Thursday Afternoon

by Beth Rinyu

“I didn’t answer it. But then it dawned on me that she still holds so many pieces of information of my life: my phone number, my address—she knows everything there is to know about my family. So I guess changing my phone number was my way of taking another step to closing out that chapter of my life for good.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Is that where the new hair came from? Starting a new chapter in your life?”

  “Maybe.” I expelled a deep breath and told him all about my encounter with Keith that day, as well as my almost call to the detective. “I know I sound crazy, but it was like he was sent there just for me. His words were so true about dwelling on the past.”

  “Bree, I think it’s great that you want to put your past behind you, and I really do love your hair.” He smiled. “But—”

  “Of course there’s a but.”

  He put his hand up to stop me. “Just hear me out, please?” he coaxed.

  “Fine,” I huffed.

  “I don’t think reporting what that dirtbag did to you is dwelling on your past—it’s about dealing with your present, and making sure that he never does anything like that again to anyone in the future. You need to stop thinking that he had a right to do that to you just because…”

  “Because he paid me to have sex with him? You can say it, Simon.”

  “You didn’t deserve it. Nobody does, and he shouldn’t get away with it.”

  I hated hearing the truth, especially when I had been so at peace with my decision from earlier.

  “Did you want some more water?” I asked, wanting to get off the subject.

  He gave me a sympathetic gaze and nodded, not pressing the issue any further.

  Jack was sound asleep on the couch when we walked back into the living room.

  “Well, I hope I got it right today,” I said, reaching for my coat.

  “I think you got this job mastered,” Simon chuckled as we headed toward the door.

  “Simon?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for not calling or texting all day to check up on me.”

  “Bree, I told you I was sorry about that. I just didn’t have a free—”

  “No, no, no. I really mean it—thank you. It proved to me that you really trusted me, and that means so much to me.”

  “In that case, you’re welcome.”

  An awkward silence passed between us as I reached for the doorknob.

  He cleared his throat and spoke. “I’ll see you tomorrow, eight o’clock?”

  “With bells on.” I knew it was wrong, but I wanted him to kiss me. I missed the touch of his lips against mine. The whole thing was so strange: we had gone from having sex right away to being friends after—the reverse of how most relationships form. But I was the one who had told him I wanted to forget our history and start fresh, and he was just abiding by my wishes. It was definitely for the best. I’d rather have him as a permanent relationship in my life as a friend than take a chance of losing him forever as a lover. Still, I couldn’t resist giving him a gentle peck on the cheek. “Goodnight, boss man,” I joked, trying to lighten the moment and prove to him as well as myself that my kiss was nothing more than innocent.

  “Sweet dreams,” he replied.

  I focused on those double dimples, knowing if I kept that beautiful smile imbedded deep inside my mind, I’d definitely be in store for some very sweet dreams.

  Chapter 27

  After one week on the job, I had it down to a science. Jack and I meshed together so well, making it a thousand times easier for both of us. Simon wasn’t lying when he said he’d be busy. He was out the door the minute I got there, not getting home until well after Jack was in bed on most nights. I knew he was under a lot of pressure with work, but the lack of time he was spending with Jack still saddened me. My cooking skills had also been put to the test in the past week, and I had to admit I was thoroughly impressed with myself in pulling off some delicious new recipes.

  That night I was planning on making a chicken dish in hopes that Simon would be home early enough to actually eat dinner with Jack. I had gone to the market earlier to purchase the ingredients as well as the items needed for Jack and me to work on our after-school project—baking cupcakes for Jack’s Valentine’s party. I laughed to myself every time I thought about it. If someone had told me a month ago that I’d be baking cupcakes with a five-year-old, I’d have told them they were crazy. Yet there I was, getting ready to do just that, and I was actually pretty darn excited about it.

  I was a little ahead of schedule, leaving me time before I picked up Jack from school to try and find the hot new action hero figure he wanted so badly, but seemed to be sold out everywhere. Since I didn’t have a Valentine to buy a present for, I decided Jack would be mine.

