by Lynn, Sandi
“Thank you for volunteering to pick Ruby up tomorrow.”
“No problem. Like I said, friends help each other out.” I placed my hands on her hips and quickly removed them when I heard Ruby coming down the hallway.
“Well, I better get going. Thanks for the pizza, Allison.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I will see you tomorrow after school, Miss Ruby.” I tapped her nose.
“Thanks for coming over and teaching me the guitar. It was fun.” She grinned. “Can I practice some more tomorrow?”
“You sure can.” I smiled as I patted her on the head.
* * *
I stood outside the school with my hands tucked into my pants pockets while I waited for Ruby to emerge. Looking around, I was surrounded by Moms who stared at me with devious smiles.
“Hello, there,” an attractive older woman approached me. “I haven’t seen you around before.”
“I’m picking up a friend’s daughter. She was in a pinch today.” I graciously smiled.
“Nathan Wolfe?” I heard a familiar voice from behind. Shit.
“Avril. How are you?” I asked as I turned around.
“I’m good. Reverted to school aged children now?” Her brow arched.
“Very funny. I’m picking up the daughter of a friend. She had to work, and her babysitter is sick.”
“Wow. This is a new one for you.”
“May I ask what you’re doing here? You don’t have kids.”
“Picking up my brother’s kid. I babysit him now a couple days a week since his mom passed away.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“I’m still waiting for that third date you promised me a few months back.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that. My work schedule has been all over the place. Things have been crazy.”
The bell rang and a mob of children came running out the doors.
“Nathan!” Ruby exclaimed as she came running up to me.
“It was nice to see you again, Avril. Have a good day.” I grabbed Ruby by the hand and led her down the street as fast as I could.
“Why are we walking so fast? Who was that lady?”
“Just an old friend of mine. I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Was she your girlfriend?”
“God no. I mean, no, she’s just a friend. How would you like to go get some ice cream before we head home?”
“Really?” Her face beamed with excitement.
We stepped into the ice cream parlor and stood in front of the cases staring at the different kinds of ice cream.
“What would you like?” I asked.
“Chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone, please,” she said.
“Really?” I cocked my head at her. “That’s my favorite too.”
“That’s because we’re cool.” She grinned as she high fived me.
I ordered our cones and we took a seat at a table against the window. I heard my phone ding and when I pulled it from my pocket, there was a text message from Allison.
“Just making sure you found Ruby okay.”
“I did and she’s fine. We’re sitting in an ice parlor having ice cream before we head home.”
“Thank you, Nathan. I have to get back inside the courtroom. I’ll see you later.”
“Was that my mom?” Ruby asked.
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“I figured. She worries a lot.”
“I feel ya, kid. My mom worries a lot too.” I sighed.
As we were enjoying our ice cream, there was a light knock on the window next to us. When I looked over, I saw Mason standing there pointing at me. I rolled my eyes at him and hoped he’d go away, but he didn’t. He decided to come in and harass me.
“So, what’s going on here? Hey, Ruby.” He smiled at her.
“Hi, Mason. Nathan’s babysitting me while my mom is at work. After we finish our ice cream, we’re going back to his place and he’s going to teach me more chords on the guitar.”
“Wow. That’s nice of you, bro.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I thought you were going back to work today.”
“I go back tomorrow.”
“Want some ice cream?” Ruby asked him.
“Nah. I’m good. But thanks anyway. I have to go. I was just on my way to the store when I spotted the two of you through the window.” The corners of his mouth curved upward. “I’ll be calling you later, Nathan.”
“I’m sure you will be.” I narrowed my eye at him.
“Bye, Ruby. Enjoy your ice cream and your time with Nathan.”
“I will.” She giggled.
Chapter 36
Nathan
We stepped inside my apartment and Ruby threw her backpack on the floor. Picking it up, I asked her if she had any homework to do.
“Nope. I finished it in school. Can I play your guitar now?”
“Sure.” I smiled as I grabbed it from the corner and handed it to her.
“Nathan,” she spoke in a soft voice.
“Yes, Ruby.”
“I’m really sorry about how I acted when we first met.” She looked down. It’s just—”
“Just what, love?” I asked as I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“There was something about you that reminded me of my dad. I miss him,” she said as she looked down.
Shit.
“I know you do, and I’m sorry for your loss.”
“My mom cries every night.”
“She does?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t think I can hear her, but I do. She goes in the bathroom and turns on the shower first. I thought maybe after we moved back here, she wouldn’t anymore, but she still does.”
I needed to change the subject fast because I was getting very uncomfortable and I didn’t know what to say to her.
“Your mom is a strong woman, Ruby. Hey, she’ll be getting off work soon. How about we surprise her with some Chinese for dinner, so she doesn’t have to cook. You like Chinese food, right?”
“Yeah. I love it.” She grinned.
“Great. I’ll go get the menu and we’ll look it over.”
