by Anna Albo
His grey eyes opened wide. “No! How did you go straight there?”
“Because you have sympathy for no one. This is all a bit strange and very out of character for you.”
“Like I said, I got to know her better. We had a nice time.”
Now it made sense. “You like her. Well, you are her type.”
“I don’t like her . . . never mind.”
I rolled my eyes. “And weren’t you trying to convince me how much she loved you? I suppose you got that wrong.”
“I think there was some underlying tension there. She was fighting her feelings.”
I blinked at him a few times. “Okay. Well, I’ve got to go.”
“Emma, before you go, everything is good now with Walker?”
“Yes. I’m happy.”
He smiled warmly. “That’s great. I want you to be happy.”
I waved and left. I had dinner with Meredith in a few hours and didn’t have time for his sudden weirdness.
“WHAT ARE WE EATING?” Zach asked.
“Roasted chicken, spicy sweet potatoes, pesto green beans and a fresh mixed greens salad. And for dessert, a peanut butter chocolate cake. I wanted to make a banana cream pie, but I didn’t think I’d have the time.”
“Peanut butter, chocolate and a cake all in one? I’m going to die.”
“Before you do that, maybe you could help me?” I asked, slapping his ass.
“Hey, careful. I kind of like that.”
“Fun times later. You have work to do.”
While he mixed the ingredients for the cake, I prepped the chicken. Meredith was due in three hours, just enough time to make the chicken and the cake. I took the cake batter from Zach, added the peanut butter then poured it into a greased cake pan while he licked the cake spoon before moving on to the peanut butter spoon.
“What’s she like?” Zach asked, putting the spoons in the sink.
“She’s okay. I barely know her. I’m starting to understand why she never came back, but it’s hard getting to know someone who’s been out of my life for so long.”
“Do you think she has some kind of agenda?”
“I don’t know. A part of me wondered if she was trying to get back into Dad’s life, but apparently Genie had that spot occupied.”
Zach grimaced. “Please don’t mention that. I’m still having nightmares.”
I handed him three sweet potatoes and the peeler and motioned for him to get to work. “Have you talked to Genie lately?” I asked.
“Not since that night. Have you spoken to your dad?”
“Nope.”
“I guess we should talk to them soon, don’t you think?”
“I’m not sure what I’d say to Dad or Genie. They were here, doing who knows what right under our noses. I—” I stopped before I thought about it anymore. “I’ll talk to Dad eventually.”
I had chicken and sweet potatoes in the oven and the cake cooling when Meredith arrived. I was finishing up the icing and put it off to the side, took off my apron and set for the door. I met Zach there and I smiled even though my heart was beating wildly. I had no idea why I was so nervous.
“I got it,” I said.
Zach nodded. I opened the door and Meredith was standing there in her red coat holding a bottle of wine in her hand. “Hello, Emma. I brought wine. I hope that’s appropriate.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you. Meredith, this is Zach. Zach, this is Meredith.”
They shook hands and Meredith had a huge smile on her face. Yes, Zach brought that out in women.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Meredith,” Zach said.
“It’s great to finally meet you.”
“Can I get you something to drink? A soda, wine or coffee? We even have boring water.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re all having.”
“White wine?”
“Sounds glorious.”
He wandered off and I escorted Meredith to the living room. She took a seat on the plush leather chair and looked around the apartment. “Your place is lovely.”
“It belongs to the Walkers.”
“Zach’s a nice young man. I’ve heard nothing but good things from your dad.”
I could feel my smile slip a bit. Did she notice? “I don’t have appetizers because we will be eating shortly,” I said, diverting the subject of Dad as quickly as possible.
“That’s all right. I find that appetizers spoil the appetite anyway.”
I took a seat across from her and tried to quell my nerves.
“Before Christmas you mentioned me meeting Cam and my little brothers. I’d like to do that soon.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll set something up and give you a few options. Will Zach be coming along?” she asked.
“I think so, if he wants to.”
“And your dad?”
“Maybe not him,” I said as Zach returned with our drinks.
“He’s welcome if he wants to come.”
“I should probably tell you that I’m moving to New York this fall. I’m going to finish my degree there and take some business courses. Remember you mentioned the idea of opening a bakery? Well, I have a similar idea. Sort of. I want to open a healthier version of a New York-style deli here in Minneapolis.”
“That’s a great idea. You know I can help with that. You can use the trust I set up for you to either finish up school or use it as an investment.”
I smiled. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“Emma, it’s all for you. And you can do whatever you want with it.”
“Thank you.”
She came over and hugged me. “I’m so happy I can help you,” she said. “More importantly, that you’re allowing me into your life.”
“I’m sorry I hated you so much.”
“It’s okay,” she said, wiping a tear that had slipped down her cheek. “I understand. I would have felt the same way.”
“Let’s eat before this becomes a cry fest,” I said, blotting my own tears.
“Yes, let’s eat,” she said.
Dinner conversation focused on Zach. Meredith was fascinated with him.
