“Hi, Mrs. Martin,” Andi said.
“How are you today?” the other woman asked.
Andi smiled. “I’m fine. And you?”
She patted her gray hair. “I just came from the salon. It always puts me in a good mood. Now who was that nice gentleman you were talking to? He looked familiar.”
Andi swallowed hard, hoping the older woman hadn’t caught her ogling Kyle as he left. “Kyle Davenport. Maybe you know his parents? Henry and Darla? His father used to own the hardware store.”
“Oh, yes. Of course. He looks just like his father. Nice-looking men, both of them. Don’t you think?”
Andi blushed and nodded. “Yes, he is.” And each time she saw him, she was struck anew by how attractive she found him.
Today, in his usual button-down shirt, this one cream, and dark slacks, she found him both preppy and sexy at the same time.
The older woman sighed. “I miss my Sam,” she said of her late husband. “If I could give advice to you young people, it would be to enjoy and appreciate every day with the person you love because you don’t know how long you’ll have.”
“That’s a beautiful and true statement,” Andi murmured. She’d just never found the man she loved.
By the time she realized what a mistake she’d made with Billy, he’d had a tight hold on her. She’d gotten pregnant right after graduation and missed out on going to college, tying herself to her baby’s father when in reality she’d already been scared of him and should have had the courage to walk away.
She sighed. “Not everyone finds the right man though,” she found herself saying.
Wise, old blue eyes looked back at her. “Sometimes you have to open your eyes and see what’s in front of you without fear blocking your way.”
Yes, Mrs. Martin knew too much, Andi thought. “So what can I get for you today? The usual?” she asked, although the woman never varied her choice.
“Yes. The same bouquet for Sam.”
Andi already had the arrangement made and put aside for her regular customer. She collected payment, cash as usual, and handed Mrs. Martin her purchase. “Here you go.”
“Thank you, dear. Say hello to your father for me. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”
“I will. Enjoy your visit with your husband,” she said, because Mrs. Martin always told her that these visits and talks she had were cathartic.
She watched the older woman go, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she’d given up any chance to real relationship happiness in her life. She no longer trusted her judgment when it came to the opposite sex.
* * *
The rest of the week passed quickly and Friday arrived and with it the much-needed weekend. Kyle loved his students but he appreciated the Saturday-Sunday break as much as anyone.
Knowing the move was a permanent one, Kyle had bought a house when he moved back to Rosewood Bay. But that didn’t mean his mother didn’t expect him to show up for occasional meals, and given his poor cooking skills, he considered Sunday dinner one of the perks of coming home.
This week, they were getting together on Saturday instead to celebrate his mom’s birthday. Kyle and his brother, Chase, had wanted to take her out for dinner but she insisted on having the whole family at home. He arrived midafternoon and spent time with his dad before gravitating into the kitchen, where his mother put him to work chopping lettuce for the salad while Chase set the table. Although she was past her broken hip, her gait was slower now, as she was more careful in how she moved.
When Kyle had entered the room, she had been grilling Chase about his social life and any women he might be dating.
“Mom, have you been keeping up with your exercises?” Chase asked, making a deliberate subject change.
His mother nodded. “Not only have I, but I’ve signed up for swim classes at the local Y. The doctor said that will be good for overall conditioning.”
“Sounds good. Can you get Dad to go with you? He could use some exercise,” Kyle said.
His mother laughed at that. “You know better. Now stop changing the subject, boys. Kyle, how do you like your class?” she asked as she wiped her hands on a dish towel.
“The kids are great. Everything’s going well.”
“Do you have any of your old friends’ children?” she asked.
His gaze darted to hers. Did she know he had Andi’s son in his class? He doubted she knew the boy’s exact age and grade, but he wouldn’t put it past her to be curious enough to ferret out the information this way. He didn’t particularly want to get into a discussion about Andi Harmon, but if he didn’t mention Nicky and his mother found out, she’d never let him hear the end of it.
