by C L Bauer
Jack Pierce suggested some of the best items on the menu, their drinks came and their food was ordered.
“To you, Lily,” Dev’s father toasted.
Thankfully, the restaurant was soaked in candlelight so no one saw her blush. She still wasn’t used to treatment as though she were some goddess, perhaps the Venus of Kansas City. She laughed to herself at that thought, her statue at the middle of a fountain. Lily would be attired in sneakers, black pants, a tunic top with pockets for her clippers, and a baseball hat to hide her dirty hair. Now that would be a fountain to see!
“So, what are your plans this weekend?” His father directed the question at Dev. Lily ate her bread, her eyes literally rolling back in her head from the amazing flavor. She was examining the slice, not really listening. There were little pieces of olives here and there throughout the bread.
“Tomorrow is the game. You know, you can come over if you want. You’ll know everyone there.”
And the garlic pesto spread was almost like butter.
Jack shook his head negatively. “Oh no. Lily should experience the full flavor of your little group.” He looked over at her and smiled. She was still examining her bread. “Just keep in mind that these men have master’s degrees and one has a doctorate and they are all insane.”
What? What did he just say? Her eyes widened. Breathe, Lily. Monday will be here before you know it, and you can fly off back into normal land, well whatever normal was anymore.
“If you don’t have plans Sunday, I thought you both would like brunch out at your Aunt’s vineyard.”
Dev smiled as he noticed Lily take another rather large drink of wine at that recommendation. What was she thinking? She’d been preoccupied with the bread but now she was taking very quick small breaths and biting her lip.
“I know we’ll have to get to church Sunday. Dad, can I get back to you on that? Lily and I should talk, see what she wants to do. She’s usually not this quiet.” Dev was worried she was shutting down. He thought he could see the words across her forehead in neon, tilt, tilt, tilt.
Surprisingly, she looked up from her drink and smiled. “That sounds great. You have an aunt with a vineyard?”
“Yes, my sister,” Dev’s father answered. “It’s a vineyard, more like a resort with a ranch and spa. Oh, you’d be interested in this. She hosts events there and they’ve just started getting their feet wet hosting weddings.”
“That is where the money is these days. Our venues charge thousands of dollars for one night,” Lily said. Thankfully, the food had arrived.
“Here, try this toasted ravioli, Lily,” Jack Pierce offered placing one on her plate. “They were my wife’s favorite.”
“You two came here?”
He took a drink of his red wine and softly answered. “Yes, and sometimes we brought the family. This was our place.”
There was a brief silence at the table until the server brought another round of wine. She looked over at Dev who was more intent on his pasta. She could see he was thinking of his mother, of better days.
“I never get tired of flying into this city,” Lily admitted to break the silence. “When I see the Washington Monument, the Capital, Lincoln at night, and with the snow it looks magical.”
“Oh, there’s a lot of magic going on down there for sure.” Dev’s sarcasm was met with muffled laughter. “Especially at Disneyland East.”
Lily didn’t understand the term. His father and he shared a knowing, generous laugh.
“The Pentagon, Lily,” Jack finally answered.
“Ah.” That made complete sense.
“We have to have the tiramisu tonight.” Jack waved at their server once more and ordered desserts all around with coffee. “They have the best, absolute best. By the way, how are you doing not working this weekend?”
“Well, I’ve had other weekends off, but it always feels a little weird. I panic thinking I really do have a wedding or some event, and I’ve completely forgotten it. But I haven’t. I can’t tell you how many times I checked my calendar today, just making sure. I’ve left plenty for my assistant to do though. As soon as I return, I go back to work with a wedding again.”
“Lily is over organized, Dad. Always. She makes lists on paper and in her head and has post-it notes everywhere,” Dev acknowledged. He wouldn’t admit to her that since she came into his life he was making more and more lists and had actually purchased sticky notes.
