Carrie took the steaming waffle out with a fork, placed it on a plate and handed it to Grey. "Don't think so. Not this time. He's a goner." She poured a waffle on the iron for herself then sat down at the table with him.
"But she's going to Paris. Wanna talk geographically undesirable! My little brother's gonna get his heart stomped." Grey took a big bite out of his waffle.
"Sometimes you don't have a choice."
"What does he know? He's a baby." Grey stuck a piece of waffle dipped in syrup in his mouth.
"He's almost thirty. She's only four…maybe five years older. So what? He loves her, right?"
"These are delicious, babe," Grey finished chewing. "Colin doesn't know a thing about women."
"Oh? I disagree. He must know something…he's seduced one of the most glamorous, sought-after women I know. I don't think Leah's had a dateless weekend in over a year."
"Chip off the old block." He beamed at her.
"The old block better hang up his seducing talents right now!" Carrie whisked her waffle onto her plate, cut it in half then pushed half on Grey's plate.
"Sure you don't want that?"
"Half's plenty." She poured a little syrup on it before cutting it with her fork.
"I've seduced my last woman…saved the best for last, too." He laced his fingers with hers.
"You seduced me? I thought I seduced you!" She chuckled while he raised her hand to his lips.
"Just looking at you seduced me."
Carrie slipped into his lap.
He snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Looks like you're doing it again." His lips sought her neck.
When the phone rang, she made a move to get up.
"Let it ring," Grey said.
"You never know…maybe it's Colin, calling you for advice." She burst out laughing. "Funnier things have happened, you know."
He wagged his finger at her, stifling a grin.
Carrie handed the phone to Grey.
"Your mom."
Grey put the phone to his ear. "Mom? What? Oh, that's too bad. Yes, I'm working this week. What? No, Saturday's fine. Colin? You want to speak to Colin? Uh…uh…" He looked at Carrie, his face reddening.
"Remember? I sent him out for the paper," Carrie said loud enough for Grey's mom to hear.
He gave her a thumbs up. "Okay, Mom. Yeah. Yup. See you Saturday."
Carrie gave him a questioning look when he hung up the phone.
"Angus Davenport, our neighbor, died. Family visiting hours are this coming weekend. Would you want to go up there with me on Saturday?"
"And meet the gorgeous…the infamous, Giselle Davenport? You bet I would."
"Honey, she's got nothing on you."
"I'll be the judge of that."
She fell into his arms for a delicious kiss.
"Ohhh, you're sexy when you're jealous," he chuckled.
Grey had his face buried in her neck when the doorbell rang.
Chapter Nine
"Surprise! Did I interrupt anything? Hope so." Colin wiggled his eyebrows before stepping inside their warm house. "Happy Valentine's Day, Carrie, Grey."
"Where the hell have you been, little brother?" Grey closed the door behind Colin.
"I'm staying at Leah's. Just came back to get my stuff."
"Oh?" Grey arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah. You got a problem with that?"
Grey shook his head. "Guess not."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Mom called and wanted to talk to you. We made up a story about you being out to get the paper."
"Why hide it? I'm almost thirty. Geez."
"Do I have to be the one to shove it Mom's face her baby boy is getting laid?"
Grey refilled Carrie's coffee then his own. Colin grabbed a mug and took the pot from Grey.
"Okay, okay guys. Enough. Here's a stupid question, Colin…have a good time?" Carrie patted Grey's hand.
"Best Valentine's Day ever."
"I'll bet," Grey snickered.
Colin punched him in the shoulder.
"She gave me Knicks tickets. We're going tomorrow night. Today we're watching a chick flick. Leah's making chili. Suppose it would be nice to invite you two, but not gonna. I don't have much time alone with her and I don't want to share."
"We understand." Carrie smiled at Colin.
"Yeah…I get it…" Grey pumped his fist in the air.
"Hey!"
"Another Andrews man scores." Grey laughed.
"Another Andrews man bites the dust," Carrie said, under her breath, stifling a smile.
