by Tea DeLuca
Chapter 14
Liddy skipped happily from one end of his apartment to the other, leaving a trail of toys while Mark mixed the batter for waffles. She had asked for two things when she climbed into bed with him this morning, waffles and a puppy. One was easy, and one impossible. He had no idea how to appease her appetite for a dog, a big one like…Rufus. Damn, he closed the iron quickly as a knock sounded on his door.
“Mark,” a breathless Melissa stood in his doorway. “Hi, Liddy.”
“Aunt Melissa,” Liddy screamed, throwing herself in her outstretched arms.
“Melissa, what the hell are you doing here?” Visibly shaking, he forced a smile for his daughter who looked confused.
“I have a surprise for Liddy.”
“For me? What? What is it?”
“Sit on the sofa, baby, and I’ll bring her in.”
“Melissa, I thought we decided…”
While she looked calm and beautiful casually dressed for the warm day, there was a distinct edge to the line of her body. “We didn’t decide anything but relax. I’m not staying. I have a gift for Liddy.”
Returning to the hall, Melissa retrieved a kitty carrier and brought it to rest in front of the eager little girl. “What is it, Aunt Melissa?”
“Listen, baby. What do you hear?”
“A kitty. It’s a kitty.”
Melissa carried the tiny black and white kitten to rest on the sofa between them. Liddy was in awe. “She’s yours, baby. I talked to your mommy, and she gave me permission to buy Fluffy for you.”
Conspiracy, Mark fumed. Both she and his ex were using his daughter to get to him.
“We have to be careful, because she’s little, but she’s yours to take care of, baby. Mark, is something burning?”
“The waffles,” Liddy screamed as Mark threw open the iron and the window. “You burned my waffle, Daddy.”
“I’ll make you another one, honey. Did you thank Aunt Melissa for the kitten?”
She launched herself again at Melissa. “Can I feed, Fluffy?”
“I think you should,” Melissa smiled. “Here, look what else I brought.”
Mark stood by the waffle iron as Melissa and Liddy set up a litter box, and two small bowls with food and water. As the kitten approached the bowls, Liddy stroked the soft fur.
“Melissa, you shouldn’t have,” Mark glared as she moved to watch him pour the batter again.
“Stacy, okayed it. She’ll take it home with her Sunday. Why not?” She found the plates, napkins, and silverware and set his table for…three. “I hope you’re making me one. They smell wonderful.”
“Aunt Melissa, look.” The kitten had crawled into her tiny lap and was snuggling down.
“See, I told you I’m great with kids especially this one.”
“And I told you I wasn’t comfortable with this yet.”
“Daddy, is my waffle ready?”
“Coming up, pumpkin.”
Melissa carried the waffles to the table. “Besides, Stacy said she’s been fixated on a dog. A kitten is a lot less trouble, and Stacy can give her this and make her happy. Problem solved.”
Mark grunted, but Liddy was tugging at his arm. He swooped her up and stroked her hair as she snuggled against him. “You okay, honey?” She nodded as he set her in her chair.
“Daddy makes wonderful waffles, doesn’t he, baby?”
She nodded again, sucking the sticky syrup first before devouring the rest. But Mark knew Liddy, and something was wrong. When she finished, he wiped her hands and mouth and drew her close.
“Daddy, I still want a puppy. A big black and white one.”
He cradled her close as he met Melissa’s gaze. “Let me think about it some more. Go put your shoes on now, please.”
“Okay.” Her sunshine back she skipped down the hall to her room.
Melissa began the dishes, filling the sink with warm water and soap.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll get them later.”
“I don’t mind. What are you two doing today?”
“It’s children’s day at the amusement park. Rides, games, animals. Maybe she’ll forget about the puppy thing, or maybe I’ll just have to get her one.”
Melissa looked around the apartment. “You have room, I guess, but …”
“But I don’t have the time a dog needs for walks and …”
“I’m ready, Daddy.”
“Sounds like Daddy’s planned a fun day for you.” Melissa brushed her hair with her fingers and adjusted her ponytail. “I love the amusement park.”
