Southern Sweets (Midnight)

by Cori Williams

  “It’s good to see you, Amelia. It’s been way too long.”

  “I know, sorry. I’ve just been really busy.”

  “Oh and does that also include being busy avoiding my son?” She tips her sunglasses up and I squirm under her knowing motherly gaze.

  “Well—”

  “Amelia, I know it’s difficult. I’m not trying to give you a hard time but things should be easier between you now, considering.”

  “Considering what?”

  Paisley picks that exact moment to start hollering about being hungry so Lydia holds up a finger, scoops her out of the water and hands her to me. She drenches my dress but it feels refreshing as I walk her over to her towel and wrap her up snugly. “There we go miss. Snug as a bug. Did you and Nana have lunch yet?” She shakes her head furiously, slopping water onto me. “Hey, you’re getting me all wet, you silly girl.”

  “Paisley Grace, we did too have lunch. You already forgot having Nana’s world famous macaroni and cheese? If you weren’t so cute I’d be offended.”

  Paisley scowls at Lydia, clearly not understanding her. “I hungry. We have fwuit?”

  “Hmm, I think we can handle that. How ‘bout your mama gets you into some dry clothes and I’ll get some yummy fruit. Did you have any lunch yet, dear?”

  “No but I’m—”

  “Well, then I’ll heat you something up. Lord knows I have Tanner’s fridge stocked to the gills.”

  I don’t argue and head off to Paisley’s room to get her dried off and dressed in record time for two reasons: one because her little teeth are chattering away and two because I’m wondering what in the hell Lydia is talking about. I need to hear whatever gossip she has.

  Once I get Paisley in her booster seat, loaded up with a fruit salad and cartoons on the living room TV, I pounce on Lydia. “Okay, so are you going to clue me in now?”

  Confusion flashes across her face before she smirks and pushes me towards the kitchen island, setting a bowl of steaming, cheesy macaroni in front of me. “Eat,” she demands before leaning against the counter. “I meant, considering the fact that Marissa isn’t around anymore.”

  “What?” I screech, slapping a hand over my mouth and turning to make sure Paisley isn’t listening. She’s not; her eyes are still glued to the weirdness of Yo Gabba Gabba that she finds oddly entertaining. Weirdo.

  “Yup,” she answers with a pop before turning to busy herself with the dishes. The reality of what she said sinks in and I finally shrug my shoulders and stab at some noodles. “Well, that’s good I guess. Whatever makes Tanner happy.” I want to find him and demand that he doesn’t start bringing girls in and out of the house, rubbing his own nosiness in his face, but for now, I’ll behave myself.

  “I know what will make him happy even if he doesn’t.” She sets down a stack of plates and tosses the towel over her shoulder, giving me a pointed look. It takes me a second to get what she’s implying.

  I push a finger into my chest. “And you’re saying that’s me? Oh no, no. I’m sorry, Lydia but that ship has long sailed away. Like, around the world twice and now lost at sea…forever, and ever.”

  “But Amelia,” she frowns, tapping on the counter, “I know you can’t just fall right back into a relationship with him. You can at least think about it.”

  “We were never in a relationship, Lydia,” I interrupt, pushing the bowl away. Suddenly, I’m no longer hungry. “We had a fling, that’s it. No feelings were involved and he decided to stay with Marissa. There’s no going back from that.”

  “But couldn’t you just—”

  I push up out of my chair and stomp out of the kitchen. This conversation is exhausting and I’ve had enough. I love Lydia but she is totally overstepping. In her eyes, her son is perfect and I get that—any mom would—but that doesn’t mean he is in my eyes. “Ready to go, sweet pea? Let’s take this fruit for the road. Sound good?”

  “K, Mama. Bye-bye, Nana.”

  “Bye, sweetie. I didn’t mean to upset you, Amelia,” she whispers and I wave her off.

  “Don’t worry about it, Lydia. We’ll see you later.”

  I groan when I get into my car, feeling like I need a big glass of wine but instead of stopping at the store, I head home. I need some time with my sweet baby girl, let myself unwind for a bit, and forget about everything Lydia said.

