Manic Monday

by Piper Rayne

  She wraps her arm around my shoulders. “That’s just normal curiosity and if you ask me you’re more worried about what he thinks about you.”

  My head snaps in her direction. “No, I’m not. The last thing I’d ever do is insert myself into someone’s life who knows Pete. Especially the man who witnessed me make the worse decision of my entire life when I said I do.”

  “Hmm...”

  “Hmm... nothing. It was awkward, he acknowledged me and then hopped in the car before I could say anything.”

  “Is he hot?”

  I roll my eyes.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Did you get that feeling?”

  “What feeling?” I want to deny that I know what she’s talking about, but I do, and I haven’t experienced that in so long.

  Her eyes flutter closed, and she inhales a deep breath. “Where you’re floating, and it’s like little fairies are hovering around his head.”

  I laugh. “More like my stomach flipping and flopping and my mouth salivating like a Doberman in front of a steak.”

  “Ugh, I’m jelly. I’m in a drought. Chicago has lost all its attractive men.” She walks over to the chair again and falls back into it.

  “Come to school with me tomorrow and see for yourself,” I joke.

  “I might have to take you up on that.”

  “Okay, ladies, back to work.” Hannah knocks on the doorframe. “Chelsea come tell me about this new place we can hold the gala.”

  Chelsea follows but turns around at the door. “Talk to him tomorrow.”

  “No.”

  She tilts her head. “I dare you.” Her nose crinkles like she’s testing to see if I’m in fourth grade and don’t want to look like a loser.

  I shake my head.

  “Didn’t think so. I think I need to see Jade soon.” A conniving smile tilts her mouth and she heads down the hall before I can say anything.

  I don’t underestimate Chelsea. She’s the swinging single version of Darcie from St. Pats.

  Chapter Four

  I didn’t see Reed the rest of the week. He never showed up again during drop-off at St. Pats. So, it was probably like I figured—Weekend Dad.

  I didn’t dare ask my mom if she remembered him from my wedding and had seen him during pick-up. Jade never talked about the little boy, Henry. Darcie and Georgia never said another word about him.

  Monday morning rolls around again and as usual, I’m a complete shit show on the walk to school. I haven’t had time to get a coffee and Jade is eating a granola bar with a sippy cup full of milk. It was a bad morning for my mom, so we’re on our own today.

  “Grandma okay?” Jade asks, slowing her skipping.

  My mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and though her illness isn’t to the point that she requires daily care and someone to live with her full time, it made me realize that there’s no longer any reason for me to be so far away. I wanted to be here to help her when she needed it.

  “She’s just tired. We had a long day yesterday.” My mom and I took Jade down to the lakefront for a picnic and to see the fountain. Twenty minutes into our journey my mom looked exhausted.

  “Will she pick me up today?” Jade asked.

  “Maybe. If not, I’ll be here.”

  “Can I come to your office?” Her eyes light up. She’s the only girl I know who’s excited about the prospect of sitting in an office and coloring. Then again, Chelsea sneaks her candy and Hannah lets her play on her computer. They spoil her more than her dad. Sad but true.

  “We’ll see.”

  I’m at the edge of the tree-lined sidewalk when I spot the little boy climb out of an Uber car. A tingling sensation rushes through my body, as anticipation swirls with dread over seeing him again. My feelings are somewhat conflicted, to say the least.

  The door on the other side of the car opens and my eyes refuse to look in any other direction. The dark strands of his hair are gelled in place this morning. His tie is knotted and laying over his light blue shirt, and his teeth hold a silver tie clip as he adjusts the tie and puts it in just the right spot before taking it from his mouth and clipping it on.

  “Mommy.” Jade pulls on my hand and I stumble forward until I catch my footing.

  “Sorry,” I mumble, my gaze still on him as he smiles and nods to the moms and dads coming back down the stairs after dropping off their children.

  “Henry!” Jade screams next to me and Reed turns in our direction.

