Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

by Susan Mallery

  “I don’t understand.”

  Kelly knew she’d spoken the words, but she had no memory of saying them. She couldn’t think, couldn’t make sense of any of it. Helen and her dad? It wasn’t possible. Helen was her best friend. Her dad was...

  She flinched as an image formed in her brain. No way. Her best friend could not be sleeping with her father. It was wrong. It was gross. But the proof was difficult to ignore.

  Her stomach protested roiling emotions. Her heart gave a cry at the betrayal.

  “Kelly?”

  She saw her sister watching her.

  “Are you okay?”

  Kelly shook her head, then grabbed her bag and walked out of the bar. When she reached the parking lot, she realized Olivia had driven, so she didn’t have her truck. Rather than go back inside, she started walking home. It was at least five miles but it wasn’t as if she had somewhere else to be.

  They’d lied. They’d both lied to her. Her father was less of an issue—he’d never discussed his personal life. Kelly had assumed he had a girlfriend somewhere but if he didn’t want to talk about it, she was fine.

  Helen was different. Helen was her friend. Her best friend. They did everything together. When Sven had broken up with her, Helen had been the first person she’d called. When Griffith had shown interest, she’d told Helen. She’d thought Helen would do the same with her. Was she wrong? Was it a one-sided friendship and she hadn’t realized? How on earth could Helen not have told her?

  Kelly walked along the quiet road. She didn’t know how far she’d gone when a truck pulled up behind her. She turned and saw Griffith getting out.

  “Olivia texted and told me you were in trouble,” he said as he approached. When he reached her, he put his hands on her shoulders. “Kelly, I’m the spectacular boyfriend, remember? When you need something, I’m your first call.”

  She guessed he was trying to make her laugh, but in the last few minutes, she’d forgotten how. She could only stare at him and say, “Helen lied to me.”

  He drew her close. She went into his arms only to find herself crying. She’d trusted Helen. She’d trusted her dad. What was happening to everyone around her? Or was she the problem?

  It took a few minutes, but she managed to pull herself together. When Griffith handed her a handkerchief, she was able to summon a small chuckle.

  “Is it the same one?”

  “Probably.”

  She wiped her face. “At this rate, you’re never going to believe me when I once again say I don’t really cry. It’s not my thing.”

  He led her to the truck. “Come on. I’ll take you back to your place. You can pack a few things and spend the night with me.”

  “Thanks.”

  They pulled onto the road. Kelly stared out the passenger window.

  “I don’t get it,” she said. “Why didn’t Helen tell me? Has our friendship been a lie?”

  Griffith didn’t say anything. She glanced at him.

  “You’re thinking something.”

  “Maybe your reaction is the reason she didn’t tell you.”

  His words, however true, stung. “I’m upset about the withholding of information more than anything.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She thought about the question. If Helen had come to her, what would she have said? She grimaced. “She’s sleeping with my dad. That’s gross.”

  Griffith was silent.

  Kelly groaned. “I see your point. I should accept who my friend wants to hang out with. But it’s my father. Come on. You have to admit there’s an ick factor. Do you want to think about your parents having sex?”

  “Nope.”

  “Helen and I talk about stuff. Intimate stuff.”

  “Did she know about you and Sven?”

  It took Kelly a second to figure out what he meant. She flushed. “That I never climaxed?” She turned away. “I didn’t mention that, no.”

  “Everyone keeps secrets, Kelly. Even you.”

  “I know, but...” She sighed. The mature response of a six-year-old. Yes, but.

  He was right. They all had secrets, even Helen. Even her dad. She winced.

  “I honestly have no idea what I’m supposed to think or tell her. The sex is part of it, and I get what you’re saying about her worrying about what I would say or think, but still. She’s with my dad and she never told me. This could have been going on for years. It makes our entire friendship a lie.”

  “You might want to reconsider that stance. You love Helen. She’s a good friend and you’d miss her if things changed.”

  “I don’t want things to change. I want them to go back to how they were.”

  Griffith was wise enough not to say anything and Kelly couldn’t hide from what she hadn’t said aloud. Things going back to how they’d been didn’t mean how she thought they should be.

  * * *

  Sven ran his hands down Olivia’s bare back. She lay on top of him, their bodies satiated, their breathing still ragged.

  No matter how they made love, somehow they always ended up in this position—pressed tightly together. Around him she felt small and delicate. She supposed no matter how capable she wanted to be in the rest of her life, in bed with Sven she was safe enough to be feminine.

  She sat up and straddled his waist, then pressed her hands on his chest. She could feel the power of his muscles. Now, like this, they blended together, but when he stood, they would be defined. He was a beautiful man, she thought absently.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  “That I like looking at you.”

  He smiled. “I like looking at you, as well.”

  She groaned. “I’m sorry. I’m just not that comfortable prancing around naked after we have sex.”

  “I’ve never seen you prance.” His eyebrows rose suggestively. “Can you demonstrate?”

  She laughed and slid off the bed. “Not today, big guy.” When she was standing, she stretched her arms up toward the ceiling, then bent over to press her palms flat on the floor. She shrieked when she felt teeth on her butt and spun to face him.

