by E. L. Todd
I read a book for a few hours before I headed back to Ward’s house. I wrote down his address just in case I forgot how to get there. People in London were different than in New York. They were indifferent like New Yorkers, but they were definitely friendlier.
When I returned to the house, I opened his refrigerator and pulled out a beer. I stood at the counter while I drank it, and wondered how Ward lived his life when I wasn’t around. He had a big house for just one person, and that reminded me of the fact he was looking for someone to settle down with. He probably bought this house in the hope he would share it with a wife and two kids someday. The thought made me sad because I knew I would never be the person he shared his life with. Before succumbing to the depression, I thought about the new shoes I bought. I tried to think of what to wear them with when Ward and I went out.
I migrated to the coffee table and looked at the picture frames. There was one of a young boy and a girl. They must be his niece and nephew. With dark brown hair just like him, and sparkling blue eyes, they looked beautiful. I stared at it for a long time before I looked at the other pictures. I assumed they were of his family because they all resembled each other in some way.
The front door rattled as someone inserted a key inside. It was only two in the afternoon, but perhaps Ward got off work early. I stood up and smiled, excited to see him after spending the entire day alone.
A brunette walked inside with two children. “Hurry, Billy. Go to the bathroom.”
The boy ran straight for the bathroom, not noticing me.
The woman walked inside, looking tired, and her daughter came into the living room. She stopped and stared at me. “Mommy, who’s that?”
She stopped and looked at me with wide eyes. “Shit…”
“Mommy cussed!” The little girl pointed at her.
“I mean, darn. Oh, forget it.” She grabbed her daughter’s hand and pulled her back, making sure she didn’t get too close to me. “Who are you?”
Ward didn’t tell me he was having company, especially when he was at work. “Uh, I think the question is, who are you?”
“I’m Willow. Who are you?” she demanded, keeping a tight hold on her little girl.
“My name is Clementine.”
That name didn’t mean anything to her.
When I looked at the little girl, I realized I’d seen her before. “Are you Ward’s sister?”
She nodded. “Yes, I am.”
I sighed in relief. At first, I feared he was married after all.
“And you?”
“I’m...” I looked at her daughter then back at her. “A friend…”
Comprehension came into her eyes. “Oh…I see. I’m sorry to intrude. I just picked up the kids from school and Billy couldn’t wait until he got home.” She peered down the hallway then back at me. “I didn’t mean to barge in. I had no idea you would be here.”
“It’s okay,” I said. I was in a much better mood now that I knew she was just his sister and not his wife. I came closer to her daughter. “Hi, I’m Clementine but you can call me Clemy.”
“I’m Patricia but Uncle Ward calls me Princes Peach.”
My eyes softened because it was so adorable. “It’s nice to meet you, Patricia.”
Willow didn’t see me as a threat anymore because she let go of Patricia’s hand.
“You too,” Patricia said quietly.
Billy came back down the hallway.
“Did you wash your hands?” Willow barked.
“Yes,” he said in an annoyed voice.
“Did you clean up your mess?”
“Yes,” he repeated. “But Uncle Ward doesn’t care. He’s cool.”
Willow rolled her eyes. “Please excuse my children. They can be brats sometimes.”
“I think they’re adorable,” I blurted, looking at Billy.
Billy avoided eye contact because he was nervous.
Willow examined my face. “You’re American?”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “I’m from New York.”
“I see,” she said. “That’s how you know my brother?”
“Yeah.”
She didn’t ask any more personal questions. “Well, it was nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Just then, the door to the garage opened and Ward came inside. “Baby, I’m home.”
Willow raised an eyebrow.
I felt my cheeks blush.
Ward stilled when he saw his sister. “Oh, we got company.” He put his hands in his pockets and regarded me without touching me. “Hey, kids.” He kneeled down so he was eye level with them.
Billy ran to him first. “Uncle Ward!”
Ward pretended to be knocked over. “Wow…we got a line backer here.”
Billy laughed. “I’ve been eating my spinage like Mom asked.”
“Good,” he said. “Your mother knows what’s best for you.” He righted himself then put Billy down. “Where’s my princess?” He extended his hands to her.
Patricia ran to him and tried to knock him over too.
Ward humored her and fell over again. “Wow, we got two line backers.”
Willow watched their interaction with a smile on her face.
“I’m strong too,” Patricia said.
“You sure are.” He sat up then put her on the ground. “Have a good day at school.”
“I saw a butterfly!” Patricia said.
“Whoa,” Ward said enthusiastically. “What color was it?”
“Red and black!”
“So cool,” Ward said. “I love butterflies.”
“Did you know they are caterpillars first?” Patricia said.
“I didn’t,” Ward said in surprise. “You learn something new every day. Thank you for teaching me.”
Patricia smiled proudly.
Watching them was making my heart hurt because it was so damn cute.
Ward stood up then addressed his sister. “What a wonderful surprise.”
“I’m sorry, Ward. Billy had to use the bathroom and he couldn’t hold it,” Willow said.
