A Woman Like You: Book Two (The Woman I Love Series 2)

by G S Binkley

  “Thank God.” Noticing her old friend’s worried face, Julie explained. “She’s been sick and her brother’s been coughing all day. I was close to canceling the party except for Stella here.” Wrapping a thankful arm around the nanny, Julie continued. “She’s a godsend. Mark, you remember Stella Smith, don’t you?”

  Mark nodded.

  “And this is Ron Griffen another old friend and Lacy Levine.” Julie finished the introductions.

  “Nice to meet you.” Ron offered then excused himself. “I’m going to see what my daughter’s up to.”

  “Hello.” Lacy greeted the older woman absently staring at her familiar eyes. There’s a warmth in them and very caring. “Oh, excuse me… you look…. something about your eyes…. I’ve….never mind. I’m sorry.”

  “Grandmother’s eyes….. that’s what the kids say anyway.” Stella explained.

  “Mark, Lacy, if you’ll pardon me. I think I’ll check on my kids.” Julie hugged her old friend again before she left with the nanny.

  “You ready to go?” Mark asked Lacy.

  “If you want to stay, I can….”

  “No way…. I don’t want to get on Gage’s bad side. If I let you go home alone… she’d…. well, it wouldn’t be pretty.” Mark teased.

  “She has a bad side?”

  “Only when it comes to protecting the ones she loves. Come on.” Mark touched Lacy’s back guiding her toward the door.

  She only mildly protested. “I thought you might want to stay and get reacquainted with your ‘friend’?”

  The astute older man didn’t miss the insinuation. “Julie was married to an old college buddy of mine and Ron’s. That’s how I know her.” Recalling the day his friend Joseph talked with him about having children, Mark continued. “They were married for ten years before they had kids. Both obsessed with their careers. They have two of them…. Joe, Jr. he’s…. sixteen and Jessie. She’s fourteen now.”

  “He’s not here tonight?”

  A hesitate pause stilled the moment. “No, he’s dead. Julie and Joseph… when they had kids…” Mark shook his head. “Things changed. Julie’s career stalled wanting to be an… involved mother didn’t compliment her career.”

  Pondering that statement, Lacy concurred. “I know all about that.”

  “As happy as they were with their children, Julie, actually both of them felt they’d given up something. Not that they’d trade the children for their careers but they lost something in their relationship to each other…. finally, they divorced. Two years later Joseph died. That’s when Stella Smith came into their lives. When Julie says she was a godsend, she doesn’t say that lightly. Stella put all the broken pieces back together again.”

  “Head of her own studio… I’d say she’s doing rather well.” Lacy stated.

  “Yes, and women always pay the price for having a career and family that men never do.” The very insightful man said.

  “Mark.” Lacy stopped the tall man. “That’s what I’m afraid will happen with Gage. My life, my career, my…. children. She’s giving up everything she’s ever dreamed of…. for me.”

  “Lacy, she’s not giving up anything. Gage is finally getting what she always felt she never deserved. Talk to her… she’s very honest in her feelings. Trust me.” When Mark pulled the Lacy in his arms to console her, the sneaky Tony Kussler flashed his camera.

  ************************

  The next morning after Lacy left for the studio and the writer dropped Dani off at school, Gage searched for Mark finding him near the seawall as he gazed out at the ocean. “Thinking of her?”

  Still looking out to sea, Mark smiled. “Yes. And you… you’re thinking of Lacy, right?”

  Gage nudged her friend. “We’re both pathetic, aren’t we?” Carefully eyeing her producing partner, the writer cautiously said. “I know Sharon’s on your mind, but… what about Julie?”

  Pulling the CEO from his musings about his dead wife, Mark turned to Gage. “I will always love Sharon…. always. And, no, I’ve never really given it a thought about Julie or any other woman for that matter. It still hurts.”

  “Twenty years is a long time, Mark.”

  Mark Calico chuckled. “Between you and Lacy’s advice last night, it looks like I might have to give some consideration to another… woman in my life.”

