Unlike our walk into town, this time we walked at a slower pace. Neither of us wanted this to end. AJ, who was high on sugar, kept bouncing around and tossing his ball in the air before catching it.
“AJ has a laser tag party for RJ, a kid on the team, at three.”
“Are you staying at this party?” Luke whispered so AJ couldn’t hear us.
“Um . . .” I paused. “I’m not sure. Patty, RJ’s mom, isn’t the friendliest person, so I was planning to sit in the car and read while I waited.” I shook my head, embarrassed at how dumb that sounded.
“Maybe we can grab a bite?”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “I’d like that.”
Luke turned, his tall frame towered over me. He leaned in just a bit and whispered, “So you’re aware, I plan on kissing you later.”
Luke was planning on kissing me. He was going to kiss me. My knees buckled, and my throat closed up.
“’Kay,” I said breathlessly.
“Should I pick you up?” Luke asked.
“No.” I inhaled and focused on AJ walking in front of us. I needed something to distract my mind. “I can meet you.”
“Catch,” AJ said and tossed the ball in my direction, our moment quickly disrupted by a baseball.
“You have a nice arm,” Luke said. “Maybe you can be a pitcher.”
“Do you think so?” AJ said, his eyes filled with hope as he looked up at Luke.
“For sure. I can teach you to throw a curve ball.”
“Really?”
“Without a doubt.” Luke looked back at me and smiled. “I’ll set up a day with your mom when we can meet in the park and practice.”
The way AJ jumped with joy made my heart break. Was this how AJ’s relationship with Bruce would have been? Stuck in a guilty funk, I walked the rest of the way with my heart heavy, thoughts of Bruce and AJ invading my mind.
“You okay?” Luke asked when he walked AJ and me to our car. AJ gave him a high-five good-bye and climbed into the back seat.
“Yeah, I think my sugar rush is crashing.” I looked down at the ground, afraid to meet Luke’s gaze.
“Okay. I’ll see you later?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I responded back, unsure whether there would be a later.
Without another word, Luke leaned in and kissed my cheek. Unlike the way his kiss felt when he first arrived, this kiss felt strange. It felt wrong. As though I shouldn’t have the right to feel anything but guilt.
Keeping my eyes locked on the ground, I rushed inside the car and waited for Luke to move to his. I closed my eyes and prayed for the heaviness in my chest to pass. Bruce had been gone for four years.
Wasn’t it time I moved on, too?
7
Present
Stephanie,
I’ve spoken to Sue regarding us having AJ over for dinner tomorrow night. I know you have your reservations, so I figured we could find a common ground. Maybe we can meet somewhere in town. I understand if you don’t care to join us, but at least it’s a starting point. Please let me know what you think.
Alistair.
The crisp, blank email response glared back at me as I tried to form the proper words. I had spent the last twenty minutes staring at the cursor blinking on the screen. The last time I saw Sue, she blamed me for her son’s death. Now she was perfectly capable of having a pleasant dinner? I scoffed and closed the laptop. Before I agreed to anything, I needed to hear AJ’s thoughts.
“AJ?” I said, walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. When he didn’t respond, I headed toward his bedroom. “AJ?” I said again, pushing his door open. He was crouched down on his floor, his hands curled around his stomach. “Buddy, you okay?” I walked over to him.
“My tummy hurts,” he complained.
I knelt on the floor next to him. “Oh, no.” I rubbed his hair away from his face. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said okay to the milkshake, huh?”
“No,” he groaned. “It hurts.”
“I’ll get you some antacid, and then I’ll call Mrs. Patty to let her know you won’t make it to RJ’s party,” I said as I helped him climb into bed.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” he whispered and closed his eyes.
“There is no need for you to be sorry, bud. I was the one who allowed you to eat such a sugary treat.” I pulled the blanket over him. AJ turned on his side and hugged his pillow. “I’ll be right back.”
Once I texted Patty and grabbed a bottle of Pepto, I returned to his room. “I gotta ask you something, AJ,” I said as he swallowed back the pink liquid. His lips puckered at the minty flavor. “Your grandparents want to take you out to dinner this week. Is this something you’d want to do?”
“Will you be going?” He looked up at me with eyes at half-mast.
“Not the first time.” I forced a smile on my face. “They haven’t seen you in so long that they want you all to themselves. Not that I blame them.” I forced my voice to chipper up. “Now, you can meet them at your favorite place in town, or I can drop you off at their house. Your choice.”
“Do I have to stay long?”
“You can be there as long as you want.”
“I want to go to their house.”
“Okay.” I smiled and kissed the top of his head. “I’ll go let Grandpa know.”
Once I returned to the kitchen, I shot Alistair an email about dropping AJ off for a few hours any day this week that worked for them. Before I even had the chance to close the laptop, there was a new email in my inbox. Alistair had replied with one line.
Tuesday is perfect. Thank you so much.
I sighed a breath of relief and decided to catch Leslie up on my life.
Les,
Sorry it’s been a while since my last email. Don’t be mad, I’ve been busy. Remember when I told you AJ fell and needed stitches? Well, I met the doctor for coffee and now we have plans for a real date. I’m trying to ignore the crazy anxiety and the fear of going on a first date, but whatever. Also, you’d be proud, I made a friend. ☺ Her name is Laura, and her son is AJ’s best friend. We’ve really hit it off. She reminds me of you. Oh, and before I forget, AJ is having dinner with Sue and Alistair.
Major steps.
Love you,
Steph
I hit send and pushed the laptop away. My phone vibrated on the countertop and Luke’s name appeared on the screen.
