A New Chapter

by Susan Coventry

  After dinner, most of the men retired to the living room to watch football. Emma encouraged Zack to join them while she offered to help his mom clean up. Zack winked at her and hurriedly left the kitchen like he had just been given a free hall pass.

  “I raised him better than that,” Alex said, shaking her head while repressing a smile.

  Emma wasn’t sure how to respond. She wanted to tell Alex that her son cooked for Emma quite often—and cleaned up too—but how much had Zack shared about their relationship? Emma just smiled instead and concentrated on clearing the dirty dishes from the table. One of Zack’s aunts helped as well, but Kelly was nowhere to be seen.

  “So, Emma, how did you and Zack meet?” Alex asked innocently while she rinsed the dishes.

  “Well, we first met about five years ago at my cousin’s wedding, but then we ran into each other again about four months ago.”

  “Ah, yes, at the bookstore, right?”

  So she does know some of the details after all. “Yes,” Emma replied and handed Alex another plate.

  “Gracie just loves books,” Alex said conversationally.

  “That makes two of us,” Emma replied.

  “She likes you a lot, you know.”

  Something in Alex’s voice made Emma stop what she was doing. Why does it sound like Alex is issuing a warning? Is she afraid that I might hurt her granddaughter the way that her ex-daughter-in-law did?

  “I care about her too,” Emma began, and then she blurted, “I care about both of them.”

  Suddenly she realized that it was just the two of them in the kitchen. Alex turned away from the sink to face her.

  “I’m sure you do, dear. Please forgive me for being an overprotective grandma. I just don’t want to see my little girl get hurt again.”

  Although it made her feel slightly uncomfortable, Emma appreciated Alex’s honesty. “I understand completely, and I have no intention of hurting either one of them.”

  Alex’s face instantly relaxed, and she broke out in a trademark Kostas smile. “I believe you,” she said.

  Emma accepted Alex’s remark as a stamp of approval, and they finished cleaning the kitchen in companionable silence until Gracie wandered in.

  She tugged on Emma’s dress and said, “Daddy wants you to come and watch football with him.”

  “Tell him I’ll be right there,” Emma replied before Gracie raced back out of the room.

  Emma wiped her hands on a towel and met Alex’s eyes. “You have a wonderful family,” she said, and then she hurried out of the room before Alex could see the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

  Chapter 35

  The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, brought in a steady stream of customers to A New Chapter. Emma, Kelly, and Brett were kept busy all day long with only a short break for lunch, which Zack and Gracie had kindly brought in.

  “Guess what, Miss Emma? We’re going Christmas shopping with Uncle Damian, and he’s going to let me pick out my own Christmas present!”

  Emma looked to Zack for confirmation, and he nodded in response.

  “Well, what are you going to look for?” Emma asked with genuine interest.

  “A puppy!”

  “Oh no,” Zack said. “We’ve already talked about this, Gracie. I said no pets until you’re a little older.”

  “But Daaaad…”

  Emma restrained herself from chiming in, but she had an idea that she would share with Zack later. “Maybe you could look for another doll instead,” Emma suggested, and Zack gave her an appreciative nod.

  “I already have a lot of dolls,” Gracie replied.

  Emma gave her a squeeze and said, “I’m sure whatever Uncle Damian buys you will be great.”

  Emma walked them to the door and automatically leaned in to kiss Zack goodbye, but he shot her a warning look. Emma didn’t hide her dismay, and she was certain that Zack was aware of it when he left the store. When will it be ok to show affection in front of Gracie? They had certainly been spending a lot of time together, the three of them, and they had hugged in front of Gracie plenty of times. Why is Zack still holding back? Is there some other reason that I don’t know about?

  “Em, we need you over here,” Kelly called, breaking Emma’s chain of worrisome thoughts.

  I’ll talk to him about it tonight, she decided and delved back into her work.

  It wasn’t until eight o’clock that night that business slowed down enough for Emma and Kelly to chat. Emma had let Brett leave an hour earlier because he had “a hot date,” which left her and Kelly and a few last-minute customers.

  “So whatever happened with Luke?” Emma asked when they had perched on the stools behind the counter.

  “The history teacher?” Kelly acted like she couldn’t remember.

  “Yeah. Was he as worldly as you thought he’d be?”

  “I decided that history is kind of boring. It was never my favorite subject in school.”

  Emma laughed out loud and shook her head. “Have you decided that a certain custom car builder is more to your liking?”

  Kelly’s eyes twinkled, and her face lit up. “Perhaps.”

  “Hmm… so let’s see, being a car builder makes him…”

  “Skilled with his hands! What else can I say, Em? He’s yummy!”

  “So, Zack’s delicious, and Damian’s yummy. Maybe what you really need is a pastry chef!”

  “Joke all you want, but we’re going out tomorrow night,” Kelly said haughtily.

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea, Kell? You know that Damian is only going to be around for a few weeks, right?”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “So, what’s the point of it? What if you fall for him, and then he leaves?”