  “Say…. Julie?” Gage poked her friend.

  “Maybe.” Mark capped the discussion with a change of subject. “Where’s Derek?”

  “I’d say right about now… he’s completely soaked your ever loyal assistant.”

  “The pool?”

  “Mmmm hmmm. The pool.” Gage looked back over her shoulder.

  Mark hooked his friend’s arm. “Let’s go see.”

  “By the way, I received a letter from your grandfather.” Gage stated.

  “I did, too. I gave him a computer but as he says ‘the old fashion way…” Mark started.

  “…is the best way.” Gage finished.

  “I plan to visit before I start shooting the film in February. Then I told him I’d spend all next summer with him. He refuses to come here.”

  “He invited me and Lacy. You told him about us?”

  “He’d love it if you’d come. He’s quite anxious to meet his ‘grandchildren’. His words.” Mark laughed. “You know, he thinks of you as his own flesh and blood, and with you and Lacy together that means Dani and Derek are his, too. He doesn’t care who the father is…. but he definitely now thinks he’s the grandfather.”

  “He would. I’ll talk with Lacy about it.” Gage assured him.

  “May I give an old friend some advice?” Mark suddenly asked.

  “Sure.” Gage hesitated.

  “You need to talk with Lacy and be honest.”

  “I am.” Gage said adamantly then asked with the same determination. “What do you mean by that?”

  “It’s time to come clean, Gage. She deserves to know about your past…. all of it.”

  A deep sighed enveloped from the blonde. “I’d rather not go there.”

  Twisting the writer around squarely facing him, Mark insisted. “You have to resolve your feelings about the past in order to have a future with her. She has to know where you’re coming from… and why. Doubt is the seed that has destroyed many wonderful things.”

  “She has doubts about us?”

  “More like……” Mark walked arm in arm with his friend providing her with sound advice unlike the counsel he offered her regarding the feelings of a pregnant woman.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Derek, come back here.” Gage yelled after the little speeding daredevil.

  “No.” He shouted, running through the kitchen around the table and back to the living room finding refuge behind his sister. “Save me.”

  “Derek! I’m watching my favorite episode of mom’s show.” Her brother paid no attention to her warning, snuggling closer and finally wiggling onto her lap. “Mom, there you are. Look, Gage.” Pointing to the television set. “Red hair.”

  Gage cocked her head at the screen. “Spiked, too.”

  “See. I told you.” Dani stated firmly.

  “Come here, sit down.” Lacy requested of Gage.

  Shaking her head. “I broke a glass in the kitchen. Chasing…” Derek peeked his dark head around his sister. “Him.” When Gage walked back into the kitchen, Lacy followed.

  “What happened?”

  “Careful.” Gage picked up the big shards of broken glass charily while Lacy grabbed the broom. As the blonde stood, Lacy absently handed the broom to her partner smacking Gage in the forehead. “Thanks.”

  “Oh, sweetheart. Come here.” Lacy kissed the sore spot.

  Gage swept up the remaining glass depositing it in the trash can then proceeded to mop the same area on the floor as Lacy watched. Handing the mop to the younger woman, Gage said. “Wait here. Don’t let either one of them back in here.” When Gage returned, she vacuumed the same spot over and over again.

&n
bsp; “Sweetheart, what are you doing?”

  “What? You know how Derek runs around with no shoes on and those little bitty tiny feet of his… he’s liable to step on a piece I’ve missed.” After Gage turned off the vacuum cleaner, she dropped down to the floor running her hand along it checking for any errant slivers of glass.

  Amazed, Lacy watched her lover. God, I love that woman.

  *************************

  After putting the kids to sleep, Gage jumped into bed getting into position first fluffing the pillows and getting the covers exactly the way she liked them. “Okay, now I’m settled.”

  “Like every other night.” Lacy crawled up against her lover.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Nothing.” Lacy lay on her side form fitting the length of her body next to Gage. Lacy knew without even looking that her partner was pouting. “Sweetheart, it’s nothing really.”

