Awaken My Heart

by Maria K. Alexander

  That he could feel so much in one kiss freaked him out a little. He pulled back and stared at her, seeing she was wild-eyed and breathing as heavily as he.

  “Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said you’d make it worth my while,” Ashley said.

  Hell yeah.

  “One for the record books, for sure.” Nick sat up, pulling her with him.

  At some point, he must have yanked her hair out of its restraint because it lay in a messy tangle around her shoulders.

  She laughed. “Oops. We destroyed the rest of the cream puff.” Reaching out, she grabbed the remnants now smeared over their pants.

  “We did a real number on it.” He used a water bottle to wet a napkin and dabbed it on her pants. But wet paper against black fabric only made for a mess.

  She brushed the paper fuzz away. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll clean up when I get back. It was fantastic, though. It’s a shame to have wasted it.”

  He reached across her to the box now on the far side of the blanket—how did it get over there? “Then it’s a good thing I have more.”

  “Oh, you are my hero.” She reached forward and peeked under the lid. “Where did you get them from?”

  Maybe the way to a second date was through her sweet tooth.

  He showed her the top of the box that bore a sticker.

  “Decadent DeLites,” she read.

  “It’s the bakery and café my sister owns in our old neighborhood. It’s where my parents’ pizzeria used to be.”

  “The pizzeria closed?”

  “It shut down the end of last year, and Vicky converted it to a café. Ma and Pop opened a trattoria up on the Main Line. Trattoria DiFrancesco.”

  “Good for them. I’m sure it’s wonderful.”

  “I’ll take you there sometime,” he said.

  “We’ll see,” she said.

  Not exactly an encouraging response.

  He reached inside and handed her a whole cream puff.

  “I love the way chocolate is drizzled on the top.” She took a delicate bite, closing her eyes. “These are hands down the best cream puffs I’ve ever had.”

  Nick bit into his own, the cream with a hint of almond in combination with chocolate created an abundance of deliciousness in his mouth.

  “Tell me about your life in California. Before you left, you were going to be a guidance counselor,” Nick said.

  “I worked as one in a couple schools.”

  “What part of California?”

  “My dad was a professor at UC Berkeley. We had a place off-campus.” Ashley took a sip of water, and Nick couldn’t help notice her hand ever so slightly shook.

  “How’d you hook up with New Beginnings?” he asked.

  “I’d volunteered as a counselor at a similar facility in California. One of my friends from back here volunteers at New Beginnings and told me about an opening when the previous director was getting ready to retire.”

  “From what I could see, you care about helping those girls.”

  She picked up a blade of grass and was ripping it into pieces. “I do. It’s hard being in that situation, feeling alone and vulnerable.”

  “You say that like you know what it’s like to be an unwed mother.”

  Ashley had taken another sip of water and choked on it.

  He patted her back. “You okay?”

  She diverted her gaze but not before he saw her eyes widen.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” She wiped her mouth. “Listen, Nick. There’s something I need to tell you—”

  Nick’s phone buzzed with Damon’s alert tone. As much as Nick didn’t want to respond—especially when she looked so vulnerable—he was technically on the clock. Damon would only interrupt him if it was important.

  He held up a finger. “Hold that thought. I need to check this.”

  Scanning the message, he saw something had come up with the case. Shit. He was going to have to cut this short. With the taste of her still in his mouth, he counted his blessings the interruption hadn’t happened sooner.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m needed at the precinct.”

  Ashley brushed crumbs off her pants and jumped up. “No worries. I should get back as well.”

  Was it his imagination or did she seem relieved to cut their lunch short?

  They threw away the trash, and Nick insisted she take the remaining cream puffs.

  Back at New Beginnings, he parked. When she reached for the door handle, he touched her arm. “Wait. What did you want to tell me before?”

  Ashley opened her mouth as though she was going to speak but pressed her lips together. “I…I wanted to thank you for lunch. I had a nice time.”

  He stroked her cheek. “Me, too. When can we do this again?”

  She furrowed her brow. “Let me look at my schedule and let you know. Okay?”

  He started to press but held back, wanting to play things cool. “You got it.”

  Then he pulled her in and planted a long, hard kiss on her. “See you soon, Ashley.”

  ****

  The next day at seven thirty in the morning, Nick pulled into the lot at Franklin Park. The crisp morning air had finally started to feel like fall. Clad in only a sweatshirt, Nick grabbed his toolbox and work gloves and headed to the clearing.

  Jamie and Vicky were already there. Two folding tables had been set up, one of which had been commandeered by Vicky, who had arranged travel urns of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and an assortment of pastries. Nick made a beeline straight to the coffee and poured a large cup, adding a generous helping of sugar and creamer.

  “Hey, big brother,” Vicky called.

  Nick grunted a response until he took the first blessed sip.

  Thank you, dear Lord.

  Vicky shoved an apple cider donut in his free hand. “This along with the coffee will help clear away the cobwebs.”

  “You’re in an annoyingly chipper mood this morning.”

  “What’s not to be happy about? My business is doing fab, I woke up to a sexy man who already rocked my world this morning, and I’m getting married in a few weeks.” She kissed Nick’s cheek and hugged him. “Life’s awesome.”

