by Beth Carter
Paul studied Hope. “Yes, I suppose. Are you going to tell him the truth about his past? About the fact that he adopted you from me and raised you until you were grown?”
Hope shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. Probably. Maybe. In time . . . I guess I should have told him immediately. I was in utter shock. Between the tornado and seeing him, it was too much to comprehend.”
“Understandable.” Paul reached over and patted her hand. “I wish I hadn’t been so damn busy and could have helped you sort this monumental issue out.”
Hope bit into a chip. “Don’t fret about it. I know you’re a busy man. You’re here for me now.”
“I still wish I could have—”
Hope held up her hand. “Hey, I’m a counselor, remember? I have coping skills, plus I have girl friends, colleagues, students, and you. It’s all good.”
Paul’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m a lucky father.”
The server brought their enchilada-style burritos, beans, rice, and extra napkins.
Paul placed his napkin in his lap. “This looks delicious.”
“Let’s eat while it’s warm,” Hope said.
After a few minutes, Paul asked, “Does the art teacher know Larry raised you?”
Hope shook her head. “No. Willow and I are friends, so that’s weird now too. I guess I should have told them both right away. Now, I can’t bring myself to interfere with their happiness. I keep hoping Larry’s memory will return. Do you think that’s possible?”
Paul shrugged. “I’m an attorney not a doctor. I don’t have any idea, but after hearing this, I suppose anything can happen.” He reached for her hand. “Now you have two dads again.”
She grinned. “You’re the best.”
“No, you are.” Paul held his margarita in the air. “Here’s to Larry being alive.”
Hope raised her glass. “Here’s to Larry getting his memory back and to you, Dad. I love you.”
Chapter 74
The second Alex hung up from her media call, her cell rang.
“Hey, babe. It’s been a long day. Searching for the girls made me hungry, plus I want to see you. Let’s grill some burgers tonight. Can you leave work early?” Tony asked.
Alex glanced at her messy desk and noticed the lenders’ offices were all dark, as usual. Often, the guys left the bank early to play golf. Why shouldn’t she do the same once in a while? “I can leave but we still need to have that talk.”
“Today? After I found Izzy?” Tony blew out his breath. “I’m beat. Can’t we just have a simple burger?”
Alex shut off her computer and reached for her purse. “Okay, okay. The talk can wait. I’ll head home.”
“Good. I’m still interrogating fake pizza asshole. He gets to spend a night in the slammer after all the trouble he caused. See you soon.” Tony hung up, obviously in full-on police mode.
As she drove home, Alex thought long and hard about their relationship. She knew they needed to have a heart-to-heart about Nikki and Joey, about his possessiveness, and maybe her confusion . . . but it could wait a few days. He did find Izzy after all.
Before Tony arrived, she had already formed burger patties, sliced red onions, and tomatoes. She took condiments out of the fridge, toasted onion buns, and grabbed a beer for Tony and poured wine for herself. She laughed wondering how Cheri would dress up the simple meal.
Tony was barely through her front door when Alex’s mood shifted. She crossed her arms. Not cracking a smile, she said, “I know it’s her.”
“Her what?” Tony asked.
“Your ex. Nikki’s calling and hanging up on me.”
He made a face. “Why would my ex call you?”
“Because she’s a bitch and wants to stalk me.” Alex knew she promised to delay their serious discussion but couldn’t contain herself from at least mentioning his awful ex. Sugar-coating and long, lead-in discussions weren’t her style.
Tony placed his keys on top of the fridge. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
I’m a woman. I know women.” Alex met Tony’s icy blue eyes. “I think she’s following me.”
“And I think your imagination is on overdrive. Come here. Let’s start over.” He reached for Alex but she stiffened. “Relax.” He rubbed her shoulders. “That’s better. Want to grill or—”
Alex’s phone rang on the counter. As she reached for it, she noticed Tony glanced at the screen. It read: UNKNOWN CALLER.
“That’s her. I bet she knows you’re here. She’s probably following you too.” She shoved the phone across the counter.
“You don’t know that’s her. It’s probably a salesperson or your college asking for a donation.”
“Doubtful.” She eyed her cell warily.
“But not implausible. As I said, let’s start over.” Tony grasped her hand and led her into the bedroom. “The burgers can wait. You’re tense and I know exactly how to relax you.” He grinned. “I’ve got my handcuffs with me.”
“Stop trying to change the subject.” But Alex couldn’t keep her lips from curving into a small smile. They hadn’t been intimate in a while, so she didn’t argue. Tony knew where she kept matches, lit Alex’s favorite lavender candles, and played soothing music. “Undress.”
“You’re bossy.” She tried her best to be upset with the cop, but as usual, he undid her.
Tony threw the luxurious, black comforter back revealing ivory silk sheets. “New sheets? Nice.” He patted the bed. “Hurry up. I’m giving you a massage.”
“If you insist.” Alex removed her black blouse and tan pencil skirt in one fell swoop. She placed them neatly on a nearby chair and climbed into bed.
“Why don’t you let your clothes fall to the floor like in the movies?”
She ignored him. “Take my OCD or leave it.”
“If you’re attached, I’ll take it. Got any massage oil?”
