by Nita Brooks
As long as it isn’t Jacob.
Chapter 12
“Uno!” Jacob slapped down a card on the coffee table.
Yvonne looked up from her place in the dining room where she worked on a sketch for Sandra’s bedroom. Piles of multi-colored Post-it notes, printed snapshots of Sandra’s home, and every shade of colored pencil imaginable were spread across the table. Jacob and Richard played Uno at the coffee table in the attached living area. Jacob clutched a lone card in his hand. Richard’s hand overflowed with cards. Poor guy wasn’t even close to declaring Uno.
He’d come over nearly every night of the week since the park to spend time with Jacob. She’d worried that having him here, in her home with Jacob, would be awkward. That he’d take a look around her house and start questioning her life with Jacob. Evaluating the safety and comfort of their son’s surroundings. Ridiculous, she knew, but she hadn’t pictured this either. How easily things seemed to settle into a routine around them.
She came home, figured out something for dinner, Richard came over and played with Jacob while she worked on sketches and other proposals. Something she usually didn’t get to until after Jacob was asleep, but with Richard there, he insisted she get work done. He was there to visit Jacob, not to interfere with her. After a couple days of listening to them ask questions and watching them play cards or with the various toys Jacob had, she’d decided to get work done while being close enough to listen in and respond to any questions or comments in their conversation directed toward her.
She’d also expected to butt in a lot. To remind Richard not to make any promises, and course-correct if it seemed like Richard was getting out of line, or too demanding in his requests for Jacob’s attention. Neither situation arose. Richard seemed both happy and content to just spend time doing whatever mundane activity allowed him to be with his son. Too often, she’d caught Richard just staring at Jacob with such awe and affection her chest had tightened.
“You’re too good at this game,” Richard said to Jacob and shook his head.
“I always beat Mommy. Sometimes I beat Nathan. Don’t I?” Jacob looked at Yvonne.
Yvonne tapped her pencil on the sketch pad in front of her. “You get lucky sometimes.”
The grin on Jacob’s face was nothing but triumph. “I get lucky all the time.”
“I don’t think luck has anything to do with it,” Richard said eyeing his cards. “I think you’re the best Uno player I’ve ever come up against.”
“See, Mommy, see, I told you I was the best.” Jacob bounced in his seat.
“If you are, you definitely got that from me,” Yvonne replied. She continued filling in the colors for the clean and simple bedroom design in soft grey with a hint of peach Sandra wanted. “I always beat your aunt Valerie at Uno when we were kids.”
“Hey,” Richard said with mock hurt in his voice. “I’m a pretty good Uno player myself.”
Yvonne laughed and pointed her pencil at Richard. “Oh, no, you are not trying to claim that. If I recall correctly, I beat you numerous times in Uno. In fact, you never won a game against me.”
Jacob’s bright eyes turned to Richard. “Is she for real? She always beat you?”
Richard shrugged and rearranged his cards. The corner of his mouth lifted in a cute grin. “Not all the time.”
“All the time, Jacob.” Yvonne answered.
Richard’s eyes met hers. Humor warmed his dark brown gaze. The smile on his full lips made her heart hiccup.
“I let you win sometimes.” His deep voice slid across the room and over her like a familiar caress.
“Oh really?”
“I liked making you smile. Your smile is beautiful when you win. You wore your hair curly then. It was like this halo around your face when you laughed.” The humor had faded from his voice. His eyes were serious and reflective as if he were remembering one of her victory dances whenever she had beaten him in Uno. Then the corner of his lip tilted up. “I also liked paying the price for losing.”
Yvonne dropped her pencil, and she ran a hand through her straight hair. Her price had often involved a close encounter of the intimate kind. Why did he have to go and remind her of that?
Girl, like you ever forgot!
Jacob slapped down his last card. “Uno out! I win.”
Yvonne blinked several times and focused on the drawing in front of her. A large four poster bed the focal point of the room. She pushed the picture aside. Time to work on the dining room area, maybe.
