by E. L. Todd
“I just…” She folded her hands together in front of her stomach and stared at her hands. She breathed quietly, like she was trying to stop the emotion that was beginning to build inside her. “I know I don’t say this a lot, but you’re one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. You’re my little brother but I look up to you. I just want you to be with a woman just as perfect.”
Now I really did feel guilty for yelling at her. “I know.”
She looked up and met my gaze, the emotion in her eyes. “I just care about you. That’s all.”
“I know that too.” Trinity and I were never very close. We were siblings more than friends. But I loved her a lot. If something were to happen to her, I would never be the same. It was a relationship difficult to explain. I didn’t hang out with her very often, but I needed her in my life all the same.
“I know Lexie went through a hard time with both divorces, and I do understand her reason for leaving. But I’ll never understand how she can hurt someone she claims to love so much.”
“I don’t think anyone understands why they hurt the people they love. I know I don’t.”
She blinked her eyes a few times and stopped whatever emotion was about to begin.
“But I know I love her and I don’t want to force myself to be with anyone else. I can’t explain why I feel the way I do, but those feelings are still there, nonetheless.”
She nodded.
“You don’t have to like her or be around her. But don’t attack her with a baking dish. That’s all I ask.”
A quiet chuckle escaped her lips, and a smile stretched across her mouth. “I went off the deep end for a moment there.”
“Yeah…you did.” Good thing I was there to break it up. Lexie was feisty so it was a good thing she didn’t fight back. Otherwise, Trinity would have had a real opponent on her hands.
“I guess I’ll keep an open mind toward her,” she said with a shrug.
“Thank you.”
Trinity shifted her weight awkwardly like she didn’t know what to do with herself.
I put my hands in my pockets.
“I guess I’m going to go…” She turned around and headed to the door.
“I’ve got to get dinner started anyway.” I walked behind her until we reached the threshold.
She turned around and gave me a slight wave. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
I smiled before I pulled her in for a hug. “You’re annoying as hell but you’re still a good sister.”
She relaxed in my arms, like she was relieved this argument ended on such good terms. “You’re a good brother.”
“And I’m going to be an amazing uncle.”
She pulled away and smiled. “I’m sure you will, Con. Just don’t give them treats and snacks.”
“Treats and snacks?” I asked. “I’m giving them beer.”
She rolled her eyes and walked out. “Bye, Con.”
“Bye, Trin.” I watched her walk down the hallway before I shut the door.
***
Lexie stirred the vegetables in the pan then checked the lasagna in the oven. She came over to my place to make dinner, and while she worked in the kitchen I sat at the table and watched her.
It reminded me of old times, when she would make dinner and dessert and I would watch her in silence. I could be watching a game on TV or doing some work from my laptop but I’d rather watch her move about the kitchen like she was made for it.
“How was your day?” She seasoned the vegetables and added a few drops of oil.
“Good.”
“Anything interesting happen?”
“Trinity came to my apartment and told me off.” That was definitely interesting.
“Oh…” She already knew why Trinity paid me a visit.
“We went back and forth for a while, but she finally understood she needed to calm down and let all of this go.”
“And how did you manage that?” A note of surprise was in her voice.
“I reminded her of all the things Slade has done.”
“Slade?” She turned away from the stove. “What’s he ever done?”
Lexie hadn’t known Slade as a single guy. In fact, she hadn’t known him as anything else besides Trinity’s husband. “He used to be an asshole. He had commitment issues, he kept their relationship a secret for a long time, and on their wedding day he actually considered calling it off.”
Her jaw was practically on the floor. “Slade? The same Slade?”
I nodded. “He’s totally different now. But yeah, he used to be that way.”
“He’s so sprung on her. I can’t picture him acting like that.”
“Yeah, he was a pain in the ass once upon a time.”
She turned back around and stirred the vegetables before adding more oil. “That’s a crazy story.”
“I reminded Trinity that Slade wasn’t my favorite person at one point, but I gave him a chance to prove himself. She needs to do the same for you.”
She set the lid on the pot and let the contents simmer. Then she turned back to me. “What did she say to that…?”
“She said she would try. And she wouldn’t slam a baking dish over your head.”
Lexie smiled at that part. “Good to know.”
“So Trinity has an open mind now. We just need to work on everybody else.”
“Yeah…simple plan.” She laughed sarcastically then turned off the oven.
“It’ll be fine, Lexie. The Great Wall wasn’t built in a day.”
“But it can be torn down in one.” She pulled the lasagna out of the oven then set it on the table. She sliced it up into pieces then served it on the plates before she added the vegetables. Then she took the seat across from me.
“This looks good.” I took a few bites and was surprised I liked it even though it didn’t have any meat in it. Lexie had a way of making healthy things taste good—a real talent.
“Thanks.” She ate quietly and only managed to finish half of it before she munched on her vegetables.
“No luck with the job hunt?”
“No,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll just be a loser who lives with my mama.”
