by Lexy Parker
She nodded her head. “I will. You’re going to have a great time with Sadie. Enjoy every minute of it.”
I smiled. “I will.”
I grabbed the box and headed for the door. She walked me out, waving as I drove away. I took one last look at her in the mirror before pulling onto the road. The woman was under my skin and in every corner of my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and it wasn’t only the sex. I liked talking to her, laughing with her, and feeling like a normal human being again. I felt alive.
I checked the first address on the sheet and saw it was the middle school directly across from the elementary school. I parked my truck and headed inside with a small bouquet of pink carnations. It was a delivery for a seventh grader from her father. The women in the office were all cooing over how sweet the father was. It was an excellent gesture, and I loved the idea of doing that for Sadie once she got older.
I headed out, making my deliveries and adding a little excitement to the days of so many people. I wondered if Jamie would like to get flowers. Would it be weird if I showed up with flowers from another shop? I couldn’t very well have her put together her own flower arrangement.
My next stop was an old folks’ home. I headed inside with one of the larger bouquets, earning longing looks from the staff and the residents as I moved to the reception desk.
“I’m looking for a Mrs. Baker,” I told the woman sitting at the desk.
She broke into a huge smile. “I bet you are. Let me check. I have a feeling she’s in the rec room.”
“You want me to take them to her?” I asked with surprise.
She nodded her head. “That’s part of the experience. If I take the flowers to her, it’s not nearly as exciting. Besides, I think she’d want you to be the one to deliver them.” She winked.
I chuckled and nodded. “I’d be happy to.”
I waited while she made a quick call before giving me directions down the hall to the open area where Mrs. Baker was enjoying her morning tea. I headed down the corridor, smiling at the people, young and old, milling about.
A nurse saw me come through the door and pointed at an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair, a red blanket over her lap as she sipped a cup of tea and stared out the window. She looked content, if not a little sad.
“Mrs. Baker,” I said, walking toward her.
She looked up and saw the flowers, then me. A huge smile spread across her wrinkled face. “Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed.
“These are for you,” I told her.
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she nodded. “I know.”
“Would you like me to put them on the table?” I asked her.
She smiled and nodded. “Please. I’d like to admire them for a while. I want everyone to see how pretty they are.”
I carefully set the large, heavy vase on the table, noticing the others in the room all staring. A couple of the women were wiping tears from their eyes. I imagined they were sad they didn’t have someone out there who’d remembered to send them flowers.
“Have a nice day, Mrs. Baker,” I told her, ready to head out.
“Will you please tell Jamie thank you?” she asked in a watery voice.
I turned to look at her. “Jamie?” I asked, wondering if the woman was a family member.
She nodded her head. “Yes, Jamie. She and my Frank, they did this.”
I smiled. “I will tell her.”
I turned to leave when I noticed the nurse who’d pointed out Mrs. Baker to me was also crying. I felt like I was missing something.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
She gave a small laugh. “You’ll have to forgive all the tears. We all get a little sappy over their love story.”
“Where is Frank?” I asked.
“He passed away almost two years ago, just before their wedding anniversary, which just happens to be today,” the nurse explained.
My mouth dropped open. “Oh.”
The nurse nodded. “Last year when the flowers arrived from Frank, we all assumed he had arranged for the flowers before he passed. Then, in September, she got birthday flowers from Frank, and while it was a nice surprise, we were all convinced it was just the man’s way of planning ahead. But today? Well, that is simply amazing. I know Jamie, and I have a feeling these flowers will keep coming every birthday and Valentine’s Day as long as Mrs. Baker is with us. Frank must have known Jamie as well. I’m sure the two of them conspired together to make sure Mrs. Baker had flowers on her special days.”
I looked back and saw a small group had formed around the elderly woman. There were lots of smiles and tears. Jamie had done that. I was impressed, moved, and even more attracted to the woman than I had been an hour ago.
“I’ll make sure she knows how happy she made Mrs. Baker,” I said before walking out and heading back to my truck.
I made the last few deliveries before heading to the school to pick up Sadie. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jamie’s kind gesture. It was so thoughtful. I thought about what she was doing for her sister-in-law and how she had been willing to sacrifice her time to help me find a dress for Sadie. The woman was an angel. I was lucky to have her in my life. I wasn’t sure where she fit into my life, but being around her made me feel good. I felt selfish. I wanted to keep her in my life because of how good she made me feel.
I was going to have to figure all of that out soon. For now, I had a date with a little girl. I couldn’t wait to see her face when I picked her up. She’d been talking about the big night since she’d opened her eyes that morning.
When she walked out of the school, she burst into a run, heading directly for me, her arms open wide. “Daddy!” she shouted.
“Hey, sweetie! Ready to go home and get ready for our dinner?”
She was bouncing up and down as we walked back to the truck. “I am, I am!” she exclaimed.
I laughed. My heart felt full, and for the first time in a long time, I was really looking forward to life.