“There’s a bottle of eucalyptus gel on the nightstand. I’ll wait.” She grinned wickedly as she pulled the smooth, ivory sheet over her bare body.
“Hey,” he said as he unbuttoned, unzipped, and dropped his clothes to the floor.
She held the sheet high. “Just for a second. I’m cold.”
Tony rubbed the gel between his hands. The eucalyptus aroma filled the room.
Alex inhaled the soothing scent. “Mmmm. I’m more relaxed already. I needed this. Between Hannah the Horrible and your ex, I—”
“Shhh. Don’t talk.” Tony rubbed her shoulders and kneaded her upper back. He used his thumbs to trace her spine while Alex moaned. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”
“I’ve heard that before.” He chuckled.
As he massaged her lower back and legs, she said, “I could get used to this.”
“Shhh.” He continued with the massage for several minutes. Alex melted like butter into the bed. “Screw the burgers.” She closed her eyes and felt herself drifting off to sleep. Then Tony karate chopped her back.
“You just ruined it.”
“What?”
Alex leaned onto one elbow. “I hate the karate chop. It undoes all of the relaxation.”
“Way to show appreciation.”
“Sorry. Thanks for the wonderful massage, until the—”
“Got it. No more karate chop.” He pulled Alex toward him smoothing her hair away from her face. Kissing her eyelids, neck, and mouth, he stroked her long, golden hair. “You’re gorgeous, you know that? I’m one lucky man. I’m glad you rear-ended my patrol car last year.”
Alex thanked him with a passionate kiss, nuzzled his neck, and explored his chest.
Tony nibbled on her ear lobes before kissing her from her mouth to her toes and everywhere in-between.
“I think you missed a spot,” she chuckled. “Oh, God.”
&
nbsp; “Stop talking.”
Alex obliged while Tony took her. Over and over. Their lovemaking was always at a fever pitch and rather noisy as they both climaxed. She had zero complaints in the bedroom department.
When they finished, he rolled over. “That was great, as always. I’m spent. Let’s save the burgers until tomorrow.”
“Good idea.” Alex kissed his broad back. “Be right back. I’ll put everything away in the fridge.” She tiptoed down the hallway and froze mid-step when she heard a chair move.
Chapter 75
Alex’s heart hammered. Forget the burgers. Someone besides Tony is in my damn house.
“Bet you’re satisfied now, husband stealer,” the raspy female voice said. “Tony always was the best lover.”
Alex bristled. “How the hell did you get in—”
“You must have been in such a hurry to hop into bed with my husband, you forgot to close the garage door,” Nikki said.
“Your ex-husband.” Alex blinked trying to adjust to the darkness. “Get out of my house before I call the police.”
The woman cackled with a husky, cigarette-fueled snicker. “He is the police, precious, or did you forget?”
Realizing she was naked, Alex covered her breasts and privates with both hands. “I said, Get out. Now!”
Nikki remained in the chair as if she were glued to it.
Alex backed down the hallway toward the bedroom, keeping an eye on Tony’s ex the entire time. “I’m going to have you arrested.”
The woman laughed. “By my husband? I hope he brought handcuffs. I always did enjoy those.”
“I repeat. He’s your ex-husband. Let’s see what Tony has to say about breaking and entering.”
Nikki snickered. “I didn’t break a thing, precious.”
Alex ran to the bed and shook Tony who was snoring like a hog. “Wake up. Wake up. Your ex is here.”
“What? Who?” He bolted upright and rubbed his eyes. “Nikki’s here? You must be dreaming.”
Alex crossed her arms. “Get up. She’s here in the flesh sitting in a chair in the hallway. Hurry.”
Tony shot out of the bedroom, not bothering with clothes. Alex grabbed her black blouse and held it in front of her as she ran after him.
He flipped on the hall light, peered from side to side, and shrugged. “No one’s here.”
She pointed to the empty chair near a nook in the hall. “Nikki was there. Right there.” Alex ran to the garage but the door was closed. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear the door close.”
Tony reached for her. “I think you were dreaming after that great massage and lovemaking.”
“No, I wasn’t. She was here. She kept calling you her husband. Not her ex but her husband.”
“Okay, okay. You didn’t have a dream. You had a nightmare. I’ve got to piss.” He disappeared into the bathroom.
Alex rubbed the back of her now-knotted neck. Am I going crazy? I know she was here.
Chapter 76
Since Ken was still treating Suzy like a wary, stray cat and driving Izzy to school, she decided to get out of the house. From the garage, she called and asked the Halloween couple to meet one last time before their wedding. After they agreed on a place and time, Suzy drove on auto pilot.
Soon she settled into a booth at The Coffee Drip and sipped a cappuccino as Priscilla and Rodney walked in. The couple ordered soft drinks and joined her. Priscilla placed the straw on the far side of her mouth in order to drink her soda. Again, Suzy wondered if her bride regretted her forked tongue decision. She pondered whether it could be sewn back together but decided not to ask.
Suzy took out her trusty legal pad. “Morning, you two. The date’s getting close. Are you excited?”
The couple joined hands and jointly said, “Very.”
