Kayley’s mouth dropped open. “She can get in trouble for that at work?”
“Well, not usually, but she was at a hospital function. Chief can’t fire her or anything, but he can give her a tongue lashing. The two of them weren’t supposed to have a relationship anyway, his rules.”
“So, can he get in trouble? What about when he dated Zoey?”
“No, he’s not in trouble. He’s Chief’s golden boy. I think he wants to groom him to be him. Anyway, the reason for the rule that Chief has is because of what happened between Zoey and Ben. Chief let her go without any issues after he found out what she did to Ben. Like I said, he’s the Golden Boy. Anyway,” she looked at the phone system in front of her. “Want me to call and see if he’s done yet?”
“No!” Kayley did not want her to interrupt any meeting with the boss for her. “I’m just here to meet him because we’re taking Alexis to see Santa. I’ll wait in his office. Thanks, Aimee.”
“Santa! You’re going to see Santa?” she asked her, and Alexis beamed.
“Santa give me toys! I sit on his wap!”
Aimee turned to Kayley. “I don’t think there is a cuter girl on this planet than her. Do you know that Ben never shuts up about her? Not that we mind, but wow. How many men do you know that would just brag and brag about a little girl? A hot man, to boot.”
Kayley laughed at her comment, not feeling worried about Aimee. She was a happily married woman. “He does love her. The feeling is completely mutual. Hey, you and Chris should come over sometime for dinner. I’ll give you a call. I’m headed up to wait for Ben. If you happen to see him, tell him that’s where I am.”
Coming out of the elevator on Ben’s floor, a door opened at the end of the hall and Dana walked out. Trying to hurry to Ben’s door so she wouldn’t see her, Alexis squealed.
“Daddy office!” Kayley looked over her shoulder and saw that Dana not only saw her, she was headed right for her.
Swearing under her breath, she opened the door to Ben’s office and grabbed a toy out of her bag for Alexis. “Here, take your dolly.” Alexis plopped on the floor to play, and Kayley turned, crossing her arms. Dana approached, a deadly look on her face. Kayley’s blood whooshed through her as she looked at this woman’s face, looking mad at her. Who did she think she was? She was the one that acted like an underhanded bitch. She wasn’t going to stand there and let her attack her, that was for darn sure.
Kayley stood up straight and crossed her arms. Looking back at Alexis, she put up her guard. Whoever Dana thought she was, she was going to see a side of Kayley she wouldn’t want to see again.
“Whatever you think you’re marching yourself down here to say to me, you can just back right up. You’re going to listen to me,” Kayley shot out as soon as Dana was close enough. “You know, you really must not think very highly of yourself. I felt kind of bad for you, because I knew you were in love with him. Yeah, he’s pretty easy to fall in love with. I can even see you being sad and begging for him to take you back. But you know what I can’t understand? Why any woman in their right mind would think that A. Getting someone drunk to sleep with them would be a respectable way of getting someone back, or B. That then when that didn’t work, taking pictures of this man talking to his ex-fiancée, who if you gave a shit at all, had broken his heart and he needed to clear the air, would get him back. What did you think was going to happen there, Dana? I was going to break it off with him and then he would go back to you? He already told you. He. Wasn’t. In. Love. With. You. Why can’t you just accept that? Oh- and how in the hell did you get my phone number?”
Dana narrowed her eyes at Kayley and crossed her arms. “I got your number on Ben’s phone when he went to the bathroom. He had all these pictures of you too, on his phone. How cute. And I listened to your voicemail, too. What did you do to him, Kayley? What were you apologizing for?”
“That is none of your damn business,” Kayley felt her body losing control. She looked over her shoulder again. Alexis was watching her, but was still playing on the floor. “And how dare you get into Ben’s private things.”
“Things were just fine with Ben and I before you came along,” she spat.
“Fine?” Kayley laughed. “You call being bed buddies fine? Did he ever tell you he loved you, Dana? Introduce you to his family? Make love to you for so long…”
“Stop,” she seethed, interrupting. “I would’ve made him love me. He would’ve seen I could make him happy.”
