“That doesn’t surprise me. He comes home for the first time in months and immediately gets sucked into the basement.”
“I didn’t get sucked in. I’m right here,” Alexander interrupts. He holds out his arms, and Penny rushes to give him a hug.
“My handsome boy,” she exclaims, cupping his cheeks with her hands.
It’s very sweet to watch them interact. But, I’m a little unsure of Penny and her reception of me. I know it’s our first meeting, so I won’t read too much into it, but I have a feeling something’s off.
“This is a lot of food, Mom,” Alexander says, looking at the spread on the island.
She waves her hand back and forth.
“You can never have too much food, and Anna said she may try to stop by.”
Anna is Alexander’s older sister; he’s mentioned her a few times. Apparently, she’s a busy mom of four and the PTA President.
After a few glasses of wine and about twenty mini quiches, I’m much more relaxed. When we finally sit down for dinner, I’m so full but I know how much time Penny’s put into the meal, so I force myself to take a few bites.
“Mom, this is delicious,” Alexander says, as he digs into the pork tenderloin and roasted potatoes.
“Thank you. I got the recipe from Melanie; her food is always a huge hit.”
At the mention of Melanie, I start to choke on my potatoes. I can’t believe one of my biggest fears may actually happen . . . I’m going to die from choking.
“Summer, are you okay?” Alexander shrieks.
I manage to clear my throat after chugging my entire glass of water.
“Ahem . . . yes, I’m okay. Sorry, it went down wrong.”
Once I get over seeing my life flash before my eyes and the embarrassment, it hits me that Penny and Melanie are sharing recipes. It could be nothing, but it makes me start to wonder about Penny’s immediate reaction to me. I thought she might have been sizing me up because I’m taking Helena’s place, but that may not be the case.
“Penny, everything is delicious,” I exclaim. I’m hoping she takes the bait and offers up some more information about Melanie.
“Thank you. Melanie has some fantastic recipes, both the pork and the potatoes. The key lime pie I made for dessert is also her recipe. They’re all wonderful.”
I glance at Alexander who’s practically licking his plate. I think it’s pretty clear that Penny and Melanie are friends, and that doesn’t bode well for me.
Following dinner, I help Alexander clean up the dishes while his parents set up the fire pit in the backyard.
“Why are you so quiet?”
I shrug my shoulders.
“No. Tell me what’s bothering you. Are you not enjoying yourself?”
I turn to face him and lean against the counter.
“I guess your mom and Melanie are friends, huh?”
He opens his mouth to say something, and then immediately closes it.
“Thank you both for helping,” Penny interrupts.
Crap. I hope she didn’t hear me ask about her friendship with Melanie.
“The coffee is on, and we can have dessert whenever you’re ready.”
Ugh, how about never. I feel like I’m going to explode. As soon as I heard the food was all from the cookbook of Melanie, I forced myself to eat almost all of it.
“Oh wow. I definitely need to make some room,” I exclaim.
Alexander and I make our way outside. The subject of me redecorating hasn’t come up, and I’m certainly not going to bring it up. We’ve talked about Anna and her family, Alexander’s job, and Rick and Penny’s Alaskan cruise, but nothing about me changing Penny’s house. I’m getting the feeling it was all Alexander’s idea and she’s not really keen on the idea.
The four of us are sitting around the fire. I’m wrapped in a warm blanket, and Alexander has his arm around me.
“So, tell me again how you two met?” Penny asks.
He gives me a loving smile. “I was looking for someone to decorate the new place, and Summer Interiors came very highly recommended from the reviews. Now looking back, there was something that drew me to her. I know it was meant to be.”
There I go again, blushing. Luckily, it’s dark outside so they won’t notice.
“I still remember our first meeting,” I say, with a laugh. “When I asked him which rooms he was interested in decorating, he said all of them. I admit I was more excited about working with Alexander than about contracting a new client.”
“It was the best business decision I ever made,” he says, kissing my forehead.
My heart begins to flutter. It occurs to me that Melanie and Penny may be sharing recipes but Alexander loves me. I need to trust in that.
“Same for me,” I say, looking into his eyes.
“That’s my boy,” Rick says proudly. “Good taste in teams and women.” We all start to laugh, including Penny.
Alexander and I finally have a few minutes alone when Penny and Rick bring the coffee cups and plates inside.
“Can you do me a favor?” I whisper.
“Of course.”
“Can you not mention the redecorating tonight? If your mom brings it up, that’s one thing. I just want them to get to know me as your girlfriend first.”
He smiles. “Okay, I won’t say anything. At least, not tonight.”
