by S. Moose
“You’re staring,” Aimee says without looking at me.
Again, I’m waiting in silence for her to spill the beans.
“Oh my hell, you are so eager to know my business.”
Her smile shows she is eating this up and in no way is irritated by my need to know.
“Fine,” she huffs. “Remy is nothing like I thought he would be.”
I roll my eyes. Does she honestly think I’d be satisfied with such a bleak attempt to ease my worries.
“And,” she says slowly, her smile growing wider, “he is very giving.”
The elevator arrives on our floor, and once the door slides open, she hurries out, leaving me staring behind her.
“Wait,” I say as I rush out, dragging my bag along the floor. “What do you mean, giving?” I ask. “I think I know what you mean, but really, I need to hear it. I need to hear it in great detail, please. Like every single little tiny detail because nothing is too small to leave out.”
She laughs as she unlocks the door to our apartment and steps inside.
“Aimee.” I am fully aware of the fact that I sound as if I am whining. I am okay with it because this is a need-to-know, and, damn it, I need to know now.
“You are ridiculous,” she adds with a laugh as she drops her bag in the center of the living room and flops down on the couch.
“Fine, I’ll take it. I’m ridiculous,” I say, joining her. “I’m nosy, pushy, and a pain in the ass. We’ve established that. Now, tell me.”
She attempts the stern look, trying to make me back off but fails. Her mouth tilts up in a smile, and I slide in closer, like an eager teenage girl.
“He spent the night in my room. We talked and got to know each other, but he kept a safe distance from me,” she begins. “But you know me, I sorta teased him. Wearing my skimpy shirts, a tank top with no bra. It was fun, and Remy is seriously hot.”
I have to agree with her. Remy’s a very good-looking guy.
“I got what I wanted the next morning when I walked into the bedroom after my shower wearing the smallest towel I could find.”
“What? A hand towel?” I ask, partly as a joke. When her smile widens, I laugh. “You didn’t.”
“I did,” she says with a smirk. “From that point on, it was like I’d unleashed a hungry beast, and he was so very hungry.”
“Aimee.” I feel the heat rise in my cheeks.
Remy is so sweet.
“He’s insatiable and seriously gifted,” she adds.
I lean back, trying to picture Remy in this light.
“His hands, his mouth, and that tongue.” She sighs, and my eyes widen. “Then, there is his—”
I cut her off by holding up my hand.
“What? You wanted details.” She laughs.
“I thought I could take them,” I confess as I shake my head. “Only I can’t because I have to look at him every day at work. Knowing this version of him, I’m not sure I can do it without blushing.”
“Well, it was a fling, and though enjoyable, it won’t go anywhere.”
I look at her with confusion. “Why?”
“That man’s a mystery,” she says, the earlier look of happiness and excitement leaving her face. “He’s so closed off.”
“But I thought you said you guys talked and got to know each other.” I question her.
“Yeah, but it wasn’t deep or anything that I couldn’t find out on Facebook or Instagram. He mostly listened to me and sure it was nice, but every time I asked him about something personal he’d change the subject.”
“Oh, and more than once, he might have mentioned a woman he has feelings for. One who is out of his reach.”
“Really?” I’ve never heard him ever mention another woman. In a way, it pisses me off, knowing he willingly slept with my best friend while holding feelings for another. I make a mental note to question Drew because, if he knows of this, he should’ve said something.
“It was a fun weekend, and you got engaged.” Aimee pulls me back to our current conversation. “I’d say it was a win.”
I’m fully invested in the file before me when Drew enters my office.
“I think you get more beautiful each time I see you,” he says as he moves toward me with one hand tucked behind his back.
“You’re biased,” I say with a smile.
As he rounds the side of my desk, he leans in and presses a kiss to my lips. “Yes, but it doesn’t make it any less true.” He brings his hand around from his back and hands me a strawberry smoothie. “I had lunch with a client, and it was near the café you love. I couldn’t resist getting you your favorite.”
“Always so sweet,” I say as I take the opportunity to kiss him once more.
“I wanted to talk to you about that friend of mine who’s moving to town.” He kneels next to me and places his hand on my thigh. “He called and said he’d be in town this weekend.”
“I thought it wasn’t for another two weeks.”
“It was supposed to be, but his company feels the need to transfer him sooner. Some type of merger that is struggling, and they need him to close the deal,” Drew clarifies. “He’s coming in town this weekend to get settled, and Remy and I volunteered to help him move.”
“Always the hero,” I say with a smile.
It is still sometimes hard for me to imagine that the cold, arrogant man I first met was only a mask for the man I see today.
“Sunday, we thought we’d have a get-together at my parents’ place,” he continues, only smiling at my hero comment. “They have a bigger place, and they have a staff, so it seems a more appropriate place to have a welcoming party.”
“What do you need me to do?” I ask as I place my hand over his. I am fully aware of the way his palm is now sliding my leg, getting obscenely close to the apex of my thighs.
“The only thing I need you to do is show up at the party, wearing something I’ll be able to remove easily later.” He moves in closer, bringing his lips closer to mine. “After a weekend of guys, I’ll need my woman.”
