A trip to a nail salon was my first stop. I decided on a Shellac French manicure and a pink polish pedicure too. What the heck? I had all day, and I was wearing flip-flops anyway.
Next stop, the Malibu Country Mart and The Lumberyard.
I had never had much opportunity to shop in Malibu. When I was a kid, I stayed at the house and played on the beach. Later, we came for casual weekends and parties. The extent of my Malibu shopping experiences was trips to Ralph’s for groceries or outings to movies.
Delighted with the variety, I discovered several boutiques that seemed to have been stocked just for me. Casual attire in soft cottons and linen were perfect for life in a town where it was acceptable to go out wearing a bathing suit with a towel wrapped around your waist.
Several shopping bags later, an iced tea break was in order. Walking up the row of shops to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I passed a home décor shop. Well, Danny wanted me to make the house mine. Maybe later.
With surprising ease I was able to find a small table for enjoying my tea and chocolate chip cookie. Perched near the rim of the centrally located sand-filled playground, my table was an ideal place to kick back and relax. About a dozen children were playing on the slides, the swings and in the sand. Laughter and squeals were a pleasure to behold.
“Lucky children,” I thought.
I smiled in their direction. As a child, I hadn’t been allowed that freedom. My children would not be cloistered like I had been.
A cool breeze was blowing in from the Pacific. My loose auburn waves floated. I breathed deeply, satisfied. The salty air smelled so good. I could sit here all day!
Alone with my tea, I reflected on the past week. Hard to believe only a week had passed. Life with Danny had totally consumed me. I hadn’t given Donnelly a moment’s thought until now. I hadn’t thought about Rachel or Chloe or even my local friends!
Leaning back in the chair, I sipped my iced tea. I inhaled deeply, absorbing the environment. Malibu had to be the most beautiful town in America. Everyone I’d met had been welcoming, too. I loved living in Malibu!
I enjoyed having a home that was mine, not my parents. I always thought having my own home would be cool. Sharing it with the man I had spent my entire life loving made it even more so. I was a real adult!
Most amazing was the growth in my relationship with Danny this past week. Danny might not have given me a ring, but I was as secure in his love as though he had. Now I regretted my tear-filled confession to Mom.
Mom was right. Actions do speak louder than words. How many girls with rings had the trust and love that Danny and I shared?
Sunday was coming, but I would make the most of the days we had left. I would be cheerful. Danny deserved to see me happy. He deserved to be showered with attention and treated like a king. Nothing would make me happier than to make the remainder of the week the best Danny had ever experienced.
With a bounce in my step and renewed purpose, I set out on the second half of my day determined to make this portion as Danny-centric as possible.
After stashing my bags in the car, I strode into the décor store. Something had to be right for our home. Even if it were only a vase, it would please Danny if I added my imprimatur.
Just inside the small store, I found it. Only it couldn’t be brought home today or anytime soon. Across the back wall was a magnificent seascape mural. Our living room was bland; it cried out for a mural. The wall behind the sofa was the ideal place. I would not say a word. I only hoped it could be complete by his return in August. I loved surprising Danny!
For today, I purchased two fringed throw pillows in an ombre-dip mélange of sea foam and sky blue. They would liven up the room and look great with the mural that in my mind was as good as painted.
As expected, my boys were not home when I returned. First, I put away the food I had picked up for dinner. Teddy would be surprised that I could cook!
Next, I snipped the tags off the pillows, plumped them, and placed them on the sofa. There! They looked as inviting to the eye as they were cozy to lean against.
Upstairs I hung my new purchases in the closet, carefully placing Danny’s on his side. I hoped he liked what I bought. I had walked over to Kitson’s after I crammed the pillows in the car. It was an exciting experience, clothing shopping for a man! I bought Danny several graphic t-shirts and colorful casual shirts. Then I crossed to the James Perce store and purchased the softest sold colored t-shirts ever. They would be perfect for Vancouver.
It was three o’clock, and I was wiped. I changed into one of Danny’s old shirts, opened the slider to enjoy the sea breeze, and crawled into bed.
