Keep My Baby Safe

by Bella Grant

  “It’s perfect, thank you.” Travis smiled as he pulled his wallet out. He leaned close to the clerk as she wrapped it, hoping the mother and daughter pair wouldn’t hear him. “Do you know what they’re after?”

  The clerk twinkled at him, lifting her shoulders in a happy shrug. “They’ve been in here three times. She’ll pick the first flowers she chose two weeks ago, but we’ll have to look at all the options again.”

  Travis smiled at her. “Pretty typical, huh?”

  “Oh, yes,” she replied sagely, nodding as she wrapped the bouquet carefully. “All the young girls take forever to make up their minds, and ninety percent of them choose the first set they saw.” She finished wrapping the lilies, tying a ribbon around the end, and told him his total.

  “Would you add their total, or what you think it will be, to mine, please?”

  The woman nearly dropped the bouquet in surprise. She looked at the women, who were sitting together on the bench chatting amiably about wedding nonsense. Her eyes returned to him and she leaned closer to whisper, “Sir, that could be hundreds of dollars.”

  With a smile, he leaned close to her. “Make it an anonymous gift. Add five hundred to my total. Will that cover it?”

  She glanced at the pair on the bench, then at him. “Sir, that’s probably too much. I don’t know for sure what they want yet, and—”

  “The rest will be for you,” Travis told her, “for putting up with a young girl’s silliness.”

  “I have to ask one more time. Are you sure, sir?”

  “I’m sure. I didn’t get to have a wedding, and every young girl deserves a beautiful wedding,” Travis told her sincerely. He pulled out his wallet, grateful he carried cash so he wouldn’t have to use his card.

  “Five hundred only, sir,” she squeaked when he counted six one-hundred-dollar bills. “That’s more than enough for yours and theirs.”

  “More than fair,” he told her, smiling as he handed her the bills. He accepted the bouquet as she took the money, her face a mask of amazement.

  “Sir, are you sure you don’t want to tell them of your gift?”

  “Oh, no. This will be such a good story for her to tell when she’s been married twenty years, don’t you think? A story for her grandchildren.”

  Tears filled the older woman’s eyes, and her smile was brilliant. She blinked rapidly to rid her eyes of tears. “You’re a good man. Your lady friend is lucky to have met you.”

  Travis winked at her, a gesture he used more often than he realized. “Thank you. Don’t tell them until I leave.”

  “I won’t,” she whispered, shaking her head in awe.

  Travis waved to her and called his thanks, smiling hugely at the mother and daughter, who both blushed over the handsome, smiling man. He walked nonchalantly to the door, but as soon as he was outside, he quickened his steps. He ran across the road and down a block, worried the clerk would tell the two women before he could get out of sight.

  He slowed once he’d turned the corner, and his heart was light as he meandered through the street to the deli where he was supposed to meet Diana. He held the bouquet carefully, wanting its perfection to remain until she saw them. He’d have to ask for a glass to put them in while they ate so they didn’t wilt. The day wasn’t incredibly hot—mild, in fact—but the flowers were delicate.

  He reached the deli a few minutes later and secured a table on the patio. He’d thought about going up to the balcony, but he wouldn’t be able to see her as she walked up. He wanted to watch her before she saw him, see her beautiful face as she looked for him and the smile alight on her lips when she saw him. Her smile had always been her greatest asset. Still was, according to her Facebook page.

  He ordered a mimosa, feeling foolish for sipping what was labeled a “girly drink,” but orange juice and champagne together was the most delicious combination. He decided that when Diana arrived, he’d order a pitcher since she’d always liked them.

  He watched the crowd, paying attention to the eccentric folks that made up New Orleans. Tourists were obvious, locals more so, and all were fascinating. Travis loved The Big Easy and the people who populated it, even if some of those people were nothing like him. So eclectic, so unusual and usual in the same breath, New Orleans was a visual buffet for the people watcher. As he waited for Diana and sipped his mimosa, he watched with a small smile on his face.