“I wouldn’t mind living with your mama,” I said. “She’s an awesome cook.”
“I don’t mind it either. Macy is the one I mind.”
“Still being a brat?” I asked.
“She’s just…you know how she is.” No explanation was needed.
“She seems a little better.”
Lexie sipped her wine. “She’s matured in a few ways, but I’m afraid she’ll always be the vain woman who’s too proud to get a real job.”
“Hey, modeling is a real job.” I smiled so she knew I was joking.
“If she regularly modeled I wouldn’t care. But a Macy’s ad once in a blue moon doesn’t qualify.”
“I might be able to help her out. My dad knows a lot of people. My sister works in that universe too.”
“No,” Lexie said quickly. “You don’t need to help anybody, Con. If she wants to make it happen she’ll do it on her own.”
Lexie never asked me for anything, even help finding a job. She was proud long before we broke up, and I suspected she would always be that way. She wanted to be taken care of, but only to a certain extent.
I finished my lasagna and wiped the plate clean. “That was good. Thank you.”
“Anytime,” she said. “Feeding you makes me happy.” There wasn’t any sarcasm in her words. Her eyes glowed while she looked at me, and I knew she was treasuring the moment. She loved being there, having dinner with me just the way we used to.
***
It was mid-morning when I skipped the office and headed to the building where Lexie used to work. Dad was on the phone and Sean wasn’t on the floor, so I left without being questioned like a child wandering off unsupervised.
When I walked inside I recognized Lexie’s secretary behind the desk. I saw her when I came in a few times. She was always nice to me, and she blushed ever
y time I smiled at her.
Cassie looked up at me and nearly did a double take when she realized I was the person standing in front of her desk. “Hey, Conrad. It’s so nice to see you. What brings you here…?” She started twirling her hair like a schoolgirl, giddy and fidgety.
I leaned over the counter so I could speak quietly. “I’m here because of Lexie.”
“Oh…” Disappointment washed over her in waves. “Well, she’s not here anymore. I’m sure you know that.”
“I was hoping I could speak to the owner of the office, the head psychiatrist or whatever.”
“He’s in his office right now.” She nodded to the office that had two large white doors. “It’s his practice.”
“What’s his name?”
“Dr. Colby.”
“Can I speak to him?”
“Let me see if he’s free.” She made a call into his office then spoke quietly into the receiver so I couldn’t hear what she said. Then she hung up. “He’ll see you now, Conrad. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a genuine smile before I pushed through the heavy doors.
Dr. Colby was sitting behind his large desk, a trophy from a bowling tournament right on the corner. He was in his early fifties, judging the sprinkle of gray in his hair.
“Thanks for your time, Dr. Colby.” I shook his hand then took the seat facing his desk. “I’m Conrad—”
“Preston. I know.” His tone was short but he didn’t seem particularly upset. That was just his personality. “You used to come in here all the time. Plus, I recognize you from every magazine.”
My celebrity could make me or break me sometimes. “You bowl?” I nodded to the trophy.
“For twenty years. It’s the one thing I’m good at.”
“I hope you’re good at medicine too,” I teased.
“Not as good as bowling, I’m afraid.” He eyed the trophy before he turned back to me. “How can I help you, Mr. Preston?”
“I wanted to talk about Lexie.”
“And what about her?” he asked. “The way she stormed out of this office without even telling me.”
This was going to be an uphill battle.
“Because that was one hell of a day at the office.” His tone hadn’t changed since the beginning of the conversation, but his irritation was clear in the blackness of his eyes.
“I admit that was unprofessional. She was under a lot of stress and heartbreak. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“The day my ex-wife handed me the divorce papers, you know what I did?”
Maybe he would be sentimental after all. “What?”
“I went to work.”
Damn.
“I took that girl under my wing and put her in a beautiful office in Manhattan. Most people would kill for that job.”
“Would it make a difference if I said she regretted it? She knows she threw away the best job she’s ever had and she knows she’ll never find anything that compares.”
“It helps a little…”
“Dr. Colby, please consider giving her her job back. I know she messed up when she stormed out of here, but she cared about her clients and she did great work. She’s passionate about what she does. I promise, you’ll never find a marriage counselor as good as she is.”
He nodded his head slowly, like he was considering everything I said. “I can’t argue with that.”
“Then could you consider giving her the job again?”
“I’m afraid if I give her any slack she’ll walk all over me. I let her get away with it once, I’ll let her get away with it again.”
“That’s not how she thinks. She’ll be so grateful that you gave her another chance that she’ll be the most loyal worker in the world. She’ll be indebted to you forever.”
The cogs in his mind were working and he was loosening up. He took his glasses off and placed the frame against his lip. His chair shook from side to side slightly, the outcome of a restless leg.
“I’ll give you a free PIXEL laptop…” Would bribery work here?
“Done.” He stood up and shook my hand. “I want the fifth edition, the one that hasn’t come out yet.”
So he had something specific in mind. “I can do that.”