  He could have done without knowing his baby sister was doing the deed on a regular basis.

  “Thanks for the reminder of how much my life sucks.” Nick took another large gulp of coffee and started to feel almost human.

  He headed over to the guys, who were huddled off to the side.

  “What’s up, man?” Jamie said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. He had a sappy smile on his face, too. As did his BFF and business partner, Tristan Connelly.

  What, did everyone fucking have sex this morning except him? After another fitful night of sleep—this one filled with erotic dreams of Ashley—the best Nick got was a quick tug in the shower, but it had nothing on the real thing.

  “Hey. What’s the plan for today?” Nick asked and bit into the donut.

  “We’re dividing the volunteers into two teams. One will work on finishing the little kid’s play area. The other will start the larger swing set,” Jamie said.

  “We dug holes for the poles yesterday and plan to pour the concrete today,” Tristan added.

  “Let me know what you want me to do, but you may want to put me with Gina,” Nick said.

  “Vick mentioned she’d be here. No worries. We’ll keep her busy and out of trouble.” Jamie handed him a clipboard. “Here’s the list of volunteers and their assignments. As people arrive, can you direct them to their station?”

  “You got it.”

  Nick made his way over to the clearing where the volunteers were strolling in from the parking lot. Adult volunteers began arriving, as did Ms. Peterson from the school.

  “Good morning, Ms. Peterson,” he said.

  “Hi, Mr. DiFrancesco. There are six kids coming from the school. Once they check in with me, they’re all yours,” Ms. Peterson said.

  “Appreciate that. I have a list of what they’ll be working on.”
>
  “I can take that if you want,” Ms. Peterson offered.

  “Perfect. Thanks.”

  With the sign-in handled, Nick walked over to the edge of the parking lot, where Franny had pulled to the side to drop off Gina.

  Really? She couldn’t at least park and walk over with her?

  “Hey, peanut.” Despite Gina’s scowl, Nick pulled her in for a hug and kiss. “Check in with Ms. Peterson. She’ll tell you where to report.”

  “Whatever.” Gina huffed out a breath and stomped off.

  Nick leaned into the open window of the car.

  “Make it quick. I have things to do today,” Franny snapped but put the car in park.

  “Any issues with her the past couple days?”

  “No. Although it took some finagling, I was able to move her dance lessons to Saturday evenings for the next month.”

  Oh joyful day.

  “Okay. How’s Joey?”

  “He’s fine.”

  “I’ll pick them up at nine tomorrow morning. Bring them to church before going to my parents’,” Nick said.

  “Anything else?”

  “Nope.”

  “Fine. I’m off to meet with the florist about my wedding flowers.” She put the car into gear and gunned the engine a little more than necessary before taking off.

  If her off-hand comment about the florist was supposed to be a slap in the face, she’d be disappointed. Now she’d be Daniel’s problem. Good riddance.

  The sacrament of marriage was important to Nick, and he’d planned to have a long-lasting one like his parents, who’d tied the knot almost forty years ago. While he had married Franny because she was pregnant, he had feelings for her. Maybe it wasn’t the deep-seated love he had hoped to have, but it was honest, and Nick had meant every one of the vows he’d taken all those years ago. Too bad Franny didn’t.

  Now he had two kids, an ex-wife, a low bank-account balance, and an empty bed. He lived in a too drafty, shabby apartment that drained his pitiful salary so much he’d actually considered moving in with his parents to save money.

  He shoved his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt and headed back to the food table. It was time for another coffee refill.

  “What, the Queen Biotch couldn’t grace us with her presence?” Vicky asked, referring to her and Kate’s nickname for Franny since the separation.

  “She has wedding plans to make,” Nick replied.

  Vicky grabbed his arm. “Are you shitting me?”

  “Nope.”

  “Are you okay with that?” she asked.

  “Yup. Just wish Gina didn’t look so miserable,” Nick said.

  “Yeah, well she is fourteen. That’s a rough age,” Vicky said.

  Nick snorted. “You wrote the book on rough ages, squirt.”

  She gave him a playful nudge. “Oh, shush. I turned out fine. She will, too.”

  Vick had finally gotten her act together the past year. If Gina followed the same path, Nick had ten to twelve more years before he could bond with his daughter.

  The fuck if he was going to wait that long.

  “From your lips to God’s ears,” Nick said.

  Nick scanned the crowd, stopping when he caught a glimpse of a woman in a dark red jacket.

  Ashley.

  Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she was laughing at something with Ms. Peterson. Thoughts of Ashley had consumed much of his time the past few days. What would have happened if Franny had never knocked on his door the morning after…if she had never gotten pregnant? Would the smart girl have given a rough-around-the-edges guy like him a chance?

  The past didn’t matter, he supposed. He enjoyed lunch with her yesterday and had planned on calling her later to see if she was free tonight or tomorrow night.

  Time for a fresh start.

  But first he wanted to find out what she was doing here.

  He took a step forward but was stopped by Vicky’s hand on his arm. “Hey, bro, you gotta see this. There’s a kid here who could be your teen double.”