“No, Melissa, don’t.” But it was too late.
“Can Aunt Melissa come with us?” Liddy asked, her eyes filled with hope and expectation. How was he supposed to say no?
“Sure, if she wants to, honey, unless she has plans already.”
“I’d love it. No plans for today.” She took Liddy’s hand and led her out of the apartment while Mark tried to cap his anger. She’d pay for this, and tonight he’d help a three-year-old understand what this was and wasn’t if he could figure it out himself. “Mark, are you coming?”
Grabbing her backpack and buckling her in her car seat, he drove them cross town to the amusement park. Melissa went all out, singing silly songs with Liddy and making up easy games like I spy a blue car. Liddy’s happy squeals filled the car, and Mark had to admit even if just to himself, they looked, sounded, felt like a family. All afternoon they chased Liddy. Mark held her atop the plastic horse on the merry-go-round, held out her little hand with grain at the petting zoo, and watched Melissa with his daughter win a huge stuffed bear, but nothing stopped her dead in her tracks till she spotted the husky. Mark’s heart stopped, thinking the young woman was Mags, but as they drew closer the young woman was actually a teenage boy who seemed annoyed with Liddy’s interest. By the time they returned home, Liddy was asleep in her car seat. Mark carried her in and tucked her into her bears bed. Both kissed her good night then moved back to the living room.
“Coffee? A drink?” Melissa asked. Mark was drawing a line here. He saw it coming, and there was no way to avoid it.
“One drink. Then I’m turning in. Liddy’s up early.”
She took the drink he offered and settled beside him on the sofa. The kitten was also asleep under the table; its tiny body just peeking out. He’d have to remember not to step on it in the morning. “We had a wonderful day,” Melissa purred, her hand stroking his arm.
“Melissa, I appreciate what you did for Liddy today, but…”
She leaned into him, her whiskey taste, her soft lips, and her fingers finding their way under his shirt. “It could be so good with us, Mark, if you’d just let it happen.” She pressed the kiss, pushing him back against the sofa, and straddling his lap.
All he could think about was Liddy waking up and finding them in the living room, half dressed and going at it like … “Melissa, Liddy’s in the next room.”
“Sound asleep.” She kissed his neck, her thighs tightening around his hips. “But if you’re worried, we can go in your bedroom. You have a baby monitor, don’t you?”
“Melissa, my weekends with Liddy are about her. I don’t do this on her time.”
She rubbed effectively against his wakening dick and pulled on the snap of his shorts. “I want you, Mark. I’ll leave if you want me to right afterwards.”
She was lying, and he knew it. She had manipulated the entire day. Now, if he read her right, the plan was to show him the family, waking in the morning together. One big fucking family.
“Daddy.”
Mark shoved Melissa off. “I’m coming, honey. Go, Melissa. I’ll call you Monday.” Maybe, if he still didn’t want to wring her neck. “If you’re still here in five minutes, we’re through.”
“But, Mark...”
“Done, Melissa.”
He slammed the door as he went to tend to his daughter. He could hear Melissa, mumbling and finally slamming his door as she left. “Did Aunt Melissa leave?” his sleepy daughter asked.
“Yeah, honey. She had to go.” She definitely had to go.
Chapter 15
Stacy watched Mark collect Liddy’s belongings including the cat. She studied his strong thighs, long legs, and deep tan, and wished she could climb all over him for ten minutes. She didn’t need the rest of the turmoil of their lives, but the sex had been good. She was comfortably in a serious relationship, but at times she couldn’t help the attraction to her ex-husband.
The kitten purred and rubbed against her leg. She hadn’t wanted a cat, but she was willing to try anything to distract Liddy from the idea of a damn dog. She was driving her crazy, but more amusing, she was wearing Mark down. From the moment she was born the child had a gift for making Mark melt. The teenage Liddy would certainly be a handful.
“Fun date with Melissa?” she laughed at his familiar glare.
“Back off, Stacy. Don’t encourage Melissa where Liddy is concerned.”