“Your mother used to leave that list on the refrigerator door so you’re in good company, Lily. I finally finished those projects last year.” The man looked down at his wine glass although it was completely empty. Too bad he hadn’t finished all the items before his wife had left this earth. He would’ve liked to have seen the shock on her face, he still would.
After dessert and coffee and a little more conversation concerning family, how she wasn’t telling her brother and sister that she was in the area, and the fact that it was getting late for Dev’s father, they walked outside the restaurant to their cars.
“I’m right here,” Jack announced as they began their walk. “I’ll see you one way or another on Sunday, Lily.”
“Of course.” She initiated the hug, warm and sweet.
“Dad, let’s just plan on us picking you up for the nine o’clock mass at Dan’s church and then we’ll shoot out to the vineyard.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” He patted his son’s shoulder and got into his own car. “Lily, be careful tomorrow and make sure you’re cheering for the right team.”
Lily laughed and winked at him. “Go Navy, beat Army?”
“Yep, that’s the one.” She could hear his laughter even after he shut the car door and pulled out onto the road.
Dev grabbed her and pressed her body against him. “Excuse me, lady? What did you say?”
She nuzzled the bottom of his chin with the top of her head. “I said go Army? What did you hear?”
Dev kissed the top of her hair. “Let’s go home before I leave you here.”
“You would never leave me,” Lily said before she thought. Truthfully, she added, “No, wait. You always leave me.”
He took her hand and began to stroll to the car. “Not for very long. I usually come back, don’t I?”
“Yes, you do. Sometimes I don’t understand that but I sure do appreciate it.” She yawned before she could stop the action with her hand. “Sorry, so tired.”
“Let’s get you home and put you to bed.”
Lily began to examine the townhouse from the minute she took her first step into the foyer. Dev was talking, carrying her two bags upstairs, but she was studying, discovering who he really was. With very trendy all wood floors, she saw a small room to the right that looked like his office. She saw a desk and computer through the glass pocket doors. On the wall hung medals, a flag and photos of soldiers. There was a hockey stick in one corner and a football on the credenza behind the all wood desk. She could still hear him talking from upstairs as she entered the living room on the left.
Actually, it was just as she expected with a large flat screen television over the fireplace, an oversized leather chair and a wraparound sofa. Two modern art pieces hung on the wall behind it. She could see the kitchen from there with stainless steel everything from prep area to appliances. A granite countertop formed a separation with leather bar chairs. Obviously, a woman didn’t live here, nor had one ever shared this space with him.
She smiled at that thought. But it was him. It was manly but cozy and warm. She threw her coat and purse over the sofa and sat down to unzip her boots. It felt so good to finally remove them. She placed them under the coffee table. Lily felt like she was melting into the sofa. It had been a very long day. She checked her phone and saw a text from Abby. Everything was fine and under control with a funeral delivery by ten in the morning. She already had the arrangement ready and in the cooler. Abby was stepping up nicely, allowing Lily to relax a little, at least as much as she allowed herself.
There was a s
oft, fuzzy fleece throw on the sofa arm. She grabbed it, brought her legs up and wrapped up in it. She was full from the wonderful meal, relieved she lived through meeting his father, and now was toasty warm on a comfortable sofa. She wasn’t working on a Friday night, and she was actually with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend. It was time to call him that, especially after that kiss, those kisses. Where was her boyfriend? She needed to talk to him about Garrett. Sadly, that was her last thought before she fell asleep.
“Really, Lily?” Dev said out loud as he came into the living room and saw his slumbering princess. Finally, they had time together, alone in his home and she was asleep. The list in his head of what he had planned to do to her and with her had suddenly been erased from his mind. He wrote her a note, and laid it on the coffee table with a flashlight in case she wanted to make her way upstairs during the night. He’d have to sleep lightly just in case she did. He didn’t want to take her for an intruder, slamming her to the ground. He’d done that to his brother once. It only took once and his brother never woke him up in the middle of the night again.