Chapter Six
It’s been four days since my dinner with Alexander’s parents, and he’s been so busy with work that I haven’t seen him. Today, he’s working in town and I’m meeting him at his office for lunch. I’m expecting to run into Melanie for the first time since Jake told me they were dating, and I have no idea how she’s going to act toward me. Although, finding out she and Alexander’s mother are buddies certainly complicates things a little more. I really shouldn’t complain because the family dinner ended up being fine. Of course, the subject of me redecorating never came up, and honestly, I’m okay with that. I finally explained my feelings about it to Alexander and he was very understanding. If Penny and Rick want me to decorate their home, they can ask me themselves.
I’ve started planning Angie’s good-bye party, and I get emotional just thinking about it. She keeps telling me we have plenty of time, but I have a feeling the big move is going to be sooner than we all expect. We’ve set the date for the party in three weeks, and I’ve already been sending invitations.
When I arrive at the office, Melanie is sitting at her desk staring at her laptop. I can hear Alexander talking on his phone in his office.
“Hello, Melanie.”
She turns around and gives me a half wave, half smile.
“Alexander’s on an important call. You may have to wait for a little while, or you can come back if you have something else to do.”
I nod and sit down in one of the chairs. It’s not surprising that she wants to get rid of me as quickly as possible.
“I’ll just wait for now.”
She continues working while I silently look at my phone.
“What did you think of Penny and Rick?”
I’m not sure I feel comfortable talking about Alexander’s parents with Melanie. What if I say something the wrong way and it gets twisted? She will totally use that against me. Whether she’s in a new relationship or not, I know she’s still threatened by me.
“They were great.”
She gives me a smug smile.
“They are. I got to know them really well when we went to Key West together.”
Huh? Key West? She went on a trip with them?
Once again, I’m not going to make a big deal out of this. And even if I am upset, I’m going to pretend I’m not upset.
“Oh, by the way, your pork tenderloin recipe was delicious,” I say sweetly. I have every intention to kill her with kindness.
She laughs. “Did Penny serve the pork again? She makes it every time they entertain. Did she make the mini quiches this time?
Holy crap. I figured those quiches were from the frozen
food section at Costco. I’m not going to tell her I ate twenty of them or that I loved them.
“Yes, they were good.”
Once again, we’re both quiet. I wonder if there will ever come a time when things aren’t awkward between us.
“So, how are things going with Jake?”
She raises an eyebrow.
“Things are good.”
I’m totally going to take this opportunity and run with it.
“That’s what Jake said when he stopped by. I’m really happy for him . . . for both of you. I hope Jake finds as much happiness as I have with Alexander.”
I force myself to keep from laughing at her expression. I think she may be in shock to hear that I’m publicly giving them my blessing. I still believe she was hoping I would get jealous and try to get back together with him. That would have freed Alexander so she could have him all to herself.
“I am happy with him. So much that sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on work. I would love to spend more time with him.”
“What makes it so hard to concentrate?” Alexander asks.
He has a worried expression on his face.
“Her new boyfriend,” I tease. She glares at me. If looks could kill, I’d probably be dead.
He shakes his head.
“None of that right now. We have to get this acquisition completed. I need you all in right now.”
Hearing Alexander talk about not losing Melanie doesn’t surprise me, and for some reason, Mrs. Rothera’s advice keeps repeating in my head. I can’t force Melanie out, and as much as I don’t want to, I have to share him. At least for right now.
“You ready?” he asks, dragging me out of my thought.
I nod. “Yep.”
“We’ll be back in an hour,” he tells Melanie. “If you need me, call.”
Crap. I’m expecting her to call before we even get in the car.
I can tell Alexander is distracted today, and I know it’s because of all he has going on with work. We’re almost halfway to the restaurant when he brings up my conversation with Melanie.
“What were you two discussing? It seemed like everyone was on their best behavior and not one punch was thrown.”
I give him a half smile. “Actually, we were talking about her and Jake.”
This is the first time the subject of Melanie and Jake has come up since they’ve officially become a couple. It’s obvious how uncomfortable Alexander is.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I’m sure it’s not easy for you.”
The thing is it doesn’t bother me as much I thought it would. I think this is a good sign that I’m moving past everything that happened with Jake last summer. If anything, it seems to bother Alexander more than it bothers me.
“Believe it or not, it doesn’t really bother me. We’re both moving on; that’s what’s supposed to happen.”
Granted, I never expected him to move on with my boyfriend’s assistant, but when it comes to things Jake does, I’m not surprised anymore.
