by Amanda Aksel
He shrugs. “Well, I was married, then she was married. She got divorced and I got remarried. I had thought about it, but I hadn’t wanted to lose her as my assistant. She’s perfect.”
“Aren’t you afraid to lose her as your assistant now?”
He shakes his head. “I think it will be worth the risk.”
“Aw, Daddy. I had no idea you felt this way about her.”
“Honestly, I didn’t realize it either until all of this happened. So, what do you think?”
I smile, set my coffee cup down, and rest my hand on his chest. “I think you should follow your heart.”
“Well, thanks to that Mick-Handsome, I’ve got one that works. So, I guess I should use it.”
“You should take care of it too.” And no one knows that better than me. “Have you told Suzanne how you feel?”
“No. I’m waiting for the right moment.”
“C’mon, Dad. Life’s too short. You should tell her tonight.”
His eyes grow wide. “Tonight!”
“Yeah, why not?”
“I think I should wait another day or so, when I’m more fully recovered. You know, in case . . . she feels the same way.” He’s talking about sex, right? From absent dad to fully present. A little too present. But he’s confiding in me. I guess that’s a good sign.
“Well, then why don’t we all have dinner tonight, here. Like a family dinner,” I suggest.
“And will Mick be joining us for family dinner?” He raises his brow.
I blush at the sound of his name but press my lips together as if I can hide it. “Well, it is his house.”
“That sounds nice, Beau. Me with my date and you with yours.”
I fold my arms in. “Tonight’s not about dating, Dad, it’s about dinner.”
I leave him in the sunroom and head down to the kitchen. Mick appears in the hallway with a determined walk. “Hey, I was just coming to look for you.”
“You were? What’s up?” I ask.
“Can we talk?”
I nod. “Sure.”
“C’mon.” He takes my hand and pulls me into a large room and shuts the door behind him. The walls are lined with mahogany shelves, stacked with books all the way to the ceiling. A grand fireplace sits in the center with intricately carved molding.
“Is this your library?”
“Shh.” He holds his finger to his lips and leans forward with a hungry gaze. “The library is a quiet place.”
“I thought you wanted to talk?”
He bites his lip, eyes drawing down to my mouth. “I changed my mind.” Mick wraps his arms around me and presses me against the bookcase, kissing me like he’s been saving it up the whole day. God, I love the way he wants me. I’ve wanted to kiss him all day too. But now, it’s not just us.
“Wait,” I whisper, pushing him away. “What if someone walks in? Like my dad.”
Mick’s smile fades. “You’re right. It’s just that last night was incredible. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. All of you, all day.” He brushes my cheek and I close my eyes, melting into his touch.
The tug in my heart yanks again, and I know that any more time alone with Mick and I risk falling over the edge of the cliff into Love Canyon. “Me too. But my dad still doesn’t know the truth about the baby, so we probably should keep it cool until we figure out what to do.”
“Okay.” Mick nods, and I’m hoping that he’ll voice his opinion. Does he want to keep the baby? Does he want to keep me?
23
A S MUCH AS I WANT TO TELL HER that I want her to keep the baby, she still sounds unsure.
“Anyway,” she starts, stepping aside and creating more space between us. “I want the four of us to have dinner together tonight.”
“Would you like me to make a reservation?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, we’ll eat here. It’ll be casual.”
“So, the informal dining room is best. I’ll call the chef. What are you in the mood for?”
She smirks. That look in her eyes says that she’s in the mood for me. “Something heart healthy that we can all enjoy.”
I step closer. “What about dessert?”
“We should definitely have dessert.”
I can’t help but pull her in for another kiss. Her body melts into mine like molten chocolate. She’s the only dessert I’m interested in tonight. But the moment is short-lived.
Beau pulls away, wiping the edges of her mouth with her thumb. “I should go. I’ll see you for dinner.” She hurries out of the library before I can say another word. I slam my hand against a row of old leather-bound books on the shelf. Damn, that girl drives me crazy.
I don’t see Beau alone again for the rest of the day. So I mostly keep out of the way, jogging the grounds, and catching up on some paperwork in my study. It’s just after six when I wander down to the kitchen. The smell of roasted chicken and potatoes wafts into the corridor. My chef, Albert, is working quickly around the steaming stove. Beau is right next to him, seeming to act as his sous chef.
“What’s going on in here?” I ask.
Beau looks up with that bright, beautiful smile of hers. “We’re just cooking.” Albert gives her a wry smile. “Okay, he’s cooking. I’m just helping out.” She takes a bite of a carrot and chomps down.
My stomach growls. “It smells incredible.”
“It will taste incredible too,” Albert says.
“The table’s all set and dinner should be ready in about . . .” Beau looks to Albert.
“Quinze minutes,” Albert says.
“Fifteen minutes,” Beau says.
I raise my brow. “Oh, you speak French?” Albert gives a small grimace and shakes his head.
“Hey!” Beau playfully smacks his shoulder. “Je peux parler un peu.”
She speaks a little. But I’m fluent. “Ah, je parle, couramment.”
Beau giggles. “Geez, Mick, is there anything you can’t do?”
