by Claire Adams
Our food arrived shortly afterward, and I helped Belle and Abby break open their crab legs. I realized Maddox was watching me with a soft smile, and I pulled back and wiped my face self-consciously.
“There’s nothing on your face,” he said. “I just like seeing you with them.”
“What’s for dessert?” Nick asked as we finished dinner. He patted his thin stomach and turned to the girls. “Come on, you both probably want ice cream, right?” They nodded with wide eyes.
“There’s an ice cream parlor across the street,” Maddox said. “Oh, and they have something else I wanted to get.”
He paid the check; it was the first time I’ve ever seen him get handed a bill, and we followed him into the ice cream parlor. Lacey and Belle shared a giant sundae and Abby and Nick each got their own double scoops of ice cream.
“This is what I wanted to share with you,” Maddox said as he brought a cake to our table. I smiled and dug my spoon into it. A thick layer of melted chocolate oozed out and mixed with the vanilla ice cream base.
“It’s not as good as the lava cake at Thad’s,” Maddox said. We both took a bite.
“It might be better,” I said.
We didn’t have much time left before the park was closing. “Can Belle and I go on the scary ride?” Abby asked.
Lacey and I both groaned. “I might puke if I ride anything else,” I said, and Lacey agreed with me.
“Nick and I can take them,” Maddox offered. I looked at Lacey.
“That’s fine,” she said. “Just don’t run off with my child or else you’ll be the ones getting stuck in a cave.”
We followed them toward the ride and separated as they went in through the exit.
“Nick’s a cutie, isn’t he?” I asked. Lacey blushed but didn’t acknowledge my words.
“They’re going to be so exhausted,” she said. “I’m glad Abby and Belle like each other, though.”
“Abby’s already asking to go over your house for playdates,” I said.
“Oh no, they live in a mansion, don’t they? Why would she want to go over to our tiny house?” Lacey yawned. “I’ll have to hire a cleaner.”
“I don’t think a 3-year-old is going to care,” I said. “Maddox isn’t raising her like that, at least. She’s pretty down to earth.”
“The kid of a man who went on a 20,000 dollar date,” Lacey said. “But you’re right; she’s a good child. Maddox is a great dad.”
I smiled, thinking of how gentle and loving he is with Abby.
“He really is,” I said.
“This might be the three glasses of wine talking, but I’m so proud of you, Everly,” Lacey said.
“What for?” I asked.
“For sticking it out and doing what’s right for you,” she said. “You wanted to run away, remember? But I’m so glad you didn’t. Maddox is a great guy, and he’s perfect for you. You did the right thing.”
I agreed with her. Maddox wanted nothing but the best for me, and I could never doubt that. He was patient, loyal, and so incredibly kind. He made me feel things that I never thought were possible, and if it weren’t for him, I never would have had the courage to face my fears.
Maddox and Nick appeared from the exit of the ride with Abby and Belle in between them. Maddox was laughing at something Belle said, his gray eyes twinkling like stars in the distance.
Lacey was right, I realized, as Abby grabbed Maddox’s hand and he squeezed it. They were both right for me.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Maddox
It had been a month of family outings and playdates between our two families, and every passing day Everly was slowly starting to merge with my family more and more. It was almost as if she’d always been with us, and I couldn’t imagine a life without her in our presence. She was a constant figure in Abby’s life, and even took it upon herself to read bedtime stories with Abby and go over her basic numbers and the alphabet. I had told her plenty of times that there was no pressure for her to fill a mother’s role, but Everly had assured me that she enjoyed spending time with Abby. And it wasn’t a secret that Abby enjoyed it just as much, if not more. The two of them were quite a pair.
