“I’m sorry. Zoe, I mean that. I don’t want to upset you. I’m just worried about my mom. Can that be okay?”
She nodded. She liked Steven and she didn’t want to mess things up by being weird. Her father did have a reputation. She would have to think about what she wanted to do. Talk to him or maybe talk to Pam. Or maybe just mind her own business.
“It’s okay.” She smiled. “I promise.”
* * *
Jen had never planned to make Easter dinner a big deal, but somehow, in the past couple years, that was exactly what it had become. The morning started quietly enough, with an Easter egg hunt for Jack in the backyard. As young as he was, he didn’t exactly understand what he was looking for, but he seemed happy enough to pick up the toddler-sized plastic eggs they’d left on the grass for him.
After that, the three of them had gone to church. Jen didn’t get there as often as she would like, but she enjoyed Easter morning services the best. There was so much hope in the message. A promise for a happy future. The ever-present tightness in her chest seemed to ease just a little.
But once they were home, all bets were off. The family dinner had somehow grown until it was of near-Thanksgiving proportions. There were the three of them, plus Kirk’s partner, Lucas, and whatever bimbo he was dating, Steven, who was bringing Zoe, and her mom. Only Pam had called a couple of days ago to say she was bringing Miguel.
Jen was still processing that snippet of information. She told herself the two of them must be just friends, but she couldn’t help wondering if they were actually...dating.
“How can I help?” Kirk asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Do you think my mom and Miguel are dating?”
He took a step back. “No way. I’m not having that conversation. If you want to know, you need to ask her. Speculation will only lead to trouble.”
His adamant tone and the hint of fear in his eyes made her laugh. “Why are you so rattled?”
“I’m not getting in the middle of family stuff. I know better.”
“Fair enough. What I need from you is to take care of Jack. I’m going to get cooking.” She pointed to where their son sat at his small table. He’d already eaten most of his lunch and was now playing with some seeded cucumber slices.
She would be busy all afternoon. She had the menu prepared—lots of easy appetizers, followed by a sweet corn chowder she’d made in the Crock-Pot. The ham was ready to go into the roaster. Her mom was bringing over scalloped potatoes. There would be a couple of salads and then Junior’s Easter Cheesecake she’d ordered from QVC.
Dinner was at five and guests were to arrive about three-thirty. She’d already figured out what serving dishes to use—they were mostly the ones her mom had always put out for her holiday meals—but she still had to set the table, get out the wine, finish up the cooking and not have a panic attack today. Other than that, she was good.
“Anything else?” Kirk asked.
“Taking care of Jack is the most important thing. I’ll work faster if he’s not underfoot.”
“Lucas and Caitlyn will be by about two. Maybe she can help if you need more hands in the kitchen.”
Jen held in a scream. There was no point in complaining that Lucas and his girlfriend were arriving an hour and a half early. Kirk would simply look confused and explain Lucas wasn’t any trouble. If only that were true.
“I doubt Kaylee is up for holiday cooking,” she said instead.
“Caitlyn.”
“Whatever.”
She saw no reason to learn their names. From what she could tell, the women in Lucas’s life were ever-changing. Next week there would be a new one.
Her husband moved close and wrapped his arms around her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
She appreciated the question and the hug. While things weren’t perfect between them, they were slowly getting better. Kirk was happy that she’d gone looking at day cares. She was grateful that he would take care of Jack while she got the dinner ready. They were working together as a team. They still weren’t doing it, but this was hardly the time to worry about that.
She ushered her two guys out of the kitchen and went to work. While thin slices of French bread toasted as the base for her assorted crostini, she set the table. She prepared the chopped salad with the idea she would add the dressing right before they ate. Zoe was bringing a Waldorf salad. She got the ham in the roaster and started dicing tomatoes for her take on a Caprese topping for the crostini when she heard Kirk calling her. A quick glance at the clock told her it was early, even for Lucas. Which meant he had probably just arrived.
She went out front. Sure enough, the sleek Mercedes had just pulled into their driveway.
“How on earth does he afford that?” she asked. “It has to cost more than he makes in a year.” She knew because Steven had paid a crazy amount for his Mercedes SUV and it was nowhere near as expensive as a convertible.
Kirk picked up Jack. “I thought you knew. Lucas has family money. He doesn’t need to work. He could walk away from his job anytime he wanted.”
“What?”
But it was too late to get answers. Lucas was already out of his car.
As per usual, he was dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and cowboy boots. He walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. His guest stepped out. Kaylee, um, Caitlyn, had on a dress the size of a handkerchief and spike heels. She was a pretty brunette—all Lucas’s women were attractive—and was carrying a bouquet of lilies.
Jen held in a sigh as she forced herself to smile. “Hi,” she said as cheerfully as she could. “Thanks so much for coming.”
Lucas winked at her. “I can’t remember the last time I had Easter dinner. I think I was twelve. What about you, Caitlyn?”
The twentysomething smiled. “Oh, we don’t celebrate Easter. My family is Jewish. I looked it up online, though, so I can talk about whatever you’d like.” She held out the lilies. “You’re Jen, right? Hi.”