Yeah, I can’t get you out of my head. “Yes, and I can get Suzanne and David for dinner.”
“They’re in the den.” She nods, and I turn down the hallway with a smile on my face. I have to say, it’s been nice having people in the house.
In the den, David and Suzanne are watching a video on a tablet and laughing hysterically. Looks like standup comedy.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say.
“Oh, hey, Mick-Millionaire,” David says. I don’t want to correct him. It’s Mick-Billionaire.
“Dinner is just about ready if you want to head over to the dining room.”
“Yeah, we better follow you there, otherwise we’ll get lost,” Suzanne says, lowering her reading glasses. She gets up easily and helps David to his feet. He lets out a little grunt. I suppose every sixty-five-year-old man needs a woman who will help him off the couch.
The round dining table has been set with white china, shiny silverware, crystal wine glasses, a bread basket, and two bottles of white wine. I suppose those are mostly for Suzanne and me since neither David nor Beau should be drinking. Earl and Albert bring in the serving plates, and Beau follows behind. The four of us sit down to dinner and fill our glasses.
David raises his, summoning our attention. “I’d like to make a toast. When you’re in the middle of having a heart attack, you think it’s the worst thing that can possibly happen to you. But as it turns out, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I finally understand what it’s all about.” He looks to Beau. “Family.” He looks to Suzanne. “Great friends.” Then looks to me. “And new friends too.” It’s touching that he would venture to call me a friend. “To open hearts!”
Beau and I share glances with one another as she takes a sip from her water glass.
“That was very nice, David,” Suzanne says and squeezes his hand across the table. Their touch lingers just a bit longer than expected. Maybe Beau and I aren’t the only ones hiding an affair.
The four of us dig into our supper. Everyone seems to be satisf
ied with the meal. Even David.
“This is so much better than hospital food,” he says, and everyone laughs.
“You know, Beau,” Suzanne starts, “you’re allowed to have one small glass of wine when you’re pregnant.”
“I read that but I’m not going to. I just don’t feel right about it. Besides, sometimes alcohol can get you into trouble.” Is she talking about New York? Alcohol may have gotten us in bed that first night, but she was stark sober last night. The fact that she doesn’t take Suzanne up on the offer is interesting. Maybe she’s keeping the baby safe because she wants to keep it.
As dinner goes on, the conversation shifts from movies to travel, from the stock market to medicine, grazes politics, then back to movies. I guess that’s what you get when you have a movie mogul at your house for dinner. But I enjoy their company. A lot. David seems to have all the favorable qualities my father does without all the negative ones. I like him. He’d make a worthy grandfather.
When dinner is over and the plates are clean, we all stand with our stuffed bellies.
“David, I just want to do a quick check up with you.”
“Okay, Doc,” he says with open arms.
“I’m spent. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Suzanne yawns and waves goodbye. As she walks away, I notice David smirking silently to himself as he stares at her ass. Okay, now I’m almost positive something is going on between those two. Beau never mentioned anything. But that would explain why Suzanne has stayed all this time.
“I think I will too,” Beau says and kisses her father on the cheek. “Goodnight, Daddy.”
“Goodnight, sunshine.”
“Goodnight, Mick,” she says, passing by me.
My eyes follow her. “Goodnight.”
A moment later, David and I come out of our respective trances and I have him follow me up to my study.
“Take a seat,” I say, gesturing to the brown leather sofa. I pull out my blood pressure gauge and he pushes his sleeve up. I listen for his pulse. “120 over 80. Good.” I pull at the Velcro, releasing it from his arm.
“Can I ask you something?” he asks.
“Sure.”
“What’s going on between you and my daughter?”
My mouth gapes. “Uhh—”
“I wasn’t born yesterday, so don’t try to deny it.”
“That’s fair,” I say. “Did she say anything to you?”
“No, she denies it, but she blushes every time I say your name. Not to mention the way she looks at you when you walk into a room. Only an idiot wouldn’t notice.”
“We like each other.”
“And you don’t mind that she’s having a baby that’s not yours?”
Oh, fuck. What’s it going to be like when he finds out the truth about that? “I don’t mind that she’s pregnant.” With my baby.
“You know, Beau is an idealist. She’s always creating these perfect scenarios in her head about everything. I remember when she was six years old. She wanted a unicorn for her birthday. Of course, they don’t exist so I told her that unicorns can’t be kept. They have to be free. But she wanted it so badly. She cried and cried and it broke my heart. I eventually told her that even though she can’t keep the unicorn, one could come to her birthday.”
For a moment, I imagine Beau as a little girl and what she might have looked like—soft baby-blonde hair, twinkling blue eyes, and the kind of enchanting smile that gets her dad to make her wishes come true. Would our daughter look like her? Would she want a unicorn or something else that I couldn’t give her? That would break my heart too.
“So, I basically hired a white horse with some glitter and a horn on its head. Beau couldn’t believe her eyes. I remember even little Katie was there too. Or Kate. Anyway, she rode that horse the whole afternoon. I’d never seen my daughter smile quite like that before.”
“Why are you sharing this with me?” I ask.
“Because it wasn’t real. It wasn’t a unicorn.”
