“Even if I don’t want you to? That could get you into trouble.”
“Sure, but I figure you’ll be mad at me less than you have been and that’s a win.” He scooped up some kung pao shrimp. “Sienna still engaged to David?”
She elected to go with the change in topic. Probably safer for both of them. “As far as I know. That was the craziest thing. She wasn’t happy about him proposing, but I don’t know how much of that was the shock and how much was him asking in the first place.”
“What number engagement is this? Four?”
“Three. Jimmy, then Hugh, then David.”
“I didn’t meet Hugh, but Jimmy’s a good guy.”
“What about David?” she asked, curious about his opinion.
“I guess he’s okay. I just don’t see them together. There’s no chemistry. Maybe she’s pregnant.”
Rachel choked on her wine. “I’m fine,” she gasped, holding up a hand. “Pregnant? No. She would have said something by now.”
“It was just a thought.”
Sienna pregnant. Rachel couldn’t imagine it. Not with David. But of course they were having sex, and once you were doing it, there was always a risk.
She had learned that the hard way. Not that she regretted having Josh.
“You’re right,” she said slowly. “They could have an unexpected pregnancy.”
“Dammit, Rachel.” His voice was low, but forceful.
She looked at him. “What?”
“It’s not your fault we had Josh before we’d planned. We were both in the bed, making love.”
She glanced toward the family room, then back at him. “I know. But if I hadn’t forgotten my birth control pills, it wouldn’t have happened.”
“Would you give up Josh if you could?”
“Of course not.” She sipped her wine. “How did you know what I was thinking?”
“I know you.”
Something that was both a blessing and a curse, she thought.
“Speaking of Josh,” he said. “He’s getting to the age where he needs to have chores and start earning an allowance.”
“Probably a good idea,” she admitted. “What do you think he should do around the house?”
Greg gave her an easy smile that, had she been standing, would have made her knees go weak. “You’re the one who’s taking care of him on a day-to-day basis. What drives you crazy the most?”
That was easy. “His bathroom. It’s always a mess. He leaves towels everywhere. He doesn’t wipe out the sink. I bought him some of that spray you use after every shower to keep the tiles clean, but he won’t do it.”
Greg got up and opened the junk drawer. He pulled out a pad of paper and a pen and returned to the table. “All right. Bathroom it is. What does he need to do on a daily basis versus a weekly basis?”
Thirty minutes later dinner was done, they were on their second glass of wine and they had a chore list for their son. From the family room came sounds of the baseball game.
“I’ll put together a chart,” Greg offered. “One we can put on the refrigerator. If he does everything he’s supposed to for the entire week, he gets a bonus.”
“I like that idea and I’m thrilled at the thought of not nagging him to pick up his towels every day.”
“He’s a capable kid. He can help.”
She supposed that was true—it was just she’d never thought to ask. She’d always done everything.
“What about his summer camp?” Greg asked. “When does that start?”
“The Monday after school’s out. He’s signed up for science mornings and sports afternoons.”
He typed the information into his phone. “Great. I’ll get you my schedule and we’ll figure out when I’m off and can take him there and back.” He grinned. “Hell, I’ll even make him lunch.”
“Do you know how?”
He laughed. “I can figure it out. If I have any questions, Josh will talk me through it.”
“Why are you doing this?”
He leaned across the table and lightly touched her hand. “He’s my son, too. I should have been doing this all along.”
His touch was distracting. She’d always liked the feel of Greg’s body next to hers. She’d enjoyed everything they did together. She’d heard other women talk about how they hated their exes or were indifferent to them. She couldn’t imagine being indifferent to Greg. No matter what. Probably the reason she hadn’t dated since the divorce. What was the point? No man could do to her what he did.
“I wish you’d expected more of me.”
His statement brought her back to the conversation. “I did expect more. You weren’t willing to do it.”
He straightened and dropped his hand to his lap. “You mean you asked once, I didn’t bother and that was it.”
She pressed her lips together. “I can’t tell if you’re blaming me or yourself.”
“I’m blaming both of us, but mostly me. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I was willing to marry you but I wasn’t willing to be a good husband. I loved you, Rachel, and I wanted us to be together, but I wasn’t ready for the responsibilities of being married.” He frowned. “I didn’t want other women, just a little freedom. Which put the burden of everything on you.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. “Okay,” she murmured.
“What I can’t figure out,” he continued, “is how much of what went wrong was because of me not being willing to be a grown-up and how much of it was you needing to be a martyr?” He looked at her. “Don’t worry. I’m not expecting an answer.”
He didn’t sound mad. More curious, which was better than angry, but also confusing.
“I’m not sure we’ll ever know,” she said.
“Probably not.” He stood. “Let me help you clear the table, then I’ll get out of here. I’m sure you have things to do.”
She’d had a plan for the evening, but she was a whole lot less interested in it than she’d been. She wanted Greg to stay. She wanted to curl up next to him on the sofa and watch a movie. Or talk. She wanted him to kiss her and hold her, then take her upstairs and make love to her.