Everly’s new position in the restaurant family had started two weeks prior, and she was already providing amazing ideas that even Jackie was impressed by. And more importantly, Jackie realized that contacting Everly was a lot easier than talking to me about work. Everything was perfect, and Everly was getting all the experience she would need to one day open up her own restaurant on the pier. It was still her dream, and I was going to make sure it happened for her even if she insisted on doing it all herself. She’d have to get used to me doing things for her. It gave me more pleasure than I’d ever known, and it was hard to explain how taking care of someone, even if it was just by offering them support, could be so fulfilling. Everly had made me see things so differently. Nothing was about me and Abby alone anymore. Anytime I made decisions, I considered Everly, and even sought her opinion. I was finding that we made a good team.
The sun was beginning to shine in my eyes, and I finally woke after a night of tossing and turning. Everly had stayed up in the late hours brainstorming with Jackie and didn’t crawl into bed until 2 or 3 in the morning. I felt the warmth from her body beside me and wondered how much longer we could get away with sleeping.
“It’s no use,” her voice whispered, sore and hoarse. “I can’t fall asleep.”
I chuckled and turned toward her. Her hair was longer than it had been, and the red waves rested against her nightgown, spilling over her shoulders and across her pillow. She hadn’t completely wiped off her makeup, and there were quite a few smudges of lipstick on her cheeks from my incessant kissing. She was beautiful. I kissed her lips and she softly pressed against mine.
A small hand fell on Everly’s neck as Abby curled up against her. My eyebrows rose; I hadn’t realized Abby was in bed with us. Thank God I hadn’t tried initiating anything.
“She crawled in shortly after I did,” Everly said.
“Let me guess,” I said. “Nightmares?”
“Nick and Lacey were watching that one horror movie with the house and mirrors,” Everly explained. “Belle and Abby were supposed to be in their room playing, but Abby convinced Belle to sneak out and watch from behind the couch.”
“Nick would have let them watch, probably,” I said. “Damn bastard.”
Abby groaned as she began to wake.
“The beast awakens,” Everly whispered. I chuckled as Abby’s blue eyes popped open.
“Hey, sweetie.” I flattened my palm against her back and rubbed her softly. “How are you feeling?”
Abby rolled over and looked at Everly and smiled, wrapping an arm around her. She was such a little cuddle bug.
“Hungry,” she said, and Everly and I both laughed. These days it was always a safe bet that Abby was hungry.
“I’ll make breakfast,” Everly said. “But then we have to get ready, right?”
“It starts at 1,” I said. Abby leaned on her elbows and looked at me over Everly.
“What does?” she asked.
“I told you already, Nick has an art show today,” I said. Abby gasped, her eyes lighting up as she crawled off the bed.
“We have to get ready!” she yelled.
“Bath first!” Everly said. “And then brush your teeth and then breakfast and then we’ll go.”
“Okay, Everly,” Abby said as I left the bed to start her bath.
Abby and I found the kitchen counter full of muffins, scones, waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs after we finished getting ready. Everly had slipped into a form-fitting green dress that shimmered like emeralds around her body. It was Abby’s favorite dress, and I suspected she picked it out on purpose.
“Are we feeding the whole town?” I asked and popped a waffle into my mouth. The front door opened and closed, and shortly afterward, Lacey and Belle entered the kitchen. “Ah, that explains it.”
“I wanted to
bring some over to Nick before he left,” Everly said. “I know how nervous he is, and muffins usually help calm him down.”
“Oh, I could bring them to him?” Lacey offered. Everly and I smirked as Lacey dumped several muffins and waffles into a tin. “How is he?” Her eyes were full of genuine concern for my friend.
“Nervous as hell,” I said. “This is his biggest show yet, with a lot of top names in the crowd.”
Lacey hurried to the fridge and added a bottle of orange juice to Nick’s to-go basket and left.
“She’ll probably meet us there,” I said. Everly tilted her head in confusion.
“I think they might want some, well, alone time before his show starts,” I said, trying to keep the topic appropriate. Everly’s eyes widened as she understood. The two were enjoying each other’s company quite often these days, and I had never seen Nick happier. I had a feeling he’d want to release a bit of tension before his exhibit.