“Not to change the subject, but I didn’t realize Melanie and your mom were so close, other than sharing recipes.”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Melanie’s been working with me for a while. She’s met my family on several occasions. I wouldn’t say they’re friends, though, maybe a message every few months.”
“Well, she made it sound like they were very close. She mentioned going on the family trip to Key West.”
Alexander looks uncomfortable. “It’s not what you think.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” I ask curiously.
I can see how agitated he’s becoming, and maybe I should just drop it. It really isn’t important anymore.
“My sister was getting married in Key West, and we were closing a huge deal at work. Melanie came with me, and we spent most of the time working. It wasn’t anything more than that.”
I look out the window without saying anything.
“Melanie seems to think it was more or she wouldn’t have tried to rub it in my face. Well, that and being besties with your mom.”
Alexander exhales loudly. “I’m sorry, Summer. I don’t know what else to do here. Neither of you like the other, and I’m stuck in the middle.”
I feel guilty for a half a second, but I refuse to explain myself again. I can’t count how many times I’ve tried with Melanie. It started with smug comments, selling me out to Mrs. Rothera, and now she’s dating my ex-boyfriend. I’m not the one instigating this.
“I never intended to put you in the middle. I do realize she’s going to be a major part of our lives. That is unless she lets Jake take over her life.”
He frowns. “I appreciate that you understand, and I know how difficult it is. Melanie knows me, she knows my business, and it would be a nightmare trying to train someone else. I need her.”
I would be lying if I say that didn’t sting a bit.
We finally pull up at the restaurant. Talk about perfect timing. It’s now clear that if Alexander and I are in this for the long haul I will always be sharing him. I would never make him choose, and honestly, if I did, I’m not sure he would choose me.
Chapter Seven
I stare at my computer screen. I could be dreaming right now, although it feels more like a nightmare. I’m in a state of shock when I see an email from Helena asking for a meeting to discuss the contract. I really believed we were past this and it wasn’t happening. I guess I was wrong.
I could tell her my schedule is full and I’m not taking any more clients. That would be the nicer and much more professional way of saying “you snooze, you lose.” The problem with this is that my schedule is not that full right now. Other than decorating Mrs. Rothera’s bedrooms, I have one other project getting ready to start. And that’s all until the summer. I have the time for Helena’s apartment, and I can always use the business.
I groan as I send her a response agreeing to the meeting.
I’m sure it’s going to be fine. The last thing I heard was that she reconciled with her hot French boyfriend and she’s happy in her relationship. And the good thing about decorating her place is I can get rid of all the pictures of her and Alexander. I wouldn’t throw them away, but I would pack them safely in a box never to be seen again. Helena was very specific about wanting a fresh new look in her home, and that’s what she’s going to get. Now if only I can stay sane throughout the whole project, then I will consider it a success.
As much as I’m not looking forward to dealing with Helena and her high-maintenance ways, I’ve decided it’s better than putting up with Melanie. Ugh. I can’t believe I’m thinking this way. Helena is truly the lesser of two evils. I pick up the phone to call Alexander.
At first, I don’t think Alexander was happy with the idea of me working with her, but he doesn’t seem to care now. It could be that he’s so preoccupied with work that he doesn’t hear me when I tell him about Helena contacting me. I can hear him typing on his laptop and another phone ringing in the background. We get off the phone after talking for maybe three minutes, or rather, I talked for three minutes.
~*~*~
“I called it months ago,” Gina says smugly. “That girl has had her sights on your man for a while now. She succeeded in getting rid of the wife, and you’re next.”
Gina, Angie, and I are at dinner, and I just told them about the family dinner and Melanie’s claims of being best friends with Penny.
“Gina, why do you have to be so harsh?” Angie yells.
She rolls her eyes. “It’s not harsh, it’s the facts. I told you that girl was trouble. You know I can make it all go away, don’t you?”
Angie and I glance at each other, and she shakes her head. Let’s just say Gina’s uncle has his own ways of getting people to behave. One call from Gina and my problems with Melanie would probably disappear, which isn’t a bad idea. But if that ever got back to Alexander, it would be the end of that.
“Alexander would probably never forgive me for that.”
Gina pulls the crust off her piece of Italian bread and dips it in the olive oil.
“So, does this tramp like Alexander or Jake?”
I giggle. “She’s not a tramp . . . at least, I don’t think she is. I really don’t know anything about her personal life, other than she seems to covet the men I’m involved with.” I pause. “And to answer your question, I don’t know who she likes. If I had to guess, I think she’s in love with Alexander and is only using Jake to piss me off and make Alexander jealous.”
To Spring with Love: A Novella (Seasons of Summer Novella Series Book 3) Page 4