Because she missed him, she thought sadly. What a tragic revelation over cartons of kung pao shrimp and egg rolls. Two years after the divorce, she was still in love with her ex-husband.
They worked in silence, then he went and said goodbye to Josh. She waited for him by the front door.
“Thanks for dinner,” she told him. “And doing my lawn. I appreciate both.”
“I’m glad. I like the plan we have for Josh.”
“Me, too.”
The door was open and the porch light on. The evening was still. Cool, but clear, and she could smell the salt air of the ocean only a few blocks away.
She wanted to say something clever or funny or interesting. Something that would make him laugh or wish they were still together. Something that would make him want to stay. But her mind was totally blank, so she could only cross her arms over her chest and smile tightly.
“Have a good rest of your evening.”
“You, too.”
He leaned in and brushed his mouth against hers. The act was so unexpected, so quick, she didn’t have time to respond. Before she realized what had happened, he had straightened and was walking down the porch steps.
She closed the door and told herself it had been a friendly kiss. It had meant nothing at all. But that didn’t stop the tiny bubble of hope that settled deep in her chest. She wasn’t going to overthink the situation, she promised herself. She was simply going to go on with her life and wait to see what happened next.
* * *
Courtney stared at the box on her bed. It was addressed to her, with a Nordstrom’s return address label. She
hadn’t ordered anything from Nordstrom. With paying for her car, her insurance and her college, she wasn’t sure she could afford much more than a sock there. Not a pair—just a sock.
So why was there a Nordstrom box on her bed?
She had a feeling she already knew the answer, but there was only one way to be sure. She picked up the box and headed for the stairs. Two minutes later she was knocking on Quinn’s bungalow’s front door.
He opened it and smiled. “Oh, good. They arrived.”
“What did you buy me?”
“Look inside and see.”
She took the package over to the wet bar and opened it. Inside the shipping carton was a black shoe box. On the lid it said: Saint Laurent Paris.
She looked at him. “You bought me shoes?”
“So it would seem.”
“From Paris?”
“Technically from Nordstrom’s website, but I think they originally came from Paris, yes.”
“How do you know my shoe size?” She winced. “You don’t have a weird foot fetish, do you?”
He laughed. “No. I asked my grandmother to find out your size and she did.”
She stared at the box. It was the most beautiful shoe box she’d ever seen—which made her nervous about what was inside. “Why did you buy me shoes?”
He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her until she faced him. “I’ve watched you walk. You hunch your shoulders as if you’re trying to be smaller. Maybe even invisible.”
“You noticed that?” Talk about humiliating. She sighed. “I’m very tall. Freakishly so. I don’t want everyone to notice.”
“It’s impossible to miss. You need to embrace your height. You’re beautiful and tall. Work with it.”
Had he just called her the B-word? For real? Could he please, please say it again?
“Open the box.”
Apparently, he wasn’t going to repeat the compliment, but she would remember always. She turned back to the counter, sucked in a breath, then raised the lid.
All her air came rushing out as disappointment flooded her. Oh, not in the shoes. They were stunning. A pointed toe, peacock suede pump with what had to be a four-inch heel.
“I can’t wear these,” she said. “I can’t.”
One eyebrow rose.
“I’m already six feet tall.” She pushed the box toward him. “I’m not interested in being six-four.”
“Why not?”
“It’s awful. I don’t want to be that abnormal. Besides, I don’t know how to wear heels.”
“Have you ever tried?”
“No.”
“Then it’s past time. Put them on.”
He pulled out one of the dining room chairs. The implication was clear. She sighed again and sat down, then pulled off her sensible flats. Quinn handed her the shoes.
They were gorgeous. They felt good just to hold. She slipped them on and found they fit kind of perfectly. And she had to admit, they looked good on her feet.
He held out his hand. “Ready to stand?”
She grabbed hold of him and rose. Her ankles wobbled and it took her a second to find her balance. “This isn’t so bad.”
She took a step and nearly toppled over. He caught her and laughed. “You weren’t kidding about never walking in heels. Stagger this way.”
She laughed and, leaning on him, was able to make her way into the bedroom. He led her to the full-length mirror by the bathroom.
“What do you think?” he asked.
She was in jeans and a shirt. Nothing fancy. But the shoes. They were exquisite. “I’ll never be able to walk in them, but they are amazing. Thank you.”
“You’re going to keep them?”
She looked from her feet back to the mirror, then winced. “Look. I’m taller than you.” She was by a couple of inches.
“It looks good on me.”
She thought about the models he’d dated. They were all tall. And the man had ridden around with a poodle in the passenger seat of his Bentley. She supposed a little thing like height wouldn’t bother him at all.
“I’ll have to learn to walk in them,” she said, tempted by the thought.
“When you’ve conquered the heels, you will have conquered your fears.”