Two hours later I awoke, well rested. I stretched my arms and yawned. Surrounded by the scent of my favorite person, I didn’t want to leave the bed. It was too cozy!
This is what I needed while Danny was in Vancouver. Would Graciela think I was gross if I ordered her not to change our sheets until Danny returned? I could satisfy my desires by hiding his pillow each week before she arrived.
I willed myself to sitting. Danny and Teddy would be home shortly and I wanted to prep dinner. After a day spent bicycling, they would be starving.
Rising slowly, I spied the silk rose on my pillow. I picked it up and held it to my heart, then sighed, satisfied.
With my heart full of love, I ran to the balcony. Danny and Teddy had to be on the beach. The house was too quiet for them to be inside.
There! I spotted them easily enough. Danny and Teddy had just completed a ride in on a wave using bogie boards. Playfully running in the surf, kicking water at each other and high-fiving, my eyes could have been following two very tall ten year olds.
For the first time, I noticed how much Teddy had grown since January. He couldn’t be more than two or three inches shorter than Danny. Teddy must have been hitting the gym, too. His shoulders were broader, and he had the beginning of a muscular physique. With his curly brown hair and warm brown eyes, Teddy must be driving the girls at Bromley crazy. From this distance, I found myself watching two very attractive men.
What an awkward thought! Teddy was barely fifteen. He was my baby brother, not a man. For the first time I understood how Teddy had felt when he found me keeping house like a newlywed this morning. No wonder he seemed uncomfortable.
I thought Danny glanced my way, so I waved the rose. It didn’t catch his blind eyes’ attention.
I ran back in to change into the bathing suit I had purchased earlier. Turquoise with a floral print, the tank with narrow lingerie straps was cut low in front, but not too low, and similarly cut low in back, but not too low. In contrast, the legs were cut high, almost to my hips, but the matching pareo covered that feature.
I was acutely aware of Teddy’s presence and the need to be the proper big sister. That was why I’d bought this suit. The others in the closet were revealing bikinis meant only for Danny. I wouldn’t wear those in front of my brother.
Before heading out, I stopped in the kitchen to prepare a marinade for the grilled shrimp appetizer. I squeezed juice from a few limes, chopped some cilantro, added a little olive oil and mixed in a few dashes of cayenne powder. After adding the shrimp, I covered the bowl with plastic wrap and placed it in the refrigerator. In half an hour it would be ready.
One more finger fluff to my hair and I was good to go.
CHAPTER 105 - DANIEL
Before I spotted her, I sensed Elizabeth approach. I looked up. Her new bathing suit emphasized every luscious curve and turquoise was a great color on her. The pareo tied around her swaying hips emphasized the narrow waist I couldn’t wait to get my hands around.
Eli’s attempt at modesty failed. It amazed me how much sexier she was in this one-piece confection than the two girls flirting shamelessly with Teddy and me were in their show-all bikinis.
Through sunglasses, our eyes made contact. I instantly filled with warmth that lit my face and made my eyes sparkle. I loved Eli’s newfound confidence. There I stood, chatting with two attracti
ve and practically naked girls, yet she didn’t so much as flinch. Eli knew as well as I did that she was my lady, forever.
Sometime during the last two weeks at Donnelly I had made that decision. After the embarrassment of Rachel learning of my pointless fling with Amelia, I knew I had to stop denying the inevitable. Elizabeth was my great love. I couldn’t live without her. It was time to grow-up and stop sabotaging our relationship.
Moving in, taking her to meet Grandma, opening a bank account, those were my ways of telling Eli I would take care of her now. I hadn’t said the words or given her a ring, but in my mind she had crossed the threshold and had become a Newman.
The words would come later. That was the other decision I had made. Elizabeth and I came from homes where one parent or another had spent time away on location. Intellectually we knew what it meant to be separated. This summer we were the ones forced apart. Eli and I would be together most weekends, but could our love sustain us through a separation that was nearly half as long as our entire relationship?
Elizabeth shouldn’t feel pressured. She needed the freedom to decide if she wanted this life. Eli might decide it wasn’t for her. She should make that determination with a clear mind and an honest assessment. If this were for Eli, once settled back at Donnelly, I would tell her the words she so desperately wanted to hear.