Jen nodded and shook hands, all the while trying to keep from laughing. Jewish? Then her humor faded as she realized they were having ham for dinner.
“Do you have dietary restrictions?” she asked, wondering if there was time to send Kirk to the store for a chicken.
“I eat pork,” Caitlyn told her. “I read that’s the traditional Easter meal. It’s fine.” She greeted Kirk and waved at Jack.
Lucas took the squirming toddler and swung him around. “Happy Easter. Did the Easter Bunny leave you something good?”
Jack laughed as he flew through the air. Jen watched, wondering how someone so inappropriate when it came to his choice in girlfriends could be so good with her son?
Lucas set the boy on the driveway. “All right. What else do I have in here?”
He handed Kirk the requisite six-pack of beer, then opened the trunk of his ridiculous car. “I have something for you, my man.”
Jen swallowed her involuntary protest. Whatever it was, it was going to be something that would make her crazy. Like the guitar. It was loud and, of course, Jack loved it. She watched as Lucas lifted out a toddler-sized car. But not just a car, she thought with dismay. A pedal car painted black and white, like a police car.
“There is no way he’s old enough for that,” she began, but found herself ignored as Jack rushed to the car and grabbed hold of the sides.
Kirk lifted him inside as Lucas squatted next to him. “Put your feet there, kiddo. Now pedal. You know how to do that?” Lucas leaned in and showed Jack how to start pedaling. It took him several tries but he got the car moving. He squealed as he drove it around the driveway.
Jen couldn’t believe it. She could already see the crashes and injuries sure to follow. Dammit, why did Lucas have to always bring the one gift that Jack would love and that would make her c
razy? The man had a talent, and not a happy one.
“There’s room in the backyard,” Kirk said. “Come on, Jack. Drive this way so we don’t have to worry about you going out on the street.”
Right, Jen thought grimly. Because in the backyard, she only had to worry about him driving through the sliding glass doors.
Caitlyn smiled at her. “Isn’t Lucas the best? He’s so thoughtful. He ordered the toy car last week and couldn’t wait to bring it over.” She sighed.
Jen wanted to point out that Lucas was, in fact, old enough to be her father. Her not very young father. But why go there?
“He’s the best,” she managed, between clenched teeth. She nodded at the flowers. “I should get these in water.”
* * *
Apparently no one had read Jen’s email about what time to arrive because by two forty-five the entire guest list was making themselves at home. She was grateful she’d gone a little crazy with the crostini because people were hungry and there was no way the ham was going to be ready before five.
In a surprising turn of events, Lucas kept close watch on Jack while Kirk supplied everyone with drinks. Jen was in and out of the kitchen. Zoe joined her and handed over a bottle of champagne.
“Your mom has been talking about this drink she tried in Phoenix. A French 75. They’ve been around forever, but I’d never heard of them. Apparently they go down really smoothly.”
“I don’t think I should cook drunk,” Jen said. “Although I’ll admit to being tempted.”
“Who could blame you? Or me.” Zoe tore off the foil wrapping, then began untwisting the wire around the cork. “I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t judge. I’m dating my best friend’s brother. Why isn’t that just as weird as my dad dating your mom?”
Jen glanced toward the living room where Miguel and Pam sat on the floor helping Jack with a puzzle. “You really think they’re dating?”
“They came to Easter dinner together. What would you call it?”
“Two old people hanging out for companionship?”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Is that what Lucas sees in Caitlyn? Companionship?”
“That’s different. He’s not as old as...” She did the math and swore. “OMG! Lucas is only a couple of years younger than my mom and he has sex all the time. If they’re dating...” She covered her face with her hands. “You don’t think they’re—”
Zoe pulled the cork out of the champagne. “So you up for trying a French 75 now?”
“Yes. A big one. You didn’t answer the question.”
“Pam’s your mom and my friend. My dad is my dad. I don’t want to think about that. Honestly, I think they’re just getting to know each other right now but who knows what will happen.” She set a bottle of gin on the counter. “Steven’s not happy.”
“About Mom and Miguel?”
Zoe nodded. “He thinks my dad’s a player and your mom will get hurt. I know he used to be, but he’s different now. It’s hard. When we talk about it, I get uncomfortable. Like I have to defend my dad or something.”
“Then don’t talk about it.”
“I’m going to take your advice.” Zoe got out a martini shaker from the cupboard. “Are you concerned about me dating Steven?”
“No. You’re my best friend and he’s a good guy. I don’t want any details when you guys take things to the next level, but I’m okay with whatever happens.” She looked toward the family room in time to see Miguel touch her mother’s cheek. “It’s so different when it’s parents.”
Zoe made the drinks and Jen had to admit, they were delicious. The scalloped potatoes went into the oven and she sent Zoe to tell Kirk that Jack needed to eat a snack. But instead of her husband, her brother was the one who carried his nephew into the kitchen.
“Hey, sis. I found this kid wandering around. You want him?”
