by Toni Aleo
He smiled. “That was a big deal, apparently.”
Lucy grinned. “I’m not much of a cook. Grandma always did all the cooking, huh?”
Angie nodded. “My grandma is the best cook ever. You should so come to dinner one night at her house.”
“If I get an invite, I’m there. I love food.”
“Me too!” Angie gushed, wrapping her arms around Lucy. “Mommy does too, huh, Mom?”
“I do,” she said, kissing the top of her head. “I smell something yummy.”
“Yes! Benji made potpie. Can you believe it? It’s your favorite,” Angie sang, hopping around before heading toward the kitchen.
Looking back at Benji, she smiled. “She’s happy.”
“Yeah, we’ve had a great afternoon.”
She grimaced a little when Angie screamed her name. “Sorry if she’s been a little wacky. Her meds usually wear off by six.”
“She’s been great,” he reassured her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “I can’t kiss you, can I?”
She glanced to the kitchen as Angie yelled, “Mom! Come look!”
She looked back and he smiled. “Come on. I slayed that pie for you,” he said, taking her jacket for her as she smiled a thanks. “Did you get everything finished?” he asked as he hung her jacket in the coat closet.
“Yeah, what a mess,” she complained, shaking her head before they made their way into the kitchen. She explained how her distributor had sent the wrong items and told her they weren’t going to fix it, but when she threatened to take her business somewhere else, they sang a different tune and found someone in town to deliver for her. “Thankfully, we got it done and everything is beautiful. I also get free Mexican anytime I want it.”
“I love cheese dip!” Angie cheered from the counter as Lucy came to a stop at it.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” she gushed and Benji smiled proudly. “Looks almost too good to eat!”
“That’s what I said,” Angie giggled and Benji nodded.
“She did.”
Lucy laughed, her face bright as she cuddled Angie to her side. “Like mother, like daughter, huh?”
“Yup!” Angie agreed as she took the plates Benji had laid out. “Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Looking over at Benji, Lucy didn’t move as Angie started to set the table. “It does look really good. Thank you for having us over.”
“Anytime. I hope this can become a regular thing for us,” he said and she grinned as Angie shrieked.
“Oh my God, please, Mom. I had so much fun today.”
Lucy smiled as she took the forks and knives, heading to the table. “We’ll see, okay? Benji is busy.”
As he lifted the potpie, Angie looked at him and he shook his head. “Never too busy for you two.”
Angie beamed before looking at Lucy hopefully. She rolled her eyes as she chuckled a bit. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“But, Mom! He likes us,” she said in a mock-whisper and Lucy laughed, her eyes shutting as her heavenly, happy voice filled the room. Moving from the counter to the table, he stopped short, his heart jumping into his throat as Lucy laid the utensils down. She was laughing at Angie, who was grinning right back at her as she bounced in her seat. This was what he wanted. He wanted a family. He wanted laughter in his big house. He wanted late-night dinners with the people he loved.
He wanted this.
“Sit down, crazytown,” she said, kissing Angie’s head before falling into a chair. Angie sat her bottom in the chair. They both looked up at him and Lucy smiled. “Are you going to let us eat?”
He shook his head, remembering that he wasn’t watching a dream—this was his reality. He walked to the table, setting the pie down before sitting beside Lucy. As he looked around, he saw Angie had started bouncing in her seat again before she held her hands out for Lucy’s and Benji’s. His heart was still in his throat as he took first Angie’s hand and then Lucy’s before closing his eyes and bowing his head.
Clearing her throat, Angie lowered her voice and said, “Thank you, Lord, for this nourishment and this wonderful food Benji has made us. Thank you for giving us the blessings you do, for allowing me to wake up and go to school. For my mommy’s job and giving her everything she needs to make me happy. Please help my mom in finding us a house so that we aren’t homeless—I mean, without a home—because Mom really wants us to have a house. Thank you for Benji, for him cooking for us and picking me up and giving me the best day ever. And maybe, Lord, if you could break him and his girlfriend up so he can marry my—”
“Lord Almighty, Angela Lynn!” Lucy screeched, and all Benji could do was laugh as he peeked up at Angie, who was wide-eyed and confused.
