"That must be Slade," Aunt Christy stated. "Listen, Daisy has Abby out back." She nodded toward the tall glass windows in the breakfast nook. I peered closer and could see the two girls sitting in a huge sandbox. Daisy was obviously too big for a sandbox, but I could see she was thoroughly enjoying keeping her niece entertained. As if reading my thoughts, Aunt Christy added, "Daisy is Abby's favorite person in the whole world. I was hoping maybe you could go out back and try and start over with Abby before Daisy brings her inside?"
She didn't need to ask me twice. I found my way to the glass doors, and before heading out turned and asked, “So, do you think you’ll set up a hen house?”
“A what?” she asked as she dried her hands on a dishtowel.
“My father showed you our hen house. Are you still thinking about getting some birds?”
“Oh.” She laughed. “No. I don’t think they’re my cup of tea.”
After shutting the door behind me, I cautiously headed toward the girls. Daisy immediately jumped up and came at me for a hug. "I'm sorry you didn't get to see my photo album yesterday.” I hugged her and noticed Abby watching us.
“I am too,” I answered sincerely.
“Listen, Daisy,” I whispered. “Do you think you can introduce me to Abby before we go inside? I’m afraid I didn’t make a very good impression yesterday.”
“Mom told me Slade started it. It wasn’t your fault, Mimi. It wasn’t Chrissy’s either.”
“Chrissy?” I asked. “You mean Christian?”
“Yeah, Christian,” she answered with a mischievous smile.
An introduction to Abby wasn’t necessary because she'd wandered over to us. She was grinning, trying to hand me a shovel.
I squatted so I was eye level with her. “Do you want me to dig with you?”
She looked at Daisy who gave her a smiling nod. Abby took my hand and led me back to her sandbox, where I sat and played with her while Daisy perched on the edge.
Abby babbled while I chatted with Daisy, and before too long something occurred to me. It was obvious that Abby trusted me because Daisy did. Could it be something so simple? I dared to hope.
“Daisy, do you know where Christian’s been for the past three years?”
“I’m twelve, Mimi, not two,” she said with a smirk.
“Of course,” I told her. “I’m sorry. I still remember you when you were six. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around you being a teenager soon.” I scooped a shovelful of sand in the bucket. “Did you ever visit him there?”
“A couple of times. Mom took me, but I cried for days afterward. It made me too sad to see Chrissy in jail.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“I understand. I wouldn’t want to see him there either.” I hoped I never have to.
“Has he visited here a lot since he’s been out?” I swirled my finger in the sand.
“Not really. Mom told me that he stopped coming because it upset Abby so much.”
“Did Christian visit when you were here with Abby?” I asked, my heart getting optimistic.
She slowly shook her head. “I think he only came by a few times when I was at school.” Her eyes got wide with excitement when she added, “He did pick me up at the bus stop twice to take me to McDonald’s.” She rolled her eyes. “My girlfriends all crush on him. It’s gross!” She made a face like she was gagging.
I choked back a laugh. “And when he dropped you at home?”
“He didn’t. Both times, Daddy met us and brought me home.”
“So, what I’m hearing is that Abby hasn’t seen you with your brother?”
She shook her head slowly. “No. I guess not.”
“Daisy, I have an idea. Do you mind doing a little experiment with me?”
After stomping off all the sand, the three of us found Aunt Christy in the kitchen. Abby ran to her grandmother who picked her up and held her over the sink so she could wash her hands. I explained our plan, and I could see the light of hope in Aunt Christy’s eyes.
The idea was for me and Aunt Christy to lead Abby into the living room where Daisy would be hugging on her brother.
“Do it up good, Daisy,” her mother prodded.
“I know how to love on Chrissy,” she replied with a roll of her eyes as she left the room.
I peeked around the dining room wall and saw Uncle Anthony sitting in a chair absorbed in something on his phone. A petite and attractive brunette was sitting on the edge of the couch, smiling up at Daisy who was clinging to Christian. Daisy had her arms wrapped around his waist while he stood talking to Slade. I noticed that Christian affectionately rubbed his hand up and down Daisy’s side while she clung to him. Slade was standing to Christian’s right, nodding at something Christian was saying. It was obvious they’d buried the hatchet during the time I’d spent out back with the girls. I was relieved.
“Who’s the woman?” I quietly asked Aunt Christy.
“Her name’s Erin,” she whispered back as we walked toward the living room, with Abby between us and tightly holding our hands. "We've never met her before."
We hadn’t been noticed yet, but we both smiled triumphantly at each other over Abby’s head as we watched her eyeing Daisy. She seemed startled at first to see Daisy hugging on Christian, but she looked more confused than upset.
Erin stood when she noticed us. Introductions were made and Abby still hadn’t moved toward Daisy or Christian, but she also hadn’t cried or run away. It was a start.
“Are you Slade’s girlfriend?” Daisy innocently asked, a little too loudly.
“Uh, no,” Erin started to say.
“She’s a close friend,” Slade interjected. He looked uncomfortable with the admission and stammered. “She’s more than a friend, really.”
We watched Erin shake her head and smile. “We’re very good friends. That’s all.”