“How many paintings is he putting up?” Belle asked.
“I think 15,” I said. “He might have added one or two.” It was hard to keep up with what Nick was doing these days. Our lives had become a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Can I put mine in it?” Abby asked. “Belle, you can put yours in the next one. Uncle Nick won’t mind.”
“We’ll have to ask Uncle Nick about that first,” Everly said. We finished up with breakfast and got ready to leave. Everly confirmed with Lacey that she would meet us at the gallery, and I smirked as Everly smacked my shoulder after making an inappropriate joke about them.
The gallery itself was in the very middle of downtown, a block away from Saint Padres. Everly stared at it as we drove past, but she didn’t give it a second glance.
I left the Giulia with the valet, and we walked up a long set of white marble steps toward the gallery. This was the finest art show Nick had ever been a part of. No doubt his nerves were on edge. I’d seen him a total wreck over much less of a turnout.
“People pay for this stuff?” Belle asked as we examined several intricate and odd statues outside of the entrance.
“You’d be surprised at what people pay for,” Everly said and glanced at me. I smirked, knowing she meant our 20,000 dollar date.
“Some things are just priceless,” I said, and grabbed Abby’s hand before she could rush into the gallery. “I know you’re excited to see Uncle Nick, but you have to be patient, okay? There are really important people here, so can you behave?”
Abby nodded.
“What he said,” Everly said to Belle. Belle grabbed Abby’s hand and entered the gallery.
Everly turned to enter, and I slipped her hand into mine. She paused and looked back at me.
“I haven’t had a kiss in nearly two hours,” I said. I pulled her close and kissed her before pushing a stray strand of her gorgeous hair from her face.
“We’re keeping track now?” She laughed and pulled me into the gallery.
“Someone has to,” I said. She pressed her bare arms against my gray suit as the air-conditioned room surrounded us. It was stark white, with giant paintings hanging on every wall and a separate area that focused on 15 familiar paintings. Abby and Belle were staring at one of them, their heads tilted as they oohed and ahhed at the bright colors.
“He really is talented,” Everly said.
“Did you think we were talking out of our asses this whole time?” I joked. She rolled her eyes and squeezed my hand.
“There’s a bunch of people here.” She glanced around the room and even craned her neck to get a better look. “Some really rich-looking people.”
“That’s why Nick was freaking out. If just one person buys a painting, it usually starts a chain reaction until they’re all sold out.” I realized there were several men and women dressed in clothes richer than mine that were all holding their spots in front of several paintings. “No one wants to be the first person, in case it’s a mistake, so they’re all just waiting for one person to make their move.”
“Why don’t you buy one?” Everly asked. “I mean, if it helps sell all of them, would it hurt?”
I shook my head. “Nick doesn’t want any more favors from me. He wants to do this all on his own.”
Lacey waved at us from across the room, where a very pale Nick was in the middle of a conversation with a world-renowned collector that I recognized from magazines. Everly waved back, but she didn’t let go of my hand.
We took the girls to look at all of the paintings, eventually meeting up with Lacey. A platter of champagne-filled flutes circled the floor, and we were on our third by the time the first purchase was made.
Nick looked as if he were about to throw up, and I made eye contact with him as the rest of the paintings were snatched up. I left Everly’s side for a moment to take a look at the purchase card. Next to each title was price listed and price sold, and beneath the sold section were 15 amounts, each well over half a million. I whistled and showed Everly.
“Did he expect that?” she asked.
“The listing prices were only half a million, so definitely not,” I said. We found Nick and offered our congratulations.
“Which one sold for the highest?” Abby asked. Nick pointed at one in the corner.
“I’ll show you,” Everly said and took Abby’s hand. Belle followed them, and Nick and I were left alone for the moment.
“I can’t believe it,” Nick said.
“I know, I didn’t think you were ever going to sell one,” I teased. Nick shoved my shoulder.
