“That can’t happen again.”
What? “It can’t?”
“No.” She shakes her head, grabs her glass of wine, and finishes it off in two gulps.
Did I misinterpret what just happened? Two minutes ago, she was writhing against me and looking at me like I was the most handsome man in the world, and now she’s telling me what we did can’t happen again.
“I—”
“Daddy!” Emma says, interrupting me yet again.
“I’ve gotta go.” For once I’m glad for the interruption, because I don’t even know what to say.
Do I apologize? Do I tell her I want to do it again? Do I ask her if it was bad? Fuck that, she just came all over my hand.
She nods. “Right. Go.”
I slip out of the bathroom and shut the door behind me.
“Hey, princess,” I whisper, going to sit on the edge of Emma’s bed. Her eyelids are bobbing heavily, but she manages to pull them open.
“Will you sit wif me for a wittle bit?”
“You know I will.” I tuck the covers around her tiny body and lean back on the bed. Emma snuggles against me.
I’m disappointed and shocked and a little hurt that Nora was so quick to dismiss what we did—not that I want to push her. God, no. The last thing I want is her to do something she doesn’t want to. I’m just mad at myself for believing what we did would eventually lead to more.
I like Nora, and now I’m going to have to push my feelings way the fuck down and forget about them, or things are going to get really uncomfortable around here.
A soft snore falls from Emma’s mouth. I kiss the top of her head and slip out of her room, hoping I can still catch Nora, but by the time I get to the bathroom, she’s gone.
“Are we ready to go?” I grab my keys and stuff them in my pocket. It’s Friday night and we’re going to meet Nick and Jessa for dinner as planned.
“I can’t find my shoes!” Jack yells.
“They’re in the garage where you left them.”
“Oh.”
“Can I wear dis?” Emma twirls, showing off her bright pink shirt, polka dot skirt, and yellow cowgirl boots.
“You certainly can. You look like a rainbow cowgirl.”
Emma laughs and runs to Nora, who is sitting on the couch putting Henry’s shoes on. “I’m a wainbow cowgirl!”
“You’re the most beautiful rainbow cowgirl I’ve ever seen,” Nora says, tickling her belly.
She finishes tying Henry’s shoes and stands him up. He walks across the floor with a big, toothy grin.
“I think we’re ready,” Nora says, grabbing her purse. She flings it over her shoulder and doesn’t bother to look at me as she walks out of the house with Emma and Henry hot on her heels.
It’s been this way since the other night after the tub incident.
“That can’t happen again.”
Those damn words keep echoing in my head. I finally worked up enough courage and was ready to say something to her, but then she showed up the next morning with a polite smile and acted as if nothing had happened.
I played along, because what else was I supposed to do? Apparently, she wants to put it out of her mind, and I’m trying to do the same. But damn, that’s hard to do when I remember how explosive we were, and what it could’ve led to.
I just hope things start to feel easier as time passes, because otherwise it’s going to be a long summer, and that little trip to LA is going to be awkward as fuck.
“What car are we taking, dad?” Jack yells.
“The Challenger.”
“Yes!” He pumps his fists and runs to the car. “This one is my favorite.”
Nora looks at me and lifts an eyebrow. “How many cars do you have?”
“Only two.” We all climb in, and I look at Nora. “Want me to put the top up?”
I usually leave it down when it’s nice, but it looks like she spent a lot of time on her hair, and I don’t want to mess it up.
“No, I’m okay. I like to feel the wind.” She leans down and pulls an elastic band out of her purse and secures her hair. “What year is this car?”
I look at her, stunned that she asked. The only other people in my life who show any interest in my love for cars are Jack and my dad. “Nineteen seventy. Bought it from a junkyard when I was nineteen and restored it myself.”
“It’s beautiful.”
I stare at Nora in awe and then growl when one of the kids kicks the back of the seat.
“Sorry,” Jack says. “Can we go now? I’m starving.”
The trip into town doesn’t take long, and when we walk into Chuck’s, we spot Nick and Jessa at a giant table in the back. They wave us over, and the kids take off.
When we get close, Jessa jumps up and hugs Nora. “I’ve missed you. I got used to having another girl around, and now it’s just me and this lug,” she says, gesturing to Nick.
“You can come hang with me and the kids anytime.”
“So you’re watching them?” Nick says, opening the pack of crayons on the table for the kids.
“Yep.”
“And you’re going to the premiere?” he says, looking at me.
I nod and pull out the seat across from him.
“Thank God. I really didn’t want her going by herself. Not with that douchebag around.”
“He probably won’t even talk to me with Grayson there,” Nora replies, looking at the seat beside mine like she’s not sure she wants to take it.
I can’t stand this shit, so I make the decision for her and pull the chair out. She looks surprised, but slides onto it and sets Henry on her lap.
“We need a high chair.” She looks around for our waitress, but everyone seems to be occupied.
“I asked for one.” Jessa tosses a set of crayons toward Nora for Henry to color with. “She should be bringing it.”
“Awesome. Not that I don’t love having you in my lap,” she coos, handing Henry a red crayon.
He slaps it on the table, breaking it in two before putting it to the paper in front of him.
