Logan’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “But you just said you always loved Dad.”
“I know, but it could easily have fizzled out. In the beginning it was infatuation, which feels very similar to love, and then it transitioned to real love. But that’s only because we both felt the same and continually nurtured the relationship.”
“And you were my age when you met him, right?”
“I was.”
“Cool.” Logan tossed another cookie into his mouth.
“You need to talk to him and tell him he doesn’t love her,” Lina told Phil later that evening. “He’s going to get hurt.”
“He’s fifteen years old. If he gets hurt, he gets hurt. He’ll survive.” Phil reached around her and turned out her bedside lamp.
“He isn’t tough like you. He’s sensitive and introspective.”
“I’m sensitive and introspective.”
“No, you’re not. I can’t recall you ever having your feelings hurt. You just don’t care what other people think.”
“I care what you think.”
“I’m talking about people in general.”
“Why should I care what other people think?”
“That’s exactly my point. Logan’s different. Remember the time in first grade when Erin Reiner told him he was a loser?”
“No.”
“I remember how his eyes filled with tears when he told me. That’s when I first realized how sensitive he was.”
“You baby him too much. It isn’t okay for him to cry because someone says a cross word to him.”
“He was in the first grade.”
“Yeah, and you should have told him to suck it up. I wish I had been home. Your reaction probably taught him that crying about other people’s words was acceptable.”
“Oh, forget it. It’s impossible to discuss things with you when you get like this.”
“Like what?”
“Disagreeable.”
He laughed. “Because I don’t agree with you I’m disagreeable?”
“You think the way you think and act is the way all men should think and act.”
“No, just my son.”
“Good night,” she sighed.
“I’m teasing you, baby.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t get mad.”
“It’s not funny. I was trying to have a serious conversation with you. I’m worried about him.”
“I know you see him as this fragile boy, but that’s not who he is. He has the same kind of blood pumping through his veins that I do.”
Chapter Thirty-three
Lina was finishing up a meeting with her assistant a few days later when the receptionist called to tell her Adele was there to see her. “What are you doing here?” Lina asked after meeting her in the lobby.
“Nice place. Very modern,” Adele said, looking around the open space with its hardwood floors, high ceilings, and exposed brick walls. She slipped off her coat, revealing a black dress which looked more appropriate for an evening out. “I was in the area, so I thought I’d stop by to see where you work.”
“There’s not that much to see.” Lina proceeded to take Adele on a tour, showing her the kitchen, where Adele helped herself to a water, the large conference room, and finally her office.
“Nice.” Adele ran her fingers over Lina’s rustic desk. “Very chic. And a leather chair.” She dropped down into the chair behind Lina’s desk. “I like it.”
“I’m glad.”
“You’re so fucking neat.” Adele looked around the room with its sparsely filled bookcases and small round table with four chairs set in the corner. “Are those their properties?” She nodded to the black-and-white photos of buildings gracing the walls.
“Yes.”
“Lina,” William began, stepping into her office. “Do you…?” He trailed off when he saw Adele instead of Lina sitting behind the desk. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He smiled, revealing his dimples.
“I’m here to visit with my sister,” Adele said. “Kindly go back to wherever you came from. I have no desire to see you.”
“And yet you’re in my office.”
“I’m in my sister’s office. Did you give him my message, Lina?” Adele asked. She hadn’t looked at William since he’d entered the room.
“What?”
“You know, my response to his ‘hello.’”
“Oh no.” Lina suddenly realized the only point to Adele’s visit was to run into William. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Fine. I will.” Adele rounded the desk.
Lina’s stomach sank. “Please don’t. This is my—”
“Go fuck yourself,” Adele said, poking him in the chest with her finger. “That was my response.”
He grasped her wrist when she attempted to walk around him.
“Let me go.”
“Not until we talk.”
“I’m mad at you.”
“I kind of got that from the ‘fuck you’ response to all my texts and the fact that you won’t return my calls.”
“I don’t give second chances to anyone.”
“The plans were made months ago. She was a friend of the family. I didn’t even know you wanted to be exclusive.”
Adele gripped the lapels of his suit jacket. “Did you fuck her?”
Lina wanted to leave, hating to witness such a personal conversation, but they were blocking the door and seemed to have completely forgotten about her presence.
“No.” He framed Adele’s face with his hands. “You’re the only one I want to fuck.”
“Take me to your office,” Adele whispered, tugging on his tie.
Lina couldn’t do it. She couldn’t sit at her desk, knowing Adele was on the other side of the wall being fucked by her boss. She gathered her things, told the receptionist she had a headache, which was actually true, and headed out.
There was an unfamiliar car in the driveway when Lina arrived home. School had been canceled for the second day due to the remnants from the weekend snowstorm. She assumed it belonged to one of Katie’s friends.