****
"Who are you rooting for tomorrow night, Lance?" Colin asked when he stopped at the front desk.
"The Knicks, of course. You?"
"Same here. It's too bad you have to miss the game."
Lance gestured to a tiny TV hidden behind the podium in the lobby.
"Oh, I see."
The doorman smiled as he pressed the button to the apartment.
"You can go right up, Mr. Andrews."
"Colin…Colin, Lance."
The doorman nodded.
The aroma of Leah's chili greeted Colin's nose when the elevator doors opened. It got stronger as he neared the front door. Leah opened the door and fell into his arms, raising her chin for a kiss. He lowered his lips to hers, his tongue tasting the richness of the meat and tomato. Delicious. His hands held her close enough to feel her breasts pressed against his chest. Desire began to stir in his loins.
Leah stepped back and took his arm. Set up on the coffee table, facing the huge flat screen TV was a tray with guacamole, chips and cheese cubes. Two bottles of beer accompanied the snacks. The drone of announcers' voices assaulted his ears.
Colin shed his shoes at the door then followed Leah. They curled up together on the sofa as the game began. Pinch me. I'm in heaven. Colin stretched his legs, resting his feet on a nearby ottoman while Leah cuddled into his shoulder, her hand on his chest.
Leah paused the movie to bring out more food. Colin retrieved an envelope from his coat pocket. Leah brought out brownies and coffee.
"I have the second half of my Valentine's Day present for you."
She cocked an eyebrow at him when he handed her the envelope.
"What is this?"
"A round-trip bus ticket to Pine Grove."
She looked up at him.
"I want you to stay with me, next weekend, the weekend after, as soon as you can."
"You were debating giving this to me?"
"If you didn't want to sleep with me, it would've been a waste to give you the ticket. I only have one bed. Sooooo, when I didn't know what was going to happen…"
"You waited. Smart. You're right. If I didn't want to sleep with you I would've returned this gift. But…since I have…I'm accepting it. It's a wonderful present." She kissed him.
"I want to show you around my town…take care of you…at my place."
"I'd love to. Let me check my calendar, we can make a date now."
The afternoon passed quickly. Colin took her out for a celebratory dinner as the Giants had won the game. When they returned, he scooped her into his arms and headed for the bedroom, kicking the door shut with his foot.
When the sun crept in-between the curtains coaxing his eyes open, Colin rolled over to escape the piercing, invasive light and linger longer in his dream. Leah…a farmhouse in the country…professorship. Leah's warm scent enticed to him, drawing him closer. He spooned her from behind, slipping his arm around her waist, closing his fingers around her breast. Her firm bare behind pressed gently against his groin, stirred up his blood. Now he was wide awake. She stretched her arms above her head and murmured something he couldn't understand. His fingers caressed her warm flesh arousing a response.
"Again? Three times last night didn't wear you out?"
"I'll never get enough of you," he whispered in her ear.
"I'm not sure I'll be able to walk if we make love again."
"I'l
l be gentle."
She rolled over to face him with a saucy smile spread across her face.
"I can be convinced."
"I'll do the work, lie back, relax." His lips closed over her peak, bringing a moan to her lips.
She slid her hand down his body.
"Your motor is already running." She closed her fingers around him.
"Being near you keeps it revved up."
"I'll bet you say that to all your girls."
"No more girls…only women…one woman…you."
He leaned over to kiss her neck while his hands cupped her behind.
"Oh my God, you're amazing," she breathed into his ear.
"You're the one who's amazing…I'm just your fan."
****
The week passed quickly. Colin and Leah were inseparable but didn't spend even one evening with Grey and Carrie. The couple was cocooning. No one understood that better than Colin's older brother and his fiancée.
The passing of Angus Davenport required an upstate visit. Grey and Carrie arrived at the Andrews family home in Pine Grove on Saturday about three o'clock. Fran Andrews, Grey's mother, greeted them warmly at the door while Buster and Daisy, their two fawn pugs, danced around, barking and panting. Grey bent to pet the pugs right after planting a kiss on his mother's cheek. John Andrews, his father, followed the dogs into the foyer. After hugs were shared, they were ushered into the living room. Tea and homemade scones awaited them in front of the huge fireplace. Daisy and Buster flopped down on their beds near the warmth of the fire to catch some shuteye.