He dumped the cut lettuce into the bowl and met his mother’s gaze. “Andi Harmon’s son is in my class,” he told her, not reacting in any way. Instead he picked up a washed tomato and began to slice.
“Well, that should be interesting.”
Chase snickered from where he’d settled into a chair at the table.
Kyle shot him a dirty look.
“When will you have to see her? Parent-teacher night?” His mom leaned against the counter, wholly interested in the conversation.
“Darla, leave the boys alone,” his father called from the other room, where he sat in his recliner watching television.
“It’s just a question,” his mom called back.
Kyle sighed. “I’ve seen her a few times already. We had to discuss certain things about her son. It was fine, Mom. We’re adults.”
“You never told me exactly what happened between the two of you to end a lifelong friendship, but I always felt sorry for her.”
“She married an asshole,” Chase chimed in not so helpfully. He spoke the truth though. “It’s hard to imagine her not knowing what she was getting into.”
“Well, she always struck me as a lonely woman,” his mother said. “Kyle wasn’t the only friend she lost over the years. I think she paid for her choices. And not in any good way.”
He glanced up from his focus on the knife in his hands. He had that sense himself. Still, he couldn’t help but feel, like Chase, that she’d knowingly made her own decisions. “She had enough experience with Billy to know who he was.”
“Boys, I raised you to be more compassionate. From what I saw, Billy had complete control over her. From who she saw to where she went. And I think she dressed to cover bruises.”
Kyle’s stomach turned over. He was unable to believe she’d been abused and he’d had no idea. “What?”
His mom nodded somberly. “You never wanted to talk about Andi, so I didn’t say anything. She obviously didn’t want anyone to know, and though I always told her she could talk to me about anything, she never took me up on it.”
At the thought of Billy putting a hand on Andi, fury raced through Kyle, along with anger at himself for not realizing the extent of what she’d gotten herself into with her ex. He’d been so busy being hurt and upset with her for dumping him, he’d never given a thought to the whys. Of course, they’d been young, and he hadn’t had enough life experience to even think that Billy would hurt her. Though Billy had been a bully, it had never dawned on Kyle that the relationship was abusive.
“Shit.” He dumped the tomato in with the rest of the salad, his mood ruined. He couldn’t very well hold on to anger at her breaking off a friendship when she’d been dealing with something far beyond anything he could have imagined.
He finished making the salad in silence, his mother obviously having sensed she’d crossed a sensitive line and he needed time to process what she’d told him. Meanwhile, his head pounded, the information eating away at his gut.
The doorbell rang, providing a welcome break. “I’ll get it,” he said, eager to escape his thoughts.
Hopefully it was the flowers he’d asked to be delivered for his mom, since they hadn’t arrived yet. He opened the door to find Andi standing with the beautiful bouquet in her hands.
“Kyle!” she said, obvio
usly as surprised to see him as he was to see her. “Delivery, as promised.”
He took the vase full of fall-colored flowers from her hand, orange, yellow, and deep red hues blossoming inside. “These are beautiful. Thank you. I thought you had a delivery guy to handle this?”
She sighed. “So did I but he bailed. I have a seventeen-year-old covering the store. Deliveries aren’t her job, so I’m doing them myself today.”
She really did work hard, he thought, wondering how she also found time to be with her son. His heart gave a little squeeze at the thought of her running herself ragged while her abusive ex was off God knows where. Town rumor said he’d run off with one of the wealthy women who frequented their beach town in the summers, leaving his family behind.
“Well, thank you for making sure my mom got these as promised.” Should he tip her? It felt awkward and he had a feeling he shouldn’t, but she worked so damned hard for whatever she had. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his money clip, but before he could peel off bills, Andi glanced down and saw his intention.