  “Ummmm hmmmm.” Not convinced.

  “Okay.” Lacy shifted up to see Gage’s face. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Nothing.” She mirrored Lacy’s words.

  “Right.” Not convinced. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gage looked away.

  “Gage…..I’m tired. But, if something is on your mind then let’s talk, okay?”

  “Wouldn’t want to keep you up?” Even Gage knew her tone dripped with caustic acid.

  Lacy cocked up on her arm. “Do you mind telling me what is on your mind?”

  “I said nothing.”

  “You can be so frustrating sometimes.”

  “When?” Gage scooted away claiming some distance between the two. “Are you talking about the other day on the movie set? I told you I was sorry. Are you going to hold that against me forever?” What started out to be a wisp of smoke soon blazed into a full head of steam.

  “Where did that come from?” Lacy asked.

  Gage crossed her arms determined not to look at her now seething partner.

  “This has nothing to do with that. That’s… forgotten.” Lacy attempted to assure her lover. “Though something is on your mind and I want to know what it is.” When Gage refused to respond, Lacy added. “Sometime tonight would be good.”

  As Lacy shifted her position moving near the edge of the bed, a frightened writer hurriedly tried to stop her. “Don’t go.” Gage pleaded. “I’m sorry.” Gage bowed her head in shame then quietly whispered. “I love you.”

  The spiraling fury raging inside Lacy dissipated with those softly spoken words. “Come on… get settled again so I can lay down.”

  Gage quickly did as commanded then offered her opened arms. After Lacy slid down next to her lover, the blonde addressed her fear. “I thought you were going to leave me.”

  “No, sweetheart. Never. Why would you think that?”

  “At the cabin, we never argued and now since we’ve been here…. well….” Gage trailed off along a path she wanted to avoid.

  “It’s called getting to know each other and it was just an argument. I really don’t want to have them with you but it’s not going to break us apart. I don’t even know what we were arguing about.” Lacy said.

  Summoning up the courage Mark instilled in her from his counsel, Gage gently traversed the path down memory lane leading to her past. “Any other time there was fighting…. someone always left. I always left.”

  Lacy adjusted herself closer to Gage wrapping reassuring arms around her lover. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really.” Sucking in a deep breath. “I guess I should though.”

  Lacy leaned in planting a soft kiss on her lover’s lips. “I’m here now or whenever you’re ready.”

  Staring into trusting blue eyes, Gage said. “I really want to believe that. I really need to believe that.”

  “Trust me, sweetheart. I will always be here for you. Always.”

  Swallowing the fear that had festered for years, Gage let it surface as she laid securely wrapped in the comforting arms of her lover. “I’ve always felt…. rejected. First by my parents especially my mom. I don’t know why but I blame her.” Gage spared a quick glance to her partner. “I don’t really think about my dad. It was my mom that carried me and…. left me. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been passed around like some second…. hand me down, worthless….. that nobody wanted. Nobody loved.”

  “I love you.” Lacy wiped away the unshed tears brimming in the beautiful green eyes she’d come to love. So warm and caring.

  “Lacy, I don’t want to fight… ever. It triggers something in me, reminds me of what I went through. Can you understand that?” Overwhelming emotions welled up inside the very vulnerable woman lying completely exposed for the first time in over twenty years.

  “I think I do. What were we fighting about anyway?”

  “I talked to Mark and…. I told him about… Lacy, are you ashamed of me?”

  Stunned, Lacy sat up. “No! What is going on inside that mind of yours?” Lacy tapped the blonde’s head.

  Gage turned away afraid to face her partner. “You didn’t even ask if I wanted to go to that premiere with you the other night.” A heavy sigh. “There I said.”

  Hooking a finger under her lover’s chin, Lacy brought the writer’s face around to meet her. “I didn’t think you wanted to go with me. It being fancy and all.”

  “I guess I wanted you to ask.” Gage admitted.