  As if her personality called to him, he looked in her direction when she was still nearly a block away. She wore a pale green sundress that, he was certain, would bring her eyes to life and make them shine brighter than the sun. The dress was halter style, revealing her shoulders, one of his favorite places to kiss. Her hair was halfway up, loosely tied back with half down and half up, like a hippy at Woodstock, and following the style, she wore little to no makeup.

  His heart skipped about four beats, and his eyes refused to leave her. He didn’t even care if she caught him staring as he watched her walk towards him, her step so self-assured his insecurities flared for a moment. He had to remind himself that she had loved him once, that they had shared something special and might be able to again.

  When she was closer, he rose and lifted his hand. She looked at him, and her smile settled in his mind forever.

  Chapter 6

  Diana lifted a hand in a wave and opened the door to the deli so she could walk around to the patio, which had a thigh-high, black, wrought iron fence around it so no one could wander up and have a seat. When she’d seen Travis, her stomach had twisted excitedly, and the smile on her face was reflex. Seeing him made her smile. You told yourself you wouldn’t make a decision until after the lunch, she chided herself before stepping onto the patio.

  She located him quickly when he lifted his hand, and she wound between the tables filled with other patrons to his. He rose as she approached, and her mind screamed, Hug him? Shake his hand? Sit quickly so I don’t have to choose? Anxiety tripped through her, causing her pace to slow, but when she reached him, the decision was removed from her hands.

  Travis wrapped his arms around her tightly, squeezing briefly before letting go and pulling her chair out for her. “Good morning.”

  “Hi,” she replied, her voice quiet as she told her body to calm itself. The hug had incited her desire for him, something she had tried to tamp down. She shifted in the chair, which made the need worse, so she sat still and smiled, glancing at the pitcher. She pointed to it, pretending nonchalance, and asked, “Mimosas?”

  “No better way to start the day,” Travis told her, lifting the pitcher and pouring the sweet liquid into a flute waiting for her. His fingers brushed hers when he handed her the glass, and Diana was positive he’d done it on purpose. He’d always been able to read her and knew when she was horny, which had been incredibly sexy when they’d been together. Now it put her at a disadvantage.

  “Thank you,” she said with a small smile, controlling her expression and her eyes—which had always revealed every thought she had—and sipped. “Oh, this is delicious!”

  “And it’s not even the best thing they have here,” he replied with a chuckle. He reached to the chair next to him, which was covered by the tablecloth, and lifted a bouquet of flowers. With a smile that touched her heart, he held them out to her.

  Diana reached for them, her fight with her expression lost as pure enchantment filled her. “You remembered my favorite flower!”

  “And your favorite color,” he added, eyes twinkling. “I asked the waiter to bring water for them after you arrived, so don’t worry about them wilting.”

  Diana laughed, shaking her head. “You knew exactly what I was thinking! They’re beautiful, thank you.”

  “Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman,” Travis complimented, leaning forward to prop his chin in his palm as he watched her. “You haven’t aged at all.”

  A blush crept up her throat and into her cheeks, both from embarrassment and pleasure. “Well,” she shrugged, looking away, “it’s only been five years, you kno
w.”

  Travis didn’t reply immediately, so she sipped her mimosa again to cover her bashfulness, realizing that only Travis could make her feel this way. Pleased, she smiled at him as she set her glass down, catching him staring at her.

  “I always liked it when you blushed. So cute,” Travis told her.

  Their eyes caught and held, and Diana’s heart lurched in her chest as if it wanted to leap out and land in his hands. She opened her mouth to reply but could think of nothing to say and was grateful when the waiter appeared. Much more forward, she thought giddily.

  “Hello, and welcome, miss! Here’s a vase I found in the back for your flowers. Wouldn’t want them to fade,” he exclaimed proudly, waving the vase excitedly and nearly sloshing water out. He set it on the table and held out his hands for the bouquet. Smiling widely, she handed them to the man and sent Travis a look. While he artfully arranged the flowers after removing the wrapping, he asked, “Would y’all like to order food now or enjoy your drinks for a bit longer?” The young blonde man with striking blue eyes smiled as he glanced from one to the other.