Suzy tapped her pad. “I thought of a couple more ideas I think you’ll love.”
Priscilla stopped mid-sip. “More ideas? Like what?”
Rodney glanced at Suzy’s notes. “Fire away.”
She grinned. “I have a fun idea for the punch.”
Priscilla wrinkled her nose. “We’re having old lady punch?”
Suzy shook her head. “No way. Hear me out. It’s punch with a gothic, witchy twist.”
The couple exchanged glances. Rodney said, “Dope.”
“To go with your theme, I think we should serve red punch in an oversized black witch’s caldron.
Priscilla clapped her hands together. “I love that idea.”
“I’ll get green surgical gloves, fill them with water, and freeze them. Then I’ll put one or two frozen hands in the punch. They’ll float to the top. What do you think?”
Priscilla’s mouth flew open. “That’s brilliant.”
“I can’t take full credit. I saw Martha Stewart suggest the floating glove as a Halloween party idea on The Today Show years ago.” She tapped her head with her finger. “I saved the idea up here. Somehow I knew I’d use it for a party or wedding.”
“Sweet. What flavor would the punch be?” Rodney asked.
Suzy poised her pen in the air. “Anything red—cherry, raspberry, strawberry. Whatever you want.”
“I love the hand in the punch idea.” Priscilla stuck out her tongue. “It’s almost as cool as this.”
Suzy peered closer. “Is it hard to eat with your tongue forked?”
The bride shrugged. “A little, I guess, but it’s totally worth it.”
“I’ve noticed it’s hard for you to drink out of a straw.”
“Yeah. I can deal.”
Rodney absentmindedly touched his horns. “I bet you’re curious about these too. My parents disowned me when I got them, so no need to invite them to our wedding.”
Suzy frowned. “That’s too bad. All parents—believe me, all of them—have kids who surprise them. I think you should invite them anyway. Maybe they’ll come around.”
He shook his head. “They won’t. It’s okay.” He nudged Priscilla. “We have each other.”
Priscilla reached for his head. “I love your horns.”
Rodney kissed her. “And I love your tongue.”
“Okay, kids. That’s enough.” Everyone laughed and Suzy was reminded this was exactly why she was in the wedding planning business.
“Just a couple more things.”
Priscilla exchanged glances with Rodney. “Remember, you almost need a magnifying glass to see our budget.”
Suzy wasn’t surprised since they were young and at least one set of parents wasn’t supportive. “Don’t worry. I can work within a small budget.”
“What else needs deciding?” Rodney asked.
Suzy studied her notes. “How do you want the flowers arranged?”
“Easy,” Priscilla said. “We want black roses on the cake table and a trail of black rose petals going down the aisle. That’s it except for the red ribbons the Artistic Blooms guy is throwing in.”
Suzy chewed on her pink pen. “Did you tell Marc, the owner of the flower shop, to dye the roses black? I assume you don’t want dead flowers.”
“Um.” Priscilla glanced at Rodney who shrugged. “Maybe we do. Are dead flowers cheaper?”
Suzy wanted to wrap her arms around the kids and tell them this was a once-in-a-lifetime memory they were creating but it was their day and their budget. “Why don’t you go to Artistic Blooms later and tell Marc I sent you. See if he’ll throw the rose petals in for free. I’ve seen him sweep dozens of them off his floor at the end of the day.”
Rodney perked up. “I’d sweep them up for him in exchange for the petals.”
Suzy winked. “That’s a great idea. I bet he’d love the help. What don’t you ask him?” Her phone vibrated on the table. She glanced at the screen. It was J
on. “Anything else we need to discuss?”
They both shook their heads. “Thanks again for the dope punch idea. I love it,” Priscilla said.
“I thought you would. In fact, I already ordered the witch’s caldron and will stop by my doctor’s office for some surgical gloves on the way home. I’ll fill the gloves and freeze them tonight.”
“You’re so good to us,” Rodney said.
“It’s my job.”
The couple scrambled to their feet. Rodney extended a sweaty hand and Priscilla faltered before flinging herself against Suzy. “You’re awesome. A real professional. We’ll refer you to all of our friends.”
Suzy hugged them both. “I always appreciate referrals.” She smiled to herself wondering what type of weddings their friends would want.” As they walked toward the door, she said, “See you very soon at the ceremony, kids.”
Chapter 77
While grocery shopping the following day, Alex spotted Nikki in the parking lot. Furious, she marched over to the woman’s purple Jeep and pointed her finger in Nikki’s face. “Stay away from me and my house. Don’t ever come in my home again or I’ll have you arrested for trespassing and stalking.”
Tony’s ex narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, precious.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Stop calling me ‘precious.’ You know exactly what I’m talking about. You and I both know you were in my hallway last night.”
Nikki cackled with the same hoarse laugh Alex remembered. “Are you off your meds? I was sound asleep last night.”
Alex shook her head as if to clear her mind. “Leave me alone.”
“Oh, honey, I’d rather see anyone but you.” Nikki lit a cigarette and took a long drag as she eyed Alex from head to toe.
Alex glared at her. “Stop following me.”
“Seems to me you’re the one following me. I was here first. I needed milk. Maybe I should file a police report.”