  “And I guess I wanted you to offer.” Lacy countered then smiled. “We are something, aren’t we? Both concerned about what was best for other one and in doing so….. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by dragging you with me…”

  “I am never uncomfortable with you.” Gage retorted.

  Lacy continued without entertaining Gage’s last comment. “And you didn’t want to do anything to embarrass me….” Then quickly added. “Which you never would.”

  “Next time we talk, huh?”

  “Next time we talk. But, right now I want you to make love to me.”

  It was a command to which Gage dutifully fulfilled many times over much to Lacy’s complete and utter satisfaction. The reticent writer didn’t reveal all of her past but it was a start. One she could journey into with Lacy by her side. Forever.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Mark, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be working on your movie. New Orleans, right?” Griff gushed.

  Mark nodded impatiently waiting to be rescued. Where’s Gage when you need her.

  “You sure Gage isn’t going to be on location too? Even for a little bit?” Griff hunted for any information about the sexy blonde’s future agenda.

  “No. Not even that.” Mark replied wishing to avoid any further conversation with the over bubbling daughter of his friend.

  “She’s a great talent. I really wished she’d be there.” The redhead hoped beyond hope. It was the only reason she had taken the job. After all, it was only a small production nothing major like the film they had just finished shooting.

  “Well, she’s not!” Upon walking up on the two, Lacy staunchly put an end to Griff’s nosy questions about her woman. “She’ll be with me. And you are right about one thing, Griff. She is verrry talented.”

  With a counterfeit grin pasted on her face, Griff said. “Excuse me.”

  Ron Griffen walked up as he daughter was leaving. “Where are you going, honey?”

  “I need some air.” I only need a little bit of time with a certain blonde and she’d soon forget about Miss tall, dark and smug.

  Her father called after her. “Kathy, don’t be too long.” He wanted to introduce his carefree daughter to a couple of eligible men he specifically invited to the movie’s wrap party. “Kids! Who knows what they’re thinking.”

  “She’s twenty-eight, Ron. Not quite a kid anymore. A woman with a mind of her own.” Lacy said. With her mind squarely targeted at my woman.

  “Nonsense.” Dismissing his daughter for a moment, he directed
his next statement to Lacy. “Speaking of a woman with a mind of her own. Lacy, I know all about this…… affair you’re having. And….” Flipping an unapprovingly hand up in the air, Ron said. “I don’t approve. But, it’s your business. However… “ Ron sucked on his cigar. “When your business interferes with mine and the release of this movie next summer is my business….let me get straight to the point, we can’t have this…..” Twirling a firm finger in the air. “Matter buzzing around the country keeping the audience away. Some people won’t take this lightly and your career is…..”

  “My career is my business.” Lacy interjected.

  “Fair enough. Though some people won’t be as understanding as…..” Ron was cut off.

  “As you are?” Mark asked smartly. “Come on, Ron, even you should know that your…..”

  “Mark!” Lacy silenced Mark from revealing his friend’s daughter’s persuasion regarding women. “Ron, I have no intention of parading my little affair as you call it around town or anywhere else. But, I will not hide the love I have for Gage. Savvy?”

  “You’re contracted to promote this film in the spring, Lacy. I don’t want anything standing in the way of my movie’s success.”

  “You mean profit.” Lacy corrected him.

  “That too.” The big man hooked his thumb in his vest pocket. “There are some unsavory….. elements in society and I’m willing to overlook certain aspects of it. Don’t let it be at my expense though or you may feel a tight hand squeezing around your pretty neck.”

  “Fuck you.” Lacy spat.

  “My, my… your parents must be proud of you.” Ron snickered.

  “You’re an old friend, Ron. But don’t go any further or you may discover some unsavory things about your family.” Mark determinedly vowed.

  “Okay, I’ll back off. You have some very loyal friends, Lacy.” He said, looking at his old college roommate. “I quelled Kussler for the time being about what happened on the set.” Rubbing his thumb and fingers together indicating the cash payoff. “So keep it on the QT…just some friendly advice….. you might want to consider. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”