“Man, I was talking about you. I can’t believe you found a woman like her.” He gestured at Everly. “She’s a natural with Abby. I almost feel replaced.”
“No one could ever replace Uncle Nick,” I said, giving him a playful nudge. “You know that.”
“I know.” He shrugged. “I’m serious though, Maddox. She’s perfect for you and Abby. You really got lucky with her. I know it wasn’t easy, but you completed your family.”
I watched as Everly kneeled in front of Abby and discussed the painting. She was smiling as Abby spoke to her, as if Abby were her kid just as much as she was mine.
“You’re right,” I said. But instead of completing our family, Everly expanded it. She belonged with us, and we belonged with her.
Epilogue
Everly
2 Years Later
I felt a lot lighter when I woke in the morning, despite having Maddox’s arm wrapped tightly around me. He was sleeping soundly, as he always did on the weekends, and I couldn’t remember the last time he had woken before me. All You Can Eat had its best numbers in years, and we were opening a specialty fish restaurant on the pier in just a few weeks. That project had been all mine, and I don’t think Maddox realized how special of a gift it had been.
I ran my finger down his strong arms, skin hard with muscle from working out with me nearly every day. It had taken a while to fall into a routine, but now it was impossible to break. He was constantly looking for ways to make our lives exciting, despite me constantly assuring him that our life was as perfect as it could ever be. But that’s what I loved about Maddox; he was always planning and looking toward the future. We complemented one another that way, as I was always reminding him to enjoy the present.
I still wasn’t sure how I had managed to find a man like him. I could leave it to luck, but it felt like something deeper. We were meant to be, and he was meant to be mine. I cuddled up against his chest, enjoying the heat radiating from his body that always seemed to be warmer than mine. His body was beginning to react to mine, and I wondered how much longer we had until Abby’s eventual interruption.
“Daddy! Everly!” her voice yelled through the door before she flung it open. Maddox’s arm tightened around me as Abby jumped onto the bed and pounced on us. I laughed as Maddox groaned in my ear. What perfect timing.
“It’s time to get up!” she said. Her blonde curls were past her shoulders now, and as a 5-year-old, she was talking nonstop. “W
e need to eat breakfast and then go to the park and then maybe the animal shelter because I heard that they do free adoptions on weekends and I was thinking that what we needed was a dog.”
“Oh, is that right?” Maddox said. I smirked as Abby continued planning our day. She had a love for planning things, a trait she definitely took from her father.
“A dog?” I asked. “Are you sure you don’t want another cat?”
Both Abby and Maddox shook their heads.
“Nope. One cat is enough,” Abby said.
“How about no dogs and we get rid of the cat we have?” Maddox suggested. He crawled out of bed and slipped a T-shirt on. “I’ll start breakfast.”
“How do we convince him to get a dog and leave my kitty alone?” Abby asked me as I leaned back against the bed.
“How about this?” I said, and attacked her with tickles. She giggled and tried squirming out of my grasp, but I held her body against mine.
“That’s not going to help!” she yelled. Maddox crossed the room and watched with a smile as I tickled her. He had a pensive expression, eyebrows drawn up and the side of his smile tilted upwards, but he didn’t say any words.
Abby and I joined him for breakfast, an omelet full of vegetables with a side of fruit. We’ve been eating healthy for a little over a year now, but every now and then, I’ve snuck Abby and Nick muffins.
“So, there’s a special event tonight,” Maddox said as we ate.
“Oh?” I didn’t know of anything.
“Nick’s art show had the most purchases of any art show this year. It’s been his most successful one to date,” Maddox said.
“And mine was in it!” Abby yelled.
“I remember, I was there,” I told her and turned to Maddox. “I didn’t know it was such a big deal, though.”
“I guess in the art world it is. So, they’re having a special dinner at one of the newest upscale restaurants downtown,” Maddox said. “He wanted to know if we’ll be there for him.”