"What happened to Angus? I thought he was a hearty old guy," Grey asked.
"Brain aneurysm," John said.
"He went suddenly. Giselle is still stunned. We all were," Mary chimed in.
"I'm looking forward to meeting her. I understand she was one of Grey's friends growing up."
"Grey and Giselle played when they were little but by high school…"
"Really?" Carrie cocked an eyebrow at Grey.
"Mom, you're exaggerating. Giselle and I were friends…"
"She didn't speak to you for a year. That doesn't seem very friendly to me. Would you like one of these, Carrie? They're chocolate chip." Mary offered her a scone.
Hmmm. Do I need to know about this? Grey seems very uncomfortable. Later.
"Thanks, Mary. They look delicious."
"Mary makes the best scones in the county," John said.
She blushed under his praise then made a dismissive move with her hand but Carrie could see the pride underneath. Love the way he brags about her cooking. They're so cute.
"We're going over after dinner to bring her some food. Grey, I hope you can find time to chop some wood for Giselle tomorrow. I'm working on a nice casserole. When we finish here, maybe Carrie can give me a hand."
"Barb and Jenna coming?" Grey asked.
"Nope. Barbara's on a business trip and Jenna is skiing," John said.
"Colin's coming next weekend for dinner with his new girlfriend."
Grey and Carrie look at each other.
"You met her?" John asked.
"I've known Leah for a long time. She's like a cousin to me."
Mary smiled. "Well, if she's anything like you, I'll be pleased to meet her." She patted Carrie's hand.
"She's a lot like Carrie…quite a dresser, too," Grey added.
"Bet she's pretty. Colin always had an eye for good lookin' girls," John said.
"Grey, too. Look at our Carrie." Mary beamed at her.
Nerves took hold of Carrie. Oh, God. They have no idea Leah is older and leaving for Paris… She looked down at her hands, then at Grey whose face was a blank. She gulped down the rest of her tea then picked up her scone.
"Why don't we get on that casserole, Mary?"
"If you don't mind, dear? Grey, please take the bags upstairs."
Mary and John stood up to leave the living room first. John carried the tea tray. Grey shot Carrie a look of relief behind his parents' backs, before he headed for the stairs.
****
Dinner was a pleasant affair as it always was with Grey's parents. Carrie grew closer and closer to them as time passed. Most of the meal was spent discussing the location for the rehearsal dinner and how many people they expected to show up.
"When are we going to meet your parents, Carrie?" Mary asked as she carried in an apple cobbler for dessert.
"I don't know when they're coming, exactly. They'll be renting an apartment in the city for a month or two." She shifted in her seat. Do they have to meet before the wedding?
"Ya don't know? Don't ya talk to your own parents?"
"John!" Mary raised her hand.
He turned his attention to the dessert on his plate.
"Janice and Harv travel a lot," Grey said, picking up his fork.
"Hmm. Jan and Harv, eh? Met them yet, Grey?" John asked.
"Not exactly. I've talked to Janice on the phone, though."
"I've got four and we talk to 'em, seems like every day. Specially when I get the phone bill!" John chuckled. "Your folks only have two."
"We've never been very close. Delia is more like a mother to me," Carrie said.
Embarrassment stained her cheeks. Explaining about my parents again. Why can't Mom and Dad behave like real parents for once?
"Delia Tucker? We love her! She's a real hoot…and a dear, dear lady," Mary said, patting Carrie's hand.
"She did a fine job raising you, I'd say," John said, a smile creasing his face.
"Thanks." Carrie turned her gaze to her food.
Grey took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. She turned grateful eyes to him.
"When are we going over to the Davenports?" Grey asked.
"As soon as I finish this last forkful of cobbler. Mary, you make the best cobbler in the county," John announced.