  Travis lifted his eyebrows at Diana, smirking, and she narrowed her eyes before smiling at the waiter. “I haven’t even looked at a menu yet.”

  “Would you like to hear our specials?” Diana nodded, and the waiter recited three delicious dishes that could be considered breakfast or lunch. “What do you think?”

  “Gosh, I don’t know,” Diana hummed as she picked up the menu. “Can we have a few more minutes?”

  “Of course,” he responded happily, as if she’d spouted great news rather than a hesitant question. He twisted the vase towards her with a lift of his eyebrows. “What do you think?”

  “Stunning,” she complimented. She reached for the wrapping, but he stopped her.

  “I’ll throw this away for you,” he said with a grin. “You can keep the vase.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He waved his hand at her. “I had to scrub the dust off it. Who knows how long it’s been there, and now it has a use again.”

  Diana enjoyed his dramatic idealism, smiling broadly up at him. “Well, thank you, sir.”

  “I’m Dustin,” he introduced.

  “Diana, and this is Travis,” she replied, shaking his hand before gesturing to Travis.

  “Ah, a date,” he announced, holding up his hands as he stepped back. “I’ll leave the two of you to get acquainted.”

  “Could you please get another pitcher of mimosas?” Travis asked as he refilled Diana’s glass.

  “I’ll be right back with it,” Dustin promised, snickering at Diana when her glass nearly overflowed. “Enjoy!”

  Diana sipped her drink, giggling when she hiccupped. “He seems like a really fun guy.”

  “I wonder if he’s ever been down that alley,” Travis said, his eyebrows up as he waited for Diana to get his joke. When her confusion didn’t clear, he said, “We just talked about it! The whips and chains alley!”

  Diana tipped her head back and laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t make assumptions.”

  “I didn’t,” he defended, placing his hand over his heart. “Do you like the mimosa?”

  “More than I should,” she told him, wagging a finger at him. “I’m worried you might be trying to get me drunk.”

  “Now who’s making assumptions,” he chided playfully. “The waiter will be back soon. Better decide.”

  As if his words had conjured Dustin, he appeared about thirty seconds later, just as Diana set her menu down after choosing her meal. After placing the new pitcher of mimosas in front of Travis, he pulled out a pad and pencil and asked for their orders. She chose an omelet with spinach and diced peppers, while Travis had chosen a more lunch-inspired meal. Dustin offered a fruit appetizer plate, and they agreed it sounded delicious. After he’d delivered it, they settled in to chat.

  “So, tell me about your business,” Diana prompted, beginning the conversation. “It seems to be going well?”

  “Very well,” Travis nodded, his hand lifting to play with the black hair that had slipped over his shoulder. He wore it pulled back, but it had a mind of its own. “Took a lot of work, but now that we’re turning such a large profit, I don’t have to work as much.” Diana felt the surprise flit across her face, and he chuckled. “I know, I know, it’s shocking. But I really have tried to find a better balance between work and play.”

  “I’m glad,” she told him, smiling at him. She dreaded the question she saw in his eyes, so she addressed it before he could ask. “I stopped gambling.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask,” Travis told her, his face expressionless.

  Diana sat back and waved her hand. “You can and have a right to. My boss found out why I had to sell the house, and he insisted I go to therapy and put me on a budget. He really helped me. I owe him a lot.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  As she lifted her eyes to him, she saw the blank expression dissolve into one of jealousy. She snickered and leaned forward. “You aren’t jealous, are you?” His look of surprise played falsely on his face, and she smirked. “My boss is gay. He’s had the same boyfriend for over a decade.”

  Travis pursed his lips as his eyes narrowed. “Gay men have always loved you.”

  Diana nodded, smiling. “They do, thank God. Anyway, I haven’t been to a casino in two and a half years, I don’t buy lotto tickets or scratch off tickets, and I don’t even join in the pools at work.”

  “I’m really proud of you, Diana,” Travis said. He sighed as he looked into her eyes. “I have to tell you, I’d already decided if you were still struggling with the gambling, our friendship probably wouldn’t happen.”