Jacob chatted about the other card games he liked playing. He was oblivious to the undercurrents of Richard’s reminder of how good it used to be between them. Her heart still pounded as if she’d climbed Mount Everest and her lungs didn’t want to cooperate with supplying oxygen to her brain. She definitely needed oxygen to clear her head.
It’s been too long. You wouldn’t even be feeling like this if you hadn’t gone so long without sex.
“How about we celebrate with popcorn?” She slid her chair back. “I need to take a break anyway.”
She didn’t wait for either of them to answer before she hurried into the kitchen. She’d never been more grateful her house didn’t have an open floor plan. Her escape to the kitchen meant Richard couldn’t watch her from the living area as she tried to regroup.
What the hell had happened back there? Why had he even gone there? The main reason these afternoons worked was because they didn’t rehash the past. No discussions about why they’d broken up. No talks about what could have been or where they messed up. Just focusing on Jacob and making sure he was okay.
She pulled a bag of popcorn out of the cupboard and placed it in the microwave. She pressed the correct time. Then pulled the band out of her pocket and put her hair into a tight ponytail. If he insisted on bringing up . . . things, then having Richard back was going to create a new set of problems.
There was a knock near the door. She jumped and swiveled. Richard looked apologetic and held up a hand. “Hey, I’m sorry about saying what I did. I shouldn’t have gone there.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” she snapped. She wasn’t angry at him. She was angry at herself for how easily he’d gotten to her. Now he had the good sense to come and apologize. Did he have to be so perfect and adult about this?
“I got carried away thinking about things . . . and, well, I’ll just say I forgot for a moment that so much time had passed. Being here with you and Jacob, it almost feels as if . . .”
As if this is the life they should have been living. “Look, Richard, it’s going to be a transition. Jacob is obviously happy to meet you, and I want him to be happy. We can’t screw that up by mixing in things that shouldn’t be included.”
He came into the kitchen and crossed to her. He didn’t stand quite in her space, but close enough for her to smell his cologne. It was the same cologne he used to wear. Dolce & Gabbana. She hadn’t forgotten that. Or forgotten how much she liked it on him.
“Things like the attraction still being there between us?” Richard said. He was so matter-of-fact about the entire thing. Not smug or creepy. All business. All let’s acknowledge this and move on. Not all what-the-hell-I’m-still-attracted-to-you like she felt.
“No!” she crossed her arms. “There is no attraction. I’m engaged now.”
“You being engaged doesn’t have anything to do with being attracted to me. Two hours out of my engagement with Natalie didn’t stop me from being attracted to you.”
“That’s different.”
“How?” He said with a laugh.
“You’re a man.” Okay, that was ridiculous, but she needed something to argue. She was not like Richard. She was not feeling anything for someone else. Especially when she was engaged to the perfect man.
Richard leaned a hand against the counter. He wore a short-sleeved shirt and the muscles of his arms flexed with the movement. “Me being a man has nothing to do with attraction. I’m not saying we act on the attraction. We can work together without it becoming a
problem.”
Yeah, that always worked out for people. “Who said I’m working with you?”
“According to the negotiations Judy is making, I thought the signing of the deal was imminent.”
“Judy is making negotiations?”
That was the first she’d heard of that. Judy mentioned a few other offers from other stations. None as good as W.E.W. When she’d conferenced with Yvonne and Nathan, who was still in Savannah, the day before, she’d suggested the deal with Richard was the one they should consider. She and Nathan had both hesitated to tell Judy to proceed. Judy didn’t know Richard was Jacob’s father. There definitely needed to be a discussion between her and Nathan before moving forward with the network deal.
“You didn’t know that?” Richard asked.
“We haven’t made up our mind about the offer.”
“Any particular reason?”
Yvonne placed a hand on her hip and raised a brow. “Three guesses.”
“I only need one. You’re worried about working with me.”
“I’m not worried about working with you. I’m concerned about your reasons. If it’s good to get our lives so entangled after all this time.”