  Sven shrugged. “I couldn’t help myself. Open that.” He pointed to the top dresser drawer.

  Unexpected nerves fluttered in Olivia’s chest as she crossed the carpet and pulled on the drawer. Inside it was empty except for a wrapped present the size of a shirt box. She returned to the bed and sat next to him.

  “For me?”

  He hesitated. “For both of us, I think.”

  While she was more than willing to try just about anything, she had to admit a sex toy would be just a little disappointing. She opened the box and saw he’d bought her lingerie. A light green lacy little thong with matching cropped T-shirt trimmed in the same lace.

  “I like looking at your body,” he said as he got out of bed. “You are uncomfortable naked. I thought this would please us both.”

  The unexpected gift was all the more precious because of his thoughtfulness.

  “Thank you,” she said, standing and giving him a quick kiss. “I love them both.”

  She pulled on the thong, then slipped on the T-shirt. The latter was way too low and tight, exposing more of her breasts than it covered, but she guessed that was the point. She turned slowly, wiggling her butt when her back was to him.

  “What do you—”

  Her sentence was cut off in a shriek as she found herself being flung onto the bed. Sven had her on her back in a nanosecond. Five minutes later, they were both on the edge of surrender.

  “Remind me to buy you more lingerie,” Sven said when they’d finished and were walking into the kitchen together.

  She laughed. “It did seem to be a gift we could both enjoy.”

  She’d put her thong back on and felt
both sexy and covered just enough to be comfortable. Sven was naked, although he tied an apron around his waist before he walked to the refrigerator. He collected marinating meat, cut-up watermelon, goat cheese and a few other ingredients. She set the table. When she was done, she settled on a stool by the island to watch him cook.

  He’d already diced red onion and jalapenos. He had a couple of avocados by his cutting board. Watermelon and goat cheese salad went into a serving bowl next to a loaf of crusty French bread. Her stomach growled.

  “Your cooking is possibly your second-best skill,” she teased.

  “I’m glad you think so.” He poured orange juice into a tall, thin glass, added a single sugar cube, then filled it with champagne before passing it to her.

  “You spoil me.”

  “I like making you happy.”

  An unusual and exciting characteristic in a man, she thought. He was nothing like the other men she’d known. Ryan was a complete selfish bastard when it came to anything—even sex. Or maybe that was “especially sex.” All of which begged the question of why on earth she’d come home for him. She looked at Sven. Of course there had been compensations. He was one of them, as was reconnecting with her family.

  Speaking of which... “Kelly’s being a total butthead.” She told him what had happened at the bar and how her sister had bolted. “Helen noticed. She looked upset. I’m not sure if I should stop by and talk to her. She’s much more Kelly’s friend than mine.”

  Sven stared at her. “Helen and Jeff?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He thought for a second. “I can see it. She’s very beautiful and he’s strong. She needs someone strong.”

  “You think Helen is beautiful?”

  “Of course. Why are you surprised?”

  Olivia felt trapped. “You’re so into fitness,” she hedged.

  “You thought I’d judge her because she’s heavy?”

  “Maybe.”

  He shocked her by flashing a grin. “I doubt there’s a man around who hasn’t imagined what it would be like to have her in his bed. Her breasts, her hips. Who wouldn’t want that?”

  Olivia stood and put her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”

  He put down his spatula and crossed to her. “I am faithful, Olivia. I always have been. You’re my woman. But when I was single, I briefly considered Helen before coming to the conclusion we were better as friends.” He kissed her. “She’ll be good for your dad and he’ll be good for her.”

  She was still caught up in him calling her his woman. Was she? Were they? The possibility made her just the tiniest bit giddy.

  “At least I don’t have to worry about my parents getting back together,” she said as he returned to the stove. “But Kelly is going to have to get over it.”

  “She’s never liked change.”

  “Tell me about it.” She sipped her mimosa. “So, big guy, who else did you consider to be your woman?”

  “You want a list?”

  “Yes, please. I need to go check out the competition.”

  “Jealous?”

  She smiled. “Maybe just a little.”

  “Good.”

  27

  Helen couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in a fight with a girlfriend. Junior high? Earlier? She wasn’t the kind of person who enjoyed conflict and even as a kid, she’d gone quiet rather than make trouble. That went a long way to explaining why it had taken her forever to confess anything close to her feelings for Jeff. But the stress of them finally getting together followed by his ex-wife moving into his house had both exhausted her and shown her the error of her ways. To make things better, she needed to be proactive, which was why after two days of not hearing from her friend, she made the decision to confront Kelly directly.

  Helen hadn’t realized anything was wrong until the end of her session with Jeff and the band. Kelly had left early, but Helen hadn’t thought anything of it until Olivia had teased her about being with Jeff. Apparently their duet had given away their secret.

  Jeff had said to give Kelly time to come to terms with what had happened. His advice had made sense, so she’d done as he’d suggested, but by this morning she’d realized the problem was bigger than either she or Jeff had realized. She and Kelly never went more than twenty-four hours without at least texting each other. The silence, to resort to a cliché, was deafening.