“I’m sure she’s figured that out by now.”
“Oh, she has, but the point is that the unicorn was her wish, not a horse with a fake horn. And Beau deserves a unicorn.”
I don’t know for sure but I think he’s telling me that if I want to be with Beau, I need to be the real thing. And from father to future-father, I can totally appreciate it. “I understand.”
“You do?” He raises his brow.
I nod. “Yes, and there’s actually something I want to ask you.” I may not be able to get Beau a unicorn but I might be able to whisk her away on a magic carpet ride—so to speak. “I’d like to take Beau on a proper date. Tomorrow night.” I wipe my damp palms on my pants. Why am I so nervous to ask this?
“You’re asking to take my daughter out on a date?”
“Yeah.”
“No one’s ever done that before. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before. What kind of date?”
“Dinner. At a restaurant.”
“I don’t see why not. Here’s the thing: We’re going back to LA soon, and she’s going to have her hands full with the pregnancy. I know you like her but where can this really go?” I’ve been asking myself that question ever since I found out about the baby. “Do me a favor and try not to lead her on. She’s still looking for the unicorn.”
He’s worried that his daughter will get hurt. But all the concerns he has about her, I have about myself. “All right,” I say as I listen to his heart with the stethoscope. I pull the earpieces out. “Sounds good. But speaking of dating, I need to ask, is there something going on between you and Suzanne?”
His eyes bulge. “Did Beau say something to you?”
I shake my head. “No. So you two are together?”
“Not exactly. But I think it’s time we ought to be. Life’s too short, kid. When you find the right one, become the kind of man who deserves her.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but as your doctor I’d advise you to hold off on sex for a little longer,” I say.
He frowns as hard as any man can. “How much longer?”
“At least until you get back. Make sure you check your blood pressure beforehand. I’ll send you home with one of these.” I hold up the gauge.
He lets out a long sigh. “All right, Doc. I’ll wait. You should too.”
It might be a little too late for that.
24
M ICK IS BACK AT WORK TODAY. So my dad, Suzanne, and I have opted to watch a few classic ’80s films in Mick’s theater room. It’s after lunchtime when I get the call from him.
“Hey,” I answer, stepping out of the dark room.
“Hey, I want to ask you something.”
“What’s up?” I bite my nail and feel my stomach flip.
“How would you like to go to dinner with me this evening?” he asks.
A smile tugs at the edges of my mouth. “I would like that very much.”
“Great. We’re going to need to leave early so I’ll pick you up at four.”
“Four? Where are you taking me?” The early bird special?
“It’s a surprise,” he says. “Four o’clock. Be ready.”
“Okay. What should I wear?”
“Just be yourself. And I’ll be myself.” It was the best answer I could have asked for. Well, other than wear nothing.
I can hardly focus on the movie for the rest of the hour. All I can think about is what kind of evening we’ll have. Fun and exciting? Romantic and sensual? Comfortable and easy? Perhaps a mix of all of them. As soon as the movie is over, I jet to my room and throw everything out of my two bags. Mick’s probably seen every single outfit in here. But he did say to be myself. And being myself on a date with a guy I really like is looking and feeling my best.
“Suzanne!” I yell as if my voice will reach her. The house is ginormous.
“Yeah!” she calls back.
Couldn’t have been far.
Her footsteps draw closer until she appears in the doorway. I’m still hunched down on the floor next to my sui
tcase, surrounded by an explosion of fabrics.
“Can you take me shopping?” I ask.
She folds her arms and leans on the doorframe. “Is this for your date?”
I wrinkle my brow. “How do you know about that?”
“Your dad told me. Apparently, Mick asked him first.”
“Wow,” I say, “that’s very . . .”
“I know. Old school, right?”
“Well, did he also tell you that he wants to pick me up at four?”
Suzanne glances at her leather watch. “That’s in three hours.”
“I know. Think we can make it?”
She waves me to follow her. “Let’s try.”
Suzanne and I hurry out of the house and take the car to the same city block as Kate’s lingerie store. I might want to stop in there too. But I don’t want Suzanne to tell my dad that, and believe me, she’s much more loyal to him than anyone.
Luckily, the second store we go to is the one where I find a navy-blue maxi dress and a cool leather jacket. As I hand the sales clerk my credit card, Suzanne suggests I also get a blowout and my makeup done. Seeing as I only have an hour and a half to be ready, I take her up on it. Suzanne uses her schmoozy skills to get me an immediate appointment. But I’m not the only one getting my hair done. Suzanne’s also taking advantage of the opportunity.
“You got a date tonight too?” I ask, wondering if my dad talked to her yet.
She blushes. “No. Can’t a girl just get her hair done?”
“Of course. So, what are your plans for later while we’re out?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m sure David and I will have dinner. Maybe watch another movie.”
“You must be getting sick of being around him all the time. It’s been like nonstop since the heart attack.”
“Yeah, but he’s my life,” she says and immediately shakes her blown-out hair. “I mean, because my work is my life and he’s my boss.”
Nice save, Suzanne.
“Yeah, but you guys are also more than that, right?”
She shrugs. “What do you mean?”
“You’re friends. You guys care about each other.”