“What?”
“That is not something you pray for! Goodness me.”
Angie’s shoulders fell before she closed her eyes again. Benji grinned over at Lucy. She was shaking her head, her face bright red as Angie continued, “I’m sorry for asking for that, Lord, but I really like Benji and—”
“Amen!” Lucy declared and Angie’s lips pursed in a pout as Lucy started serving them.
“I wasn’t done, Mommy.”
“Yes, you were,” she said, still shaking her head.
Benji’s groin tightened as he watched the curve of her ass when she leaned over to give Angie her plate. She was wearing one of those snug dresses with tights that he was really starting to like. Her hair was done in curls along her shoulders. She wasn’t wearing that much makeup, but what she had on enhanced that already gorgeous face of hers. After she put a piece on his plate, she handed it to him and he grinned.
“Can I have two pieces?”
Lucy’s lips curved before giving him another serving and then sitting down with her own piece. He waited for her to take a bite, and when her eyes fell shut, the look of pure bliss on her face as she nodded her head, he grinned.
“So, so good,” she decided and Benji beamed, his chest puffing up as he took a bite.
“Thanks.”
“Mom, this food is so much better than that takeout stuff Baylor is always getting.”
“Angie, please,” she said and Angie made a face.
“I’m just saying.”
“Well, that’s rude. Baylor and Jayden are giving us somewhere to stay.”
Angie nodded, moving her fork through her food. “Well, if you married Benji—”
Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Angela.”
“Sorry,” she grumbled and Benji chuckled, until Lucy shot him a look. Snapping his mouth shut, he fought a grin as they ate. Soon they fell into easy conversation about their days, and Benji was on cloud nine. Honestly. He had never been so happy in his life as he was, sitting with two spunky girls. They were so animated, playing off each other, and it was beautiful. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to eat dinner in his big ol’ house alone ever again. Not after all the laughing and joking he was being spoiled with.
When they finished, Angie ran off to play NHL 15 as Lucy started to clean. “You don’t have to,” he told her, but she ignored him, taking everything into the kitchen and then rolling up the sleeves of her dress before getting to work.
As he watched her, he wished he could convince her to just move in. Was it crazy? Yeah, but he really didn’t care. He knew the moment he saw Lucy that she was different, and he wanted her more than he wanted anything in this world. It scared him and the guilt was there because he was really starting to think that Lucy was his soul mate. But if that was the case, then what was Ava? Because, back then, he was convinced she was the only woman for him. All that changed when Lucy came along. He wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t stop what he was feeling, and he wouldn’t ignore it. He couldn’t. He had to live; he had to be happy.
Lucy and Angie made him happy.
“Are you even listening to me?” she complained and he smiled.
“Starting my design Monday now.”
She pursed her lips. “Yes, but goodness, you we
re spacing out. What are you thinking about?”
He looked down at his bare feet, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want you guys to leave.”
Chancing a look at her, he saw she was smiling and nodding. “Well, you’ve got Angie sold.” He grinned as she shut the dishwasher. “But I need some time.”
“I know.”
“But this was great, really nice,” she said, reaching out and taking his hand with hers. Lacing their fingers together, he moved his thumb along hers as she held his gaze.
“It was.”
“Sorry we can’t stay for a movie.”
“No, it’s fine. She’s got school.”
“Yeah,” she said slowly. “But tomorrow, I’ll have a sleepover bag, if that’s still okay.”
Moving toward her, he gripped her hips, pressing her into the counter. “More than okay.”
Pressing her hand to his chest, she gave him a look. “Down, killer.”
He chuckled, dropping a quick kiss to her nose before moving back. “When are you going to tell her?”
Lucy let out a breath. “I guess now. Shit. Why am I nervous?”
He laughed, suddenly nervous himself. “I don’t know. Why? She’s gonna be fine with it.”
