by M. Mabie
“I know, kid.”
“I hope I don’t screw it up.”
“It’s not the same without you around as much...”
I interrupted, “Dad, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t let me finish.” Then like he was about to say something else, he got up and kissed me on the forehead. “I just miss you is all.”
Then he walked out the door.
I knew I’d see him at work in an hour and he wouldn’t bring it back up. That’s just the way he was.
While I was getting ready for work I got a text from Vaughn.
Vaughn: I’m glad you’re going with me Saturday.
Me: I can’t wait to see you try to dance with a boner. My dress is gonna kick your suit’s ass.
Vaughn: I can do a good many things with this boner. I have yet to hear of any shortcomings from you.
I laughed. He was right. I couldn’t give his penis all of the credit though. Vaughn, as a whole, was one completely skilled package. Always knowing what I wanted and how I wanted it, and then he’d deliver. Every time.
Me: You got me there.
Vaughn: Come over at noon and I’ll make you lunch.
Me: Okay.
I loved that things like that were becoming our normal. We had lunch at his house every now and again, or sometimes we’d meet somewhere. But knowing if I wanted company at lunch, and it was there for the taking, was special. It was something I’d only done with him.
I didn’t want anything to change. I liked us just the way we were.
No pressure.
No expectations.
It was perfect and I wanted to bottle it up and keep it going that way forever.
The days moved fast and by Saturday afternoon, I was actually really excited to go home and get all dolled up for him.
Sunny dropped by, offering to help curl my hair, and I agreed that would be best.
He was going to love the dress. It landed loosely above my knees, and held me tight through the middle, crisscrossed over my shoulders and down my back, where it was mostly open.
My hair was just exactly how I’d wanted it with big, fat, smooth waves, almost like something out of 40s or 50s Hollywood. She’d helped me with my makeup, too, and I looked like a movie star, to be honest. My body filled out the dress just the way I wanted, and my skin looked even tanner in contrast with the creamy peach color.
“Well, I’m going to get out of here, but you look like a million bucks. I’m serious. I’ve never seen you this happy and it shows.”
That was a compliment I was proud to take, because that was exactly how I felt.
Happy.
“Thank you, and thanks for helping me,” I added as she packed up her things.
“I didn’t do much; you didn’t need much. You look perfect. Call me and tell me how it goes. Have fun.”
She gave me an air kiss, I guess so she didn’t mess my face up.
I wasn’t about to fake kiss with Vaughn later. Ladylike or not, makeup be damned.
As time grew closer to my big, fancy date, I sat down in the living room, where my dad was, and put on my shoes.
If I had any worries about the night, the only one I could think of was the damn heels I’d bought to go with the dress.
I could count on my toes how many times in my life I’d ever worn shoes like that. It was less than a shoe’s worth.
I’d just be careful. Besides, he said we could always leave. If shoes ended up hurting my feet, we could go back to his place where I’d take them off. Take all of it off.
When I had strapped up, I looked at my dad who I could feel was staring at me.
“You look like your mom,” he said.
I was used to hearing digs on my mom, but it wasn’t very often I’d heard anything positive about her. She’d really been an asshole to do what she’d done to my dad. To both of us.
“I do?” I asked as I smoothed a hand over my hair. I’d never seen any pictures of her wearing it like that.
“Not the hair, your face. You look like you’re in love.” He’d definitely never said anything like that.
“In love?”
He gave me a weak smile and answered. “It wasn’t all bad with us, kid. There was a time she loved me and she looked just like you do right now. Excited and scared.” He ran a weathered hand over his mouth. “You look more excited, though. Either way, that’s how I remember her the most. The way she looked when she loved me. When she wanted us.”
Then he made a face like he was shaking off the memory.
How she could ever leave a man, who loved her as much as he did, was beyond me.
“Dad,” I said, not knowing what else to say.
“I’m sorry. You just look so pretty.” He stood and I stood and then he hugged me, kissing the top of my head.
Don’t misunderstand—my dad hugged me plenty growing up, but after you reach a certain age that kind of fades away. And that week he’d kissed me twice and there he was squeezing me like I was leaving forever.
I hugged him back, hoping he knew he was a huge part of the reason I was so happy. He’d never made me feel like I had to pair off. It never felt like he was in too big of a hurry to have an empty nest. He never pressured me to move, and I never sensed I’d worn out my welcome at home.
I knew it was unrealistic to think that I’d be roommates with my dad forever, but he really had been a good one. Anything that would change that was pretty far off anyway. No matter how right he’d been about my feelings for Vaughn.
That was about the time I heard tires pulling in and a door close on Vaughn’s SUV. Suddenly, it was feeling a little bit like prom. There I was at twenty-six, watching my boyfriend climb the steps with a corsage, while my dad waited to open the door for him.
Vaughn knocked and Dad opened right on cue.
“Hey there, Astro. You look nice. Taking her to a funeral?” he joked from behind the screen door.
“No, sir. Taking her dancing at the country club for the night.”