He stepped forward and shrugged. He’d been working out. She didn’t remember his arms being so muscled or his shoulders being so . . . broad. She jerked her eyes back to his face. She was not going to pay attention to how his body had changed. No attraction there.
“Our lives won’t be entangled,” Richard said. “I own the network, but creative control will remain with you and Nathan. I don’t know a thing about interior design or home renovations. You won’t even deal with me when it comes to the show.”
“You can ax the show at any time.”
“Only if the ratings are bad.”
“And what if we have a fight, or you disagree with something I’m doing with Jacob, or you and Nathan can’t get along?”
His head snapped back. Confusion crossed his face. He closed his eyes and shook his head. When his lids lifted, his eyes were hard. “I wouldn’t take out my personal feelings on you by going after the show. If I had a problem in any of those areas, I’d come and talk to you.” He eased closer. This time the familiar scent of his cologne tickled her senses. “Yvonne, I know I messed us up, but you know me. I’m not petty, nor am I vindictive. I’ve always been honest and upfront with you. That wouldn’t change if your show was on my network.”
The thing was, she did know him. Had sensed his moods with a look. Finished his sentences when they talked. Trusted him with her fears about finishing design school and opening her own business. Richard had seen the parts of her she’d only trusted with her sister and in return he’d shown her his own hopes, fears, and insecurities. He wasn’t vindictive or petty. He wouldn’t use the show to bend her to his will.
“You know I’m telling the truth.” The words were a statement. He’d been able to read her almost as well as she read him. He’d probably watched her come to the conclusion.
He eased forward until only a few inches separated them. Their eyes locked. The memories flowing around them. Fusing them together like an ornate luxury wallpaper in a room begging for texture. She didn’t want to be glued to Richard, but she was. Would be forever because of Jacob. That’s why she couldn’t admit she was still attracted to him.
The doorbell rang. Yvonne put space between them. Disappointment flew across Richard’s face like a wisp of smoke.
“Nathan?”
“No, he’s still in Savannah.” She had no clue who that could be.
She took the long way out of the kitchen. The way least likely to result in her accidently brushing against him. So, Richard wanted to be grown up about this. Acknowledge they were still attracted to each other but pretend as if it wouldn’t be a problem. Maybe it wasn’t a problem with him. He had six years of marriage and a divorce behind him. He may not be ready to make his life any messier than it already was. More likely, he already had another woman in his life. He hadn’t told her why he and Natalie had split. What if he’d found someone else and that’s the reason for his divorce. The idea annoyed her more than it should have.
She looked through the peephole and cringed. “Damn!” she muttered. Her mom.
Every day Richard had come over she’d found a reason why her mom and sister didn’t need to come by. She was blatantly and deliberately keeping them apart. Richard needed to get to know Jacob, not her family. She should have known Rochelle would show up eventually.
She opened the door and forced a smile. “Mom. What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t seen my grandson all week. What other reason do I need?” Rochelle lifted up onto her toes and looked over Yvonne’s shoulders. “There’s a car in the yard. Do you have company?”
“I do.”
“It’s not Nathan.” Rochelle’s lips pursed in a disapproving pout.
“Nathan is in Savannah,” Yvonne said, holding onto her irritation.
“So . . . who’s here?”
Yvonne stepped back so her mom could enter. “Jacob’s dad.”
“Oh, no, Yvonne. Not while Nathan is away.” Rochelle’s nose scrunched up. She glanced around as if searching for signs of wrong doing.
“Nathan knows he’s here. He trusts me.” Her voice was confident even while her skin tingled remembering the way Richard had reminded her of the passion that used to burn between them.
She led her mom from the entryway into the living area. Jacob’s laughter met them as they entered the living room. He and Richard sat on the couch, eating popcorn, and watching Jacob’s favorite cartoon. Jacob had cuddled close to Richard’s side. Richard smiled down at Jacob with unmasked joy in his face.