The highlights in her bobbed hair shimmered, and her freckled nose crinkled when she smiled. I immediately realized what was going on. They were sleeping together, and Slade was being a gentleman. He didn’t want his family to think he’d brought his side piece. An older one at that. Instinct told me Erin wasn’t trampy. I smiled warmly and extended my right hand, still clutching Abby’s with my left.
I made small talk with Erin and Aunt Christy, while Christian shared some of our future plans with Slade. Daisy continued to hug Christian's side while trying to get Abby to walk toward her. Even though I was listening to Erin and Aunt Christy, I kept glancing down at Abby for her reaction. She looked hesitant, but not afraid.
"I think this is going to work," I whispered toward Aunt Christy, my heart hopeful.
I’d spoken too soon.
Aunt Christy had asked Erin how long her and Slade had been friends and wanted to know if there was any chance they were more than that. I tried not to smile. It was so obvious Aunt Christy was digging for information on Slade's love life, I was almost embarrassed for him.
Erin's face grew serious, and she leaned toward us so the men wouldn't hear her.
"We really are just friends. I'm his emotional support right now while he tries to mend a broken heart.”
Unfortunately, Christian had kept an ear tuned to our conversation, and assumed the worst. He thought that Slade's outburst the day before wasn't because of the reasons we'd originally assumed.
The little bit of progress we thought we'd made with Abby immediately dissolved when Christian grabbed Slade by the collar of his shirt, and angrily accused him of harboring feelings for me.
We were back to square one.
* * *
“I can’t understand why you would think Slade had feelings for me.” I blew out an exasperated breath. “It looked like we were making progress with Abby.”
We were driving back to our hotel, and I was grateful that the day had been salvaged, but frustrated that we’d have to start over with Abby. She still wouldn’t go near Christian, but continued to keep a curious eye on Daisy who’d made it a point to show her brother even more affecti
on, especially after he’d grabbed Slade. At least there was a chance.
He shrugged nonchalantly and said, “I heard that woman…”
“Erin,” I interrupted.
“Whatever,” he said. “I heard Erin say she was only there to help him get over a broken heart. It made me think that his outburst yesterday had more to do with you than me getting away with all my shit.”
I sighed, exasperatedly. “I’m glad it didn’t go any further than you grabbing him. And he handled it better than I would’ve expected. Especially with such an embarrassing admission. I know Erin never intended for anyone other than me and your mother to hear her comment. She seems like she cares about him.”
Ignoring my observation, Christian glanced over at me. “I told you before, Mimi. I’m hotheaded. Some would even say a monster.”
I reached for his hand and said to his profile, “I know what a monster is, Christian. You don’t even come close.”
“I hope I don’t prove you wrong, baby.”
“It doesn’t matter if you do,” I told him.
“You’re not what I expected, Mimi.” "Street of Dreams" by Rainbow was playing on the radio and he pulled his hand away from mine to turn it down.
“How so?” I blew at a lock of hair that had fallen from my ponytail into my face.
“You’re not as much of a goody two-shoes as I originally thought. It wouldn’t matter to me anyway. It’s just the background check the P.I. did on you didn’t bring up any flags that would make me think you were anything other than a straight-laced honor student.”
I could understand his comment. “I’m not a party girl, I take my classes seriously, and I’ve purposely stayed away from anything that could’ve brought unwanted attention to me or my family. And let’s not forget I was dating a criminal justice major.” Yeah, I could see why he thought that. “I don’t know,” I admitted while turning my head away and looking out the passenger window. “Maybe I was too careful because of Grizz.” When Christian didn’t reply I added, “I didn’t want to do anything that would bring notice to myself and potentially bring notice to him.” I glanced at him. “But I guess I always felt like I missed out somewhat. I feel so free with you, Christian. I feel like I can be myself.”
“I wouldn’t want you to be anything else, Mimi.”
I reached to turn up the radio when his next question stunned me.
“Do you like Grizz?”
“Why would you ask me that?” I was incredulous.
“You seem to enjoy challenging him.” He raised his eyebrows as he drove. “I still wonder if you would’ve asked Micah to secretly marry us if your mother hadn’t told you Grizz would’ve forbidden it.”
“Oh, that!” I huffed. “Yeah, I like Grizz. I love him. But I guess there’s something in me that doesn’t like seeing him get his way all the time.” I pondered for a moment. “I guess it’s no better than Slade being ticked that you abducted me and got away with it.”
He laughed. “It does seem that way.” He turned thoughtful when he asked, “Do you think Grizz was mad that you had Micah perform a ceremony at Rachelle's house?”
“Yeah, he told me he was,” I admitted. “But when he was talking to me, I knew he was making an effort to not let it show. I recognized what was simmering behind his eyes. But he held it back.”
“Why do you think he held back?”
“Because he thinks he owes me, and as weird as it sounds, this is his way of paying me back.” I looked over at him. “By giving you—us—a chance.”
“And he won’t tell your mother what you did? What you asked Micah to do?” Christian cussed under his breath when he caught a red light.
I nodded. “I asked him not to, and I think he’ll honor my request.”
“Request? Or test?”