“Obviously, since she was praying for it,” she said, rolling her eyes as Benji laughed, shaking his head. That girl kept him on his toes as much as Lucy did. “Angie, honey, come here.”
Angie ran into the kitchen, coming to a halt, her brows rising. “Wait, am I in trouble?”
“No, crazy. Come sit down.”
Angie looked from Benji to Lucy and then slowly moved to the barstool, climbing up onto it, and leaning on the counter. “Are you sure I’m not in trouble?”
“Did you do something?” Lucy asked and Angie’s eyes widened.
“I-touched-Benji’s-Pop-upstairs-but-it-was-a-pony!” she squealed and then slapped her hands to her mouth. “I couldn’t resist. I’m so sorry.”
Benji shook his head as he held in his laughter. Setting her with a look, he said, “It’s fine. Don’t do it again, though,” he said sternly, and her eyes got even bigger.
Then she cut her gaze to Lucy’s. “Can he ground me?”
“Yeah,” she said and Angie’s eyes widened more. “But really, don’t touch his toys—er, collectibles.” Angie snickered as Benji side-eyed Lucy. “Really, ponies?”
He shrugged. “I have all kinds. They’re cool.”
Shaking her head, she looked back at her daughter. “Anyway, we need to talk to you about something.”
Angie just blinked. “What?”
“Um,” Lucy said, smacking her hands together and then glancing over at Benji before looking back at Angie and clearing her throat. He looked to Lucy, waiting. Her face turned red as she struggled with her words. She was so cute when she was nervous. Finally, she spat out, “Benji and I, well, we’re dating.”
Angie looked from Lucy to Benji and then back to Lucy, her brow furrowed. “So you guys are getting married?”
Benji grinned as Lucy gasped. “No. Well, I don’t know. Maybe. We are dating. That’s it. He is my boyfriend.”
Looking to Benji, she shrugged and he smiled. “We are getting to know each other, but we want you to know so if you see us kiss or hug, you won’t be weirded out.”
Angie made a face. “So you kiss?”
“Oh, Jesus take the wheel,” Lucy muttered before covering her face.
“Sometimes, if she lets me,” he said with a grin and Angie laughed.
“My dad and Heidi kiss all the time. It’s gross, but I don’t think it would be gross if you guys do,” she decided and Benji shrugged.
“That’s a plus,” he said to Lucy, but she still had her face covered.
Bringing her hands down from her face, Lucy looked at Angie. “Like I said, we are dating. Is that okay? You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
Angie shook her head. “I thought you had a girlfriend?”
Benji smiled. “Yeah, your mom.”
Her brow rose as Lucy glared at the side of his face. What? He wasn’t going to lie to the kid.
“So you two have been dating, but no one told me?”
Still glaring, Lucy tore her gaze from Benji’s to look to Angie. “We wanted to wait until we were sure we liked each other.”
Angie nodded and then thought that over for a moment. Pressing her finger to her lip, she looked up at them. Benji smiled, but Lucy looked like she was about to have an anxiety attack. “So are we moving in?”
“Angela, no! We are just dating.”
She squinted her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. “So what do I gain here? From him being your boyfriend?”
Covering her face again, Lucy moaned as Benji laughed. “You get a friend,” he answered, ruffling her hair as she giggled. “Plus, I’ll always make your mom smile.”
She shrugged as Lucy looked over at him, a grin pulling at her lips. Angie smiled and then said, “Cool.”
“Cool?”
“Yeah, cool,” she said with a nod before sliding out of her chair. Lucy looked to Benji with wide eyes.
She’s crazy, she mouthed and he grinned, nodding his head.
The girl was a handful for sure.
“And, Mom?” Lucy looked from Benji to Angie as she held on to the counter, rocking back and forth. “Told you prayer works.”
As she walked away like she had just made the point of the century, Lucy glanced at Benji and shook her head, but he couldn’t take it anymore. Reaching for her hips, he brought her in close and kissed her hard on the lips. Relaxing against him, she laid her fingers against his jaw as he moved his lips with hers. When he pulled back, he kissed her nose then her bottom lip before leaning his head toward hers.