  Kelly looked down and picked at a loose thread on her skirt. “I’m not looking for forever, Em. I’m not like you. I don’t need hearts and flowers and white picket fences. I’m a good-time girl. If Damian and I have fun for a few weeks, that’s good enough for me.”

  Emma sighed. When will Kelly stop trying to hide behind this false persona that she’s created? I know she’s a true romantic at heart. When will she stop bluffing and just admit it?

  “Just be careful, ok?”

  “I’ll be fine, Em. I promise.”

  Emma tried to call Zack on her way home from the bookstore, but he didn’t answer. “I guess you’re still out shopping,” she said aloud when she set the phone down. A few minutes later, she pulled up to find his Range Rover parked in her driveway. The lights from her car illuminated his outline where he leaned casually against his vehicle, and her body tightened with anticipation.

  “Hey,” Emma said once she got out of her car. “I tried calling you.”

  “I know. I was sitting right here.”

  “Why didn’t you answer?”

  “Because I wanted to surprise you.”

  Emma couldn’t read his expression in the dark, but the desire in his voice was impossible to miss.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she stated. Stay strong, Emma. Resist, resist, resist.

  “I was hoping that you’d say that.”

  “So we can talk,” she said firmly.

  “Oh.”

  Emma couldn’t help but giggle when he visibly deflated before her eyes. “Come on in,” she said.

  She grabbed a bottle of water for her and a beer for him and led them into the living room.

  Zack didn’t waste any time with small talk. “Did I screw up again? Because I didn’t bring any food,” he added, attempting to distract her with humor.

  Emma refused to give in to his charm. “I wanted to talk about Gracie. Don’t you think she’s smart enough to understand that we like each other—a lot?”

  “Well, yeah, probably…”

  “And don’t you think she’s getting used to seeing us together and touching on occasion?”

  “Yes…”

  “So why did you pull away when I tried to kiss you earlier? It’s not like
I planned on making out with you. I just wanted to give you a simple goodbye kiss.”

  Zack shrugged. “I don’t have a good answer, Em. I guess I was just being overprotective. I don’t want to cause Gracie any unhappiness. Any more unhappiness that is.”

  “And you think that I do?”

  “No, I didn’t say that.”

  “I love that little girl, and I think that she can handle a lot more than you give her credit for. I don’t think that seeing us kiss is going to send her into a tailspin.”

  “You’re probably right, but I should have a talk with her first.”

  “That sounds like a great idea. What will you say?”

  “I’ll start by reassuring her about how much I love her. Correction, how much we all love her: me, you, and Alicia. Then I’ll explain how I feel about you.”

  How do you feel about me? Tell me, Zack. Their eyes locked, and he held out a hand to her, which she immediately clasped.

  “Am I forgiven?” Zack asked, adopting a hopeful expression.

  Baby steps, Emma reminded herself, and she pulled him toward her. Zack’s arms wrapped around her, and she breathed him in. “Where’s Gracie tonight?” It was better to ask before they got too carried away.

  “With Damian,” Zack mumbled against her hair.

  “For the whole night?” She moved onto his lap.

  “For a couple hours,” he said apologetically, shifting her so that her legs wrapped around his waist.

  “Superman boxers?” She quirked her eyebrows at him.

  “You’ll have to find out,” he replied, and he stood up with her still seated around his waist.

  “Where to?” he asked gruffly.

  “The bathtub,” Emma replied without hesitation.

  “Hmm… sounds wet.”

  “I feel dirty from working all day,” Emma said, letting the fog of lust settle around her.

  “Well, then, let’s clean you up.”

  Emma turned on the water and poured in a capful of vanilla-scented bubble bath. She was acutely aware of Zack undressing behind her, and when she turned around, he was already naked. Gloriously, happily, fully-at-attention naked.

  “Great, now I’m going to smell like a woman,” Zack said, hands on his hips, peering around her at the bubbles that were multiplying in the tub.

  “Oops, sorry. I’m not used to having a man in my tub.”

  “Well, get used to it, because I’m getting in!”

  Zack left her standing there fully dressed while he quickly immersed himself in the water. He leaned his head back against the tub and smirked at her. “What are you waiting for?”

  Emma had been so mesmerized by the sight of him that she stood there mute, but now she snapped out of it. She pulled her sweater over her head and laid it gently on the bathroom counter. Next, she removed her skirt and tights, completely aware of Zack’s eyes upon her. She unhooked her bra and slid it off her shoulders, and his gasp made her look up. His eyes were glazed over, and he motioned for her to continue. Emma slowly slid her panties down her legs and stepped out of them to the sound of his long, low whistle. Feeling giddy from all the attention, she finished her striptease with a flair by turning around in a slow circle and ending with a bow.

  Zack chuckled appreciatively while she lowered herself into the water and leaned her back against his soapy chest. “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?” he teased.

  “Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But more importantly, did you?”

  “Loved it,” he whispered into her ear.

  The little puff of air in her ear trailed throughout her body and caused an instant flare of heat. Zack ran his warm, soapy hands down her shoulders and arms until he reached her hands. Their fingers entwined, and he brought their clasped hands up to her breasts, where he began massaging them in a circular motion. The water rippled around them, and Emma’s nipples peaked in their hands. Her breath came in short pants when Zack slid their combined hands over her stomach and further down.