“Kyle, please. Don’t,” she said, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
“Kyle, who is it?” His mother came out of the kitchen, ending the uncomfortable exchange. Her eyes widened, then lit up at the sight of the flowers. And then she laid eyes on Andi and her happy smile broadened. “Andrea! It’s so good to see you.”
“Hi, Mrs. Davenport. Happy birthday!”
“It’s Darla, not Mrs. Davenport. I tell you that every time we run into each other.” She rushed over to give Andi a hug.
“I was just delivering your flowers. I hope you enjoy them,” Andi said, and turned to go.
“Wait. Come in and chat for a little while.”
Andi shook her head. “I can’t. Thank you but–”
“Nonsense.” Persistent as ever, his mom grasped her hand and urged her to come into the house.
“Mom, Andi has to work.”
“She has a few minutes to talk to old friends.” Holding on to Andi, she led her into the kitchen.
Andi’s eyes met his. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed, obviously believing he didn’t want her there.
To his surprise, he didn’t mind her staying, although his mother should have respected her wishes and let her leave. But then she wouldn’t be his loving albeit intrusive mom.
He followed Andi and his mother into the kitchen, his gaze on Andi’s tight jeans and the sexy sway of her hips as she moved. She was unaware of her appeal, much as she had been as a teen, although she’d been more outgoing and happier back then. She was more reserved now, her marriage obviously having changed her and, as his mother had pointed out, not in good ways.
“Can I get you a drink? I have soda in the fridge,” his mom offered.
“It’s fine. I really can’t stay long,” Andi said, but his mother headed to the refrigerator and poured her a drink anyway.
“Mom, I’m putting the flowers by the sink,” Kyle said.
He noted Chase had disappeared, probably watching television with his father and saying a prayer of thanks it was Kyle’s life his mother was meddling in and not his own.
“They’re just so beautiful. Did you put them together yourself?” his mom asked.
Andi nodded, taking a sip of her soda, then running her tongue over her damp lips. He forced his gaze onto something else. Flowers. Look at the flowers.
“Wendy, the owner, taught me how to arrange them,” Andi said, pointing to the blooms.
“Well, you have a talent for it, that’s for sure, doesn’t she, Kyle?”
“She sure does,” he said, meaning it.
His mother walked over to the arrangement and breathed in deep. “They smell glorious.”
“I’m glad you like them,” Andi said, placing her glass down on the counter. “Well, I should get–”
“Let me go get Henry and show him how gorgeous they are,” his mother said, ignoring Andi’s attempt to leave. She turned and headed out to the family room, leaving them alone.
He met her gaze, unable to help the grin on his face. “She’s as subtle as a steamroller,” he said. “I am sorry. I can sneak you out before she returns.”
Andi laughed, the sound bringing back old memories of the times they’d been relaxed and comfortable around each other. He could admit to himself now that he missed those days, and he pushed hard at the sting of rejection that wanted to resurface, knowing now there had been more to what she had been going through.
“I should really say goodbye to her. It’s the polite thing to do,” Andi said.
“Trust me, she’ll never let you escape. Come on.” Aware she needed to get back to the store, he led her to the door. “Listen, when you come to pick up Nicky next time, can the three of us go over some things?”
“Of course. I’ll be there to pick him up on Tuesday.” She smiled. “It was good seeing you and your mom.”
“Thanks for the flowers. They really are beautiful.” Just like she was, he thought, unable not to be drawn to her.
She smiled. “Thanks again. And tell your mother I appreciate the hospitality but I needed to get back to work. I hate to have her thinking I’m rude.”
“I will and I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
“Great.” She ducked her head and strode out.
He watched her go, a pit of longing in his stomach, warning bells ringing in his brain. This woman had owned him once before and ripped his heart out of his chest. He couldn’t afford to let her do it again, but every time he saw her, he softened toward her even more.
* * *
After a busy day at the floral shop, including helping a couple planning their engagement party and putting together a funeral arrangement and a few birthday bouquets, Andi was exhausted. She still had to pick Nicky up after school, meet with Kyle, and figure out something for dinner.