  Shit. I’m frozen in place as if I was touched in a game of freeze tag.

  The little boy waves and Jade waves back. Reed’s lips tip up and if I hadn’t sworn off men for the time being, I’d melt into a pile on the sidewalk.

  “You know that boy?” I ask.

  “Yeah, that’s Henry. He’s kind of quiet but really nice.”

  “Is that his dad?”

  Her face scrunches. “Henry doesn’t have a dad.”

  Boyfriend?

  Jade skips and stops where we usually say our goodbyes. “Please take me to your office after school.” She clasps her hands together and her voice holds the whine she’s used to get her way most of her life.

  “If not today, then Friday, okay?”

  She seems halfway appeased and wraps her arms around my middle. I kiss the top of her head. “Have a good day. Love you.”

  “Love you.”

  Then she’s gone, trampling up the steps talking to anyone and everyone who will talk with her. I’m so fixated on her I don’t notice Reed approaching me.

  Soon the new rain smell of a spring morning in Chicago is replaced with his scent—musky and manly. All my other senses fall to the sidelines while my sense of smell hijacks all others. For a brief millisecond, the entire world blurs like the backdrop of Jade’s school photos.

  “Do you remember me?” Reed’s deep voice draws me from my revelry and switches my auditory sense back on.

  “You hung on my wall for years.”

  I place my hand in his outstretched one. His hand is soft but callused and swallows my smaller one. Something happens when our skin connects. Something I’d only ever read about in books. Something I didn’t think was real.

  But I can’t deny the electric feeling that surges up my arm or the feeling of connection we share when our gazes lock.

  I swallow hard, hoping I’m not too obvious, urging my brain to help my body get a clue.

  This guy is the enemy.

  He chuckles, but there’s nothing egotistical or condescending about it. “Past tense?”

  “Don’t act like you don’t know,” I say wryly.

  He looks chagrined and bows his head slightly. “I was sorry to hear about you and Pete.”

  He seems genuine and I suppose I shouldn’t judge him yet, but it’s hard given my history. He hasn’t been a part of Pete’s life as far as I know for quite a long time.

  “So, Jade knows Henry?” he asks, moving off the subject of Pete and me.

  How on Earth does he remember her name?

  “It appears that way.”

  His smile grows. Did I just see a sparkle glimmer off his teeth?

  “Henry has a hard time making friends. It says a lot about you that Jade is so welcoming to him.”

  “Me?” I rock back on my flats, trying not to make direct eye contact with him so I’m not sucked into the vortex again.

  “Don’t you think that in this day and age a child’s behavior is a direct reflection of their parents? Maybe not when they’re teenagers or older, but at this age?”

  If anything, I’m snarky to people. Which he already knows.

  “I don’t know about all that. I’m not that pleasant to be around, but Jade makes friends with everyone. She has her father’s charm. The difference is, she’s sincere.”

  “I don’t think that’s true.” He slides his hands into his pockets and tilts his head to the side, studying me.

  “I tend to push people away. Keep only a handful close. I’m sure Pete must’ve complained about
it.”

  Take the bait, Reed.

  “I haven’t talked to Pete in years…we had a bit of a falling out.” Before I can latch onto that he continues, “I remember you being pretty accommodating.”

  “Just what every woman wants to hear—that she’s accommodating.” My sarcastic tone only makes his smile wider and his eyes sparkle more. Damn it.

  “Well, you’d have to be to deal with Pete.” His gaze moves up and down my body until he locks eyes with me. “Let’s catch up. Coffee?”

  My mind is telling me to run. I’m not as accommodating as I used to be, Mr. Reed Warner.

  “I have to get to work.”

  He chuckles and sucks in his bottom lip, biting the corner.

  Okay, that was a direct hit to the center of my thighs.

  “Tomorrow?” he asks.

  “How about I’ll call you?”

  “You don’t have my number.” His eyebrows lift.