  Emma started to protest and tried to untangle her right hand from Zack’s grip, but he kept it firmly in place. The combination of the warm, steamy bath and the feel of his large, masculine fingers fondling her under the water had her so taut with need that it wasn’t long before she found release. Her body was still pulsating when she sagged back against Zack’s chest and let out a long sigh.

  Zack pulled her hair off to one side so he could nuzzle her neck and then asked, “Feeling cleaner now?”

  Emma shook her head. “No, I still feel dirty.”

  Zack’s head snapped back when she twisted in his arms to face him. She balanced on his muscular thighs and reached under the water. It didn’t take long to find what she was looking for, and Zack moaned when she clasped him with both hands. The suds had dissipated some, and they both looked down to watch what Emma was doing to him. After a few minutes, Zack said amidst a groan, “Em, we need to get out of here or…”

  She let go of him and patted the edge of the tub.

  He raised his eyebrows at her, and she said, “Just sit.”

  Zack perched himself on the edge of the tub, and Emma scooted up between his legs. She took him in her hands again before bending her head over him.

  The sounds of Zack’s pleasure filled the steamy bathroom while Emma ministered to him with her mouth and hands. When it was over, she sat back on her haunches in the lukewarm water and grinned like a Cheshire cat.

  Zack gave her his own brand of smile in return. “Ya know, I decided that I like baths. No more showers. Just baths from now on.”

  Emma stood, dripping wet, and pointed to the towel bar behind him. Zack pulled two towels down and handed her one before wrapping the other around his waist. “So baths are your new favorite?” she teased.

  “Everything with you is my favorite,” he replied, and he pulled her in for a hug.

  Emma leaned her head against his chest and breathed the scent of vanilla and raw masculinity. If Bath and Body Works could bottle this, they’d make a fortune, she mused.

  Shortly after, Emma wore her sleepshirt, and Zack had redressed in his jeans and sweatshirt. They leaned against her front door to say their goodbyes.

  “Will you bring Gracie to story time tomorrow?”

  “Of course.”

  “I have to work until five.”

  “We could go out to dinner after.”

  “Can Gracie come too?”

  “Sure.”

  Emma tilted her head up, and Zack immediately covered her lips with his. They were still warm from the bath, and Emma threaded her fingers into Zack’s still-damp hair.

  When he pulled back, they were breathless. “I don’t like goodbyes,” she stated.

  “I know,” he said, his hands still locked around her waist.

  “I wish you could stay.”

  “Me too.”

  There was so much more to say, but they had already used up the allotted time. As if to remind them, Zack’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and read Damian’s text message.

  “Gracie’s waiting for me to tuck her in,” Zack said. “You ok?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m used to being alone.” Good thing it was too dark for him to see her forced smile.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.” He bent down and gave her one last kiss before walking out the door.

  “It won’t be soon enough,” Emma said to the quiet house, and then she trudged up the stairs alone.

  Chapter 36

  A few days later, Zack found a quiet time to talk to Gracie about Emma. Damian was out, presumably with Kelly, and Emma was working, so that left Zack and Gracie home alone.

  Gracie sat on the couch, flipping through a new Little Critter book that Emma had recently given her. Zack sat down beside her, and she snuggled close.

  “Will you read to me, Daddy?” she asked politely.

  “I will in a minute. First, I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Ok,” she said, and she shifted her little body
to face him.

  Zack reached out and ran his hand over her wavy dark hair. As often as he’d looked into his daughter’s eyes, he couldn’t get over the fact that she was his. Even though he was no longer with Alicia, he would always be grateful for the beautiful gift that she’d given him.

  “Gracie,” he began, feeling uncertain of how to proceed. “How do you feel about Miss Emma?”

  “I love Miss Emma,” she replied immediately. “She’s pretty and funny, and she tells the best stories. Better than you, Dad.”

  Zack chuckled at her honesty. “Well, I like her a lot too, but you probably already know that, right?”

  “Um-hmm,” Gracie nodded.

  “And you don’t mind that she spends a lot of time with us?”

  “I wish she could stay here all the time!”

  Gracie’s admission caught him off guard, and he swallowed around the large lump in his throat.

  “Do you really mean that, Gracie?”

  She nodded again.

  “I want you to know something. Someday, if Miss Emma stays here all the time, that doesn’t mean that she’s trying to take Mommy’s place.” Zack cleared his throat, thinking that this was a lot harder than he imagined it to be. Not for Gracie, but for him. “You already have a Mommy, and she loves you very very much, but Miss Emma loves you too. Do you understand?”

  “Kind of like Robby. He has two daddies, his real one and his other one that drives him to school.”

  When Gracie said that, Zack realized that a lot of other kids were in the same situation as her. He had been so caught up in trying to shield Gracie that he hadn’t even considered that she’d be exposed to the topic of divorce with or without his protection.

  “Yes, kind of like that.”