“Here’s that high chair you asked for—ohmigod! You’re…you’re…”
Nora hands Henry to me and smiles up at the starstruck waitress. “I’m Nora.”
“I know who you are. I’m a huge fan. Like, huge, huge, huge fan.”
“Thank you. That means so much to me. I always love meeting fans.”
The waitress, who’s name tag says Allison, bobs her head and smiles stupidly at Nora. “I promise I won’t bug you the rest of the evening, but can I get your autograph?”
“Absolutely.” Nora takes the girl’s order pad and pen and scribbles her name across it.
Allison stares down at it in awe. “Wow. I can’t believe you’re here, and I have your autograph, and now I’m going to take your order. Crap, I have to take your order. I’m so sorry.”
Nora laughs. “It’s okay. I actually haven’t even looked at the menu yet, but I’ll take a Diet Coke.”
“Diet Coke. You got it. Coming right up.”
The poor girl scurries off without getting anyone else’s drink order.
“Sorry, sis,” Nick says. “I talked to the owner when we got here, and he promised the staff would be professional and not make a big deal out of you.”
“It’s fine. She wasn’t un-professional.”
“Does it bother you when fans approach you?” I ask, amazed at how gracefully she handled the excited girl.
“No, what bothers me is when I get mobbed. And not because I get annoyed, but because it makes me anxious. That’s why this is my first time venturing out. I haven’t wanted to go out alone.”
“I’d be more than happy to take you out any time if there’s somewhere you’re wanting to go, or something you want to see,” I say, trying desperately to re-open our lines of communication.
“It’s okay. Jessa promised to take me out,” she says, dismissing my offer.
“Right. Of course.”
“Daddy?”
> “Yes, Emma.”
“I need to go poop.”
18
Grayson
“I don’t want any more, Dad.”
I look at Jack’s plate to determine how much of his food he ate. “Three more bites.”
He rolls his eyes but shoves a chicken tender into his mouth and tears off a chunk.
Surprisingly, Emma ate every last bite of her mac-n-cheese. Or, not surprisingly, since Nora reminded her every two minutes to take another bite, and even helped her a few times.
“Can I have ice cweam now?” Emma asks, looking at Nora.
“You’ll have to ask your dad.”
“Can I, Daddy?”
“I guess.”
“Yes!” Jack says, finishing off his chicken strip. “They have the best ice cream here.”
Henry slaps the table, excited simply because his brother and sister are, and sends a spoon clattering to the floor.
Nora and I bend over at the same time to get it and bump heads on the way down.
“Are you okay?”
She nods and pulls back, rubbing her forehead. “I’m fine.”
I snag the spoon and toss it on my empty plate.
Nora reaches into the diaper bag and grabs a toy tractor for Henry. He grabs for it with his sticky fingers.
“Not yet, you dirty little monster.” She wipes him down with a wet wipe until his hands are nice and clean, and then hands him the toy. She smiles softly at him and runs her fingers through his hair while Nick babbles on about a big job he just landed.
I try really hard to pay attention to what he’s saying, but it’s difficult with Nora acting all sweet to my kids. They’ve taken to her with such ease, and a pang of guilt hits me in the center of my chest. These are the moments they’re missing out on with Lorelei.
Jack’s laughter breaks into my thoughts, and I shake my head.
“So, Nora, did you tell Grayson about the car sitting in your garage back in LA?” Nick says.
She laughs. “You mean the one with a thick layer of dust? No, I haven’t.”
“Tell me about it.”
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing,” Jessa says, pulling out her phone. “I might have a picture of it.”
“What kind of car is it?” I ask.
Nora stares at her cup as she swirls it around on the table. “It’s a Mustang.”
I’m picturing something new and sparkly, probably red with a black ragtop, when Nick says, “That car is not just a Mustang. It’s a 1969 Boss 302.”
My jaw hits the floor. “That’s my favorite model. I had no idea you were into cars.”
Nora smiles. “It’s my special kept secret.”
“I want to see it. V8 engine? Blackout hood? Front spoiler?”
Her grin is infectious. “Don’t forget the rear deck wing. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll let you drive it while we’re in LA for the premiere.”
“I’d like that. How did you get into cars?”
“When I was fifteen, I played the daughter of a race car driver in a movie. Every night after filming, the crew let me drive the cars around. That’s how I learned to drive, actually.”
“And thus, started your love of cars?”
“Yep. I don’t know much about cars, just that I like them. Some girls like shoes, others like purses, I like muscle cars.” She shrugs.
“What’s your favorite thing about your Mustang?”
“The way it sounds,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “There’s this rumble when I press on the gas. It’s not too soft, not too loud, but it’s powerful, and when I’m driving, everyone stares.”
My guess is they’re staring at the girl more than they are the car. But I smile. That’s my favorite thing about cars too. There’s nothing better than the rumble of a powerful motor.
“You do realize Gray restores classic cars, right?” Nick says.
“Oooh. Found it.” Jessa holds her phone up. On the screen is a picture of Nora’s car. She’s squatting down in front of it and smiling the biggest smile. “She won’t let me drive it.”
“You don’t have the best driving record,” Nora fires back.