* * *
Allison
I grabbed my purse and my briefcase and dropped it off at my apartment before going to pick up Ruby. I was so thankful that Nathan offered to watch her for me, but it also felt a little weird. Knocking on the door, Ruby opened it with a smile on her face.
“Hey, Mom.” She hugged me.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“You’re just in time.” Nathan smiled. “I ordered us some Chinese food for dinner. Ruby told me what you like.”
“Wow. Thank you. I was going to make hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.”
“Sorry, Mom. Chinese food is way better,” Ruby said.
“How was court?” he asked as took the cartons of food out of the bag.
“It was good. We won.”
“Excellent.” He grinned.
“You guys are playing Monopoly?” I asked as I saw it set up on the floor.
“Yeah and I’m kicking Nathan’s butt!”
“Your daughter is a cheater. Just like Elijah. I’d love to see those two play together.”
“It’s called strategy, Nathan.”
“See. She sounds just like him too.” He smirked and I couldn’t help but laugh.
As I sat at the table eating with the two of them, suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt as if the air around me was closing in. My heart started to rapidly beat, and I broke out into a sweat.
“Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the bathroom.”
I got up, walked to the bathroom and shut the door. Planting my hands on the edge of the sink, I gripped it as I closed my eyes and took in a few deep breaths. Once I calmed myself down, I went back to the table and took my seat.
“Everything okay?” Nathan asked.
“Yeah. Everything is fine. I just drank way too much coffee today.” I smiled.
After we ate, Nathan and Ruby went to finish their game and I s
tayed back to clean up.
“Allison, don’t worry about that. I’ll clean it up later.”
“No. I’m cleaning up. Just finish getting bankrupt by a nine-year-old.” I smirked.
“I think I’d rather clean up.” He frowned.
“I won!” Ruby shouted as she stood up and did a little dance.
“Make no mistake, kid. The next time we play, I’m winning.” He pointed at her.
“Then you better get working on your strategy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I grabbed her backpack.
“We need to go, sweetheart. You need a bath before bed.”
“Bye, Nathan.” She hugged him as he sat on the floor. “Thanks for today. I had fun.”
“You’re welcome, kid. Have a good night.”
“Ruby, go push the button to the elevator. I’ll be out there in a minute.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Nathan stood up and walked over to me.
“Thank you for everything. Karen is feeling better and will pick Ruby up tomorrow.”
“Sure. No problem.” He brushed the back of his hand down my cheek.
“I better go,” I spoke in a nervous tone.
“Have a good night, Allison.”
“You too, Nathan.”
As soon as we got back to the apartment, I started the bath for Ruby and went into the bedroom and changed into my pajamas. After pouring a glass of wine, I went in to check on her.
“I think you put way too many bubbles in that water.” I smiled.
“You can never have too many bubbles. Hey, Mom?”
“Yeah, sweetheart.”
“I really like Nathan and I’m glad he’s our friend.”
“Me too, Ruby.”
“I wouldn’t mind if the two of you started dating.”
I was in the middle of sipping my wine when she said that and nearly choked to death.
“That’s sweet of you, but Nathan and I are just friends.”
“Are you scared to start dating again, Mom?”
“What? Where is this coming from?” I asked as I cocked my head at her. “This is not a conversation we should be having, little miss.”
“Why? You always tell me that we can talk about anything.”
“True. But this is one subject I really don’t want to talk about. Finish up your bath. I’m going to go pack your lunch for tomorrow.” I tapped her on the nose.
Chapter 37
One Month Later
Nathan
When I wasn’t working, I was hanging out with Ruby, having sex with Allison whenever we could sneak it in and just overall enjoying life. My mother had asked me to join her for dinner. Elijah and Aspen had plans and Mason was working at the station, so it was just the two of us.
I stepped inside Gramercy Tavern and the hostess led me to the booth where my mother was waiting for me.
“Hello, darling.” She smiled as I kissed her cheek before sitting down.
“Hi, Mom.”
“I took the liberty of ordering you a scotch.” She gestured to the glass sitting in front of me.
“Thank you.” The corners of my mouth curved upward as I picked up the glass.
“What have you been up to? We haven’t really had a chance to sit down and talk alone since your brother’s wedding, she spoke as she opened the menu and looked it over.
“Not much. How about you?”
“I’ve been quite busy at the firm. I spoke to Allison today. Have you spoken to her since the wedding?”
“Here and there.” I sipped my drink.
“Are the two of you still having sex?”
“That’s really none of your business, Mother.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Ruby’s babysitter dropped her off at the firm yesterday after school. Apparently, she had some appointment she needed to get to. Allison asked me if it was okay and of course I told her yes. Ruby is an adorable little girl. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah. She’s a cute kid.”
“She told me how much fun she had when you picked her up from school one day. She told me how you took her for ice cream and how she beat you in Monopoly.”
“Okay? What’s your point?” I asked with an arch in my brow.