“Don’t apologize,” Ward said. “You guys are always welcome here. I gave you a key for a reason.”
“How was your trip?” Willow asked.
“It was good,” he said. “But it’s good to be home.” He came closer to me then put his arm around me. “I see you’ve met Clementine. Clementine, this is my sister.”
“We’ve made our introductions,” Willow said quickly.
He turned to me. “I just want to make sure you don’t think I’m married.” There was a teasing note in his voice.
I smiled but looked way.
I assumed being around his family would be awkward but it wasn’t. His niece and nephew were adorable, and Ward was even more adorable with them.
“Patricia’s birthday party is tomorrow night,” Willow said. “You’re coming?”
He gave her a pointed look. “Sis, when have I ever missed anything?”
She shrugged then turned to me. “You’re more than welcome to come along as well, Clementine.”
Uh, that was a bad idea.
“She would love to,” Ward said on my behalf.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I forced myself to say.
Ward kept his arm around me.
“Well, we should get home,” Willow said. “We still have homework and afternoon snacks to get through.”
“Would you like a ride?” Ward asked.
“No, we like walking.” Willow took their hands and walked them toward the door. “It’s time to go.”
“We want to stay with Uncle Ward,” Billy cried.
“He has a friend over right now,” Willow said. “But we’ll see him tomorrow.”
Billy kicked the ground in frustration.
“Goodbye.” Willow smiled at us then walked down the steps and to the sidewalk.
“Bye, Will.” Ward waved.
“It was nice meeting you,” I said politely.
Then Ward shut the do
or. He gave me a significant look. “Cute kids, right?”
“Very cute,” I said.
“Patricia is going to love the gift I got her. I searched everywhere for it.”
Seeing the excitement in his face melted my heart. “Just when I thought you couldn’t be any cuter…”
“Cute?” he asked. He came closer to me, his face pressed to mine. “You think I’m cute?”
“Really cute.”
He gave me a pleased look. “Well, I try…”
“But I don’t think it’s a good idea if I go tomorrow…”
His playful attitude disappeared. “Why not?”
“Well, it’s a family thing. Your parents will be there.”
“So?” he asked. “You’ll like them. My mom makes the best pies in the world. I’m not kidding. Every year, she wins the London baking contest. She totally kicks ass.”
I chuckled at his choice of words. “Even so…”
“Look, you can hide me from all your friends and family if you want, but now we’re on my turf. I’m not going to hide you. I want you to be there.”
“But how will you explain what I am…?”
“Try human being.”
I smacked his arm. “I’m being serious.”
“My family isn’t going to ask a million questions. They’re going to see you, love you, and we’ll have a good time.”
“But if you bring me to a family birthday party they’re going to think we’re serious.”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about my family, alright? Just come and have a good time.”
I took a deep breath, unsure if I should fight him on this.
“My family isn’t going to grill you if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It wasn’t,” I said.
“Then don’t stress about it. We’ll have a good time. Normally, a birthday party comes with cake, but my mom makes pie instead. The kids love it. And of course, they always smash a pie in my face.” He shrugged. “I always wear my yard work clothes when there’s pie.
I laughed, imagining his face covered in whip cream.
“I’m sorry my sister barged in. I hope she didn’t scare you.”
“She didn’t,” I said immediately. “When I saw her kids, I knew who they were. She’s not very frightening anyway.”
He released a sarcastic laugh. “That girl would put Katniss Everdeen to shame. She could kick my ass if she wanted to.”
I laughed, finding it hard to believe that a huge man like Ward would have a hard time fighting off a girl. “Only because you would let her.”
“Well, obviously. But she’s sassy. Don’t cross her.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
“I’ll ask her not to drop by for the rest of the time you’re here.”
“No, don’t do that. I didn’t mind.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yeah, honestly.”
“Okay.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “My sister and I are pretty close. And the fact she’s married to one of my mates makes us even closer, unfortunately. I can’t get away from her even if I wanted to.”
“No, I think it’s cute. And you’re great with her kids.”
“Well, I love them to death.” He smiled when he thought of them.
Now I understood why Ward wanted a family of his own. He was already a father but without children. He wanted what his sister had, a marriage and a family. But I could never give him that. The thought made me so sad I wanted to cry.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
I hid the emotion quickly. “I got some shoes today.”
“Please tell me they’re heels.” He gave me a sexy smolder.
“Yes.”
“Ooh…I want to see you wear them—in my mirror.”
I felt my skin burn. “I can arrange that.”
“Good,” he said. “Because I’ve been thinking of you all day. And then those little cock blocks had to ruin it.”
“You’re calling your niece and nephew cock blocks?” I asked incredulously.
“They’ll understand when they’re older.” He grabbed the designer bag then headed toward the stairs. “I want to see these bad boys.”
I followed him until we were in his bedroom. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed and ripped off his tie and jacket. “Showtime.”
I stripped off my clothes then put on the heels, wearing nothing but the pumps and my underwear.
