me a kiss on the cheek, she leans in and whispers, Let your father have his moment. Stepping back, we share a knowing look as I glance back at Papa; I can see the excitement in his eyes as he looks at me from above the accordion.

I look at Mum and see the same excitement in her eyes; Mum loves Papa’s accordion playing - apparently, Papa’s playing had won her heart over when they had first met in Italy. As I look at them, I can’t help thinking how solid they still are. I mean, yeah, they still have their moments but, for the most part, they’re a team. I hold back a sigh, pushing away that familiar feeling I’ve been trying to ignore recently and, as I look between my parents, I can’t help wishing that I could meet someone who makes me still want to look at them like that after forty-four years of marriage.

Sit down, sit down, Papa encourages me, waving towards an empty chair next to Joanna.

Alfie, let Auntie Sofia sit down, Matty says, waving his son to his side.

Bending down, I let the little boy go, smiling as he instantly runs to his father.

Sitting down, I share a look with Joanna.

Don’t worry, it will be over soon, she soothes, giving me a smile.

Not soon enough.

Okay, okay, now that the birthday girl is here… Papa turns to face me. Sofia, I just want you to know how proud of you I am and, just because you are another year older, it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your Papa’s gift to you.

Gift or torture? Matty quips, earning a laugh from Tony and I and scowls from Joanna and Mum.

And with that, the full horror begins.

2

Isit there dutifully, listening as my family serenades me, all the while trying to tune out the sound of Papa’s accordion; seriously, it sounds like a bunch of cats are having their tails pulled. But watching him, now, I can see how much joy it brings him to have this moment, so I say nothing and, when it’s all mercifully over, I get up and hug him.

Thank you, Papa, I whisper, kissing his cheek. It’s an awkward moment, thanks to the box resting between us, but I don’t care.

Papa smiles back at me. I mean it, ma bella; I am so proud of you.

I blush, suddenly embarrassed by his sentiment.

Presents!

Alfie’s excited voice brings us back to the moment and I turn to him, my eyes lighting up at the sight of the box in his hand. Yes, presents! Returning to my seat, Alfie bounds over to me, dumping the box on my lap.

Open it! he commands excitedly.

I laugh, pulling at the paper to reveal the hair straighteners I’ve been after. Thanks, guys, this is amazing! Reaching over, I pull Matty into a hug before hugging my sister-in-law and kissing the boys.

Ew, gross! Gio mutters, wiping his cheek with the sleeve of his school jumper and looking at me like I might have given him some dreaded disease.

Oh, thanks, I’ll try not to be too offended! I mutter, grinning. Since when were you too old for a kiss from your aunt?

Since he entered Year Six and found out it was uncool, Joanna replied, laughing at her eldest son’s embarrassment. He won’t even kiss his mother!

Mum, you’re so embarrassing! he grumbles around another mouthful of toast.

Don’t worry, Gio, I’ve got your back, Tony says stepping forward, I’ll distract them with my present.

I take the envelope he offers me and open it to find two gift vouchers for a spa day. I gasp, knowing that this would have cost a pretty penny. Jumping up, I hug him. Thanks, Tony!

He shrugs. I figured you could take Mum or Jess and have a girly day.

I will, thank you. I glance at Mum. I hope you’re ready to be pampered, Mum.

Mum grins at the prospect. Just tell me when and where! She glances at Papa, who has now thankfully discarded the accordion, and smiles. Now, it’s our turn. She reaches into a cupboard and takes out a slim, carefully wrapped box and hands it to me. Happy birthday, darling.

I know instantly Mum had wrapped this because of the amount of sellotape that’s been used; Mum has this theory that the longer it takes for someone to get into a present, the more excited you’ll be to receive it. Me, I just get frustrated. Christmas and birthdays were always a nightmare growing up.

Eventually, I discard the paper to reveal a black jewellery box. I glance briefly at my parents, knowing they’ve probably spent way too much, before lifting the lid to reveal a beautifully subtle silver bracelet. It’s gorgeous! I gush. You really shouldn’t have spent this much though.

Mum waves her hand. Nonsense; you deserve it.

I’m not sure about that but, gazing down at the bracelet, I smile. Thank you, I murmur, pulling Mum and Papa into a hug.

Oh, wow! Joanna gasps, catching her first glimpse of the piece as I take it out of the box. It’s beautiful, Sofia!

Just like her, Papa agrees, making me blush.

Mum helps me put it on and I take a minute to admire it.

Sorry, guys, but we better be going, Matty announces regretfully, nudging Gio. Gio has his study group this morning.

Gio groans at the reminder; ever since he started his SATs year, Matty and Joanna had put him in every study and homework group the school has to offer. Thank God I never had to do SATs when I was younger; I’m not sure I could have handled the pressure.

Bye, Auntie Sofia; happy birthday again! Alfie cries, giving me a final hug.

Yeah, see ya, little man, I say, releasing him and turning to Joanna and Matty. Thanks for coming.

Are you kidding? Matty laughs. We all know if we hadn’t, Mum and Papa would have made us pay.

Anyway, what’s a birthday without a de Luca family visit? Joanna adds. Or Vinnie’s accordion playing, for that matter?

Oh, don’t! I groan, laughing.

Maybe we should think about doing it after work next time though, eh? Tony asks, coming over to say goodbye to Matty.

That would be better than us trying to get the kids out this early, Matty agrees, especially now that Gio can’t seem to get out of bed anymore.

I heard that! Gio grumbles.

I think your father wanted you to, Joanna retorts pointedly, ushering her kids out of the back door. See you all later. Happy birthday again, Sofia!

There’s another cheerful chorus of ‘happy birthdays’ from Matty and Alfie (and a more muted one from Gio) and, then, they’re gone. The door closes and the storm of chaos has passed.

Is it just me or is Alfie taking tips from the Duracell bunny? Tony mutters, slumping over the dining table. I mean, he never stops!

Oh, leave him alone, Mum chastises him, it’s lovely to see him so excited.

"Can you imagine how bad he’ll be on his birthday? Tony mutters. I feel sorry for Matty and Joanna."

I mutter my own agreement just as my phone buzzes. Looking down, I see my best friend’s, Jess Harrison’s, name appear on the screen and open her text.

Happy birthday!

Is that Jess? Mum asks, glancing over at me.

I nod. Yeah, just wishing me a happy birthday.

I thought she’d have texted earlier than this, Mum continues.

You should have invited her over, Papa says, you know she’s more than welcome.

I know but she and Glenn were busy, I explain, knowing that her text was a signal that they’re ready for me.

I take it this means you’re going to the tearooms?

You wouldn’t mind?

Of course we wouldn’t! You’ve done your duty here, now you’re free to leave, he chuckles. Just be back in time for dinner; I’m making your favourite.

My stomach rumbles at the thought of Papa’s famous calabrese but I push that thought from my mind as I think of my friends. Great; I wanted to catch the kids before the bus arrives. Leaping up, I grab my coat from the hook by the door and head outside, making my