“Plans for politics?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Zach said. “Maybe? My dad’s been in politics my whole life, and I’m not sure I want that life for my kids.”
“Being a congressman or senator is a very prestigious job.”
“Yes, with so many limitations. I’m not sure I want to be worried all the time about saying or doing the wrong thing.”
“Those are legitimate concerns. Have the two of you talked about a future together?”
Zach and I looked at each other. “No,” I said cautiously. “Not formally.”
“I hope I didn’t open a can of worms,” she said, biting down on her lower lip.
“You didn’t,” Zach said. “I fully intend to spend my life with Emma, that’s if she’ll have me.”
He wasn’t going to ask me to marry him, was he? Not here? My heart skipped, but when he went for more yams, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. It’s not that I didn’t want it to happen, but like this? With Meredith? Awkward. And we were way too young. Marriage? No.
Zach and Meredith cleaned up after dinner. They seemed to be in a long chat while Meredith washed whatever dishes couldn’t go into the dishwasher. I could have interrupted, but I gave them their moment and puttered around the living room instead.
“I’ve got hockey with the guys tonight, so I hate to rush out, but I have to go,” Zach said when they were done. “Meredith, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I’m sure I’ll see you again very soon.”
He grabbed his hockey gear and was gone.
“I love him,” Meredith cooed.
“Everyone does.”
“He’s a nice young man. The two of you are perfect for each other.”
“I love him a lot.”
“I can tell.”
She poured the last of the wine into our glasses and motioned for me to sit down at
the dining room table. She was tapping her fingers nervously and I knew she had something to say that I potentially wasn’t going to like.
“I ran into his sister last winter. She was volunteering at my place of work. I knew who she was because your dad told me about Zach. I wasn’t going to go up to her and tell her who I was, but we got to talking and she guessed. She said you and I looked so much alike.”
“Oh,” was all I could get out.
“We didn’t chat long and I didn’t ask a lot of questions because I knew it wasn’t appropriate, but she told me how wonderful you were. I nearly cried.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
She reached out and grasped my hands. “I know about your dad,” she said. “And Genie.”
My stomach gurgled. “Did Zach tell you?”
“No, your dad did. After the fact, of course. If I’d known sooner, I certainly would have counselled against it. I’m not going to try to sway you at all, but if you want to talk to me, I’d be happy to listen.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I respect that, but can I say one thing?”
“Sure, why not.”
“I think you’re under the impression that you dad has lived the hermit life. He hasn’t. When you look like Paul Andrews, your dating card is always full. He was just very good at hiding it from you. His attitude has always been that until he met the woman of his dreams, he was never going to tell you about any woman he was dating. Am I condoning what happened with Zach’s sister? Absolutely not! You dad used the poorest judgment imaginable. But you’re going to New York, do you want to leave and still be angry with your dad?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“You deserve to be angry and to feel betrayed, but don’t stay angry forever. He loves you and he’s always tried to protect you.”
“I know.”
We had another round of dessert before she looked at her watch. “It’s getting late and I should go. Cam and I will have you over soon. Very soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
I walked her to the door and watched her put on her coat.
“Meredith?”
“Yes.”
“Can I call you Mom?”
Her bottom lip quivered. “I’d love nothing more.”
“Good. We’ll talk soon? Mom.” Sure, it felt weird saying it, but I’d get used to it.
“See you soon, Emma.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Zach
Emma had classes to teach and a tournament and a bunch of shifts at Julian’s, so I had a lot planned in one weekend. Saturday morning Emma and I enjoyed breakfast together followed by a long shower. Also together. She then set off to her tennis club and I went to see my parents. I strummed my fingers on the steering wheel the entire drive. Genie would probably be there and I’d have to see her. I couldn’t avoid her forever.
I pulled up into the circular driveway and parked behind Genie’s car. As I got out and walked up the snow-covered path to the front door, I wondered what she’d said to Mom and Dad. Likely nothing. She’d snowball them somehow and they’d likely go along with it. It wasn’t like they’d know any better.
I went inside and looked around. Mom was in the family room, her laptop in front of her. She glanced up at me and smiled.
“Zach, what brings you by?” she said, setting down her computer. She got up and gave me a big hug.
“Thought I’d hang out with my parents for a bit. Where’s Dad?”
“He went for a walk. He should be home soon.”
“Okay. I’ll wait. Is Genie around?”
“She’s upstairs.” Mom’s dark eyes narrowed. “About her being home, what do you know about that?”
“Nothing,” I said as innocently as possible.
Mom blinked a few times, processing and deciding if she could believe me. “Did you eat?” she finally asked. “Louisa left something, I’m sure.”
“I had a big breakfast.”
“Well, why don’t I make some coffee while we wait for your father.”
I followed her into the kitchen and watched her load the coffeemaker. She pulled out three cups and I sat with her at the kitchen table.
“So everything is going well with Emma?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why Genie’s here? To give you some alone time?”
I groaned. Having this kind of talk with my mother bordered on gross, but her reasoning was a good one. “Yeah, I guess so. Genie’s making sacrifices.”