  Chapter 8

  Tanner

  It’s hot as fuck and I’m exhausted. I don’t know what to do first: dive into the pool or crawl into my bed. I missed my time with Paisley today, but I’m kind of glad that Amelia already picked her up. I just don’t have the energy to deal with her two year old hopped up energy tonight.

  “Hey, Mom.” The front door to my house swings open as soon as my feet hit the sidewalk and I’m thrown off by her deep frown. “Oh, Tanner. You look tired. Why don’t you go to bed, honey? I have dinner ready for you in the crock pot so you can eat after you rest up.”

  “I’m fine,” I brush her off, trying not to let her coddling grate on my nerves before smacking a kiss on her cheek. “And thanks for making dinner, but I told you that I’m a grown boy. You don’t have to keep taking care of me like this.”

  “But Tanner, Marissa’s not around anymore. How—”

  I snort, dragging my hands over my eyes before shaking my head. “Do you really think she was doing shit around here, Mom? I did everything—the cooking, the cleaning, taking care of Paisley. Nothing’s changed now that she’s gone—well, besides a whole lot of added weight off my shoulders.”

  “Oh, I guess I didn’t realize…you know I’m here whenever you need to talk, right? I know it’s hard not having your father around.” A pained expression engulfs her face. My dad was one of my best friends, besides Miller, and when he passed away when I was in high school—unexpectedly. That was one of the toughest times of my life.

  “I’m fine, Mom. I tried to make things work and I was sick of Marissa not doing the same. She was doing okay for a while but that only lasted so long. I have to let go of the Marissa that I fell in love with all those years ago, because the Marissa today is not that girl and she won’t ever be again.”

  She clucks her tongue, shaking her head. “All right, well you know what’s best. I think it’s what needed to be done a long time ago, but I’m not going to shove my opinions on you. How does Marissa feel about it?”

  “Good, I guess.” I shrug, leaning back against the cabinets. “She didn’t even flinch when I told her to move out. Just got a bag, packed a few things and left. She’s not going to fight a divorce. I already have the paperwork all drawn up.”

  “Okay, honey. Well, I’ll get leaving so you can get some rest. Call me if you need anything, alright?” She pecks my cheek and I grab onto her arm, pulling her back to me.

  “Not so fast, old woman. I know something was up when I got here. Are you gonna tell me what has your panties in a wad?”

  “Tanner James Cox, don’t you ‘old woman’ me. I’m a young, hip grandma and you know it, and nothing’s wrong. Why would you think that?” Her eyes flit away from mine and I snort.

  “Mom, I know you better than anyone so you might as well just spill it.”

  “Oh all right.” She throws her hands in the air. That wasn’t hard at all. “Well, I might’ve opened my big mouth a little too far when Amelia came to pick up Paisley. I may have mentioned something about Marissa moving out.”

  “Why?” I snap. Amelia was the last person that needed to know my business.

  “I don’t know, I just thought that maybe—”

  “Maybe what? Maybe we could get together now? That’s not happening, I can tell you that. What happened between Amelia and I, there’s no going back from that—ever. I can’t undo what I did and there’s way too much pain there to unravel. So, please, just leave it alone.”

  I hug her, trying to show her I’m not upset with her but I don’t know if it was really works. Right now, I can’t even think straight I’m that exhausted and add on top of that
my mom’s butting in. I’m sure Amelia just loved that and I’ll hear an earful next time I see her, except who knows when the hell that will be since she can’t stand being around me. My mom was right: it was times like these I needed my dad around.

  Chapter 9

  My kitchen is one hot mess. Flour covers every surface, egg shells are strewn about and bowls are piled high. But at least I feel better—a little anyway. The doorbell rings and I run to the door, hoping that I get there in time for it not to be rung again because Paisley had just laid down for a nap after I fought with her tooth and nail to take one. I needed some alone time and she was beyond tired from swimming with her Nana.

  “Monroe! What are you doing here?”