He kissed her forehead, studied her slumbering face and smiled. She had no idea how beautiful she really was, especially when she was sleeping. He kept that secret as he looked down on her; he hoped he was the only one who knew it.
Lily woke around three in the morning, seeing one low light on in the corner of the room, the note and the flashlight.
“Join me if you want. My room is right of the stairs. Your carry-on is in the bathroom, and I put your bag on the chair by the closet. The guest rooms are left of the stairs.”
She could just go back to sleep on the sofa totally ignoring the invitation and the decision. Well, Lord, what do you think? Her heart and mind were giving her the same answer, so she got up, walked up the stairs, smiled as she reached the top and walked slowly to the right. The door was open. Dev was sleeping soundly. As quietly as possible, she unzipped her bag and reached for her sweats. How unromantic, Lily! She changed in the bathroom, brushed her teeth and stood by the unoccupied side of the king-sized bed. Slowly, quietly she lifted the sheet and blanket and slid in.
Lily studied him in the dark. There was just enough light coming in through the blinds from the street light below to see his closed eyelids and those lovely eyelashes. She wished she had them, but her lashes were her best feature too. Just a little mascara, when she used it, made all the difference in the world. His nose was ordinary. It was a nose, but it had a thin crease as if he’d broken it once, maybe twice. His hair was tossed already from sleep, and his jawline was relaxed. His lips were so sweet, but she’d never tell him that. He would’ve been a pretty girl. She never would tell him that, ever! His right arm moved a little, the sheet coming down further to reveal his bare chest. Well, he certainly wasn’t a girl. He was, well, he looked like he had had been working out on the beach. She had never dated anyone who had abs and pecs, but now she saw the admirable qualities in doing so.
“What are you doing?” Dev muttered as he slowly opened his eyes.
Out of some sort of insanity she moved her body closer to the edge of the bed as she answered. “Nothing. Just going to sleep.”
“You got in bed a few minutes ago, and you’ve been staring at me.”
Geez, would there be no way to get away with anything around him? There’d never be a surprise party planned for him.
“No I haven’t.”
He chuckled and moved to his side, facing her, moving one arm over her, sliding her over to face him. “You can’t lie. Truth, please?” They were face to face, within inches of each other.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, can’t a girl look?” She decided an indignant question might get her off the hook.
He didn’t laugh, instead he pulled her closer. There was no space between them. Finally. “She can look, and she can touch.” His voice was deeper than usual and sent a very unusual warm tingle up her back.
“Mmm, well, this is nice,” she admitted honestly. “I’m so tired.” She could hear Gretchen yelling at her from Kansas City. Yes, it was Gretchen sighing with disappointment. She’d be yelling, “Haven’t I taught you anything?”
“Yes, sleep. You have a big day tomorrow, little girl.” Dev touched her cheek, his finger lightly sliding down to land on her lips. What is wrong with you, Pierce? Just have your way with her. You can only run so many miles. What are you waiting for?
Lily’s mind raced back to her friend John. She missed him saying “little girl”, his favorite endearment for her. Lily, tell the boy about Garrett before he finds out.
Dev knew she was thinking, he just didn’t know what she was thinking. He wasn’t clairvoyant, but he was working on dissecting Lily’s innerworkings. He narrowed his eyes and said nothing. Hopefully the uncomfortable silence would allow her the freedom.
“You may already know this,” Lily whispered, “but Garrett has been coming by my house. The police know and they are handling it.” She stopped and looked at his dimly lit face. He said nothing. Of course he already knew, he knew everything.
“But it’s all under control,” she said decisively. She said it, so it must be.
“Is it?” Dev ran his hand through her hair softly. She nodded. She reminded him of a five-year-old caught for doing something, eyes avoiding and hair falling down softly on her face. “I’m so happy you’re here,” he added with a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s get some sleep.” He fought the urge not to break from their hold. “There’s one more thing I need to say to you.”
“Yes?” Was he going to berate her for waiting so long to tell him about Garrett?