Chapter 26
Jamie
I flipped over the sign, officially closing for business after the busiest day of the year. I turned and leaned against the door, my shoulders slumping forward as I took a few deep breaths. I was beat. I was actually glad I didn’t have to go home and get dolled up for a big, romantic night. I didn’t have the energy. A night of being a couch potato and gorging on crap was exactly what I needed.
I found the energy to move away from the door and quickly finished up my closing duties. Then, it was over to Dani’s house to pick her up for our wild night in.
“We have to stop at the liquor store,” she said as she climbed into my car.
“Damn, you’re ready to get shit-faced?” I asked.
She giggled. “Yes. If I’m going to have a cheat day, I’m going all in. I want food and liquor to soak it up.”
“Um, I think you mean that the other way around,” I told her.
She shook her head. “Nope. I’m going to eat, and in my mind, the liquor soaks it up and makes it all calorie free.”
“Oh, well hell, sign me up for that diet,” I said.
We picked up some Kahlua, tequila, and some sweet rum the liquor store clerk promised was the best thing ever. I couldn’t imagine mixing the three alcohols together and still being able to eat all the junk food I had picked up last night, but if it was what Dani wanted, then it was what Dani would get.
When we got back to my house, I quickly pulled out the snack tray I had bought at the grocery store, along with a variety of chips and dips.
“You make the drinks, and I’m going to throw the pizza and poppers in the oven,” I instructed her.
She looked at the bottles of liquor and wrinkled her nose. “What should we have?”
I shrugged. “You want the basics? I have Coke in the fridge.”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking that Kahlua looks mighty good.”
I nodded in full agreement. “How about a White Russian?” I suggested.
S
he grinned. “You read my mind,” she said, going to the cupboard where I had my liquor stashed.
While she mixed up our drinks, I pulled up my movie account. I flipped through the movies I had seen probably ten times each, quickly nixing anything too sad. The Notebook was off the table. It was not that kind of night.
“Ready,” she called, walking into my living room and handing me my drink.
“What do you think?” I asked, gesturing to the TV screen.
She scanned the titles. “Let’s stick with Julia for now.”
I nodded and put on Notting Hill, one of our all-time favorites. We settled in on my old, worn sofa that was incredibly comfortable, if a little ugly. I didn’t do a lot of entertaining and had decided the expense of a new couch wasn’t worth it, especially when I could buy ten pairs of shoes for the cost of a single piece of furniture that would not be nice and broken in like my trusty sofa.
I heard the oven timer go off and quickly jumped up to pull out the food before it burned.
“I’ll make more drinks,” Dani declared.
I laughed. “More? I’ve barely drank my first one!”
She held up her nearly empty glass. “Then you better get a move on.”
“Damn.”
I took a long drink, but there was no way I was sucking down the whole glass. I carried the food into the living room, spreading all of it on the coffee table. Dani returned with two fresh drinks, and we settled in.
“Can you imagine if Brad Pitt walked into your flower shop?” she asked with a cheesy grin.
“No, and if he did, I would not be falling all over myself to get a date with him,” I mumbled.
“Oh, I forgot, you like the tall, dark, and handsome type,” she said. “How about Ian Somer-whatever. The vampire?”
I chuckled. “I’m not interested in a vampire.”
“You know what I mean,” she said. “Would you want to spill juice on him, invite him back to your place, and then fall in love?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think so. He doesn’t do it for me either. I mean, seriously. Who falls in love at a bookstore? And Hugh? Come on. He’s kind of a dork, and Julia? Well, honestly, I would send her haughty ass packing.”
“No, you wouldn’t!” she exclaimed.
I shrugged. “I would not let someone treat me like that.”
“Good, I’m glad, but what about Hot Pants?” she asked.
“What about him?” I replied.
“Does he still wear the ring?” she asked in a quiet voice.
I nodded. “He does,” I answered honestly.
“Jamie, that isn’t okay,” she said.
“It’s just a ring,” I pointed out.
She shook her head and held up her hand. “I’m wearing my ring because I still feel married to Gage. I can’t see myself taking it off because this is my connection to him. It’s much more than a ring.”
I groaned. “You’re saying he still feels married to his wife?”
“I’m saying that as long as he’s wearing that ring, he’s a married man,” she said, her voice gentle. “His wife might not be at home waiting for him, but he’s still committed to her in some small way. He will never be able to fully commit to you.”
“I’m not asking him for a commitment,” I said.
She scoffed. “Then are you just fucking? You guys are nothing more than friends with benefits? Actually, you’re not even really friends, are you? He isn’t really letting you into his life, but you’re letting him into your pants.”
“Dani, it isn’t like that. It’s new, and things aren’t quite so cut and dry. It’s not like we can go out every night, or he can stay the night, or I can stay at his place. There is a little girl involved. He’s got commitments and responsibilities.” I immediately realized what I had just said.
She looked at me, waiting for me to let my own words sink in. “Exactly,” she said firmly.
I shook my head. “I’m not going to demand he take the ring off. That is his business, not mine.”
