And now here she was with yet another hunk, and this one wasn’t even as polished as Tanner or as accomplished as Evan. Cosby might be rougher around the edges than Monica’s usual type, but he still commanded women’s attention when he walked into a room. Abby, the veterinarian, and one of the vet techs had checked him out earlier. And Stella Harper, a volunteer at Turtle Lagoon, licked her lips whenever she looked his way. For his part, Cosby appeared to have eyes only for Monica. Jack respected him for that, at least.
Jack drank his soda in sullen silence. After they’d stood there a while, Monica moved her head like she was trying to work out a kink in her neck. He wished he could massage it for her. Instead, he had to watch Cosby do it. Monica moaned and Jack gritted his teeth.
“Can I be next?” Stella asked.
“Take a number,” Monica replied with a smile. It faded as her gaze met Jack’s. He held his body as rigidly as a soldier being reamed by a drill sergeant at boot camp.
“You okay?” she inquired.
“Never better,” he lied.
* * * *
When Dr. Laramie pulled the last object from Dolly’s body and held it up to the window, everyone on the other side cheered. Monica exhaled heavily. She felt like she’d been holding her breath for hours.
“What the heck is that?” Stella asked.
Monica leaned closer to the glass. “I can’t tell. It’s got too much gook on it.”
“Don’t be throwing those scientific terms around,” Stella joked. “We lesser educated people don’t understand such talk.”
Monica laughed. “Okay, how about stuff? Is that a better word?”
“I much prefer crud,” Cosby remarked, and Stella guffawed as though he were a comic genius.
She elbowed Jack in the side. “Come on, sourpuss. Your face won’t break if you crack a smile.” He scowled at her and kept his mouth shut.
Just then, Tanner walked out of the operating room and pulled off his surgical mask.
“Dolly’s going to be just fine,” he told them, his relief evident.
Cosby wrapped his arms around Monica from behind and kissed her neck just as all the adrenaline left her body in a rush and she sagged against him. Her hand found his and squeezed it weakly.
“What was that last object?” she asked Tanner.
“A stud earring. Not sure if it was a real diamond or a fake.”
“You should take it to a jeweler and find out,” Stella suggested.
“I think we’ll keep it for a while in lost and found, see if anybody claims it.”
“What about the hoop earring that made it out intact? It looked like gold. Could be worth something, too.”
He shrugged. “We’ll put that in lost and found as well. Listen, Dr. Maguire and one of the vet techs will spend the rest of the night here with Dolly. Why don’t you folks go home, get some rest.”
“What about you?” Monica asked. “You have to be exhausted.”
“I’ll hang out for a little while longer, then I’m hitting the road, too.” He held out his hand to Cosby. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Tanner Presley. You must be Cosby Williams.”
“I am.” They shook hands.
Monica did a mental head slap. “Where are my manners? I’m sorry, I forgot you two don’t know each other.”
They chatted for a few more minutes before Monica and Cosby headed out to his vehicle.
“So that’s your other ex. I could see him in a tux, emceeing a beauty pageant or something,” Cosby observed. “Classy-looking guy.”
“You’re much sexier,” she replied as she buckled her seat belt. Sex with Tanner had been fun, but she suspected she and Cosby would set the sheets on fire when they finally ended up in bed together. “How’d you know we used to go out?”
“You told me your last boyfriend was named Tanner, so I figured that must be him.”
“I’m surprised you remembered his name. I couldn’t have mentioned it more than once.”
“I remember everything about you.” Cosby paused. “Okay, that sounded kind of creepy but I meant it as a compliment. You’re extremely memorable.”
Monica laughed. “Nice save. And I’m very flattered.” She yawned and covered her mouth.
“You must be wiped out from standing on your feet for hours.”
“You were right there with me. And I think I’m more worn out from worrying about Dolly. I couldn’t relax until I heard she’d be okay. And then I just wanted to slide down to the floor and lie there in a heap. I probably would have if you hadn’t been behind me.”
“You really love those turtles, don’t you?”
“Some people might think it’s silly, but I really do.”
“I don’t think it’s silly at all. In fact, it’s one of the things I like best about you.”
“What, that I care more about sea turtles than I do about some people?”
“That you love with your whole heart. You have compassion and such passion, too, for your work.”
“Speaking of passion, I know tonight didn’t turn out anything like you expected. I’m sorry, Cosby.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I had a terrific dinner and I got to spend time with you. I’m not complaining.”
No, he definitely wasn’t, and Monica filed that away for future reference.
When they arrived back at her apartment complex, he turned off the car, unbuckled his seat belt, and reached for the door handle.
“I’d love to ask you in, but I’d probably fall asleep on you,” she told him.
“I figured that. I’m just walking you to the door. Consider it part of your wooing.”
She laughed as they got out of the car. “You didn’t get a chance to do much wooing tonight.”
“There will be other nights.” He put his arm around her waist as she rooted in her purse for her keys.