  I was just ready to step inside the hobby shop, stopping in my tracks and rummaging through my purse for my ringing phone.

  "Hey,” I answered right away when I finally grabbed hold of it and saw that it was Simon calling.

  "Bree, I need to ask you a really huge favor."

  "Sure, what do you need?"

  "I have an emergency meeting that I need to be at tomorrow morning."

  "Okay…" I was unsure of how that was going to affect me, so I waited patiently for him to elaborate.

  "The meeting is in Chicago."

  "Oh, so…"

  "I'm leaving tonight, so I would need for you to stay overnight with Jack. I’ll be heading right home after the meeting in the morning, so I should be back sometime late in the afternoon or early evening tomorrow."

  "Umm, yeah sure, I guess that will be okay. But is Jack going to be okay with it?"

  "He'll be fine." He brushed it off as if it were no big deal.

  Jack and I had gotten very close over this past week, but I still wasn't sure how he would fare with his father being gone overnight.

  "Yeah, I'm fine with it then."

  "I cannot thank you enough." He breathed a sigh of relief. "I need to run home and pack some things, and I'll let Jack know what's going on."

  "Okay, that sounds good." I looked down at my watch, calculating in my head the time I had left until I had to pick up Jack. If I hurried, I'd be able to make it back to my apartment to grab some things and still be on time to pick him up. Simon and I said our goodbyes and I was on my way, wishing I could make the cabdriver go faster or somehow make the traffic we were stuck in magically disappear.

  I had the driver wait for me outside of my apartment building while I frantically ran around inside, throwing clothes and other essentials into my trusty old Louis Vuitton overnight bag. Taking a deep breath, I scanned my bedroom one last time, making sure I had everything I needed before scurrying out my bedroom door.

  “Shit,” I shouted when I realized I’d forgotten to shut off the light.

  Darting back to my bedroom, I flicked the switch and ran out of my apartment and down the steps.

  “Please traffic gods, be with me right now," I whispered, knowing I had just enough time to make it to the school, provided there wasn't any traffic. Hopping into the back of the cab, I gave the driver the address to Jack's school. "Can you please try to get there as quickly as possible?" I added, ignoring the angry glare he shot me through the rearview mirror.

  Luckily my prayers had been heard, and we pulled up at Jack’s school just as the first set of children were filing out.

  “Here, keep the change.” I threw the cab fare in the front seat, grabbed my bag and jumped out. “Jack!” I shouted when I spotted him exiting the building with the same endearing smile as always.

  “Bree, tomorrow is my Valentine’s Day party!” he exclaimed.

  “Yes, I know, and you know what we’re gonna do when we get home?”

  He shook his head.

  “Make cupcakes for you to bring in tomorrow.”

  His smile widened. “Can we taste some while we make them?”

  “Hmm…maybe.” I bent down to zip his coat, debating on whether to tell him that his father was going away fo
r the night. I refrained, figuring I’d let Simon break that news to him.

  “Will you help me do my Valentine’s Day cards to hand out to my class?”

  “Sure. Do you have them or do we need to buy some?”

  He shook his head. “Sister Hannah said we need to make them.”

  Of course she did! Miss Romance herself.

  “I have paper, magic markers, crayons, and glue at home. I just need help cutting.”

  “I think I can help you with that.”

  “Daddy’s home!” Jack was beaming when he caught a glimpse of Simon’s BMW parked on the street.

  I was saddened, knowing his happiness would be fleeting once Simon broke the news to him. He took the stairs two at a time, barreling through the door, calling out for his daddy.

  “Hey, buddy!” Simon greeted as he came down the stairs, meeting Jack at the bottom, picking him up, and embracing him in a giant hug.

  “Daddy, you can help us make cupcakes!” Jack rested his head on Simon’s shoulder with the smile never leaving his face.

  I cleared my throat and put my bag down, not wanting Jack’s happiness to be taken from him.

  “Umm, Jack.” Simon took a seat on the bottom step and placed Jack on his lap. “I have to go to Chicago tonight.”

  “Where?” Jack threw up his hands in confusion.