  Helen drove to the farm and parked next to her friend’s truck. She walked purposefully to Kelly’s office and forced herself to simply go in without allowing herself a second to hesitate or chicken out. She was determined to be the adult in the room, and if she didn’t feel especially grown-up, then she would fake it.

  Kelly looked up as she entered. Her entire body stiffened and she glanced around, as if looking for an escape.

  “I thought we should talk,” Helen said, doing her best to sound friendly rather than sick to her stomach. She’d suspected Kelly was upset, but seeing her best friend so uncomfortable was disheartening.

  “Okay.” The single word was clipped. Kelly motioned to the chair by her desk. “You first.”

  There wasn’t any give there, no sense of “Hey, we’ve known each other forever.”

  “I’m sorry you’re upset with me,” Helen began, only to have Kelly cut her off.

  “You can’t be serious. You’re sorry I’m upset with you? That’s it? Not that you’re sorry you lied to me? You’re dating my father.” She slapped her hands on the desk. “No. You’re sleeping with my father. You and my father have sex. You’re supposed to be my best friend, Helen. I trusted you. I loved you. I thought you had my back. But none of that is true, is it? How could you keep a secret like that from me? It makes everything we were a sham.”

  Helen’s eyes filled with tears. Her chest was tight and she was afraid she was going to throw up.

  “Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t say that.”

  “Say what? That I don’t know who you are anymore? Do you know what it’s been like around here? First Olivia. She never said she and our mother were practically roommates. She’d been in touch with her for years and didn’t say a word. Then Marilee shows up and that’s been its own brand of hell and now this.” Her gaze sharpened. “You’ve been sleeping with my father and didn’t tell me. What else have you kept from me? And what the hell were you thinking? He’s my dad—you’re my best friend. It’s disgusting.”

  Helen honestly didn’t know where to start and even figuring that out, she had no idea what to say. I didn’t mean to lie to you? Only she had lied—for years. There were reasons, but she wasn’t sure they mattered.

  A thousand thoughts flashed through her brain. They were all stupid or wrong or defensive. She supposed what it came down to was how she felt about her friend. Kelly was important and she’d let Kelly down.

  “I didn’t know how to tell you I was in love with your father,” she admitted, her voice soft and shaky.

  Kelly’s eyes widened. “You’re in love with him? It’s not just sex?”

  “Not for me.” Helen brushed away tears. “Come on. Let’s be real. I’m the one who hasn’t dated since the divorce. I don’t know how to date, and if a guy ever gets around to asking me out, I’m just a disaster.” She swallowed against the tightness in the throat. “I’m sorry for hurting you and for keeping it a secret. I’ve been in love with Jeff for a couple of years now, only I didn’t know how to tell him, or if he would care. I couldn’t figure out what he thought of me. A few weeks ago, I just kind of went for it.” She pressed her lips together, not wanting to say too much. “He doesn’t know I’m in love with him.”

  She wanted to ask Kelly to not to mention that part to her dad, but figured her friend didn’t feel all that loyal right now.

  “Why didn’t you say something?” Kelly demanded. “You never once hinted.
”

  “Why do you think? I was scared.”

  “Of me?”

  Helen shrugged. “Of what you’d think and say. What if you told me he secretly thought I was awful? What if you disapproved? What if you weren’t willing to be my friend anymore? When Jeff and I finally took things to the, ah, next level, we both agreed not to make it public for a while. Not until we knew what was happening. But before we could get that far, Marilee showed up and it’s all a mess and you’re mad and I never wanted to hurt you.”

  More tears fell. Helen covered her face with her hands. Kelly was silent for a long time, then a desk drawer opened and Kelly pushed a box of tissues toward her.

  “I don’t like that you didn’t tell me,” Kelly admitted. “It feels weird. Like you had this whole secret life I didn’t know about.”

  “Would you have been more comfortable knowing I was crushing on your father?”

  Kelly winced. “Probably not.” She hesitated. “You really think he’s hot?” She held up her hand. “No. Please don’t answer that. I don’t want to know. I’m not sure how to integrate my best friend having sex with my father.”

  “Probably best not to go there.” Helen wiped her face and blew her nose. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been in hell since your mom showed up.”

  “It doesn’t, which I guess makes me a decent person.” Kelly sighed. “I don’t know what to think or feel or anything. Everyone is keeping secrets.”

  “I’m sorry about mine.”

  “Thank you. I want to say it’s okay, but I still don’t know.”

  Not exactly the answer Helen wanted to hear, but it wasn’t as if she could push or anything.

  “I understand.”

  “I just need some time.” Kelly sounded defensive. “I’m not saying anything is different, but it’s a lot to think about.”

  “Sure.” Helen rose. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Kelly nodded.

  Helen walked back to her car. She felt as if a pile of rocks were sitting in her stomach. Kelly might not be willing to admit that anything was different, but Helen knew everything had changed. What she didn’t know was if they could ever get back to where they’d been.