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I’m counting on it.” As he covered her lips with his, any remaining tension left her body, and she closed her eyes and floated on a feeling of pure contentment. If he could make her feel this way with just a kiss, what would it feel like to fall asleep in his arms after a night of lovemaking? A thrill rushed through her at the thought.
“Good-night,” he whispered.
She almost changed her mind and invited him to stay. Instead, she replied, “Be careful driving home.”
“I will. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?
“Okay.” She unlocked her door, then paused on the threshold. “I hope I dream about you.”
He stepped forward and kissed her again. “I know I’ll dream about you.” He nudged her inside. “Now get in there and go to bed before you collapse.”
She smiled, trailed her fingers down his cheek, and closed the door.
Chapter 15
Dani and Evan had the day off together and slept in after making love half the night. So when her cell phone rang, she groaned and ignored it. It kept ringing. She pulled the covers over her head. The ringing continued. With a muffled curse, Evan snatched the phone off the nightstand and answered it.
“Of course. Hold on just a second,” he told the caller a moment later. He peeled the covers down to her shoulders and laid the phone next to her head. “It’s your mother.”
Dani sat up like she’d been goosed and grabbed her cell. She had a sinking feeling this wasn’t a social call.
“I’m sorry if I woke you,” Rita Davidson told her daughter. “Wait, what time is it there? Ten-thirty?”
“Yes,” Dani confirmed. She felt guilty, although she didn’t know why. “Evan and I don’t have to work today.”
“Oh. Well, I hate to ruin your day, but I’ve got bad news about your grandmother. She had a stroke last night and is in intensive care.”
“What? Oh, God. Will she be okay?”
“The doctors won’t know until she’s alert enough for them to more accurately assess the extent of the damage. So far she’s unable to speak and is paralyzed on her right side.
”
Tears fell from Dani’s eyes and she bit her lip to stifle a sob as Evan put his arm around her and kissed her temple.
“Dani, are you still there?” her mother asked.
“Yes,” she managed.
“Her doctor advised us to get her affairs in order, just in case.”
“It’s my fault,” Dani choked out.
“Oh, honey, it’s not anyone’s fault. It’s God’s will.”
“No. He’s punishing me for not moving the wedding to Jefferson City.”
“Don’t be silly. It doesn’t work that way. One has nothing to do with the other.”
Dani wiped her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I’m coming home on the first flight I can get.”
“That’s a nice gesture, sweetheart, but it’s not necessary. There’s nothing you can do.”
“I can be there for you and Dad. And for Grandma. I’ll text you my flight information.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m calling the airlines as soon as we hang up.”
When she and her mother finished talking, Evan wiped away Dani’s tears and kissed her. He took her phone and went online to buy her ticket. She bounded out of the bed, dragged a wheeled carry-on bag from her closet, and flung clothes into it. Then she filled a smaller bag with toiletries and other necessities.
“Crap, I almost forgot. I need to call Toni.”
“You finish getting ready,” Evan instructed. “I’ll explain to your boss what’s going on.”
He booked a seat on a late afternoon flight, which gave them time to shower, eat lunch—although Dani didn’t have much of an appetite—and drive to Tampa International Airport. Evan offered several times to fly to Missouri with her and she wanted him to come, but her practical nature overruled her desire for comfort. They needed to save for their future.
“I can always come up later if you change your mind,” he told her.
She mustered a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Someone needs to stay here with Ozzie anyway.”
“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” her African gray parrot, as if on cue, called from his cage.
Dani rubbed his beak between the bars. “Mama’s going on a trip, but I’ll be back. You’re staying here with Evan and he’ll take good care of you. You behave for him, okay?”
“Ozzie’s a good boy,” the bird replied.
“Yes, you are. I’ll see you later, sweetie.”
“Later.” And then he made a loud kissing noise.
* * * *
During Monica’s week on the late shift, she and Cosby had dinner three times. The aquarium and Nauti-Toys stood within blocks of each other on the beach and several restaurants were nearby. He’d pick her up, they’d rush through their meals, and then spend the rest of their break stealing kisses in Cosby’s car.
When they’d started dating, Monica had intended to take things slowly for a change and wait to have sex until she had a better idea where the relationship was headed. But each time they were together, she found him increasingly difficult to resist.
Despite all his flirting, Cosby didn’t pressure her. He wasn’t that kind of guy. They hadn’t discussed it, but Monica could tell from the way he treated her that he’d rein in his eagerness until she was ready. She ached just thinking about it and knew she couldn’t hold out much longer.
That Sunday evening, while they dined at Catch of the Day, Cosby invited her to a Wednesday cookout at his brother’s home. Gavin and Melanie Williams had bugged him about meeting Monica, and their boys still gushed about their aquarium visit.
Cosby assured her she didn’t need to bring anything, but Monica didn’t like to show up at anyone’s house empty-handed. So she made her favorite hot dip with refried beans, cream cheese, sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and taco seasoning mix.
Gavin hadn’t come home from work yet when Cosby and Monica arrived. The boys threw themselves at their uncle, who wrestled with them until their mom suggested they calm down. Then Teddy gave Monica a shy hug. Adam, clearly uncomfortable with such displays of affection, not unlike other boys his age, flashed a welcoming smile.