Mom nodded and I wanted to gag.
“I’m glad you worked things out with Emma. Your father and I were getting worried about you two.”
“No need to worry. Everything is fine.”
The backdoor opened just as the coffee finished. Mom smiled. “Perfect timing,” she said. She poured three cups and called Dad into the kitchen. Dad’s eyebrow raised when he saw me, and he took the cup from Mom and sat next to me at the table.
“It’s odd to see you today. Did something happen? You need extra money?”
Man, my parents were suspicious. “No, but I wanted to talk to you both.”
Mom’s eyes opened wide. “Emma’s pregnant? Tell me she’s not pregnant.”
Where’d she get that from? “No, Emma’s definitely not pregnant.”
“Whew. You had me worried.”
“If it’s about your allowance, we aren’t raising it. If you need more money, you can get a job,” Dad said.
“It sort of has to do with money,” I said, sipping and searing my lip with the red-hot coffee. I set the scalding cup down and pushed it to the side.
“Like I said, you can get a job,” Dad said, his voice taking on an edge. “I’d be more than happy to find you something. Or you could find your own job.”
“Okay, I get it,” I said. This wasn’t going at all like I’d expected it.
“Daniel, leave him alone. He’s trying to tell us something,” Mom said.
I could always depend on Mom to save me, even to my detriment. I grabbed my coffee cup again and pulled it close, like it would protect me or something. I looked up at Mom and Dad and they were staring at me, waiting for me to spit out what I had to say. “Well, you both know that Emma and I hit a rough patch. It’s all worked out now, but it’s given me a lot of time to think. You both know she’s coming with me to New York next year . . .” I paused. They were still staring. Why was this so hard? “So, well, anyway, I want to make it official.”
“It is official. She’s going with you, isn’t she?” Dad asked.
They weren’t quite getting it. “More official.”
Dad was clueless, just staring, shaking his head. Mom, on the other hand, covered her mouth with one hand and gasped.
“More official?” Dad said. “Would you like us to put an announcement in the paper and have it say that you’re moving to New York with your girlfriend? Is that official enough for you? Honestly, I don’t get kids these days.”
“Daniel, you’re a bozo!” Mom said. “He wants to marry her. Our little boy wants to get married.”
Dad looked at me, then Mom, then back to me. “Zach, please tell me your mother is crazy.”
“She’s not crazy. That’s the kind of official I mean.”
“O-M-G! You and Emma are getting married?” Genie nearly screamed it and Dad spilled some of the coffee he was about to sip. It landed on the table but managed to miss hitting anyone. Genie came up from behind me and threw her arms around my neck. “I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Wait, everyone relax. I haven’t said anything to Emma yet, and call me crazy, but I probably should ask her first.”
“I can help with all the wedding details,” Genie said. I shot her a look, the kind of look that told her I hadn’t forgiven her yet. She got the message and quietly took the empty seat next to me.
Dad grabbed a rag from under the sink and wiped up the spilled coffee. He then resumed his seat and gave me a hard look. “Don’t you think you’
re a little young for this?”
“I agree,” Mom added.
“Yes, but I don’t want to get married tomorrow. I was thinking we could have a longer engagement, maybe get married in a year or two.”
“How about you wait until you’ve graduated from law school? The last thing you need is the distraction of a huge wedding.”
Huge wedding? No one mentioned anything about that. “That’s something Emma and I can discuss.”
“If you want me and your father to pay for it, then we want you to wait until you finish school.”
“Wait a second,” Dad said, throwing his arms up in the air. “When was it decided when they should get married and who was paying for it? Don’t you think they are a tad young to be engaged or married?” Dad said to Mom.
“We were twenty-three when we got married.”
“And that was a long time ago. A very long time ago!”
Mom’s face soured. “Do you think we were too young? Are you regretting anything?”
I tried not to smile. Dad walked into that one. “No, darling, I’m not. I’m just trying to point out that they might be a bit young.” Her hard look made him sink a little in his seat. “Okay, I’m with your mother. If you want us to pay for it, then you wait until you’re finished school.”
I grinned. That was easy. “Let me talk to Emma. I’m not even sure she’ll say yes to me.”
We talked some more and I told them how I’d already talked to Emma’s mom and hoped to speak with her father. Dad got called away by the phone and Mom decided there wasn’t much more to discuss. Suddenly it was only me and Genie.
“I can help you ring shop,” she said.
“Are you for real?” I asked in a voice low enough so that Mom and Dad wouldn’t hear.
“Look, I’m sorry, but let me help with this.”
“I don’t even want you to know about this.”
“How long are you going to stay pissed at me?”
“As long as I want to.”
“You know, if it hadn’t been for me, you and Emma probably wouldn’t even be back together.”
My jaw dropped. “Wow. That was desperate.”
She sighed. “Okay, I’m throwing everything at you. I want you to forgive me.”
I threw up my hands. “Fine, I forgive you. Happy now?”