“There ‘s my lady,” I said cheerfully as Elizabeth neared.
Eli’s smile was as bright as the sun. The boogie board I was holding under my arm fell to the sand, leaving my hands free to circle her waist. Eli went up on toe to kiss my cheek. I surprised her by clasping her against my damp chest.
“I missed you, babe,” I whispered.
“I missed you too.”
Eli lost her balance. I caught her around her waist. She shrugged, giggling at her clumsiness. The high-pitched delight in her laughter was music.
Eli felt so good. I kept her in my hold as I eyed her ensemble. “Nice,” I said. “You’ve been shopping.” Elizabeth blushed.
I let one hand leave Eli’s waist to hold her face, and I quickly kissed her. Eli melted in my arms. Then I moved my hand to her shoulder, holding Eli close, and I clasped her hand. Elizabeth’s fingers were so soft. Freshly manicured too.
“I bought you some things too.” Elizabeth smiled, pleased with herself.
“Thanks, babe.”
Elizabeth need not have bought me anything, but the pleasure she derived from making me happy showed in her sparkling emerald eyes.
I ignored Teddy and the girls as I kissed Elizabeth to show how much I loved her.
“Do you mind?” Teddy interrupted.
“Sorry, Teddy. I missed your sister.”
“She’s your sister?” the dark haired girl asked.
“Yes,” Teddy answered.
“You didn’t say you had a girlfriend,” the sun-bleached white blonde sneered. Her coloring reminded me of Juliette. I didn’t want that memory.
“You didn’t ask,” I answered flippantly. It was really none of her business.
The blonde was dumbfounded, but Eli smiled.
“Teddy might be auditioning for a girlfriend,” I added as an afterthought.
Teddy’s grin told me he liked that idea. Eli’s glare told me she didn’t.
“Time to start the grill,” Eli announced, purposely changing the subject. “Teddy, you need to shower before dinner,” Eli said crossly.
Point made. No girls for Teddy. Big sis defending his virtue, though that contradicted the summer goal he had earlier confided.
Teddy sighed, disappointed.
Eli reached for my hand. “Let’s go, Daniel,” she ordered.
I reached for my boogie board and let her lead the way.
“Eli, I thought Teddy could have some fun. He’s fifteen already.”
“He’s just a kid!” she growled.
“I was younger,” I said in a gentle voice hoping to quiet her.
Eli stood before me defensively; her hands on her hips, her chin tilted defiantly, fire in her green eyes.
“Teddy is not you,” she said and frowned.
I tried pulling Eli into my arms but she wouldn’t budge.
“Eli, honey c’mon,” I said, and I held out my arms for her.
Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and glared.
“I’m angry, Daniel.” Eli scowled.
Despite her crossed-arms stance, I wrapped my arms around her. Elizabeth pressed her head against my chest and sobbed. She was shaking and clung to me.
Eli was not usually this emotional or irrational. I could only come to one conclusion; Eli must be hormonal. I would say whatever needed saying to placate her.
“Honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings. All I thought was how Teddy’s fifteen. It’s time already. I wasn’t thinking how you feel responsible for him.”
Thankfully Eli’s crying stopped. I lifted her chin and looked into sad, red eyes.
“I love you, honey. Now let’s kiss and make up.”
CHAPTER 106 - DANIEL
“Where’s Teddy?” Eli asked as soon as we entered the empty great room from the garage.
Hormonal or not, Eli and I needed time alone, so after dinner we drove into town for gelato. All was quiet when we returned home. The place seemed deserted.
“Teddy’s probably in his room. I’ll check.” I knew what I’d find.
Teddy’s downstairs bedroom was a mess. The bed linens were disheveled of course, and Teddy’s swim trunks and clothes were dumped on the floor along with two used condoms and their wrappers. I grinned at his success.
Teddy was singing in the shower. I loudly rapped on the bathroom door.
“Yeah?” Teddy called out. His voice was muffled by the sound of the water.