  “It’s someplace far away.”

  “How far?”

  “You have to take an airplane to get there.”

  Jack buried his head in Simon’s shoulder and sniffled. “No, Daddy, I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay with me and Bree and make cupcakes.”

  My heart ached when he began to cry harder.

  “Aww, Jack, don’t cry.” Simon placed his lips on the top of Jack’s head and rocked him back and forth. “I’ll be home tomorrow and then we have all weekend to spend together.”

  Jack lifted his head for a brief moment, his bottom lip quivering. “But I want you here now,” he sobbed.

  Simon was at a loss for words when he gazed up at me. I raised my eyebrow, seeking his consent to talk to Jack, and he nodded in approval. I bent down next to Jack.

  “Jack, I’m gonna spend the night with you tonight, and I promise we’re gonna have lots of fun.”

  Crocodile tears spilled from his big blue eyes, past his glasses and onto Simon’s shoulder.

  “We’re gonna make yummy cupcakes, do your Valentine’s Day cards, watch some television, and maybe you can even stay up a little past your bedtime. Then you’ll wake up and go to school, and by the time you get home, your daddy will be home soon after.”

  He lifted his head and wiped his nose with his shirt sleeve. “Will you play in the snow with me?”

  I creased my eyebrows in confusion, since there wasn’t presently any snow on the ground.

  “Sister Hannah said it’s supposed to snow tomorrow.”

  “Of course! I love snow! Look, I even wore my boots.” I pointed to my UGGs.

  He was calming down a bit, finally catching his breath.

  “So, what do you think, Jack? Are you okay with Bree spending the night here with you?” Simon asked.

  He nodded, snuggling into Simon’s chest, still not ready to let him go just yet.

  Simon hugged him tight, rubbing his back in a circular motion. “Can I show Bree where she’ll be sleeping?” he asked Jack.

  “She can sleep in my room.” Jack lifted his head, perking up a bit.

  Simon let out a chuckle. “Umm, that’s really nice of you, but I think she’d like her own room. Don’t you?”

  Jack shrugged before getting down from Simon’s lap and looking up at me. “Can we make the cupcakes now?” And just like that, he had forgotten about his sadness.

  “Sure.” I smiled.

  “Jack, let me just show Bree up to her room really quickly,” Simon directed.

  “Fine!” Jack huffed, stomping into the living room and turning on the television.

  Simon motioned for me to follow him up the steps, leading me down the hallway once we reached the top. My eyes widened when he opened the door to a bedroom that was twice the size of my bedroom in my apartment. Done up in navy blue and red, giving it a nautical feel, the whitewashed furnishings added to that ambiance.

  “Wow, this is really beautiful.” I was about to ask him if he had decorated himself, but stopped myself. Something told me the room had a woman’s touch, and I didn’t want to open old wounds if my assumption was correct and it had been decorated by his wife. I put down my bag, taking everything in once again. “May I?” I asked, pointing to the bed.

  “Be my guest.”

  I took a seat on the bed and lay back. “Oh yeah, this is comfy enough.”

  Simon flashed me a boyish grin, shaking his head as I sat back up. “Having a Princess and the Pea moment?”

  I got up and walked over to where he was standing. He gazed down at me through his long, dark lashes, and without even thinking I moved closer and reached up to straighten his tie.

  “Wow, you know your fairytales. I’m impressed.” I raised an eyebrow.

  Something passed between the two of us as we stood there, only inches apart, taking each other in. He inched closer and my heart raced over that familiar glint in his eyes—the same one that I had become so familiar with on our Thursday afternoons not so long ago. His lips were so close to mine, I could almost taste them. I stretched my neck ever so slightly to help him out, knowing the little kiss we were about to succumb to could change everything.

  “Daddy, there’s someone knocking at the door,” Jack screamed up the stairs, interrupting the mistake we were about to make and causing us both to startle.

  “Fuck,” Simon scoffed, looking down at his watch. “Bree, would you be able to get that? It’s just Morgan, she works for me. I’ll be down in a second—I have to finish packing.”