She walked into the school, checked in at the security desk, and headed to Kyle’s classroom. At a glance, she saw him sitting beside Nicky, wholly focused on her son and his reading. He leaned one muscular forearm on the back of a chair, the other hand pointing to the paper from which Nicky read. She watched, her heart engaged at the sight. Although she understood he was just doing his job, this was her baby he was helping, and gratitude and desire continued to fight each time she ran into him.
She cleared her throat so they’d know she was there.
Nicky glanced up, smiling when he saw her. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi,” Kyle said, his sexy mouth widening into a smile as he looked up, his eyes warming as they roamed over her.
“Hi.” She walked into the room and stopped by the desks where they worked. “How’s it going?”
“Great! We worked on my reading.” Nicky gathered his papers from his desk.
“I’m really happy with how far he’s progressed,” Kyle said.
Nicky walked over to the far wall and began to put together his jacket and books.
“You wanted to talk?” she asked.
“I introduced him to Harry Potter. I’m hoping it will engage him in reading and I can work with the comprehension when he stays after school with me.”
She nodded. “Absolutely. Whatever you suggest.” There was no bookstore in town, so she’d order a copy online.
“Mom, I’m starving,” Nicky said, skidding to a stop in front of her, backpack slung over his shoulder.
“What do you say we stop for a really early pizza dinner before we go home?” She didn’t have the energy to make anything tonight and she hadn’t put anything in the crockpot this morning.
“Score!” he said, obviously thrilled with the idea.
She glanced at Kyle, who’d walked over to his desk and had begun to pack things up in a duffel bag. “Would you like to join us?” she found herself asking. “I know it’s not even five o’clock yet, but there are nights I just say go with the flow and tonight is one of them. My treat.” She gave him a welcoming smile.
It was the least she could do for the effort he was making with
Nicky. She told herself she’d do the same for any of his teachers, but the rapid pounding of her heart threatened to make that statement a lie. She wanted time with him to catch up and maybe become friends again.
He hesitated, obviously unsure what to say. He’d been warmer at his mother’s house, his reaction to her more relaxed and easier with each run-in, and she hoped to build on that foundation.
“Come on, Mr. D. That would be cool,” Nicky said, seconding her invitation.
He glanced from her to her son. “Sure, why not? I’ll meet you at the pizza place in town,” he said of Rosa’s Pizzeria.
“Sounds good.”
She and Nicky headed to the car. The entire ride into town, he talked about how excited he was to go out with Mr. D, the kids’ nickname for their teacher. Kyle had a way about him that didn’t make Nicky feel singled out or different because he needed extra help. Nicky missed out on having a father but since Billy had been gone, her brother had been a solid role model in his life and now he had Kyle as a man he could look up to and learn from. She warmed at the thought.
They waited for Kyle at a table, the place fairly empty thanks to the early hour. He joined them, sliding into the booth. “I love Hawaiian pizza,” Nicky said to him. “Do you?”
“What’s in it?” Kyle asked.
Andi bit down on the inside of her cheek. Hawaiian pizza was an acquired taste. “Pineapple and bacon. Or ham but Nicky likes his with bacon,” she explained. “I think it’s the combination of sweet, sour, and salty that he finds appealing.”
Kyle made a disgusted face. “I think I’ll pass.”
“You have to at least taste it,” Nicky said. “Can I go order, Mom?”
“Do you still like mushroom and onion on yours?” Andi asked Kyle.
He blinked, as if startled she remembered. “Yeah.”
“Order a large, half Hawaiian, half mushroom and onion,” she told him. “And a pitcher of Diet Coke?” she asked Kyle and he nodded.
“Someone has to have a talk with the Hawaiians about that pizza topping,” he muttered.
“Actually it originated in Canada.”
Dream (Rosewood Bay Series Book 4) Page 3