“We’re upstairs. And clean up this mess,” I ordered. Then I left for the great room.
Eli was waiting; her arms crossed across her chest.
“Teddy’s in the shower. He’ll be up soon.”
Eli dropped her defensive position. I took her hands and drew her to my chest.
“Baby, I missed you today,” I said softly.
“Danny, I missed you too. It’s almost Thursday,” Eli said sadly.
“Is that what this is about? Babe, you’ve really been emotional today.”
“Maybe,” Eli sniffled.
“Hey,” I said and Elizabeth raised her eyes to mine. “You’ll be in Vancouver on Friday. We’ll be apart for only five days.”
I brought Elizabeth’s hands up to my lips and kissed the tops of them. How could I convey to Eli the extent of my love? I told her, ‘I love you’ so often I needed another way to make Elizabeth understand the depth of my feelings.
“Baby, I can’t stand the thought of not waking up next to you every morning. If I were working in L.A., you’d send me off after breakfast. I would have to have a great day.
And Eli, how will I get through the night? Coming home to you is what I look forward to everyday. Hanging out with you is the best. Making love to you, well nothing compares to that.”
There were tears in Elizabeth’s eyes. A couple trickled out, and I wiped them away with my thumb.
“That was so eloquent. Danny, you’ve never... That was so beautiful, it hurts.”
“Hurts? I don’t want you to hurt.”
“In a good way. I mean… I don’t know what I mean. All I know is I love you so much and your words really touched me.”
Elizabeth’s sweetness shone through. I reached for her face and held it to mine. Our lips joined. Eli’s eagerly parted, welcoming me, allowing my exploration. Her tongue found mine and caressed my mouth. Eli’s love was transporting me. Never had I experienced a kiss as emotional as this one.
When it ended, I held Elizabeth’s delicate frame against mine and stroked her silky hair. I leaned my chin into Elizabeth’s shoulder and with my eyes closed I inhaled her intoxicating floral scent. There could never be anything better than this moment.
Teddy bounced i
nto the room. “Where’s my gelato?” he asked. His exuberant entrance startled us.
Eli didn’t move, but I opened my eyes and stopped stroking her hair.
“Teddy, your timing sucks, man.”
“Sorry,” he laughed. How typical! “So where’s my gelato?”
Teddy was like an overgrown child. In his Bromley logo pajama pants and t-shirt, he certainly looked like one.
“There’s ice cream in the freezer,” Elizabeth responded.
“Get me a bowl?”
Eli rolled her eyes and resigned herself to playing mom. She left my arms for the kitchen, leaving me empty in more ways than one.
With Eli’s back turned, a sly grin crossed Teddy’s face.
“Thanks, Danny,” he smirked and high-fived me.
I embraced Teddy and clapped him on the back.
“Who did the honors?” I whispered, hoping Eli wouldn’t hear.
No such luck. The ice cream scoop loudly clanged against the stainless steel sink; a deliberate attention-getter that Teddy and I ignored, though he snickered. Teddy could afford to irritate Eli. He wasn’t sharing her bed.
“Ashley,” he answered. The blonde.
Teddy was completely sober, but he was flying. His smile was infectious. I had experienced this same joy my first time too.
“Was she good to you?” I hoped so.
“Real good,” Teddy laughed.
Eli slammed the freezer door shut. Teddy and I exchanged nervous glances and laughed. We were two naughty boys pissing off mom.
“Then Tiffany joined us,” Teddy added.
Eli exited the kitchen carrying a bowl of ice cream and a spoon. The steam spouting from her ears threatened to melt the snack.
“No, shit!” I exclaimed, and I stared wide-eyed at Teddy. “You’re legend bro! That’s never even happened to me.”
With angry, narrow eyes Eli shoved the bowl at Teddy and growled. “Daniel Martin Newman! Have you forgotten that I’m in the room?”
“Uh-oh!” Teddy laughed. “Your wife is really pissed, bro.”
Eli’s face turned scarlet. I was in big trouble.
“Theodore Sean Jacobs! I don’t want to hear this!” she barked. “This is not a fraternity. This is my home!” Eli screamed.
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