“Is there something going on between you and Allison? Besides sex.”
“No. Of course not. Allison was in a pinch for a babysitter since her parents were out of town and her babysitter was sick, so I volunteered to help out. I wasn’t doing anything anyway.”
“That was very nice of you, darling, but it isn’t you. Nobody knows you like I do. So spill it. What’s going on?”
The waiter walked over as soon as I closed my menu and took our dinner order.
“Another scotch, please. Nothing is going on. We’re friends and that’s it.”
“Friends who have sex.” Her brow arched as she picked up her glass of wine.
“Like you can talk, Mother.”
“I adore Allison and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“Allison knows exactly where I stand when it comes to relationships and she knows how I am. We had a full conversation about it. It’s just casual sex between us.”
“Then obviously she took my advice.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“Advice? What advice?” I asked as I narrowed my eye at her.
“We had a little chat in Vegas. She told me she hadn’t been the same since her husband passed away and would feel guilty for being with another man. I simply told her that there was nothing wrong with having a little casual sex to get her through the day. You’re welcome.” She smiled. “But if you don’t intend on taking it any further with her, you need to cut it off now before it’s too late and someone gets hurt.”
I sighed as I cut into my steak.
The next morning, I got up early, threw on my running clothes and stepped inside the elevator. As it was going down, it stopped on the twenty-second floor. The doors opened and I saw Allison and Ruby standing there.
“Nathan!” Ruby exclaimed.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I smiled as I patted her head. “Good morning, Allison.”
“Good morning.” A bright smile graced her face as they both stepped inside.
“Off to school?” I asked Ruby.
“Yeah. My Uncle Rick is picking me up today and I’m spending the night at his house. Him and Aunt Darcy are taking me to the movies.”
“Sounds like you’re going to have some serious fun.”
“Do you have any plans for tonight?” she asked as the elevator continued down to the lobby.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“My mom doesn’t. Maybe you can come down and keep her company while I’m gone.”
“Ruby!” Allison said.
The doors opened and I held it with my hand while Allison and Ruby stepped out first.
“Bye Nathan.” Ruby waved.
“Bye, Ruby. Have a good day at school. I’ll call you later.” I mouthed to Allison and she gave me a smile.
While I ran in Central Park, I’d given a lot of thought to the conversation my mother and I had last night. As delusional as I was to think that me and Allison could keep having sex without any consequences, I knew it would only be a matter of time. A matter of time before I hurt her. Not to mention a matter of time before Elijah found out and kicked my ass. It was only supposed to be a one-time thing. Then it turned into multiple times and dinners with the three of us, guitar lessons, monopoly games, video games and dancing and singing to The Beatles in the middle of the living room. My entire world had been turned upside down since I’d met them and when I saw my future, I saw the three of us in it, but I also saw the heartache and misery that followed. I saw the fear in my heart and in my soul, and the destruction I’d leave behind. The fear of “normal” suffocated me and I knew what had to be done.
I stopped running and tried to regain my breath. Pulling out my phone, I saw I had a text message from Allison.
“Dinner tonight? My place?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you around seven.”
“Can’t wait. Heading into court now. TTYL.”
I took in a deep breath as tonight would be the night. The night I had to have a talk with Allison. A talk I dreaded.
Chapter 38
Allison
I couldn’t wait any longer for Nathan to call me, so I sent him a text message inviting him over for dinner. The past month had been a whirlwind of emotions. I never thought I’d fall for someone again after Jared, but I did. The more time Nathan and I spent together, the more I fell for him. And watching him with Ruby was the icing on the cake. She loved him and she was happier when he was around. I knew she missed her father terribly, but if she could find it in her heart to let someone else inside, I could too. I knew how Nathan felt about relationships, but maybe I was different to him. I prayed I was because when I saw my future now, I saw him in it. I was ready. As much as it scared me, I was willing to try. He made me happy and he made me laugh. He made me forget about the loneliness that hid inside me. We had so much in common that it was kind of scary. We liked all the same things and we had this habit of finishing each other’s sentences. We fit together and I didn’t want to hide anymore. I wanted to introduce him to my father and to Rick and Darcy, and I wanted Elijah to know. Tonight would be the night that I would tell him how I felt, and I prayed he felt the same way.
“What’s that smile for?” Elijah asked as he stepped into my office.
“No reason. Just happy in life.”
“Excellent. That’s what I like to hear. It doesn’t happen to be because of a man, does it? Because I know that look you women get.”
“Is that so?” I smiled. “Actually, it does have to do with someone that I met. He’s coming over tonight for dinner.”
“I hope he’s a nice guy because if he’s not, he’ll have me to deal with.” He smirked.
“He is a nice guy. In fact, he’s a great guy. I never thought I’d ever meet someone again after Jared, but I did and honestly, I really like him.”
“I’m happy to hear that, Allison. You deserve to be happy. When can I meet him? Maybe the four of us can have dinner next week.”