Jessa sticks out her tongue, and Nora laughs.
“I know you restore classic cars, but we’ve never talked much about it.”
“I’ll restore anything with a motor, but most of my clients have classic cars. I’ve done a few motorcycles and one boat.”
“How long does it take you to do one?”
“Depends on how much work it needs. Some of them need a complete overhaul and it takes me several months, and others take just a few weeks.”
“You’re too modest,” Nick says. “Grayson’s waiting list is years long. He’s crazy talented.”
Nora’s eyes dance. “I’d love to watch you work sometime.”
And just like that, the knot in my stomach loosens.
“You’re welcome in the shop anytime.”
“How was your food, guys?” Allison says, grabbing our stack of dirty plates. “Did we save room for dessert?”
“Ice cream for the kids, please,” Nora says, earning another excited whoop from Jack and Emma.
The waitress returns a few minutes later with a scoop of ice cream for each kid. She passes them out and then looks at us. “Are you ready for the bill?”
“Yes, please. Put it all on one, and I’ll get it,” Nick says.
“No.” I shake my head. “You’re not paying for me and my kids. Put all of us on a separate tab,” I say, motioning toward my kids and Nora, who is laughing away as she talks with Jessa and not paying a bit of attention.
After Nick and I pay the bills, he drops an arm around Jessa’s shoulder. “This was nice. We don’t go out with other people nearly enough.”
She jabs him in the side. “Are you saying I’m boring?”
“Not at all.” He laughs. “I’m saying we need to start socializing more.”
“This was fun. Aside from the occasional impromptu dinner at your house, I haven’t gone out with friends probably since Emma was born.”
“Dat’s a wong time. I’m big,” Emma says, her little ears not missing a word.
“You are big,” Nora says pulling Emma onto her lap. She fusses with her hair, and Emma eats up the attention.
“Are we almost done here?” Jack grumbles. “I’m bored.”
Nick and Jessa chuckle.
“Yeah, bud, we’re almost done.”
“Wait, I didn’t pay for my meal.” Nora looks over the table, trying to find her bill.
“Gray paid for you,” Nick says.
Nora straightens up. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
“Jessa! I thought that was you.” A blond woman with big hair and equally large breasts walks up and squeals as she pulls Jessa into her arms for a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“We just finished having dinner. What are you doing here?”
The woman nods toward the bar. “I stopped by for a beer.”
Jessa turns to us and smiles. “Everyone, this is Carol. We work together. Carol, you’ve met my husband, Nick. This is his sister, Nora, our friend Grayson, and his three kids, Jack, Emma, and Henry.”
Something flashes in Carol’s eye when Jessa says my name. “Is this the Grayson you were telling me about?”
Jessa shifts uncomfortably and looks at Nora and me before nodding at Carol.
“You were right. I do like what I see,” Carol all but purrs.
What’s going on? I think to myself just as I remember when Nick told me Jessa had a friend at work she thought I should meet.
This must be the friend. And while she’s attractive, she’s nothing compared to the woman sitting next to me. Where Carol has on gobs of makeup that probably took her an hour to apply and smells like the perfume aisle at a department store, Nora’s face is clean and fresh, along with her smell.
With a sashay of her hips, Carol walks towar
d me. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.” I reach under the table and grab the diaper bag, hoping I can get the hell out of dodge before this goes where I think it’s going.
“Jessa has told me so much about you.”
“Really?” I look at Jessa. At least she looks apologetic. “What did she say?”
“That we would be great together. She suggested we go on a date.”
Nora stiffens beside me, and a strangled noise comes from her throat. It’s quiet, and I’m pretty sure only I heard it, but that noise tells me all I need to know. She was just as affected by what happened between us as I was, and we need to have a serious talk.
I fumble the bag, and Henry’s cup falls out.
“That’s a great idea,” Nick says. “I told Grayson Jessa had a friend we wanted to hook him up with, didn’t I, Gray?”
I grab the cup and shove it back into the bag, along with the toy tractor. “You sure did, but I’m not—”
“Looking for anything serious?” Carol says.
That wasn’t at all what I was going to say. I am looking for serious, just not with her.
“I’m not looking for anything serious either, if you know what I mean.” She winks.
“What does she mean?” Emma asks. “I don’t know what she means.”
“Nothing you need to worry about, sweetie.”
“How about now?” Carol suggests.
I stop what I’m doing and look at Carol. Doesn’t she see I’m here with my family and Nora?
“I’m sorry, but tonight isn’t going to work. I have my kids with me.”
“Oh.”
I’m sorry, Jessa mouths from across the table. Nick smiles dopily without a clue in the world.
I give Carol an awkward smile. “I’m really sorry.”
“Maybe tomorrow night?”
I don’t want to hurt her feelings. She looks like a nice girl, but the answer is no. “Actually, there’s someone—”
Nora puts a hand on my arm, stopping me. “Why don’t I take the kids home, and you can stay here with Carol, Jessa, and Nick?”
“No.” That’s the opposite of what I want.
“It’s really okay.”
“No, it’s not. I’ll go home with you. I want to go home with you.”
Wait For Me Page 13