Jen smiled and took Jack from her brother. She washed his hands, then set him at his small table. After putting out his snack, she sat in one of the small chairs, as well, and motioned for Steven to do the same.
“Are you kidding?” he asked. “I’ll break it.”
“You’ll be fine. Or sit on the floor. The point being, we don’t leave him alone here to eat. He’s part of the family.”
Steven lowered himself to the kitchen floor and eyed the small pieces of cheese and cut-up apple. “That’s a good-looking snack you have there, Jack.”
The toddler offered a slice of apple. Steven took it. “Thank you, my man. Much appreciated.”
Lucas also called Jack “my man” but it was less annoying when her brother did it. She held in a sigh. She was really going to have to get over her dislike of Kirk’s partner. If only he didn’t date the same type of girl over and over again.
“Did you meet Caitlyn?” she asked.
“Yes. She seems sweet.”
Jen raised her eyebrows.
Steven grinned. “She told me she’d looked up the meaning of Easter and was ready to talk about it, if I wanted.”
“Did you?”
“I passed.” He glanced over his shoulder, then lowered his voice. “Mom brought Zoe’s dad.”
“I noticed.”
“I’m worried about him. He’s a player.”
“He’s nearly sixty.”
“Yeah, and Lucas isn’t all that far behind, agewise.”
Which pretty much confirmed what she and Zoe had been talking about. “Are you really concerned?”
“I am. Mom hasn’t dated anyone since she was like seventeen. There was only Dad. She has no idea what she’s getting into. What if she falls for him and he breaks her heart?”
“You’ll beat the crap out of him?”
Steven grimaced. “I’m serious.”
“So am I. Kirk will help. I think the pair of you could take him.”
“Is this you helping?”
“No, it’s not. Steven, Mom is a capable adult. Let her screw up before you start trying to run her life.”
“So you’re perfectly fine with her going out with Miguel?”
“I don’t know. I miss Dad. It’s weird to see her with another man, but that’s my problem, not hers. Look at this from her perspective. She’s always been a loving, supportive mother. Maybe it’s time we started acting a little bit more like her and accept what’s happening.”
“What is happening?” he asked.
“She’s moving on.”
* * *
Two days after Easter, Zoe dropped by her dad’s place. Mariposa met her at the front door. The little dog danced in circles as she barked and jumped to show her joy at the visit. Zoe dropped to her knees.
“Hey there, pretty girl. How are you?” She picked up the dog and cuddled her. Mariposa smelled of bubble gum. “Did you just get a bath? You smell nice.”
That compliment earned her a doggy kiss. Still holding the papillon, she walked through the kitchen and found her father making coffee.
“Hi, Dad.”
Her father got out two mugs. “Do you need money?”
“What? No. Why would you ask that? I haven’t come to you for money since I left college.”
“You texted me and said you wanted to talk. What was I supposed to think?”
“That I love you very much and wanted to see you?”
“Uh-huh. You saw me on Sunday, at Jen’s house.”
The family dinner had been interesting. Good food and fun company, but an odd mix of people. Plus there had been the distraction of watching her father with Pam. They weren’t overly affectionate but still, there was a definite undercurrent. Steven had been tense and that had put Zoe on edge. While she appreciated that he was worried about his mother, the reason for his concern was her father. Talk about awkward.
“The dinner was good,” s
he said as he poured them each coffee.
“It was.”
“Pam is nice.”
Her father shook his head without looking at her. “Don’t go there. It won’t end well.”
Zoe felt herself flush. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He glanced at her. “You’re about to make a comment about me seeing Pam. I love you, Zoe. I would die for you, but you do not get to comment on who I’m seeing. Pam is a lovely woman. I like her very much. You’re not going to come between us.”
“I don’t want to.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Dad, I don’t. I agree. Pam is lovely, and you’re charming and I’m just...” She drew in a breath. “She hasn’t dated much. I don’t want you to hurt her.”
“And what if she hurts me?”
“That doesn’t seem very possible, but okay. I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”
“We’re adults,” he told her. “We’ll handle it. We don’t need your help.” He picked up a mug. “Zoe, for five years I watched you with Chad. Everything about the relationship was a disaster. You put your dreams on hold for him and at the end you were left with nothing. We could all see it, but you loved him so I kept quiet. I respected your choices, even if I didn’t agree with them. I’m asking you to extend me the same courtesy.”
His words shamed and embarrassed her. She ducked her head. “Okay. I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you. How much of this is Steven and how much of it is you?”
She looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“I know Pam’s your friend, but you’ve never cared about who I was dating. Is Steven behind these questions?”
“Um, maybe.”
He shook his head. “Maybe it’s time to start thinking for yourself, Zoe.”
Chapter Twelve
“We are burning rubber today,” Jen said cheerfully as she spotted a parking space by the dry cleaners. “Look at how many errands we got done and it’s not even lunchtime. Yay us.”
She came to a stop and glanced at Jack in the rearview mirror. He grinned at her.
A Million Little Things--A Novel Page 15