“Well, come on in, Fred Astaire,” my dad instructed as he held the door open for him.
“What happened to Astro?”
“I don’t think Fred had one,” my Dad said, toying with him.
Vaughn looked confused for a second then relented. “Fair enough.”
I stood there like a sixteen-year-old hoping my dad didn’t embarrass me, but on the other hand, hoping he gave him a little more shit. It was funny, after all.
Vaughn looked sharp. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, but he wore dark grey dress pants, a white collared shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and a thin black tie, paired with a fitted grey vest. He’d combed back his hair, making him appear powerful. I’d never seen him look so good. Then almost overwhelming pride swept through me, knowing I was his date.
That paired with how I felt dressed up for him and our night out, it was like something out of a fairytale.
“You both clean up real nice,” my dad said as we both stared at each other.
I hoped Vaughn liked my dress.
Then, probably sensing he was three’s company, my dad patted me on the shoulder and walked out of the room.
“I can’t take my eyes off you,” Vaughn whispered, stepping closer, opening the clear package with the flower bracelet inside without looking. I held out my hand and he slipped it over my wrist, then kissed my palm. “You’re perfect, beautiful.”
I wasn’t a blushing type of girl, but my face heated like a dashboard sitting in the sun and I assumed a blush was like that.
“Thanks. I like your vest.”
He looked down and gave the bottom of it a little tug to straighten it, although it was fine before.
“Well, if we’re both ready...” He offered me an arm and I took it, feeling so classy and sophisticated.
I was thankful to have his arm as I walked through the grass on my tiptoes so the heels wouldn’t sink into the earth.
He’d washed and waxed the Escalade and it looked shiny and new.
Before opening the door, he turned me in his arms and kissed me. It was one of those kisses I’d seen in movies where the guy dips his girl, damn near sweeping her off her feet.
My feet were swept, and I’d never been safer than I was there in his strong arms. He wouldn’t drop me like I always thought I’d feel like that. His hand behind my neck, holding me steady and his other arm wrapped around my waist, I knew he’d never let me fall, and so instead of worrying about it, I concentrated on kissing him back.
“I wanted to kiss you in the house, but I thought it might be weird for you. Then I thought about kissing you when we got in the car, but I wouldn’t be able to hold you. Then I just couldn’t wait any longer.” He explained as he pulled away.
“I didn’t want you to.”
I was grateful that Sunny reminded me to pack the lipstick in the tiny clutch she’d let me borrow. No one had to know that all I had in there was my phone, mints, and lipstick.
When I was back on my feet, I ran my thumb over his lips to wipe away the color.
We pulled up the lane leading to the golf course’s main building and country club, and I noticed they’d hung lanterns in all of the trees that lined the drive. It was still too light out to really enjoy them, but they’d be pretty on the way home.
Even though I didn’t let myself dwell or focus on it all day, I was nervous to walk into the club. I knew most of the people who were members there, and I got along just fine with everyone, but I hadn’t dressed up like this since once in high school. Not even close.
I’d tried not to think about it, and, instead, decided that the night was just for us. Vaughn and me.
As we walked in, Sandy Shaw, the chiropractor’s wife, met us, and I smiled as she covered her heart and told me how lovely I looked.
In fact, after showing us to our seats, she took a minute to tell me again how pretty my hair and dress was. “Okay, I’m done. I just wanted you to know, Mu...”
But before Mutt left her lips, Vaughn corrected, “Hannah.”
She smiled apologetically at him and then knowingly beamed at me. “That’s right. Hannah, please enjoy your night, dear, and the company of your handsome gentleman.”
I felt beautiful.
Normally, I would have thought most of the pomp and circumstance was a little over-the-top for Wynne, but I couldn’t find anything negative about it. Even busybody BethAnne stopped to tell me how happy I looked in the ladies’ room, and for once I didn’t feel like being a bitch to her.
Funny how when you’re content, things like that seem silly and a huge waste of time. I didn’t want to spare a single second I didn’t have to away from him.
The auction began with happy hour, which was a little boring, so we strolled around the deck sipping wine—the same kind we liked to drink on boat nights. I liked the naughty feeling it gave me when he brought me a glass, wondering if he was thinking about our secret spot, too.
I was careful not to spill on my dress and to stay upright in my shoes. I walked slower than usual, but Vaughn didn’t mind and strolled at my pace.
“It’s a good night for this,” he said as we looked out on the golf course, the sun falling over the hills.
“It is. I love it out here.”
“You do?” he asked, taken aback.
I wasn’t a high society type, obviously, but there wasn’t much of a high society in Wynne anyway, so to hell with it.
“I know it’s strange, but I love how pretty the grass is and how it all looks like it’s been perfectly colored neatly in the lines. I think it’s cool.”
“Well, I’ll have to bring you out here more. I didn’t know that.”
He didn’t have to take me anywhere and we both knew it. If I wanted to be out there more, I would be.
“To show me your swing?” I was teasing at first, but then I thought about watching him golf and I was genuinely on board. “I think I’d like that. A lot.”