“You’re being an ass. She’s good for both of you.”
“Liddy, come on, pumpkin. Don’t keep Mommy waiting.” He wanted his ex-gone. He’d had enough of her and Melissa.
“Oh, Mark, I need a hundred dollars for Liddy.”
“For what? I paid my child support this month.”
“This is on you, honey, and an expense over my budget. Liddy needs a fancy dress for the wedding.”
He rolled his eyes. He still couldn’t believe his sister was marrying Stacy’s brother soon. Indirectly, they’d still be related, connected, though Liddy would always be the ultimate connection. He should have seen the signs. At some point at all the family gatherings, Kim and Rick would disappear. Then three months after Mark and Stacy’s divorce, Rick gave his sister a ring. The very long engagement was finally coming to an end with a traditional, up-scale, expensive destination wedding. “She’s three. How can a dress cost that much?”
“She’s the flower girl, and you can afford it.” She held out her palm; her humor gone. “Maybe we should re-evaluate the support in lieu of your position at Henderson.”
“I take care of Liddy well, and you know it.”
She pushed the money into the pocket of her tight jeans. “Daddy’s buying your dress for Uncle Rick’s wedding, sweetie. That should be fun, right? A pretty dress and shoes?”
She clapped her hands and squealed, “Shopping!”
Mark scooped his little girl up and hugged her tightly. How could he keep her from growing up too fast?
“Why don’t you invite Melissa to the wedding?” Stacy added. “She’d love a get-away with you in Italy.” She didn’t wait for an answer, maneuvering Liddy and her things out the door.
Within minutes the silence became deafening, and he missed her. He aimlessly tossed her toys towards the toybox and wondered how he could spend more time with his daughter. He took the last beer from the refrigerator and thought about calling Perry or … No, he wasn’t calling Melissa, yet. He was still angry with her and knew the next plot would be wrangling an invitation to the wedding. What was it with women and weddings? It had to be this big affair that ended up being the most stressful day of a guy’s life. Flowers and food, a hall, a church, dresses and tuxedos, too much to do. Months of planning, and it was over in a matter of hours. And every guy knew the rule about bringing a date to a wedding. If you were in a casual relationship, you were dead. Women became weepy, sentimental, and romantic at weddings. The guy they couldn’t stand would suddenly become the love of their life. Melissa would start planning a wedding the minute they reached Italy.
So many things forced their way back into his memory. He had promised Mags a trip to Italy someday, a romantic city and his best girl. She never wanted the wedding they almost had. Her mother and his had taken over right after the engagement party, booking the old Catholic Church in the heart of town, giving them three choices for the ballroom reception, and driving them both crazy with the endless details. Chicken or fish, blue napkins or green, daisies or roses, on and on it went. Mags wanted a beach wedding in her jeans or maybe a simple white dress, but both mothers were horrified. Why hadn’t he seen how unhappy she had been that last week before September sixth? He had followed directions like the obedient groom he was supposed to be, ignoring her feelings, getting lost in the trappings, instead of focused on the end result, a marriage, a marriage to Mags. A lifetime of early mornings and late nights and living and loving. The wedding wasn’t important. She was, they were, but he hadn’t seen it till now. Did she feel pressured, overwhelmed? Did the reality of all the parties finally hit her? Did she realize she didn’t love him forever?
He tossed his bottle in the recycle bin. He wanted to see her. Not Melissa, Mags. He had no idea why or what he would say to her, but he had to see her. He grabbed his keys from the table and hustled down to his car, but before he’d showed up at her apartment, their apartment, he needed to make a stop. He’d bring her a gift; one that would seem perfectly natural and eliminate the awkwardness. He smiled for the first time that weekend as he pulled into the parking lot of the pet store, and his heart felt lighter.