Ward whistled. “You look hot in black.”
I came to the bed then pushed him back on the bed.
His hands moved toward me but then he stopped. He made a disgruntled face then felt the sheets. “What the…?” He sat up and then swiped his hand across the mattress. “Why are there crumbs everywhere?”
I remembered my chocolate bar. “Oh…I might have had a snack in here.”
He eyed the empty wrapper on the nightstand then turned to me, an amused smirk on his face. “Well, at least I know you liked my gift.”
“Maybe a little too much. I’m sorry about your bed. I’ll have it dry-cleaned.”
He shook his head and pulled me toward him. “I’ve never met a sexier woman in my life—ever.”
“Girls eating chocolate in bed is another one of your kinky things?”
He rubbed his nose against mine. “Now it is.”
Chapter Two
Conrad
I tried talking to Beatrice for a week and she wouldn’t take my calls. When I went to her apartment, she wouldn’t answer the door. Her silence told me this was really bad, that there was a good chance she wouldn’t take me back.
I was just as broken as last time.
Desperate to talk to her, I went to her school and waited outside the building. Around five o’ clock I saw her walk out with her bag over her shoulder. I moved in, knowing the conversation was going to be anything but pleasant.
She spotted me and froze. Hatred and anger shined in her eyes.
“Do not walk away.” I stood in her way. “I’m sick of you running away every time we have problems. You will stand here like an adult and talk to me.”
“Problems?” she hissed. “No, I’m walking away from you because we’re done.” She tried to walk around me.
I grabbed her and forced her back in front of me. “We’re not done. Just because we fight and have disagreements doesn’t mean we break up. That’s not the answer to everything.”
She twisted from my grasp. “You betrayed me!”
“No, I didn’t. Your dad begged me to tell him about your life. Beatrice, he loves you and hates how distant you are. He wishes he could do something to get you back. When we talk, all he asks for are pictures of you and what you like and don’t like. He doesn’t try to hunt you down and know where you live. He just wants to know you—through me. Never did I betray you.”
Her eyes were so wide I thought they might explode. “My father destroyed any possibility of knowing me when he let my mom die. He’s a selfish, arrogant piece of shit. I don’t want him to be in my life, and he has no right to know anything about me. How could you meet him, lie to me about where you were, and tell him about my likes and dislikes? You were the one person I trusted and you threw that trust away.” She tried to walk away again.
I grabbed her, finding it difficult to control my anger. “It was the lesser of two evils. If I just talked about you to him, he said he wouldn’t try to communicate with you. He promised to leave you alone. I thought that’s what you wanted.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe you…”
My patience was waning. “Bottom line, Beatrice, I did this for you. I did this because I think you need to get off your high horse and give your dad a chance. He’s not perfect and neither are you. All he wants is a chance to be a family again. He told me he was threatened with his life and money. He had no idea the criminal meant your mom. If he did, he would have done things differently. If you just talked to him, you would have known that.
“I u
nderstand you’ve been through a lot. Fortunately, I have no idea what it’s like to lose a parent, especially in such a tragic way, but you need to let it go and move on. It’s affecting your entire life and all your relationships. It’s burdened us more times than I can count. You need to drop it and make an effort with your father.”
Her eyes were unforgiving. “Get away from me, Conrad. I mean it.”
I took a deep breath and felt the sting. “Did you not listen to anything I said?”
“You were supposed to be on my side. You weren’t supposed to decide what’s best for me.”
“Actually, as your boyfriend, I do,” I snapped.
She pushed me, making me stagger back. “I hate you, Conrad.”
I froze, letting her words wash over me. What did she just say? Anger burst inside me, and I had the urge to kill her. I launched myself back at her, and I grabbed her by the arm, refusing to let her go. “You better take that back.”
“I can’t believe I slept with you. I was so stupid.” Tears burned in her eyes.
The idea of her regretting something I considered to be so beautiful was a slap in the face. “We can work on this and get through it. Breaking up is not the solution. You need to stop running from people. If this is your tactic in your career, you’re going to be a shitty lawyer.”
She tried to yank out of my grasp.
“I thought you weren’t scared of anything? And here you are, running away like always.”
“I’m not scared!” She finally moved out of my grasp. “I just can’t look at you the same way after what you did.”
“Are you serious right now?” I snapped. “It’s not like I did something terrible to you, like cheated on you or hurt you. I did something because I thought it was in your best interest. Never once did I force you to do anything. Slade and Trinity fight like cats and dogs, and they don’t immediately break up every time. Being an adult is about being mature and working through problems.”
“I don’t want to work anything out with you.” She had a fierce look in her eyes. “You, of all people, understand how I feel about my family. You understand how I discovered my mom’s body. You know my father remarried as soon as she passed away. He doesn’t deserve to be a part of my life. Of all people, you should know that.”
“I get that, Beatrice. I do. But I think that you should at least talk to him once before severing him from your life. We all do odd things in our grief. Don’t judge him before you know the full story.”