Kayley scoffed. “Are you listening to yourself? Have some self-respect! That’s all you want from a man? You don’t want someone to live and breathe for you, to make you feel like you’re the only person in the universe for them? Because that¸ Dana, is what love is. Not this convoluted picture you have in your head of how it was with you and Ben. And nevertheless, do you really think he would’ve gotten back with you once I broke up with him for the pictures? He shot you down when he was drunk, Dana. I think that’s pretty telling.”
Dana glared at her. “Listen here, you self-righteous bitch,” she said between clenched teeth. “If you and-and little Miss Sunshine over here,” she gestured behind Kayley, at Alexis, “Hadn’t come in this hospital and he got all hot and bothered for you, you know where I’d be right now? I wouldn’t be getting my ass chewed by my boss. I’d be picking out what lingerie I was wearing tonight. Does he still like you to-”
Dana’s rant was stopped by Kayley’s hand smacking her in the face. The sound reverberated down the empty hallway, and Dana gasped, her eyes wide. She put her hand where Kayley smacked her.
“How DARE YOU!” she roared.
Kayley continued, ignoring her rant. “Don’t you ever talk about my daughter. Do you understand me?” She stood with her face inches from Dana’s, her hands in fists at her sides. “What you did was inexcusable. You’re a pathetic excuse for a human being. And don’t you dare talk to me about what Ben likes. You don’t get to talk to me about that. You stay the hell away from all of us, Dana.”
Kayley stepped back, catching something in her peripheral vision. She saw Ben standing about halfway down the hallway, watching the exchange. She couldn’t quite read the expression on his face.
“I think all that needs to be said has been said, Dana,” he said firmly, reaching them. “Apologize to Kayley for what you did.”
Dana’s eyes snapped to his, flashing in anger. “What? Apologize to her? She hit me!”
“That’s what I said.” Ben stood, staring through her.
“I’m not apologizing to her,” Dana said stubbornly, crossing her arms.
“My Daddy!” Alexis called, seeing Ben. She ran out the door and into his arms.
“Hey Princess. You look so beautiful! Are you ready for Santa?” Alexis nodded and he nuzzled her, making her giggle. “Can you get your dolly for me? Daddy needs to finish talking to this lady.” Alexis scrambled back to get her doll, and Ben turned his attention back to Dana.
“Apologize. Now,” he demanded. “Or I’ll march myself back into Chief’s office, and this time, I won’t be going to bat for your idiotic behavior.”
Dana deflated, knowing she had no choice. Looking at Kayley, she smirked but said the words. “Sorry.”
Ben snorted. “You think that’s an apology? No. You tell her that you’re sorry, and mean it. Tell her you’re sorry for making her think that I was sleeping with Zoey, for invading our privacy, and for trying to get me to sleep with you when you knew I was in love with her.”
Dana looked away, her body rigid. The three of them waited in silence for what seemed like hours.
“Come on, Ben,” Kayley said, reaching out her hand for his. “She’s not worth it.”
“She’s going to apologize to you,” he bit out. “Now, Dana. Or I’m headed right back down the hall.”
Dana turned, her eyes glassy, and for one moment, Kayley was sorry she had reacted the way she did. For a moment. Until she remembered what she tried to do to them. “I’m sorry, to both of you. I was stupid
to continue to love you.” With that, she turned on her heel and headed for the elevator, disappearing from sight.
Ben turned to Kayley and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry, babe,” Kayley said at the same time. Ben furrowed his brow at her and pulled her into the office and shut the door. Alexis looked up, smiling.
“See Santa?”
“Yes, baby, we’ll go in just one minute,” Ben said softly, running his fingers over her soft head. Turning to Kayley, he grinned his mega-watt smile. He looked at Alexis, then leaned closer to her so she couldn’t hear him. “That, my love, was single-handedly the hottest thing I have ever seen you do. Well, except maybe wear that pink lingerie at my house. Or…”
“Ben!” Kayley shrieked. “Stop it! Why in the hell is that hot? I acted like a fool!”