  “The AC’s out in my building too so I had to cancel classes. I figured I would swing over here since Miller’s still at the office. What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean?” I wave her in and gently close the door, shutting out the thick heat that doesn’t seem to be letting up.

  “Really, Amelia?” she says dryly, her eyes bouncing up and down, surveying me. I look down to see that I’m practically covered from head to toe in flour. “So I know you’re upset about something if you’re angry baking.”

  “Angry baking is my thing. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

  “I’m not knocking it but I’ll leave the angry baking to you. Though you need to spill—what’s the matter?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing.” I run to the kitchen when the oven timer goes off, saved by the bell from Monroe’s interrogation. That’s the one sucky part about having a best friend like Monroe; she always knows when something’s wrong. I guess I should see that as a good thing, but I really don’t have the energy to talk about it. I just want to finish up my baking, collapse on the couch, and be done for the day. “I have cookies,” I announce in a sing song voice. “I could box up some for you and you could run them over to Miller’s office. Wouldn’t that just make his day?” I bend down to pull out my baking sheet, proud of myself for the perfectly rounded lemon cookies that look delicious before transferring them to the cooling rack.

  “Don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily, Amelia.” She tries to snatch a cookie off the rack but I smack at her hands.

  “Those are hot and you’re not getting any unless you promise to leave me alone. Don’t ask me what’s wrong. Please.”

  “Amelia, c’mon. You’ll feel better when you get off your chest. I’ll help you clean up.”

  She knows that’s my weakness. I love making a mess but I sure don’t like cleaning. I think that’s my problem in life too. “Fine.” I puff out a breath, blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes. “Did you know about Marissa moving out?”

  “Oh, you found out? How? Tanner didn’t want us to tell you.”

  “Why?” I snap. “What in the hell is the big deal? I’m a big girl. Why would Marissa moving out matter to me? It doesn’t affect me at all.”

  “Really?” She eyes me suspiciously and I roll my eyes.

  “Really. It doesn’t. I’m just annoyed that no one told me. Well, that and the fact that Lydia pretty much insinuated Tanner and I need to get together now, like I’ve just been waiting around for him to ditch Marissa and take me back. We can just be a happy family now. Right.”

  “Oh my God, she did not.”

  “Oh yes she did.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe Lydia would say something like that. That’s surprising.”

  “Well, she did. Do you have any gossip to spill on why Marissa moved out? I’m sure it had nothing to do with her being a bitch.”

  Monroe’s lips pucker before she sets them in a flat line, shaking her head. “Marissa wasn’t so bad. I wouldn’t say we were friends but…It doesn’t matter—it’s not my story to tell. If you really want to know, ask Tanner.”

  “Yeah, like that’ll happen,” I mumble, grabbing two cookies and handing one to Monroe.

  “Oh, before I forget, apparently whatever part Miller needs for the AC unit is on backorder.”

  “What? Are you serious?” I groan when I think about all that I need to get done. At least I don’t have any weddings for the weekend, that’s the one thing I have going in my favor.

  “Trust me, you know Miller. He is raising a fit about it but it doesn’t look like it’s getting him anywhere.” She smirks. “He doesn’t always get his way sometimes.”

  “Oh, please, Mrs. Buchanan. You know he always gets his way, with you at least.”

  “Whatever.” She flicks her hair; she knows it’s the damn truth but doesn’t say anything else. “I was thinking we should do a road trip this weekend, take a girls’ trip to the beach. What do you say? Wouldn’t Paisley love it?”

  “Of course. You know that girl loves the ocean—we’re totally in. It’s my weekend with Paisley and I couldn’t think of anything better. I knew you were my best friend for a reason.”

  “Oh, so you like me again now?”

  “I love you.” I throw my hands out wide before plopping a kiss on her cheek and she rolls her eyes but can’t bite back a smile from spreading across her face.

  “You’re so dramatic. Now go get packing, we’re leaving bright and early.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I salute her before she laughs and shows herself out the front door. I feel like a weight’s been lifted off my chest and now I can’t wait to get out of this town for a bit and no place is better to do that at than the beach.