  “I have a busy life.”

  He says nothing. Just stands there and waits. Totally infuriating.

  “What?” I snip.

  “Just waiting to see how many excuses you have at the ready.” A shit-eating grin tips the corners of his lips up and I’m not sure whether I want to kiss it or smack it off his face.

  “Don’t you have a girl—”

  “Excuse me!” Darcie’s annoying voice interrupts me. “You.” She points to Reed.

  He turns in her direction and points his thumb at himself. “Is she really talking to me like that?”

  “Yep. Have fun with her.” I pat his arm, ignoring the bulge of his hard bicep and race down the sidewalk to catch my train.

  Look at that, Darcie’s going to do my dirty work because she’ll probably bother him so badly he won’t come back to St. Pats’ drop-off again. At least I can hope.

  My phone rings just as I step onto the train. “Hello?”

  “Victoria.” Darcie barks my name like she’s the head nun at a Catholic high school and I’m showing cleavage.

  “How did you get this number?”

  “I have my connections,” she says, and I already know from her tone that she’s about to ruin my day.

  “What’s up, Darcie?” I try to hide the irritation from my voice, but I’m not sure I’m entirely successful.

  “I just found you a partner to help with the carnival event.”

  I blow out a breath and find a seat in the back of the train. “I don’t need a partner.”

  “Well, he would only help out if it meant that he could work with you.”

  A million swear words set off like a round of fireworks in my head.

  “You’re kidding me?”

  She laughs. “I wish I was.” I detect a bite of jealousy in her tone. “If I was single…anyway, he requested you and we so rarely get fathers or father figures so in this case, I have to let him have what he wants. And for some reason, that’s you.”

  I watch the city skyline getting closer out the window. “Who is he to Henry?” I ask.

  She laughs and then I hear chatter behind her. I wish I was in front of her, so I could shake her shoulders and get her to focus on me.

  “Oh, you’ll find out.”

  “Henry’s mom’s boyfriend?” I ask.

  “Nope. Ask for yourself. Gotta go. Oh, and I’m sending him your phone number right now.”

  Click.

  The line dies. Mother fucking hell. Am I trapped in some Mean Girls reunion movie?

  I haven’t even tucked my phone back into my purse before it dings with a text. I’d ignore it if I wasn’t worried that it could be my mom needing me.

  Unknown: Hey, it’s Reed. The stunning guy you just reacquainted yourself with twenty minutes ago. How about a nightcap tonight to brainstorm ideas for the carnival?

  I add his contact information into my phone, so I don’t mistakenly answer again.

  * * *

  Me: Don’t you have a son to watch at night?

  Reed: Nope.

  Me: I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate your invite. We can talk details over a morning coffee and that’s it.

  Reed: ???

  Reed: Not even dinner?

  I don’t respond.

  Reed: Lunch? Even business associates have lunch together.

  I shake my head and try to tamp down my temper.

  * * *

  Reed: Fine. But mornings are hard for me.

  * * *

  I’m being difficult for the sake of being difficult now. I can’t very well ask Hannah to come in late to plan some stupid carnival booth anyway.

  * * *

  Me: Saturday?

  Reed: My place.

  * * *

  The three dots appear but I respond before he can.

  * * *

  Me: McDonald’s on Peterson. The kids can play, and we’ll talk. Noon.

  Reed: You run a hard bargain and I make a lot of deals.

  * * *

  What the hell does that mean?

  * * *

  Reed: I take it that’s the end of our conversation?

  * * *

  I don’t reply because there’s nothing else to say.

  * * *

  Reed: Message received. Have a great day, Victoria.

  I tuck my phone back into my purse with a giddy feeling inside. Damn it. I wish my stomach would get the message my brain is trying to send it.

  Chapter Five

  “So, you and the steak are meeting at Micky D’s?” Chelsea asks. “Kinky. You going to make out in the tunnel slide?” Chelsea takes a bite of her turkey sandwich.