“Jamie, I can see you are falling for this guy. You are falling hard and fast. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I thought about what she said. “I’ll be careful. If I feel like things are getting too deep, I’ll ask him about the ring. I don’t want to say anything unless I know for sure things are going somewhere with us.”
She took a drink. “They can’t go anywhere if he’s still holding on to the past. You’re a warm body, someone to fill the physical needs he’s missing out on. He’s probably been lonely, and having you there to talk to and lean on is nice—for him. What are you going to get out of it?”
“I’m not sure I want anything more than what we have,” I said, shrugging. “I don’t know if I’m ready for the checking in if I’m going to be late at work or the assumption my weekends are going to be spent with him. I’ve enjoyed my freedom these past few years. I can’t say I’m one hundred percent sure I want the whole serious boyfriend thing.”
“Don’t forget the kid,” she reminded me. “You would be stepping into a ready-made family.”
I nodded. “Which is why I want to take this slowly. I’m not in a hurry. Maybe he needs some time as well. I don’t want him taking that ring off just to make me happy. If he doesn’t do it for him, he’s always going to hold me responsible for making him take off the ring before he was ready.”
“Fine, I just want you to be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt. This guy blew into your life like a hurricane. I’m so happy you’re having a good time, but I will have to resort to not nice things if he hurts you.” Her eyes squinted into a drunken glare.
I laughed. “I’ll let him know my guard dog will attack. I have a feeling you are a lot like a little Chihuahua though.”
“Hey, those little beasts are fierce. I read an article a long time ago that those tiny little rats bite more people than pit bulls. Tiny and mighty, that’s me.” She nodded.
I could see the drinks were having the desired effect on her. She was a bit of a lightweight, and the alcohol was already hitting her.
“You better eat before you end up sloppy drunk,” I warned her.
She grinned, leaning forward to grab a slice of pizza before flopping back against the couch and happily eating. I was glad to see she was doing okay. Truth be told, I had worried tonight would turn into a night of crying over Gage. I was ready for it, but I was so glad it was going in this direction. This Dani was a lot easier to deal with. In many ways, I welcomed her lectures about my love life. It kept the focus off the loss of her own love life.
We made it through the first movie and half of the second before it became quite clear neither of us had the strength to stay up another minute. I had a good buzz going and was on the verge of passing out.
“You awake?” I mumbled, looking over at Dani.
She murmured something incoherent.
“I’ll get you a blanket,” I told her, taking the dirty glasses and plates into the kitchen.
I retrieved a blanket and pillow and tucked her in, flipping off the TV before carrying the leftovers into the kitchen. I’d deal with it all tomorrow. I was too tired to think about cleaning up. I headed for my room, stripping off my clothes and pulling on the T-shirt I slept in. I noticed my phone flashing, indicating I had a message.
When I pulled up the screen, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. It was from Philip, wishing me a good night. I quickly texted him back, letting him know I had a great night and hoped his went well. His response was almost instant.
It is going well. Went to dinner and now getting dessert. She loves the dress.
I couldn’t stop smiling as I slid under my heavy comforter, the phone still in my hand as I typed out a response.
Glad you two are having fun. Dani is passed out on the couch. I have a good buzz. Work is going to be rough.
I waited, holding the phone and doing my best to keep my eyes open.
I’ll see you tomorrow. Hopefully, no hangover for you.
I
can’t wait to see you.
I sent the last message, hoping it wasn’t too needy or too much. I wasn’t sure if he was the kind of guy that liked that kind of thing or not. When the phone buzzed in my hand, I was almost afraid to read his response.
Me too. Good night. Sweet dreams.
I sighed with contentment. I put my phone on my bedside table, snuggled under my covers, and thought about him going to bed tonight. I wondered if he slept nude, in jammies, or maybe in just his underwear. I wished I could be there to find out with my own two eyes. For now, I’d have to settle for my imagination.
Chapter 27
Philip
It was late, far later than I should have kept Sadie out, but we had been having a great time. I didn’t want the night to end. Sadie was growing up fast, and I wanted to cherish every minute I had with her. I knew there was going to come a time when she didn’t want me around, when we were going to fight and argue, and she was going to slam the door as she stormed out of a room because I told her she couldn’t go to a party.
Hopefully, those days would be few and far between, but I wasn’t so naïve as to think they would never happen. I wasn’t the kind of parent who would give in to tantrums. I had to be the bad guy all the time. I didn’t have the luxury of playing the good cop while my wife laid down the law. It was all on me. I had to dole out the discipline and the boring lectures on good morals and values. It had been tough to step into that role after being the good cop who got to come home after work or deployment and save the day. Now, I was the one ruining her day when I had to tell her no.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Sadie asked, licking the ice cream from her spoon.
“Looking at you like what?” I asked.
“Like you’re sad. Are you sad?”
I smiled. “Absolutely not. I was just thinking, it’s getting late and we really do have to get you home to bed soon. That made me a little sad.”
She nodded. “That makes me a little sad too. I don’t want to go home.”
I shrugged. “We can’t eat ice cream all night. Besides, I think this place closes soon.”