After winter coats were distributed and the casserole bundled up, they trekked through the well-worn shortcut path to the gloomy old Victorian next door. Carrie looked up at the house. She could see signs that it had once been grand, like the Andrews' house. But now the white paint on the wood trim was peeling. The light lavender on the house was faded so much it looked almost like a dirty grayish white. Weeds grew up between the bricks of the front walk. Shrubs sorely in need of trimming lined the low white picket fence which was missing a slat or two. The gate in the fence was rusty. One hinge had come undone leaving the gate drooping sadly on one side.
"Wow, their house sure has gone to the dogs since Martha died," Grey said.
"Shhh! Not so loud. Giselle will hear you. She's tried but keeping up a house like this by herself isn't easy."
"She needs a good man to help her," John said.
Yeah? Well she's not getting this one! Carrie managed a tight smile as they paraded single file through the old gate.
"She's not married? I'm surprised," Grey said.
"She's been living in Boston most of the time. Just come back in the last couple a years, since Martha died," John said.
"What about Colin?" Carrie asked.
"She's too old for Colin. She's Grey's age," Mary responded.
Uh oh. Too old?
Grey shot her a panicked look. Carrie shrugged and gripped his arm tighter as she navigated the icy walk carrying a plate of Mary's homemade cookies. He steadied her up the walk. Carrie looked up in time to see a beautiful, slender woman with short blonde hair and big gray eyes open the door. A smile lit her sad face as she greeted the Andrews clan. Carrie noted Giselle's greeting of each Andrews family member, especially Grey. Each received a hug, but Grey also got a peck on the cheek. Carrie smiled. Nothing to worry about.
"You must be Carrie. I've heard so much about you," Giselle gave her a warm smile and extended her hand.
Carrie shook it and smiled back. I haven't heard much about you. Fashion model-type living next door to Grey? Hmm. Were you two playing doctor at sixteen? Get a grip. That was ages ago. You're being stupid. Grey loves you and only you. You know th
at in your gut. No more jealousy.
"Please come in," Giselle stepped back, allowing Carrie to pass.
"What a grand old house," Carrie remarked, her gaze traveling from walls to ceiling, from bookcase to roll top desk to a door with a glass transom.
"It was when mom was alive. But between taking care of dad, my freelance decorating business and upkeep on the house…well, I haven't had time to do a very good job."
Carrie moved through the entryway into the living room. Grey joined her.
"I see Grey still has great taste in women," Giselle said. "Congratulations on your engagement. He's a lucky guy."
Carrie beamed as she slipped her arm through his. "That luck runs both ways."
The chime of her cell phone stopped Carrie. "Mom?" Carrie stepped back into the entryway for privacy.
"Carrie! Darling!"
"Where are you?"
"In New York, sweetheart. Where are you?"
"I'm upstate…"
"Well, come home, dear. We have so much work to do."
"I'm at Grey's parent's house..."
"Those country people? Boring. Please, Carrie. Home tomorrow. First thing."
"Where are you staying?"
"The Devon Apartments. We got a cozy place, a studio. It's tight but since your guest room is still under renovation, what can we do? I want to meet that man of yours…make sure he's good enough to become part of the Tucker family."
Carrie frowned. Oh, God.
"Carrie? You still there? This damn phone…"
"I'm still here. I'll be home tomorrow, Mom."
She put her phone away. Grey turned to her.
"Your mom and dad are in New York City?"
She nodded.
"Great! We'll get an early start tomorrow. I want to meet them."
"They want to meet you, too." Carrie's stomach lurched.
Quietly watching everyone, listening to the conversation, she smiled and nodded but her mind was elsewhere. Her senses picked up there was no heat between Grey and Giselle. When Grey glanced at his watch then at her, she knew his signal for time to leave.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Carrie said to Giselle as the Andrews clan filed out.
Goodbyes were murmured with Mary and John promising to return the next day. Grey stretched and yawned, perhaps too obviously, making Carrie hide her smile. It was only nine thirty but he was ready for bed but maybe not for sleep.
The Dating List Page 11