“Are you telling me that I won’t see you all weekend?” The idea leaves me feeling unsteady.
“Not a chance,” he whispers as he skims over my lower lip with his thumb. “But it will be limited, and you know how much I crave you.”
“Andrew Powers, stop mauling my assistant.”
I jump at the sound of Miranda entering my office. She walks across the room and lays a stack of files on my desk.
“Keep in mind, your fiancée is still my right hand here at the office.”
The smile on her face is mixed with the joy in her eyes as she looks over at me, making my heart race.
“I already look at you as a daughter, but I’m ecstatic to know that my dear son has now decided to make it more official.”
Drew reaches out for my hand. As I stand, too, Miranda moves around the side of my desk and wraps me in her arms.
“I couldn’t be happier to have you in our lives. You make Drew so happy.”
“He and Dawson make me so very happy, too,” I confess as I look over her shoulder and lock my gaze on Drew.
He smiles at me before mouthing, I love you, only furthering that deep ache inside me.
This is my life. A road from hell led me here, but they have made me whole.
Nothing and no one will change that.
The only thing missing is my mother.
37
Drew
Reagan and I are out to dinner at Acadia with my parents while Remy’s babysitting Dawson with Aimee.
“Oh, sweetheart. We’ll need to call Trump Tower, and there’s also the Adler Planetarium. This wedding is going to be the talk of Chicago.” My mother claps her hands together and turns to look at Reagan. “And you, my dear, are going to look breathtakingly beautiful in your wedding dress. Picture this.” She moves her hand from one side to another. “You’re walking down the aisle…” She pauses and asks, “Sweetheart, I feel foolish and embarrassed, but please tell me more
about your family.”
Reagan places her wine glass down on the table, and a small smile’s on her face. “There’s not much to tell. I’m an only child, and I never knew my dad. My mom and I haven’t talked in a few weeks. She’s traveling so much now that she’s retired. My mother and I had a falling out a few years ago and are slowly mending our relationship.”
“I’m sorry, dear. That’s terrible. I do hope you and your mother mend things, and she’ll come to visit. Vincent and I would love to meet her.”
“We would, Reagan,” my father adds. “But whatever you do, please make sure it’s your decision and that you’re comfortable with it.”
“I know.” She nods. “Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to call my mom, and we’ll talk. But, for now, I’d love it if you came with me to these venues. Your opinion means so much to me.”
My dad and I stare at my mom, and I count to three before she begins to cry and tell Reagan she’s a blessing and the daughter she’s always wanted.
“You did well, son,” my dad says.
“Thank you,” I tell him. I take in the sight of the two women I love more than anything in this world.
“I forgot to mention! Your grandmother is coming to town tomorrow morning. She’ll be at the house by nine, so please be over by eight. Then, we can have a family breakfast and Grandma Nora can meet Reagan.”
“Sounds good, Mom. We’ll be there.”
The dinner goes well. There’s more discussion surrounding our wedding and the arrival of Grandma Nora. She’s…interesting but the best grandmother. My paternal grandparents passed away when I was young, and my maternal grandfather passed away three years ago. Grandma Nora is healthy as can be for a seventy-six year old. She’s full of life, and she has an outlook on life that’s inspiring.
Once my grandfather passed away, she sold her estate in Texas and traveled the world. During the winter months, she’s in Florida, managing her volunteer group and rescuing animals. Although she can’t do too much other than answer phone calls regarding strays and bathing the cats and dogs, she’s donated money to the rescue fund and made sure everything has been renovated.
The summer season has her doing normal two-week cruise, before stopping in Chicago afterward for a quick visit. Then she’ll head home to Florida to settle back in.
After dinner, we decide to spend the remainder of our evening at my place. Once we’re in bed and Reagan’s snuggled against my side, I turn toward her and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“When would you like to get married?” I ask.
“Tomorrow.” She laughs and throws back her head.
I’m watching her be carefree, and I fall more in love with this beautiful woman right before my eyes.
“I can make that happen.”
“No way. A quickie wedding means a pregnant bride, and I don’t want anyone making assumptions.”
I counter, “Would it be a bad thing for us to be pregnant?”
She blanches and sits up straighter on the bed, smoothing out the wrinkles on the blanket. I can see her mind going in circles with the way her brows kink together and her lips pout.
“It wouldn’t be bad, but it wouldn’t be ideal. If I’m being honest, as much as I’d like to have a baby with you and give Dawson a brother or sister, I want to be your wife and go on our own adventure of being a newlywed couple before we get pregnant. Once we’re married, there’s going to be so much to adjust to, like me becoming Dawson’s stepmother and dealing with Jennifer.”
A frown dips on my face. “About Jennifer. She’s in Europe for six months, and Dawson has no idea. To be honest, I don’t know if she’ll be back.”
“What do you mean?” she whispers as she covers her mouth.
The news about Jennifer leaving Chicago for Europe didn’t surprise me. Then, hearing that she’d leased out her apartment and wired her money to a European bank didn’t sit well with me. I’ve called her countless times with no response. Jason has tried reaching out as well with the same results. Jennifer and I have our differences. I can’t understand her decisions to leave Dawson.