“It might be a test,” I confessed somewhat sheepishly.
He shook his head with a smile. “My Dreamy Mimi is a tough chick. I mean, c’mon, the man gave the cemeteries in South Florida more business than they needed, and here you are challenging and testing him.”
“Does that bother you?” I teased.
“Bother me? Nope,” he said, pulling into the hotel parking lot. “It gives me a raging boner.”
Chapter 46
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2007
I had one day left with Christian before I had to fly to North Carolina to retrieve my car and head back to school. Ideally, I would’ve spent it in bed with him, but when I woke up the next morning, reality started to sink in, and he immediately detected a shift in my mood. I didn't get a monthly period, but because I still had my ovaries I was subject to the same hormonal mood swings that most females dealt with. But something inside told me it wasn't hormones. This was all me.
We’d just finished the big breakfast he'd pre-ordered from room service the night before. Instead of making love, I slunk off to the bathroom while he made a phone call to his parole officer. It was the first time I hadn’t invited him to shower with me, and after finishing his conversation and giving it more thought, he barged into the bathroom, his eyes more concerned than accusing.
I’d just turned off the shower and pulled the curtain back. When I realized why he’d rushed in, I told him, “I would've locked the door if I was purging.”
He gave me a half grin before getting serious. “What’s going on, Mimi?”
I shrugged my shoulders, dried myself, and bent over to wrap my hair in a towel. When I stood up, he’d walked toward me and said, “You can tell me.”
I pulled one of his clean shirts over my head, struggling to get the towel through the neck opening. He helped me and when our eyes met, he asked, “Is it Lucas? Are you worried about having to go back and deal with him?”
“Lucas,” I scoffed. “I can handle Lucas.”
“What is it, baby?”
“I’m torn, Christian,” I told him. I thought I saw a myriad of emotions flickering in his eyes. Concern, worry, anger. Love.
I skirted around him and left the bathroom. I could feel him behind me. Once I got to the adjoining room, I flopped down on the small sofa, crossed my legs, and looked up at him.
“I can’t remember the last time I was so happy,” I confessed.
He smiled, his relief obvious. “Torn over what then?”
I took a deep breath. “That it’s all an illusion.” I remembered my mother’s words about the honeymoon phase of a relationship. They haunted me. “That I’ll go back to school and you’ll go back to work, and we’ll get so caught up in real life that this will seem like a dream.” I looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes.
“Has it all been just a dream for you, Mimi?” he asked, his voice calmer than I’d expected.
“Yes, but the best dream I’ve ever had, Christian. I don’t know how you and I will handle real life. All we’ve done together is make love, ride the motorcycle, spend time with our families, and shoot some pool at The Alibi. And it’s been the best time of my life.”
“Are you thinking that after you graduate and so-called real life kicks in, we won’t have anything in common? Nothing to keep us anchored?”
I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him sadly. “I don’t want to think that, but it’s a possibility.” I didn’t want to tell him that other than the things I’d mentioned, I was wondering what kinds of activities we would do together. It was as if he was reading my mind.
“What kinds of things did you do with Lucas?”
“Studied, went out to eat, went to the movies. I would go to his games.”
“Mimi, I’m sure we’ll go out to eat and to the movies.” He gave me a crooked smile before adding, “I highly doubt I’ll ever have an occasion to study with you.” He paused and his brows furrowed. “But I’d shovel shit for the rest of my life if I knew that when I got home at night, you’d be there. Even if you wanted to sit on the couch and watch TV, that would be good enough for me. I want to be with you, no matter what we’re doing.” He gave a thoughtful pause before adding, "Or not doi
ng. My love for you isn't based on a list of things we do or don't have in common."
“You’re right,” I told him. “I feel the same way. I’m just overthinking.”
He sat next to me, and made me extend my legs so he could drape them over his lap. I leaned back against the arm of the sofa and watched as he caressed my thigh. He gave me a serious look and said, "Say them."
"Say what?" I asked, not sure what he was talking about.
"Our vows," he answered softly. "We've said them to each other every night since we stayed at the rental house. Say them again this morning."
I smiled at him, and a love so intense filled my chest, it warmed my blood. Christian had insisted on repeating our spur-of-the moment vows every single day, and now I knew why. At first, I had a hard time remembering them, but he had a memory like an elephant, and helped me fill in the blanks. "You have to go first," I prompted. "You always go first."
After the last words, tears swelled in my eyes, and one formed, overflowing and trickling down my left cheek. Sitting with my legs across his lap, lost in the depths of his soulful blue eyes, the words caused a physical reaction in my chest. The same feeling I'd had on the deck that night when we'd first recited them. Knowing that our impromptu oaths hadn't been rehearsed, but came straight from our hearts that night in the snow, only validated them further. Warmed by the memory, I knew once again where I belonged, and any doubt or conflicted emotions I thought I'd had no longer existed.
"Thank you for reminding me," I said before bringing his hand to my mouth and kissing his rough knuckles.
"I'll always remind you," he said with a smile.
He casually removed my legs from his lap and stood up. "C'mon," he said, extending his hand.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Not to a study session," he said with a smirk.
* * *