“Was that so bad?” he asked, and she rolled her eyes.
“It was torture. That girl drives me to no end,” she said, moving her nose along his, her fingers biting into his neck. “But I feel better. I don’t like keeping secrets from her.”
He nodded, kissing her top lip. “You know she’s right.”
“Good Lord, about what?”
“That prayer does work,” he said, his lips curving. “’Cause I’ve been praying for you for the last ten years.”
And thank God the big guy was listening.
Pushing through the back door, Lucy found Benji at the counter, looking up at her with wide eyes. Probably because she came through the back door like a bull in a china shop. Quirking a brow, he said, “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” she said, looking around frantically.
“Need something?”
“Scissors! I can’t find mine anywhere.”
“Did you look in the bottom drawer on the left on your workstation?” he asked as she came around the counter, searching his kitchen drawer.
She paused. “No.”
“Well, they are in there,” he said as she slowly rose to look at him.
“They are supposed to be in the right, top.”
“Well, I didn’t know that and put them in the left,” he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
“Why didn’t you ask me?” she asked, striking her hips, and he grinned.
“Because you weren’t there, and I wanted it done so you could work.” She rolled her eyes as he kissed her once more. “I like when you’re frazzled. Really cute.”
Giving him a deadpan look, she pursed her lips, eyeing the leftover potpie he was about to eat. All of a sudden, she was famished. Waggling her eyebrows, she nodded her head to it. “Hey, you gonna eat that?”
He grinned. “I am. There is some in the fridge if you want some.”
She grinned, leaning into him, batting her lashes. “Can I have yours?”
He laughed. “Are you serious? Get your own.”
“But yours tastes better,” she whined, leaning into him more, nuzzling her nose into his jaw. “Please.”
Letting out a sigh as his fork dropped, he pushed the plate to her. “You suck.”
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She giggled, taking the plate and the fork. “You rock. Thank you.”
Leaning up for a kiss, she pressed one to the side of his face before going around the counter. “One day, I’ll learn to say no to you.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I hope not,” she said with a wink, reaching for the door.
Taking a bite, she was almost out the door when he said, “Hey, want me to get Angie? So you can leave from here for practice? Or do you have it?”
She paused, thinking for a second as she chewed. She had a lot to do, but she didn’t want to put him out. “If you can get her, that would make life so much easier.”
He grinned, looking up as he placed a slice of potpie on his plate. “Well, I do like making your life easier, so I’ll get her.”
“Are you sure? No big deal?”
“No big deal,” he promised, his eyes locking with hers. “I like picking her up. She’s a hoot.”
“She’s something,” she said around a bite. “Okay, I’ll run by the house and get her stuff when I head to the warehouse. You are a lifesaver. Thank you.”
“Anytime. Did Rick get back to you? Are you meeting him tonight, or is he coming up to the rink?”
She let out a frustrated breath, shaking her head as her heart pounded with anger. Rick never did this, never ignored her, and it was driving her insane. Communication, even if it was rude, was better than this silent crap he was pulling. “Not yet. I’m gonna call him in about an hour during his lunch break.”
Benji rolled his eyes as he placed his plate in the microwave. “I don’t know if I want you going alone if you have to drop her off. Maybe I can try to go. What time?”
She smiled sweetly. “Six thirty, you’ll be at the rink.”
“Shit. Yeah.”
“Benji, I’ve been meeting this man for four years. I’m good. I promise.”
He shot her a look as he leaned on his forearms on the counter. “That was before you had a boyfriend who refused to let you be disrespected.”
Oh, heart. Yeah, I know you can’t be still.
Shutting the door, she came to the counter as he watched, his lips curved before she leaned over and pressed her nose to his. “And while I love that my boyfriend wants me to be treated right and not disrespected, I can handle Rick Hart, believe me. But, thank you. For being you and for caring about me.”