  Friendship, huh? she thought, frowning sadly. Now I know. She wanted his admission to annoy her, but she completely understood how he felt. “I appreciate your honesty. And since we’re sharing, you should know that if you were still working as much as you used to, today would have been our only outing.”

  “So you’re saying maybe we can have another outing?” Travis asked lightly, despite the heavy topic. He wiggled his eyebrows, and Diana was charmed as always.

  She was a little confused, though. He’d said friendship, but his behavior and question hinted at not just friends. So what does he want? she asked herself, intrigued, deciding she would have to play this little adventure out with him.

  “I wouldn’t mind another outing, since we have everything out in the open,” she answered carefully. She wasn’t going to show the extent of her feelings until she was sure of his.

  A moment passed between them, their eyes locked and the surrounding noise around them faded. Diana’s heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t hide her feelings from him if she stared at him much longer. He’d read every thought that passed through her mind, her heart, her soul. With a great deal of reluctance, she tore her eyes away from his and looked at her flowers again.

  Travis watched Diana as she jerked her eyes downward, as if she didn’t really want to but had to. During their lengthy stare, he could have sworn he’d seen the love she still felt for him, but she’d steeled herself and looked away before he was sure. He cursed internally, but a smile spread across his face as he watched the blush creep up her neck and fill in her cheeks.

  “Blushing again,” he commented. “As lovely as the flowers I gave you.”

  Diana’s pink face reddened further as she glanced at the flowers, the table, her glass—anywhere but in his eyes. She lifted her drink and whispered, “Thank you.”

  He sat back as Dustin returned with their fruit plate, which was brimming with apple slices, grapes, pineapple chunks, and melon chunks. A small bowl was in the center with some sort of dip. “Thank you, Dustin. Um, what’s this?” he asked, pointing at the dip.

  “That is a vanilla yogurt dip. It’s absolutely delicious, especially with the apple slices,” Dustin assured them. He left them with a smile.

  Neither of them lifted a hand to reach for the fruit. Travis decided to try something to
see her reaction. He grabbed an apple slice and dipped it in the yogurt, spinning it so he didn’t drip any on the table. He held it out for her, and she looked surprised. She lifted a hand to take it from him, but he slipped it out of her reach.

  “Open your mouth,” he ordered.

  “What?” she asked, her eyes widening and finally meeting his.

  “Open your mouth and let me feed you,” he suggested, his voice low as he smiled what he hoped was a seductive grin. With a small smile on her lips, she parted them and leaned forward slightly, letting him slip the apple between her teeth. She bit off the chunk with the dip, and he withdrew the rest to dip it again and eat himself.

  “Mmmmm.” She hummed her pleasure, letting her eyes close.

  Travis’ chewing stopped as he watched her, the sounds she made as she chewed slowly so much like the moans she used to make when they made love. His cock reacted to her, the feeling of being inside her as fresh in his memory as if they had fucked the day before.

  When she opened her eyes, she caught him staring and smiled magnificently at him, clearing her throat after swallowing. “That dip is scrumptious.”

  “It is,” he replied, clearing his own throat and lifting his glass for a gulp of mimosa. He decided to change the subject before he embarrassed himself and asked her back to his place for a memory romp. The only thing he could think of was her family. “So, how is your mom?”

  Diana’s eyes saddened, and he wondered if he’d asked the wrong question and made a different kind of mistake than moving too quickly into bed with her. She’d never been close with her mother, had in fact hated her in many ways. The addictive personality had been a gift from the woman, who had been addicted to drugs, alcohol, and men Diana’s entire life. As soon as she’d graduated from high school, she’d left home and found a job and an apartment to share with three other women. When he’d met her, she had been so close to the poverty line she often missed meals.

  Travis had been enamored by her the moment he saw her. He found out later she was on campus as a scholarship student, and much later, after they’d been dating, about her life and her mother. In the years they’d been together, he had met Diana’s mother, Ellen, only twice and wished he hadn’t both times. She was a horrible person, and Diana had avoided any contact with her.