“She’s gone. Someone’s leasing out her apartment, and she shut down her bank accounts. Her father and I can’t reach her. Tomorrow, I’m contacting her best friend, Wyn, to see if she knows anything.”
“Poor Dawson. Babe, you have to tell him.”
I sigh. “I know.” I have no idea how I’m going to break the news to my innocent six-year-old son and explain that his mother won’t be back for a while, if she’ll ever be back.
Reagan takes my hand and comforts me. I’m not sad that Jennifer’s gone, but I’m upset that my son won’t have his mother around.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and when I get it, I see it’s Jennifer and I excuse myself from Reagan.
“Jennifer.” I answer and hear the silence on the other end.
“Hi, Drew. Before you go off on me I just need to say this.”
“Okay.”
“I know you must think I’m selfish for leaving and you’re right. To be honest, I’m lost and I need to find myself. I know Dawson’s going to be in good hands with you and Reagan.” She sniffles and her breathing became rapid. “I…I…I’m sorry for everything, Drew. I love you so much and I love Dawson too, but we both know I’m not fit to be a mother right now.”
I shut my eyes and listen to her cry. “We love you too, Jennifer. You have to do what’s best for yourself and no, I don’t think you’re selfish. I think you’re lost and need guidance and I hope you find it. No matter what, you’re Dawson’s mother and Reagan and I will make sure he knows that.”
“Thank you, Drew. For everything. You might not hear from me for a little bit, but I’ll try to check in when I can.”
“Sounds good. Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
When I disconnect the call, I simply look at the phone and hear someone walking in. I don’t have to look up to know it’s Reagan. She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my back.
“Come on,” she says, “we’ll figure everything out in the morning.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, and turn around so we’re facing each other. “I don’t want to talk about Jennifer right now if that’s okay.”
“It’s truly okay. Whenever you’re ready.”
“No. It’s not that, sweetheart. I’d rather spend the rest of the night with you.”
She smiles. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good. After breakfast, don’t forget, you and Aimee have an appointment at Allure De Vie for massages, body treatment, and nails. Everything’s taken care of, so all you have to do is go there and relax. I want to make sure you’re relaxed. It’s going to be fairly big with many of our close family friends.”
“I can’t believe your parents are doing this for Fin.”
I smile. “He’s a great guy. Our families go way back. I hated that we lost touch for a period of time, but I’m glad he’ll be here in Chicago.”
“Aw, you and Remy will have another boy to add to your bromance.”
We’re both laughing as I hover over her body, taking both her arms and lifting them over her head. My lips nuzzle the crook of her neck, gently sucking and licking, taking in her sweet essence. Little moans leave her lips as my other hand touches her stomach and up to her breast.
“Drew,” she sighs.
“Still tired?”
“No. Please keep going.”
“Oh, I plan to. All night.”
It’s nice, being here with my family the next morning. Their chef has breakfast out on the patio overlooking the pool and yard. My mom’s garden is in full bloom, and I’m watching her with Reagan and Dawson.
“Drew.”
I turn around and see my grandma walking toward me with a big smile on her face.
“Hi, Grandma. How are you?” I ask as I bring her in my arms. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too, darling.” She peeks over my side and then looks at
me. “Is that Reagan? The Reagan.”
I nod.
“She’s beautiful, darling. So much better than Jennifer. Ugh. You upgraded and upgraded very well.”
I laugh. My grandmother’s extremely honest, and she has no filter. She says what’s on her mind without any regrets. If her words hurt your feelings, then she tells you to chin up and offers a piece of wisdom I thoroughly enjoy.
“I can’t agree more.”
She pats my cheek. “The love you share with her is evident. You’re protective of her and Dawson. That makes you a wonderful man. Remember, the road of love is not always easy. There will be bumps along the way. But always let your love guide you to any answers you seek. Love is a feeling so many want to experience and share. You’re lucky to have found it a second time.”
“Thank you, Grandma. Please come with me, so I can introduce you to her.”
“I’d like that very much.”
38
Reagan
I look up from Dawson just in time to see Drew and Miranda moving toward me with a small woman at his side. Without an introduction, I know it’s Grandma Nora. She holds on to his arm as he leads her across the patio.
The moment his eyes connect with my own, my heart races. He still gives me that rush of excitement with each smile he offers. I know how blessed I am to be on the receiving end of his affection.
“Reagan,” Drew says as he reaches out his hand.
I place mine in his.
“This is my grandmother.”
The small woman steps forward and takes my hand from Drew’s. “It is so nice to meet you, dear,” she says with a beaming smile. “You are a beauty.”
I thank her and feel my cheeks heat from the attention.
“I told Drew he’s done well, but that doesn’t even cover it.”
“That is kind of you.”
“She is beautiful,” Drew adds at almost the same time, only furthering the focus on me.
“By the smile on my grandson’s face, I can see you’ve kept him well taken care of,” Nora adds, followed by an overly exaggerated wink. “Young, perky, and excitable,” she tosses in.