“This is very important.” His smile had vanished replaced by his official agent look. “Go Army, beat Navy.”
“Are you kidding me?” Lily shoved his shoulder, not moving his frame one inch. He was like a rock. Lily closed her eyes quickly and turned away. She was smiling, listening to his hushed laughter. She could get used to sleeping next to him. She sighed and fell asleep immediately.
Chapter Seventeen
Dev was making a list in his head as he ran. He needed to ice down the beer, put the chili on, wake Lily when he got back and try to prepare for the insane squad. It was still when Dev returned to his house. He started the coffee and began the chili. He’d already prepped the ingredients yesterday while he waited for Lily. He’d actually been nervous waiting for her. What the heck was wrong with him? Deep down he knew the answer, but he just couldn’t admit it yet. She was unique; she could be the one. After numerous conversations with Alise and hundreds of questions from a brilliant child, his feelings were confirmed. If a little girl could figure out he was in love with Lily Schmidt, shouldn’t he be able to do the same?
The chili needed to simmer for hours. The guys would be over around eleven so they could begin cooking the rest of the food. Tomatoes, onions, and lettuce still needed to be chopped. The group would stop to watch the march on of both academies. Dev remembered those days clearly with the snow falling, the mass of cadets and midshipmen filing into the stadium. Years separated those cadet days. Deaths had separated friends. Today would be filled with memories, card playing if they were bored and storytelling, some true and some not so true.
The coffee was ready. As he poured himself a cup he heard the shower upstairs in his bathroom.
Dev grabbed his newspaper and a protein bar. He knew Lily wouldn’t be too long; she never took too long to get ready. The woman was very low maintenance. That was one of things he liked about her. He heard her coming down the stairs about twenty minutes later.
“Is this appropriate for the game?”
He looked around to see Lily’s attire. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a black and gold sweatshirt with an Army Black Knight featured. She had makeup on, but something else was very different.
“What the heck?”
Lily looked down at her shirt. What was wrong?
“I got the right team, I mean you weren’t a Navy SEAL, and you did go to West Point, so Army, right?”
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He continued to stare at her. He tilted his head as he concentrated. Was it her hair? No, it was just a little longer. He hadn’t noticed last night that she’d added a few highlights and maybe covered a few grey strands. Maybe she was a few pounds thinner; her jeans fit well, but she was still curvy.
He shook his head and smiled. Stop analyzing, Dev. You know the answer, just admit it. “Lily, you have the correct team.” He couldn’t answer her. She looked comfortable in his house. She looked like she belonged; had always been there. “Honey, you look amazing.”
“Really? Funny man. Is that coffee I’m smelling?” She walked past him and into the kitchen, opening a cabinet to find a cup.
Why couldn’t she take a compliment seriously? Note to self, find out who hurt her and track them down. “Should I take you out for breakfast?”
She poured her coffee and drank it in. “Coffee is good.”
Dev was staring at her, watching her every move in his kitchen. She looked like she should be there on a Saturday morning. When he’d left her sleeping in his bed earlier, he had watched her breathe before he’d left for his run. He’d even kissed her forehead, and she hadn’t stirred. She was at peace. She looked good in his bed. With her beside him all night, he’d slept peacefully, not waking in sweat or from a terrible nightmare. He was at peace with her.
“Is something in the oven?”
“What? Yah, a breakfast casserole,” Dev answered, joining her by the stove. “It’ll be done in ten minutes. The chili will be ready by kickoff.” He cooked when he was nervous.
“I do love a man who cooks.” Lily bit her bottom lip. That “L” word just kept popping up. He had this curious look, almost like a dog tilting his head in a questioning manner. He was taking on Mort’s mannerisms. He’d looked this way since she came down this morning.
Dev placed her cup on the counter and pulled her to him gently. There was something erotic smelling his soap and shampoo on her. He found her lips and fiercely captured them. He should just pick her up, carry her to bed, and put himself out of his current misery.