Yvonne froze and sucked in a breath. Emotion squeezed her heart. Richard looked up then and met her eyes. The joy in his gaze softened to something else. Longing maybe. His smiled stirred up so many things she wasn’t ready to sift through. Things she’d suppressed for years, things that bubbled up when she’d first seen him. Things she had no defense for in this moment, and, therefore, she couldn’t stop her lips from lifting in response.
Rochelle cleared her throat. Yvonne blinked, the fantasy of the happy family she’d once pictured vanishing. Rochelle strode forward to the back of the couch.
“Jacob, darling, come give Gigi a kiss,” she said in a cheerful voice.
Jacob hurried around the couch and hugged her. “Hey Grandma!”
Rochelle’s face softened and she kissed the top of Jacob’s head. “I missed my little man. I haven’t seen you all week.”
“I’ve been hanging out with my dad.” Jacob’s voice rang with pride. He pointed at Richard then grinned at his grandmother.
Rochelle’s pinched look returned. “I see. So, you’re the father.”
Richard stood and held out his hand. His face open and friendly. “I am. You’re the grandmother.”
Rochelle held her hand out limply and gave a half-hearted shake. “The grandmother, the mother, and your worst nightmare if you hurt my baby.”
“I have no intention of hurting Jacob,” Richard said.
“He’s not the only one I’m worried about.” She glanced down at Jacob. “What are you still doing up, baby?”
Richard and Yvonne exchanged a look. She shrugged. Her mom was blunt. Painfully so at times. He might as well get used to that now that her mom had burst into the picture.
“Grandma, Mr. Richard... I mean Dad . . . likes Team Umi Zoomi, too!”
“Oh, really?” Rochelle said in a dry tone.
“My daughter loves that show,” Richard replied. “I’ve watched it with her, too.”
“I’ve got a sister,” Jacob’s voice was full of exuberance. “Isn’t that cool, Grandma?”
Rochelle’s eyes widened. “Yes. Very cool.” Her reply was stiff and not a bit sincere. “Well, since I’m here I can tuck you into bed,” Rochelle said in a more relaxed voice.
Jacob frowned at Yvonne. “I thought you said I could stay up a
little longer.”
Yvonne checked her watch. “You’ve already stayed up thirty minutes past your bedtime, Jacob. Time for bed.”
Jacob sighed before looking at Richard. “Will you tuck me in tonight?” he asked in a quiet, hesitant voice.
Richard’s eyes softened. “Yes, I will.”
Rochelle opened her mouth, but Yvonne put a hand on her arm to stop whatever she was going to say. Her shoulder was rigid beneath her hand, but she nodded and closed her mouth. Richard didn’t live here. He deserved to get to these small moments with his child.
Jacob skipped around the couch and took Richard’s hand. Richard stood and they walked toward the hall.
“Oh, wait,” Jacob said. He turned and ran back to Yvonne and Rochelle. He wrapped an arm around Rochelle’s legs. “Good night, Grandma.”
Rochelle relaxed and ran her hand over Jacob’s head. “Good night, Jacob.”
Jacob pulled back and looked at Yvonne. “Mommy, will you come sing to me?”
“I’ll be in there soon.”
Jacob ran back to Richard and they walked down the hall to his room. Rochelle sighed and glared at Yvonne.
“Richard seems to really be into playing daddy,” she said with a hint of scorn.
“He’s not playing daddy, Mom. He is Jacob’s dad. I can’t get mad at him for wanting to do what’s right now.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just . . . I didn’t think he’d be so comfortable with Jacob so quickly.” Rochelle’s head tilted to the side. “Or with you.”
“I’m not comfortable with him. We’re still figuring this thing out, and Jacob will talk to a brick wall. We both know that,” she said by way of a paltry excuse. “I’m not too surprised he would be comfortable with Richard quickly.”
Wasn’t that every abandoned child’s wish? For their absentee parent to come back into their lives? It had been her wish for so long. A wish she’d squashed, but couldn’t deprive Jacob of now.
“As long as you don’t get too comfy with him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”