Chapter 16
Rolling down the windows in his car, he thought of calling her. Her number still in his phone, he could let her know he was coming by, but that sounded like permission, and he wasn’t giving her a chance to say no. Instead, he purchased a twenty-pound bag of dog food for Rufus and discovered her apartment was dark. She couldn’t be asleep this early so she was probably out. The evening’s heat had melted into humid dampness, and an occasional breeze slipped through his windows. She had to work tomorrow. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be too late, and hopefully she wasn’t on a date. He fiddled impatiently with the radio, reminding himself this wasn’t a big deal. Just an old friend helping support a dog with a voracious appetite.
The headlights of the car approaching from the rear illuminated his dashboard and slowed to a stop in front of her building. He sat up straighter when he saw Mags and the cowboy from the bookstore the other day. The guy who had timidly kissed her. He remembered showing her how she should be kissed a few minutes later amid the stacks of books. What the hell was she waiting for? They seemed to be talking; his arm around the back of her seat. He couldn’t sit and wasn’t sure of the plan, but he circled the car, opened his trunk, and hefted the bag to his shoulder. He crossed the street to her stairwell and stood poised a few feet from the car, waiting for her to see him. He could be in for a long wait. Fortunately, the cowboy caught him staring and pointed in his direction. He ignored the questioning look in her eyes and started up the stairs. He wasn’t leaving. He didn’t know what the cowboy’s plan was, but he wasn’t leaving. What the hell was he doing then?
He leaned the bag against the door and heard Rufus’ agitation and barking. If she didn’t get up here soon, the neighbors would surely complain. He leaned against the door jam and smiled. She appeared quickly, the guy behind her, and her irritation evident. Unfortunately, her anger turned him on as usual, and his smile grew wider.
Opening the door a crack, she hushed the excited dog and turned to Mark. “What are you doing here?”
“I saw Rufus was low on food so I brought over a bag.”
Craig moved closer to Mags and pressed his hand against her lower back. He knew exactly what this was. “Little late for a store delivery, isn’t it?”
“Mark’s not a delivery…” Her words faded as she watched the two men size each other up. “Thanks, for the food. I got it.” Rufus was barking again.
“No, problem, honey. I got it.” He moved past her into the apartment with the bag and closed the door.
“Craig, I’m sorry. This wasn’t how I wanted our date to end.”
“Just tell me if he’s my competition. Is he someone special?”
How could she tell Craig what Mark was? And what the hell was he doing here tonight? “Mark is someone I knew a long time ago. He’s not competition.”
“Good.” He leaned in to kiss her.
Mark paced behind the door. How long did a good-night
kiss take? The eager dog licked his hand and followed him around the room. He refilled her bowl with food and water till Mags came in alone. Had he foiled the cowboy’s plan?
“Rufus is technically my dog,” he said before she had time to gather her thoughts.
“You can’t have her.” Mags clapped her hands, but the dog ignored her, preferring to sit at Mark’s feet. “Traitor.”
Mark grinned. “I don’t want to take her from you. I want visitation rights. I’m a lawyer and can draw up an agreement if you want.”
She leaned against the door and laughed. “A custody agreement? I keep physical custody?”
“Yes, and we have joint legal custody, making me, in part, responsible for her care, vet appointments, that kind of thing.”
“Like a child?”
Mark cringed. What was he doing here when he couldn’t even share Liddy with Mags? He couldn’t take the risk. “Similar. I’ll draw up the paperwork.”
“Mark,” her expression softened, “what are you really doing here?”
Missing you, wanting you, finding you. “What you said about friendship in the restaurant, being able to be pleasant, you were right.”
She nodded slowly. “What’s changed? Why now?”
“Nothing really.” He reached down and patted the head of the dog. “She needs a walk. I’ll wait while you change, and we’ll take her to the park unless you want me to take her alone.”
“No,” she said quickly, “give me a minute. I’ll come.”
He added the leash to the dog’s collar. He couldn’t think of her a few feet away, changing in the bedroom. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He reined the dog in as they walked. He wanted to slowly savor the time with her and give her an opportunity to open up to him.
“So, the cowboy?”
“Craig?”
“Serious relationship?”
She shrugged, avoiding his eyes. “We’ve only been out a couple of times, but he’s nice.”
“Nice, huh? Little old for you, isn’t he?”