Knight greeted her enthusiastically when she came into the kitchen. Katie came from the family room, frowning at her in confusion. “What time is it?”
“Early. I took a half day. Whose car?”
“Tiffany’s.”
“Tiffany’s? She’s here?” Lina walked toward the family room.
“They’re upstairs,” Katie said, crossing toward the pantry.
Lina set her purse and laptop on the kitchen island. “You know you’re not supposed to have friends of the opposite sex upstairs when your father and I aren’t home.”
“I’m right here.”
“Well, he’s not supposed to be up there either.”
“I’m not his babysitter. What do I look like, Megan?”
“No, but you are his older sister. It wouldn’t hurt you to remind him of the rules,” Lina said over her shoulder as she headed toward the front of the house.
She ascended the stairs, hoping Logan had simply chosen to go upstairs to watch television in the upstairs den. Those hopes were dashed when she walked down the quiet hall toward the children’s bedrooms. The den was empty, and Logan’s door was shut. She could hear the muted sound of music.
She knocked on the door. When there was no immediate response, she knocked harder.
“What?” The door opened a crack to reveal Logan shirtless and in a pair of shorts. His eyes widened when he saw Lina. “Mom.”
“You have five minutes to join me downstairs.”
Lina paced the kitchen, trying to calm her nerves. She wished Phil were home. She didn’t want to deal with this by herself.
“What are you doing?” Katie asked.
“I’m waiting for your brother.”
“Why do you look so stressed?”
“Because I am stressed. And would you please just go upstairs so I can deal with this?”
Lina closed her eyes. She would never forgive her mother for sharing that information with Katie. “Go. Upstairs. Now.”
“You are so being Dad right now.”
“Go!” She pointed toward the hall.
As soon as Katie left the room a dejected-looking Logan, now dressed in sweats, and an exceptionally beautiful girl in jeans and a sweater arrived in the kitchen. The girl looked as embarrassed as Logan, her eyes downcast.
“Please have a seat,” Lina said, waiting for them to be seated before sitting down at the head of the table. “This is going to be quick. Logan knows the rules, but I’m going to repeat them because he seems to have forgotten them, and you haven’t heard them. This is a Catholic household. Unless there is an adult present in the house, you are not allowed to have opposite-sex guests upstairs. Okay?” Her gaze shifted between them.
The girl nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Logan said. “It isn’t Tiffany’s fault. It was my idea.”
Tiffany blushed.
“I know you’re both uncomfortable, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask if you used protection.”
“Mom!” Logan groaned, heat going up his neck to his face. “We’re not stupid.”
“Good, because I have no desire to be a grandmother yet.”
“Please stop,” Logan pleaded.
“Maybe you should introduce me to your girlfriend,” Lina said.
Logan quickly introduced Tiffany.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hunter,” Tiffany said, sincerity in her green eyes. “It won’t happen again.”
***
Logan was at the kitchen island eating a bowl of cereal when Phil arrived home from work. “Isn’t that going to ruin dinner? Where’s your mom?”
“I’m not sure if she’s making dinner. She’s been in her room all afternoon.” He avoided Phil’s eyes.
“What’s going on?”
“She kind of caught me and Tiffany in my room.”
“Kind of?” Phil repeated. He set his briefcase on the counter. “What are you talking about?”
“She came home early from work and Tiffany was here. I know it was wrong.”
“Oh, Jesus.” Phil headed toward the front of the house.
The master suite was dark when Phil entered. He could just make out Lina’s form curled under the comforter on the bed. He should have warned her. He’d just wanted to let her believe Logan was her baby a little longer. He sat down on the edge of the mattress beside her. “Hey.” He stroked his hand down her back. “Logan told me what happened. You okay?”
“I know I’m being ridiculous, but I just need one night. Would you take the kids out? I want to be alone.”
He stood up to take off his suit jacket and kick off his shoes, and then he was stretching out behind her and pulling her into his arms. “You’re not being ridiculous,” he said against her ear.
“He’s too young to have sex,” she whispered, choking on a sob. “He’s only fifteen. I don’t want him to grow up.”
“I know.” He tightened his hold on her. “But we don’t have any control over these things.”
“I’m going to be fine. I just need to take tonight to mourn the loss of him.”
“You haven’t lost him.”
“I have,” she cried. “He’s a man now.”
Phil chuckled despite his attempts not to. “No, baby. He is not a man. He’s just a boy who’s having sex.”
“Well, tell him to stop. I hate the thought of it.”
“I will.”
“He isn’t going to listen, is he?”
“No.”
After sending Katie out to pick up dinner, Phil sat down with Logan at the kitchen table. “What were you thinking? You know the rules.”