“Then your girl can have her job back.”
My girl. “Thank you, Dr. Colby. I appreciate it.”
“And thank you for the laptop.”
“There’s just one more thing…if you don’t mind.”
“Depends.”
“Can you not mention I had anything to do with this?”
Both of his bushy eyebrows rose. “You want me to tell her that I decided to call her, the worker who just left without saying a word, and ask her to come back?” He chuckled under his breath. “I can try but she’s not going to believe it. She knows me too well.”
“Well, it’s worth the shot.”
***
I threw the tennis ball across the room as I lay on the couch.
Apollo sprinted to the ball and snatched it. Then he ran back to me, the green, fuzzy ball in his mouth.
“Good boy.” I yanked it from his jaw, but he squeezed his mouth tighter. “You want me to throw the ball or what?”
He released a playful growl.
I yanked it from his jaw then threw it again.
Apollo ran after it, avoiding all the furniture as he retrieved it. When he returned, he wouldn’t let me take the ball again.
“You don’t want to tango with me, boy.”
He clamped his jaws tighter.
“Two can play that game.” I sat up and pulled hard on the ball. His entire body dragged across the hardwood floor. “You think you’re tough, huh?”
He growled and pulled back. Soon, we were playing a round of tug-of-war.
I laughed as I pulled him across the hardwood floor. “You want to play fetch or tug-of-war?”
He lifted his lips and bared his teeth.
Our game was disrupted by the knock on the door.
Apollo immediately dropped the ball and turned to the entryway, his ears straight up and his head cocked to the side.
“Did you order a pizza, Apollo?”
He barked.
“I didn’t either.” I looked through the peephole and saw Lexie on the other side. Her blonde hair was in a high ponytail, showing off her pretty face and green eyes. I opened the door and came face-to-face with her. “Hey.” Now when she stopped by it didn’t feel so awkward. It almost felt normal.
She crossed her arms over her chest like she was angry, but the sparkle in her eyes said she was truly happy.
“What…?”
“Conrad Preston.”
“Present.”
She came into my apartment and shut the door behind her. “You talked to my boss?”
“Huh? What boss?”
“Don’t play dumb.” She swatted my arm playfully.
“What boss?” I repeated. “The last time I checked, your mama was the boss.”
She hit me again. “I know you talked to Dr. Colby.”
I shrugged. “I have no idea who that is.”
Instead of hitting me again, she moved into my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist. She squeezed me tightly and buried her face into my t-shirt. “Thank you.”
I stared down at her then wrapped my arms around her. “No problem.” Her waist was petite in my arms. It reminded me of a thin pole. The curve of her back and her hips made it feel like an hourglass.
“He called and gave me my job back. I start tomorrow.” She pulled away and looked up at me, gratitude written all over her face.
“That’s great,” I said. “Now you can have the same clients you’ve been working with.”
“And my office.”
“That too.” Seeing her happy made me feel like a king. There was no better high I’d ever experienced. Something about that smile turned me into puddy. This girl captured my heart so long ago, and even now it was still tucked deep into her pocket.
/> “You didn’t have to do that…”
“I know.”
“But I’m so glad you did. I wanted my job back but I didn’t think he would give it to me. And I was embarrassed by the way I left things…”
“He didn’t seem too upset about it.”
She gave me an incredulous look.
“Okay…he might have been a little irritated. But it’s clear he wants you back in that office. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have offered.”
“Unless you bribed him.” Her stare was full of accusation. She asked the question without actually asking it.
“I didn’t bribe him, Lexie. He really does think you’re a great therapist.”
She didn’t drop the look.
“Okay, I gave him a laptop. But he was going to take you back anyway. He just wanted to get something extra out of it.”
“I knew it.”’
“Now, let’s go back to the part where you hug me and thank me from the bottom of your heart.” I beckoned her into my chest again.
She smiled like that was exactly what she wanted to do. She moved into my embrace and wrapped her arms around me again. “Now I can move out of my mom’s place.”
“Why don’t you stay there for a while? Your mom is living the dream right now.”
“She is,” she said with a chuckle. “She gives Macy a hard time for staying at home, but it’s obvious she loves having her there. Me too.”
“Save up some checks before you venture out on your own again.”
“I’ve been saving my money for a long time. I could have gotten an apartment if I needed to. Honestly, I wanted to be with my mom while I struggled.”
I rested my chin on her head. “You should tell her that. She would love it.”
“She would,” she admitted. “But she would never let me go again.”
“Hey, free food and rent. Sounds pretty good to me.”
“Would you live with your parents again?”
“Uh…”
She laughed. “I didn’t think so.”
“It wouldn’t be the end of the world but my mom would feed me nonstop around the clock. She would shove food down my throat every second of the day.”
“Sounds pretty nice.”
“And then she would tell me how handsome and smart I am…” I rolled my eyes.
“Well, you are handsome and smart.”
I smiled. “It sounds much better coming from you.”