Ben kissed her softly. “You acted like a fool over me. I didn’t see the whole thing, but she deserved what you gave her and then some. I wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall! Maybe the hospital security cameras caught it. I could ask Doug if I could have a copy…”
“Cameras?” Kayley looked horrified. “Ben!”
“Don’t worry,” Ben laughed, walking to his desk and grabbing his briefcase. “If they saw that, they would know she deserved it too. Dana doesn’t have too many fans around here anymore. What did she say to you that made you smack her? I didn’t know you had it in you, baby.”
Kayley couldn’t help it; she smiled. “She just pushed me too far. First about you, then when she mentioned Alexis, it was all over.”
“What did she say about Alexis?”
“She just called her Miss Sunshine. Just rubbed me the wrong way. Don’t mess with my kid. Especially someone like her. So, what’s going to happen to her? Is she really in trouble? Did Zoey really call the Chief?”
“You’re full of questions,” he kidded. “Chief isn’t happy with her, but he can’t legally do anything. He told her that he’s watching her, and any misstep she has, she’s done.”
“What did you mean when you said you wouldn’t go to bat for her?”
“I kind of convinced him to take it easy on her. Before she got in there, he had been making phone calls, trying to see if any other hospitals needed a good nurse.”
Kayley’s eyes widened. “Wow. That was nice of you, Ben.”
“Well, what she did was terrible, but she is a good nurse. I just want her to stay the hell away from us. Now, come on, it’s time to see SANNNNNNNTAAAA!”
Alexis squealed, jumping up. “Time go?” Ben scooped her up and put her on his shoulder, making her giggle uncontrollably. “Daddy! Down Daddy!” He rolled her over and caught her, putting her on his hip instead. She beamed. “My Daddy siwwy.”
“He sure is,” Kayley agreed, grabbing her doll and opening the office door. “But we love him for it.”
“So, what’s the likelihood that baby girl back there is going to sit on Santa’s lap?” Ben whispered, looking at Kayley as he maneuvered through traffic to the mall. “Did you take her last year?”
Kayley looked momentarily sad. “No. I-I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I missed her first time with Santa.”
Ben covered her hand with his. “Kay, it’s okay. She wouldn’t remember it, anyway. The only reason I asked is that I wondered what her reaction was. Hey, if she screams, we’ll have a picture to laugh at one day.”
“She did ask me if you could sit on Santa’s lap and ask for presents,” Kayley laughed, looking back at Alexis. She smiled at her mom, then put her sippy cup in her mouth.
Ben looked at her mischievously. “I would like someone to pretend I am Santa and sit on my lap wearing a very naughty Mrs. Claus costume and give me some presents.” His eyebrows went up, then down, and he squeezed Kayley’s leg.
Kayley covered his hand with hers and shook her head. “Ben Nichols, you’re so bad.” Laughter bubbled in her throat at his suggestive vision.
“I’ve got it bad for you, what can I say?” Ben teased, stopping at a red light. He leaned over and kissed her, his tongue snaking in her mouth and his hand reaching around her neck, pulling her closer. “Hmmm…” He pulled back to look at the light. Noticing it was still red, he attached himself to her again. “I needed this,” he breathed, trailing his mouth to her neck.
“Daddy no kiss Mommy!” Alexis yelled from the backseat. “Kiss Wex!”
The light now green, Ben took off, looking in the rearview mirror at the little girl. “I will kiss you over and over and over after we see Santa, Princess.”
Satisfied with his answer, she was quiet until Ben pulled into the mall parking lot. Ben picked up Kayley’s hand and kissed it. “We ready?”
“Ready as we’re getting. Ready to see Santa, Lex?”
“Wet’s go!” She announced. They laughed and got her out of the car, walking into the crowded mall.
Waiting in line behind several families, Alexis looked through the ropes at Santa and the Elves. “He Santa?”
“Yes, see that big man right there in the chair? That’s Santa! See that little girl sitting on his lap? That’s what Lexi is going to do.”
Alexis nodded, one of her favorite things to do. “Otay. Me get pwesents.”
Ben grinned at Kayley. “She looks so adorable in that dress, Kay. I want to eat her up.” He laced her fingers with his and pulled her closer. “Did I tell you I love you today?”