She laughed. “I’m terrified you’re actually telling the truth. And here I thought I would have to grow as a person instead.”
He put his arm around her. “Nothing that mundane.”
17
COURTNEY WAS A big believer in tasting dinners before a big event like a wedding. The last thing the bride and groom wanted was to find out they didn’t like the food being served. She and her mom had an appointment to meet with Gracie to decide on the cake, but just as important was the meal at the reception.
As her mother’s wedding was slightly more of a family affair than most, she suggested Maggie also invite Rachel and Sienna to the tasting. There had been a brief discussion then about David, but Maggie had finally decided that as long as he and Sienna were engaged, he should be included. As a friend, honorary grandmother, not to mention owner of the hotel, Joyce had also been asked to come.
Because it was a Thursday evening, Courtney had been able to book one of the smaller dining rooms off the main restaurant. She’d stolen, um, requested, Matt, her favorite bartender, and Kelly was helping her serve.
Courtney had expected to be nervous, but she was way tenser than she’d anticipated. She’d done dozens of tasting dinners before—this was no different. Except for the fact that this was for her mother. She had to remind herself that if Maggie didn’t like her suggestions, she was entitled to her opinion. She was a client, like any other, and her likes and dislikes weren’t to be taken personally. Now if only she could convince herself to believe it.
Neil arrived alone. He greeted Courtney with a hug.
“Thank you so much for setting this up,” he told her. “We’re both excited to taste everything you’ve put together tonight.”
“It’s going to be a good time,” she promised, then looked around. “Where’s Mom?”
“Sienna and David are picking her up on the way.”
They went over to the bar and Courtney explained about the different cocktail options—all of which were pink. “A signature drink can be fun for guests. One of the questions I’ll have for you two is if you want your guests to have the option of getting a drink before the ceremony. There are arguments to be made on both sides.”
Neil chose the cosmopolitan, and they walked to the large table set up in the center of the room. When they were seated, he took a taste.
“Nice. Not too sweet.”
She smiled. “All the pink doesn’t bother you?”
He looked at the pink-and-cream balloons anchored by small bouquets of small pink flowers. “I’m good with it. If Maggie’s pleased, then I am, too.” He winked. “I’m a big believer in that old saying—happy wife, happy life.”
“An excellent quality in a man,” she teased.
“I’ve been married most of my adult life. I’ve learned my lessons.”
“You lost your first wife to cancer, didn’t you?”
He put down his glass. “Yes. Karen and I were together for nearly twenty years. When she found that lump in her breast, we never thought it would be a big deal. Some surgery, a little chemo and she’d be right as rain.”
His normally smiling face turned serious. “But it wasn’t like that, and when I lost her, I was devastated. We hadn’t been blessed with children. I had my work and friends, but it wasn’t the same. She’d been everything to me.”
“I’m sorry,” Courtney told him. She’d known that Neil was a widower, but not the details.
“After a couple of years, I started dating.” He grimaced. “I was a
disaster. I missed Karen and I couldn’t seem to make a connection to anyone else. After a year or so, I gave up. I eventually started traveling to figure out where I would retire.” He smiled. “I stopped here for a few days and stayed at this very hotel. Your mother was here for a client lunch. I saw her and couldn’t take my eyes off her. The second her client left, I went up and introduced myself.”
Courtney laughed. “I remember talking to her after that meeting. She couldn’t figure out if you were the sweetest man ever or a serial killer.”
He chuckled. “I know. I felt a spark and I knew she was the one. But I went slow so I wouldn’t scare her off.” He lightly patted her hand. “I’m pretty much a one-woman man. I want you and your sisters to know that. While I was married, I never even looked at another woman. I’m the same with your mother. She’s my princess and I’m lucky to have her in my life. I never figured I was a lucky guy, but I know now that I’m about the luckiest SOB to ever walk the earth. Look at the two blessings I’ve been given.”
Courtney felt a burning in the backs of her eyes. She leaned forward and hugged Neil. “We’re so glad she’s found you.”
“I’m the one who’s glad.” He cleared his throat. “I make you this promise. I will take care of Maggie for the rest of my life and hers. She’ll never want for anything. I give you my word.”
“Thank you.”
Courtney knew that Neil had recently sold a successful business, so she would guess he was reasonably well-off. Maggie had done well with her accounting firm, so between the two of them, she was sure they would have a comfortable life.
Neil glanced over her shoulder, and his face lit up. “Speaking of princesses...”
She turned and saw Maggie, Sienna and David making their way to the table. Courtney doubted the princess remark referred to David. She stood and crossed to her sister.
“Thanks for doing this,” Sienna said. She looked around. “Cute decorations. You really went all out.” She paused for a second. “This is you, isn’t it? Doing the work? Mom mentioned something about you handling the wedding.”
“I’ve been helping out around the hotel,” she said, sidestepping the question. “What with this being a family affair, I wanted to help.”
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