“Sorry.” Logan dropped his eyes.
“Was your sister home?”
Logan’s face heated. “Sorry,” he repeated.
“You’ve lost the privilege of having females on the second level, even when we’re home. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” Logan lifted his eyes. “I know I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
“I remember what it feels like to be your age. And I know you’re going to continue having sex regardless of what I say, but you’re not allowed to have it in this house. Is that clear?”
“Yes.” Logan nodded.
“Having it here today, while Katie was home was disrespectful to both the girl and your sister. I have taught you better than that. You brought her over here and had sex with her before you even introduced her to me and your mother. That too was disrespectful. If you’re going to try to act like a man, I expect for you to behave like one. You need to treat her and every female you come in contact with like you want males to treat your own sisters.”
The following day Phil was checking his messages during a short break from a day-long deposition when he saw a missed call and text from Kim. Liam’s babysitter had come down with the stomach flu and couldn’t watch him. Kim was in court and couldn’t get away.
Phil cupped the back of his neck, his mind racing. He couldn’t leave his client. He lifted the phone to his ear and called Lina. After briefly telling her what was going on, he asked her if she could pick up Liam. “If there was any way I could get out of here, I would,” he said.
“Don’t worry,” Lina said. “I’ll go get him now. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Two days later he was about to go into a meeting when Kim again contacted him. The babysitter, who thought she’d recovered, was once again vomiting. Phil called Lina. “It’s just a bad week for me,” he explained, “or I would do it.”
***
Lina was thankful to see her mother’s car in the driveway when she arrived home with Liam. She’d called her as soon she’d hung up with Phil.
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.” She immediately passed Liam to Alice. “I have a conference call in three minutes.”
Lina almost forgot Liam and her mother were in the house. After the conference call she’d worked on a kitchen design, not leaving Phil’s study, which now served as her office as well, until her stomach reminded her it was lunchtime.
Lina found her mom and Liam in the family room. He was sitting beside Alice on the couch, patiently watching her as she examined his palm. “Please tell me you aren’t reading his palm.”
“Mama!” Liam smiled.
“You should see his intuition line. I think it rivals Phil’s. Do you know what time he was born? I have to do his chart.”
“No idea.” Lina lifted him up and kissed his cheek. “How was he?”
“Perfect.”
“Has he eaten?” Lina headed toward the kitchen with her mom following.
“Of course he’s eaten. It’s after two.”
“Wow.” Lina looked down at her watch, finding it hard to believe how fast the day was going. “There don’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Do you want something to drink?”
“Your auras are merged right now. I used to see that with you and Logan when he was a baby.”
“Our auras? You always said everyone has a separate aura.”
“Everyone does have a separate aura, but they merge at times when you’re spiritually connected. When you’re with Phil I can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. It’s less with Liam. They aren’t completely merged but there’s a definite overlap.”
Lina normally made a point of not listening to her mother when she talked about anything occult related, but she found herself curious today, probably because she wanted to believe what she was saying, that she had some type of special bond with Liam.
***
Friday night Phil arrived home from work to find he and Lina had the house to themselves. Logan was out on a date with Tiffany, and Katie had gone to Baltimore with Matt to watch his band perform.
“I’m taking you out,” he said when he saw Lina pulling things f
rom the refrigerator. “You’ve worked too hard this week.”
“But you prefer my cooking to restaurant food.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re getting the night off.”
He took her to a Mexican restaurant a few miles from the house, known for the best margaritas and salsa in the area.
“To the end of a long week.” Phil tapped his beer bottle to Lina’s margarita glass.
Lina smiled. “Yes, but rewarding. And don’t thank me again for watching him. I love having him around. I’m not just saying that.”
“I’ll thank you with my tongue later.”
“No.” Lina cringed. “I wish you hadn’t said that. It makes me think of William.”
“What?” Heat rushed to Phil’s head. “What does—”
“No. Not like that. It’s something Adele said. I can’t get it out of my head.”
“Something sexual?” His eyes were narrowed.
“Stop. He’s Adele’s boyfriend. It makes me think of them, not him.”
He relaxed back into his chair. “Great,” he said sarcastically. “Remind me to thank Adele next time I see her. Just what I need. Adele and William in my wife’s head when I’m making love to her.”
“I’m sure given a little effort on your part you can make me forget them,” she teased.
“You think?” He pressed his foot against hers beneath the table.
“I do.”
“How long do you think it will take me?”
“Not long.” She pressed her foot back against his.
He suddenly regretted taking her out. What in the fuck had he been thinking? If they’d stayed home, he’d already be inside her. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I haven’t finished my drink.”
“I’ll make you another one at home.”
“I like this one.” She ran her tongue along the salt on the rim of the glass before taking a sip, never letting her gaze break from his.
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