  We’re at a deli on the main floor of the building we work in. The Sandwich Place is our go-to for lunch if we’re all in the office. It’s owned by an Italian family who, get this, have one son who’s a police officer, one who’s a paramedic and one who’s a firefighter. I haven’t met them, but Chelsea knows them—the girl knows everyone, I swear—and if the rumors are true, I may have to fake faint in front of them for some mouth to mouth action.

  “Steak?” Hannah asks, the spoon from her soup hovering right in front of her matte red lipsticked lips.

  “Yeah. Vic is the Doberman drooling over the steak,” Chelsea says as if that explains things.

  “I’m missing something.” Hannah takes a graceful sip of her soup.

  I’d love to set a meatball grinder with extra sauce and provolone in front of Hannah and see how delicately she can eat it.

  “Let’s take a poll,” Chelsea says, setting her sandwich down. “Hannah, would you date the best man from your wedding?”

  Hannah chokes, soup dribbling down her chin. I guess I don’t need to do the meatball grinder experiment. I grab a napkin from the black holder in the middle of the table and pass it to her. She dabs at her chin, leaning over the table so she doesn’t stain her dress. I’d be worried too. It probably costs more than Jade’s tuition for the year at St. Pats.

  “No.”

  “See.” I shoot Chelsea an I-told-you-so look.

  “Why not?” she asks.

  “For one, the best man at my wedding was my brother.”

  “That’s completely different. The steak isn’t related to her or her ex.” Chelsea leans back like she just gave the best closing argument, and everyone is having an ah-ha moment.

  “Okay, who is the steak? Is this some riddle?” Hannah’s confused, and she looks at me to clear things up.

  “The steak is my ex’s friend who stood up as his best man at our wedding. The steak is the guy who I ran into at Jade’s school last week. The steak manipulated the system, so we’d have to work on a carnival booth together at the school fundraiser.” I sip my soda once I’m done.

  “The steak wants you to eat him.” Hannah grins.

  “Exactly,” Chelsea says.

  “No. The steak probably heard some bullshit from Pete about me in bed.”

  “So, I’m right. I totally pegged you for the kinky kind.” Both Hannah and my heads whip in Chelsea’s direction. She
holds up her hands, laughing. “Well?”

  “No. I mean...just no,” I sputter.

  “We’ll let you plead the fifth on that one.” Hannah’s perfectly manicured hand graces my leg with a pat. “But don’t be ashamed. It’s bullshit how men can brag or downright lie about their performance, but we’re supposed to act like we’re laying there with our legs open and have the ability to come with a soft whisper. I’m a screamer and I’m not ashamed.” She smiles, and I can’t tell if she’s entirely serious or not.

  “I’m a cowgirl. I ride,” Chelsea adds.

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” I take a bite of my sandwich.

  God, this is good.

  “Come on Vic, we all shared. Tell us something.” Chelsea leans forward on the table and even Hannah’s eyes are set on me.

  I feel the flush heat my cheeks. Having Jade so young I forget it wasn’t just my education I left behind when I married Pete. I left friends who cared more about going out Thursday through Saturday than waking a sleeping baby for her feeding. It’s been a long time since I’ve had close girlfriends to confide in.

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. The meat on my sandwich is looking really intriguing right now.

  “Don’t make her say anything she doesn’t want to.” Hannah picks up her spoon and goes back to her soup.

  “I’m a biter.” I rush the words out super fast like it will somehow make them less embarrassing.

  “Hah!” Chelsea’s hand smacks the table and a few people look over. “I knew it,” she says in a quieter voice.

  I roll my eyes.

  “Nice. You have to be pretty damn good at what you’re doing to make me a biter.” Hannah brings the spoon to her mouth and takes a small sip. “Few have been successful in that department.”

  Chelsea seems to be deep in thought for a second and I guarantee she’s committed everyone’s sexual preference to memory.