  Chapter 10

  “I really needed this. Thanks for being the best friend ever.” I sigh, digging my toes a little deeper into the cool sand. After waking up at the butt crack of dawn to make the almost five hour trip here, we dropped our bags at the house we were staying in and jumped right into our bathing suits. Paisley was bouncing off the walls wanting to get to the water and I couldn’t blame her. After some swimming and sandcastle making, she is now content, scouring the sand for shells in the small strip of beach that sat in front of our rental.

  “How in the world did you get this rental anyway in high season? Wasn’t it a little short notice?”

  Monroe shrugs, turning to her bag to pull out sunscreen. “Miller has a friend that rents a lot of properties out on the island. I guess we got lucky.” She glances at the time on her phone and I push my sunglasses down.

  “Is there somewhere we need to be? ‘cause I planned on staying at the beach until the sun goes down.”

  “No, I’m just…I’m gonna go run up to the house and grab some snacks and drinks. Do you need anything?”

  “Nope, I’m good.” I smile when Paisley plops down on my towel and dumps out her bucket. “Oh my, those are so pretty. We can take those home and put them in your room.”

  “Pwetty. Look.” She places a shiny pinkish shell in my hand and oohs and aahs as she continues to show me each individual one. We’ll be here all day if she plans on showing each one of the hundred or so that she’s collected thus far. Luckily, she’s distracted by something over my shoulder and runs off, squealing in delight. I whip my head around to see what’s gotten her so excited and my mouth gapes open when I see an equally surprised looking Tanner scooping her up and twirling her in a circle.

  My heart catches in my chest and my lips pinch together as I do a double take to make sure I’m really seeing him. What in the ever living hell? Tanner and Miller are here? This was supposed to be a girls’ weekend—a weekend for me to relax and not have to think about dealing with Tanner. I can feel my blood boiling as I jump to my feet and then I see Monroe shuffling through the sand, finding her toes awfully interesting looking. “You!” I hiss. “Get over here right now, Monroe Hartley… Monroe Buchanan—whatever your name is!” She finally closes the distance between us and I whisper harshly at her, “What is he doing here? Could you really not stay away from Miller for one whole weekend? I mean, you two are cute and all but, really? Bringing Tanner here? Not cute at all!”

  “Amelia.” She takes a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. “You two need to wor
k things out—for Paisley’s sake. Now, I’m not saying you two need to get back together, but you need to at least be able to talk like adults. I know a lot has happened, but you need to let it go. Miller and I figured if you two were on neutral ground maybe that would help. So that’s why we’re here.”

  “You conniving little shit. I can’t believe you would do this to me,” I state sharply. “You and Miller need to mind your own damn business. So much for a peaceful weekend.” As soon as I say it, I feel horrible but right now I can’t think about that. Instead I whip my towel up, sending sand flying everywhere and stomp towards the beach house, determined to get away from Tanner and this whole mess as quickly as possible.

  ***

  There’s a knock on the door of the room Paisley and I are staying in and against my better judgment, I tell whoever’s on the other side to come in. As soon as his blond head pops around the door, I know it was definitely bad judgment. He holds both hands up defensively. “I didn’t know either.”

  I groan, flopping onto my pillow and kick at the suitcase near the end of the bed that’s spilling over with clothes. I haven’t decided if we’re leaving yet. Why does life have to be constantly confusing? I feel the end of my bed dip down. Opening my eyes as I scrunch my knees up to my chest, I try to avoid any sort of contact with him. “Well, you’re here now. There’s no changing that. Paisley’s happy to see you.”

  “At least someone is,” he says dryly with a crooked smirk, one dimple popping onto his cheek. That damn dimple. I swing my eyes away from him and the dimple that could easily have my panties on the floor by now if things weren’t such a mess.

  “Tanner,” I begin.

  “Don’t, Amelia. You hate me—I get that and I get why. I don’t know what Miller and Monroe were trying to pull.”

  “I have a feeling this was mostly Monroe and Miller just went right along with whatever she wanted.”