  Following Vicky’s nod, Nick searched until he saw the profile of a kid with short dark hair. Nick furrowed his brow. Ashley stood behind the boy with hands on his shoulders similar to what he’d done on many occasions to Gina and Joey.

  The boy turned, and Nick’s heart dropped to the ground.

  One look and Nick found himself looking in a mirror—of his fourteen-year old self.

  ****

  Ashley had never considered herself a lucky person, and it was a good thing because luck was not on her side today.

  She’d woken early and made eggs for breakfast—one of a handful of meals she could make without sounding the smoke detector. After leaving a plate of food for her dad and cleaning up, she got herself ready while Sean made his lunch. He’d be at the park for detention until two and was told to bring lunch. He was quiet on the drive over, but Ashley figured he was still embarrassed by the event that resulted in the detention.

  Sean’s behavior was out of character. He wasn’t the kind of kid who caused trouble. Similar to her, he’d been teased by his peers because teachers loved him. He was smart, conscientious, and polite.

  She’d wondered if there was more to him helping this girl. A crush, perhaps? But when Ashley asked, Sean rolled his eyes and shook his head. After pressing, Ashley learned the girl was also new to the school and somewhat of a troublemaker. It was her third time getting caught vandalizing the school. Sean was trying to be nice by helping her clean up but insisted he most definitely did not like her. Said she hung with the popular kids and made fun of him for being smart.

  Ashley hated those types of girls and had seen her fair share in school.

  Now, standing with Sean and Ms. Peterson, Ashley glanced at the girls and wondered which of them was the street artist. She looked away, figuring it was better not to know. Who knew better than she what it was like to be judged?

  “Sean, you’re in Group B. They’re gathering over by the dinosaur slide,” Ms. Peterson said.

  “I’ll see you later,” Ashley said.

  “Okay. Bye, Mom.” There was a slight tremor in his voice, but Sean straightened his shoulders and headed down to the designated area.

  “You have my cell if you need me for anything,” Ashley said to Ms. Peterson.

  “He’ll be fine. Despite the reason for him being here, Sean’s a good kid,” Ms. Peterson said.

  Ashley agreed but appreciated hearing her say it.

  On her way back to her car, she felt someone approaching from behind. Thinking it was Sean, she turned, only to be shocked to see Nick storming toward her.

  Hell’s bells.

  Based on the fierceness of his gaze, her worst nightmare was about to come true.

  Damn bad luck. It got her every time.

  “Nick, I—”

  He held up a hand and interrupted her. “Don’t.” Grasping her arm, he propelled her forward.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “What’s his name?” Nick said through gritted teeth.

  She considered playing the dumb blonde and pretending she didn’t know what he was talking about, but that seemed an insult to both of them. Plus, based on his flared nostrils and bulging eyes, Ashley figured it was better to shoot straight with Nick.

  “Sean.”

  “Does he know?” Nick asked.

  Now that was a loaded question. Know Nick was his father? Know his mother lied to him and said his father was someone who wasn’t ready to be a dad and abandoned them?

  Whatever the question, Ashley was certain of one thing.

  She was screwed.

  “No,” Ashley said, not sure where to begin.

  When he leaned toward her, Ashley stepped back and right up against his car. Even with her heeled boots, he towered over her, and the pulse in his cheek twitched. Not a good sign.

  He opened the door of the old and battered SUV. “Get inside.”

  Ashley may have been a pushover a
s a teenager, but she’d come a long way and no way was she going to be bullied by six feet of muscled man—even if it looked as though he may pick her up and toss her inside the vehicle.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Would you rather have this conversation here?” Nick gestured at the parking lot.

  Considering the man looked about to explode and anyone could happen upon them, Ashley figured it was better to concede and get in the damn car.

  “Fine.” She hoisted a long leg inside the vehicle.

  The loud bang of the car door being shut echoed in the small space. Ashley felt like a criminal who was getting served a life sentence—lost and desperate. She wasn’t religious, but maybe it was time for a prayer…or three.

  Chapter Five

  Nick leaned wide hands against the roof of his SUV and worked to gather his thoughts before having this conversation with Ashley.

  He had another son.

  How could this have happened? He’d been responsible with sex, never forgetting to use protection. What were the chances two faulty condoms had gotten both Franny and Ashley pregnant within months of each other?

  Apparently, pretty damn good.

  Time for answers.

  He opened the door, slid inside, and turned the key in the ignition enough to crack the windows.

  Ashley sat in the passenger seat, all the way pressed against the door, as though she thought he was going to hurt her. She fussed with the hem of her jacket, and Nick noticed the slight shake of her hands. Despite the air of confidence he’d witnessed the past couple days, she was still unsure of herself…and of what was to come next.

  Smart of her considering he wasn’t sure himself.

  He reached for the bottle of water he’d left in the car. Twisting the cap, Nick raised it to his lips and guzzled half the contents. With his anger in check, he turned to face the second woman to turn his life upside down. “Tell me he’s mine.”

  She took a deep breath and turned sad green eyes at him. “Sean’s your son.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “By the time I found out I was pregnant, I’d moved to California.”

  “And they don’t have phones on the West Coast?”