Kayley smiled. “Yes, but you can say it again.”
Ben wrapped his arm around her waist. “I love you, Kayley Carson. I love that I learn new things about you every day.” His eyes sparkled with humor.
“And what did you learn today?” Kayley asked, moving forward with the line.
“That you’re sexy as hell defending me.” Ben helped Alexis move forward. She was captivated by watching the kids get on Santa’s lap. Kayley shook her head in mock exasperation from what he said. “Oh, I had an idea, baby.”
“What’s that? And you better not say anything else about Santa costumes,” Kayley teased, loving his mock injured look.
“Hey, I liked that idea,” Ben teased back. “But, no. I was thinking we should have a Christmas party. You haven’t gotten to meet my buddy Cam yet, and it would be fun to get all of our friends together for the holidays.”
“That sounds awesome, babe, but I’m not sure my house is big enough for a big party! Where would we put everyone?”
“We can put some tents outside if it’s nice, set up some tables on the porch? Would that work? We can have things inside and out. It’s just a suggestion. We don’t have to.”
“No, I like the idea. Let’s get a guest list together and see what we need to do.” Just then, Ben’s phone rang, and he looked at the screen.
“It’s my realtor,” he told Kayley, stepping out of line. “I’ll be right back. I promise I won’t take too long. I will hang up on her before I miss Alexis seeing the big guy.” Ben hopped the velvet rope and put his phone to his ear.
“Daddy?” Alexis turned, watching him walk away. It was amazing to Kayley how attached she was to him. If he was around, she wanted him right there with her.
“He’ll be right back, Lex. Look, we’re getting closer!”
“Up, Mommy.” Kayley picked her up, and she stuck her thumb in her mouth. They moved forward in line, and she looked over at Ben. They were next. He caught her eye and held up one finger.
Hanging up, Ben made his way back to the line and hopped the rope. “Great news,” he announced as Kayley looked at him curiously. Alexis watched him, too. “My house sold.”
“Wow! That’s amazing!” Kayley beamed. His house hadn’t been on the market all that long, but it was immaculate. It definitely didn’t look like most bachelor pads, probably because he had help from his mother and sister.
“Yep. It’s a cash deal too so it will close quickly. Some retired couple from up North saw it this afternoon and gave me a full price offer. So, I guess I’m homeless.” Ben stuck out his bottom lip, pretending to be sad. Alexis laughed at
his face.
Kayley pulled on his bottom lip, then leaded over and kissed it. “Homeless? Oh, what a shame,” she teased. “I guess you’re going to have to live with your most favoritest girls. Right, Lex?”
Alexis nodded her head, not having any idea what they were talking about but just about every time someone said, ‘Right, Lex’ to her, she would nod as an answer.
Ben slung his arm over her shoulders and put his lips against her ear. “Are you sure?” He smoothed her hair back over her shoulder, and she turned her face to his.
“Are you serious?” Kayley motioned to their surroundings. “We’re standing in line for Santa. My daughter calls you Daddy. I love you. You love me. We spend practically every night together anyway. Do you think I really wouldn’t want you to live with us, officially?”
“I’m just checking. It’s a big step. I just always want to make sure you’re ready.”
The attendant motioned them to come next, and Kayley turned to Ben. “I’m ready for anything and everything,” she answered, turning and walking towards Santa. Ben trailed behind, trying to keep himself from jumping up in the air. She was ready for anything and everything? Well that just suited him and the plans he had for them just fine.
Kayley walked Alexis to Santa’s lap. He smiled up at her, his chubby face wrinkling up. “Well aren’t you just the cutest little thing,” he said. Alexis looked back at Kayley, then looked at Santa. Ben came around the other side.
“Ready, Princess? Time to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” Alexis nodded, and Kayley sat her on his leg and stepped back, a smile frozen on her face. She and Ben stood to the side as the big man talked with Alexis. She stared at him, not saying a word.
“Uh oh,” Ben whispered. “She’s not talking.”
“At least she isn’t screaming,” Kayley whispered back.
“Wex want a baby doll, Santa,” she finally said, nodding her head.
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