  “Umm…yeah, sure.”

  Morgan? Who the heck is she, and why on earth was she going with him? I headed down the stairs, hoping she was hideous looking. Maybe she was old or maybe she was a plain old goody good who would never dream of sleeping with her boss. Why the hell did I even care anyway? I had no claim to him just because I had slept with him on several occasions and we’d almost kissed just a few seconds ago. He was free to do what he wanted with who he wanted, including the gruesome hag on the other side of the door. But when I opened that door, I quickly learned I was wrong. Dead wrong. The gruesome hag that I had hoped for was a tall, stunning brunette with a killer body. I stared into her big brown doe eyes while the green-eyed monster inside of me reared its ugly head.

  “Hi, I’m Morgan. I was looking for Simon.”

  “Oh, he’ll be right down.” I examined her snugly-fit royal blue dress that hit all her curves perfectly.

  “Tory Burch?” I asked.

  “Yes, how’d you guess?” She smiled, revealing her perfectly straight teeth.

  Of course she wouldn’t think I knew my designers, as I stood before her wearing ripped-up jeans, a plain old tee shirt, and my UGG boots. But little did she know, I had quite a few Tory Burch dresses in my closet—among many other high-end designers. Still, I couldn’t help feeling a little like a rag doll standing next to Barbie. I was that same girl not so long ago, with the designer dress and gorgeous shoes—but that was in a former life. Now, I was just your everyday girl who preferred jeans and leggings over expensive dresses and five-inch heels. A girl who cooked dinner each night instead of dining at some of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, and a girl who baked cupcakes for school functions. Something told me Morgan wasn’t the cupcake-making type.

  “And you are?” Morgan asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

  “Oh, I’m Aubree.” Simon’s former call girl. “Jack’s babysitter.”

  “Oh, okay!” She responded as if she had solved a murder case. “For a moment I thought you were Simon’s sister, but you didn’t have an accent so I was a little confused.” She laughed.

  “Oh, how funny!” I fe
igned laughter back. Simon had a sister? It appeared that Morgan knew a lot more about him than I did. Her eyes lit up when she looked past me to Simon, who was headed down the stairs.

  “Hey there!” Her voice rose an octave, and my stomach churned. “The car is waiting to take us to the airport.”

  “Okay, I’ll just be a second.” Simon was unaffected by her flirtatiousness. “Jack, I’m getting ready to go,” Simon shouted into the living room.

  Jack hesitantly walked out into the foyer with Macy right behind him.

  “Oh no! I do not like dogs!” Morgan scoffed, backing away from Macy when she tried to greet her.

  “Well, that explains a lot,” I muttered under my breath, fairly certain that no one had heard me, but when Simon widened his eyes and flashed me a devilish grin I knew I was wrong in that assumption.

  “Morgan, why don’t you go and wait in the car. I’ll be right out.” Simon grabbed Macy’s collar, pulling her away from Morgan, who was refusing to even give her one little pat of affection on her head.

  “Okay. It was nice meeting you—I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

  “Aubree.”

  “That’s it!” She pointed at me, letting out a phony, overzealous laugh.

  “Didn’t know my name was so funny,” I scoffed once she walked out the door.

  “Bree? Be nice.” Simon raised an eyebrow.

  “What? I’m always nice.” I feigned innocence, pretty certain that he had picked up on my jealousy.

  “I left some money on the kitchen counter as well as Jack’s health insurance card.”

  “Oh my god! Why would I need—”

  He put his hand up to stop me. “Just in case of an emergency.” He tried to halt my panic in its tracks, but it was too late. My mind was already playing out every worst scenario possible. “Bree, stop.” It was amazing how he could read my thoughts. “It’s going to be fine.”

  Jack was hiding behind me, pressing his face into the back of my leg, refusing to look at Simon.

  “Jack, do I at least get a hug goodbye?” Simon asked.

  “No!” Jack pouted. “I don’t want you to go, and I’m mad at you for leaving!”

  “Jack, come on. I really have to get going,” Simon coaxed.