“How did your classmates like your report on the aquarium?” she asked them.
“A few said it was boring, that they’d been there before, but they’re just a bunch of—”
“Adam,” his mother interrupted, “remember what I told you. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His cheeks reddened, and he looked at his feet.
Teddy continued for him. “But the rest said they want to see the sharks and other animals, too, and to meet you and Dani and Flipper and Tyler. They think your jobs are so crunk.” Melanie gave him the eye. “I mean, really neat,” he amended.
“Tell your classmates to ask for me if they come on a day I’m working,” Monica said. “And if your teachers want to schedule a group visit, I’ll do my best to be available then.”
“Boys, let our guest sit down and relax,” Melanie instructed. “Monica, what can I get you to drink? Beer, wine, a mixed drink, soda, water, juice?”
“Hey, you didn’t ask me,” Cosby interjected.
“You’re not company,” Melanie teased. “In fact, why don’t you get the drinks—I’ll have a glass of white wine—while I take Monica out to the back porch so we can get acquainted.”
“You mean so you can talk about me.”
“Men and their huge egos.” His sister-in-law shook her head. “Not everything’s about you, you know.”
Monica laughed. “I like you already,” she told Melanie, then turned to Cosby. “I’ll have a diet Coke, please, if they’ve got it.”
“With a shot of vanilla vodka?”
“Yum. Yes, please.”
The two women settled into comfortable patio chairs overlooking a large, fenced-in backyard. Cosby brought their beverages and a beer for himself, then took the boys out on the lawn to throw a football around. Soon it morphed into a raucous game of tackle Uncle Cosby.
Melanie and Monica winced as the kids yanked on his arms and legs and tried their best to trip him. At one point, Adam plowed into Cosby’s stomach and he doubled over with a groan. His nephews just laughed and flung themselves at him again. He tried to walk with Adam hanging from his neck and Teddy wrapped around his legs.
“Boys, don’t be so rough or somebody’s going to get hurt,” their mother warned.
“Yeah, like me.” The words had barely left his mouth when Cosby took an errant elbow to the face. He appeared dazed, opening and closing his eyes, shaking his head as if to clear it.
“Oh, jeez.” Melanie winced. “You okay?”
“I think so.” He stumbled around on purpose while the boys laughed themselves silly. “Who am I? What day is it? Who are these bratty little kids?” Cosby got a gleam in his eye, and they squealed as he chased them.
The women smiled at their antics. “He’s so good with them,” Melanie told her guest. “Gavin is, too, of course, but Cosby is just an overgrown kid sometimes, and they love playing with him.”
Monica frowned at the words “overgrown kid,” prompting Melanie to add, “Don’t get me wrong. He’s a very responsible guy. He just knows how to have fun.”
“He really does have a playful side,” Monica agreed. “That’s one of the things I like best about him.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. His ex-fiancée had a giant pole up her butt most of the time. She wanted him to wear expensive suits and work in a stuffy office, but that’s not Cosby at all. And she expected him to buy her a fancy house and car, the whole nine yards. I was so glad when they broke up.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Hmm, I’d say three years ago now. He’s dated since then, of course, but he hasn’t had a serious girlfriend.” Melanie paused for a long moment as if having second thoughts about her choice of topic. “Listen to me going on and on. Maybe we should talk about something else.”
“Oh, no, thi
s is interesting. Which one of them broke it off?”
“She did when Cosby refused to quit working at the scuba shop and find a ‘better’ job. He seemed more relieved than anything to be rid of her. He told Gavin later that he’d had serious doubts but wasn’t sure how to end the relationship without setting her off. She’s a vindictive woman.”
Sort of like I used to be, Monica thought.
“His ex would have a royal fit if she knew the money he’d saved to buy them a house went toward purchasing Nauti-Toys,” Melanie continued. “She hated boats and anything to do with water sports. She didn’t like to get her hair wet unless she was washing it.”
“I can’t see Cosby with that type of woman.”
“We couldn’t, either. That’s why we were so happy to hear what you do for a living. You two are so well-matched. I mean, you seem to be from what he’s told us.”
“What’s he told you?”
“Just that you’re a certified scuba diver, like he is, and you obviously love the water, too. And you’re very dedicated to your job and care so much about the animals. My boys have been singing your praises since you showed them around the aquarium. They’re bugging us to buy annual passes.”
“They pay for themselves after a couple of visits.” Monica smiled. “And finding an interest like that is good for them.”
“I know. That’s one of the reasons I wanted Cosby to bring you over here, so I could thank you for taking so much time with them. And, of course, to form my own impression of you. My children mean the world to me, but I’m very fond of my brother-in-law, too.”
“How am I doing so far?”
“Quite well. So, tell me a little more about yourself.”
* * * *
While the women talked, Cosby shot them suspicious looks, dying to know what they were saying. Finally, when his body could stand no more abuse and his curiosity got the better of him, he told his nephews he needed a break and flopped down in a chair beside Monica.
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