He shook his head, knowing where my mind went.
“Vaughn, here’s a fun fact. Did you know when the water is up a little, you can take a boat all the way from my cabin to the golf course?”
“Really? To the lake?” He squinted like he was trying to remember the river, trying to navigate how it was true.
“There’s a creek that runs between the two. It’s usually not deep enough, but sometimes in the spring it swells a little and you can make it here just fine. If it rises we’ll do it next spring.”
“All right.”
He looked so peaceful and satisfied. Vaughn wasn’t a man who let life stress him out too much, but in that moment he looked carefree, and I liked knowing some of it had to do with me.
“I like when you make plans in the future with me.”
“What? It’s just a boat ride, man.”
“No, it’s not. It’s a boat ride next spring. Just like yesterday you said something about Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is next year.”
He had me thinking.
I had said that.
I’d decided to get him an open cast reel as a present. He’s really good. Freaky good, to be honest. He had a Midas touch for sure.
But he was right. I had been thinking out a bit farther than I was used to. I’d already bought him some things when I was with Sunny a few weeks back.
Was I getting ahead of myself?
It didn’t feel like it.
He smoothed a thumb over my brow, and I relaxed a little from my thoughts.
“Stop that. I said I like it. I want all of it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Vaughn
After the fantastic dinner, I thought about taking her straight home for purely selfish reasons.
Hannah wasn’t like other girls. Getting dressed up wasn’t high on her list of priorities. However, when she did, she was sensational.
She had it all.
I wanted her all to myself and I’d expected she’d want to leave early, but, to my surprise, that wasn’t the case.
Through bidding on a few items and feasting on the meal, never once did that look of confidence leave her face. She mingled and introduced me to people I hadn’t met yet, and each time she thoughtfully referred to me as her boyfriend.
She claimed to love things the way they were. Each and every time I tried to steer the conversation in the direction of the future, she got somewhat anxious.
I was learning her well and I could pick up on her tells.
The wandering eyes when she was looking for a way to change the subject. The way she paced when she was irritated. How she rambled when she was looking for the right thing to say. The hypnotic look in her big, hazel eyes when she wanted me.
I knew them all.
In theory, the thought of having a future with me scared her. But in practice, she was right alongside me. We were spending nearly every night together. Eating lunch with each other most days. Talking about next year and things we could do to the house. Only when she was met with talking about actual commitment stuff did she really show how nervous it made her.
Things were moving forward whether she was willing to admit it or not.
Hell, it made me nervous, too. I’d thought I’d found someone who wanted all of that with me, and it turned out she hadn’t. Who knew? The pressure of it might have been the reason she ran straight into the arms of another man.
I didn’t want Hannah to feel forced, but I wanted her next to me at night. Every night.
I wanted to share the bathroom and not have to plan times to see her. I wanted her with me, and if that made me some sort of crazy person, then I was one hundred percent crazy.
We’d only been together a few months, but it was so right.
And, if it caused a fight trying to talk to her about it, so be it. We’d argued before. It was worth the risk.
“One more dance and then I think I’m going to need to get off these feet,” she said with her head on my chest, another song ending, after over an hour of dancing.
That was all I
needed to hear. Of course, I wanted to get her to my place, but I wasn’t ever going to leave while she was enjoying the night.
“Let me take you home,” I said.
“I don’t want to go home. I want to go to your place.” Her voice was laced with disappointment, misunderstanding what I’d intended.
I placed a kiss on her lips. It never got old hearing that she wanted to be with me.
“That’s what I meant. Trust me, I’m not letting go of you all night. And maybe not tomorrow either.”
Just like that, the peril in her relaxed, and she sweetly kissed my neck as she hummed her agreement.
We walked to the front, arms around each other, not caring who saw or what they thought. She didn’t want to let go and I wasn’t going to suggest it.
“The black Escalade,” I said to the young guy who was acting as valet for the night. He couldn’t have been more than sixteen. The golf course was probably his first summer job.
It didn’t take him long and he hopped right out, rounding the Escalade to open the door for Hannah.
“Ms. O’Fallon, you look real, real pretty tonight,” he said, squeaking a little on the first real. I loved that he didn’t call her Mutt.
He held the door for her, and I took a second to watch as she followed his lead and got in.
“Thanks, Joey. I think standing next to Dr. Renfro makes me look better. His good looks rub off.”
“No, ma’am. I think it’s the other way around,” he replied, no squeak, and shut her door.
He might be young, but that little dude had some game.
Inside, I shut my door and teased her, “I might have some competition.”
“Did you hear that? I think you’re right.” She shined under kindness and compliments. I loved how this town treated her that night, like they were seeing what I’d been seeing all along. A strong, beautiful woman, who didn’t need to be with a man, but chose to be with me.
“Well, before you go riding off into the sunset on a golf cart with him, I’d like to remind you of that thing you like me to do with these.” I slid my hand up her bare leg, and we drove slowly through the lights they’d hung down the stretch of gravel leading to the highway, which she seemed to be enchanted by.