Crap.
With AJ feeling sick and Alistair’s email, I’d completely forgotten about seeing him later.
Luke: We can meet at Langosta?
Me: I need to reschedule. AJ has an upset stomach. I dropped the ball letting him have that shake.
Luke: Do you need me to grab him anything?
Me: No, we’re good. Thank you for offering though, even if this is all your fault.
Luke: My fault?
Me: Yes! You suggested ice cream.
Luke: You agreed.
Me: You’re a doctor. You should know better.
Luke: I’m not going to win this, am I?
Me: You can try. But I doubt it. ☺
Luke: Call or text if you need anything.
Me: Will do.
I held my phone to my chest when it began to vibrate. Leslie’s number appeared on the screen. I slid my finger across the screen. “Hello?” My voice was calm and low.
“A doctor?” Leslie’s voice bellowed. “Tell. Me. Everything!” she demanded.
I moved to the couch and kicked my feet up on the long plush sectional. I pulled the pillow over my chest and began to tell my best friend everything.
* * *
The day had finally come. AJ was having dinner with Bruce’s parents. I held a vice grip on the steering wheel as we drove to their house, hoping my voice wouldn’t show how nervous and scared I was. When AJ started asking about his father, I explained that his dad died in a car accident, but the constant fear that Sue would tell him that I was the reason he was in that car scared me to my soul. The last thing I wanted was for AJ to hate me.
“What if I don’t like Grandma’s cooking?” AJ asked from the back seat. I looked in the rearview mirror and watched him as he stared out the window.
“Your grandmother is a phenomenal cook. Her grandmother—well, your great, great grandmother, came over from Italy, and your Grandma Sue spent her childhood learning to cook. She makes the best meatballs with pasta, and her cannoli is out of this world.” I knew how much he loved Italian cuisine.
“Really?” His voice instantly changed.
“Yes. Trust me, AJ. Your grandmother is going to have the table filled with goodies.”
I turned right off the street and headed down the long driveway. My heart pounded in my chest with each inch closer to their house. Turning my car into the U-shaped driveway, I stopped at the front steps.
Alistair and Sue lived in a southern Antebellum-style home. When I started dating Bruce, I would sit outside their house for hours staring at its beautiful architecture. The tall, thick white columns with the black window shutters made it seem like a dream home.
Sue and Alistair waited for us on the front porch. AJ, not hesitating for a second, hopped out of the car and headed to greet his grandparents. Unlike him, I took my time, watching through the car windows as he hugged Alistair and then Sue. My feet dragged along the asphalt as I headed toward them.
Luckily, Sue was too occupied showing AJ the swing on the porch that she didn’t bat an eye in my direction.
“Thanks for this,” Alistair said.
I nodded and forced a smile on my face. “He should be fine, but if for some reason he wants to leave, just call me and I’ll come get him.”
“Of course.” Alistair stepped down the three steps that divided us and embraced me. “I’m very happy you’re back.”
I sighed a breath that had lodged itself in my lungs. “Thanks,” I whispered, forcing myself not to cry.
Alistair pulled back and looked deep into my eyes. It hurt terribly that he looked so much like Bruce. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? Sue promised to behave.”
I giggled and wiped a traitor’s tear that slipped from my eye. “No, I think it’s best that you two enjoy him. He’s at an awesome age, and you’ll see that talking to him is like talking to an adult.”
“Okay.” Alistair nodded. “I’ll see you around nine, if all goes well.”
“Take care,” I said and headed back to the car.
I drove out of the Johnson’s driveway and stopped at the curb. My mind was racing. My heart pounded at a rapid speed. I quickly dug in my purse and pulled out my cell phone.
Me: What’s your address?
I hadn’t spoken to him since I had to reschedule our date, but within seconds, Luke replied.
Luke: 436 Bent Oak Drive.
I plugged his address into the GPS and headed to his house. Within fifteen minutes, I was pulling the car up to the curb. I hopped out and walked toward the front of his house. I had expected him to have a bachelor pad, or maybe a swanky condo in a high-rise downtown. But his modest colonial home looked as though it was made for a family man.
Uneasily, I rang the doorbell. Unable to stand still, I paced the landing as I waited for Luke to open the door. When a few seconds passed and there was still no answer, I decided that coming to see Luke was a bad idea. I was a mess. AJ was with Bruce’s parents, and the last thing I needed was to add another complication to my plate. It was bad enough that I was waiting for Sue to tarnish my name to my own child.
I was halfway down the sidewalk when I heard my name. “Stephanie?” Luke’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“I’m sorry,” I replied, and turned back to him. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” I rubbed my hands over my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” He rushed to my side. He was barefoot and dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts. “Is AJ okay?”
“AJ is at my in-laws.” My shoulders slumped. “My mother-in-law hates me. What if she tells AJ how horrible I am? What if she tells AJ that I’m the one responsible for his Dad’s death?” My voice cracked with fear.
“Okay.” Luke wrapped his arms around my body. His fresh linen scent enveloped me, and for a split second my fear of Sue vanished as I was held in Luke’s strong embrace. “Give me two seconds.” He pulled away, and his eyes scanned me for reassurance before he pressed his lips to my forehead. It was a minuscule thing, but I felt the burning of his lips on my skin all the way down to my toes.
I couldn’t even register what he was doing until he was rushing out of his house with shoes on his feet and wearing a baseball cap. Luke laced his hand with mine and tugged me toward the car. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going to stake out the place.” Luke looked back at me and smiled.
“Seriously?” I stopped short and pulled my hand from his.
“Yes, I’m serious. Look at you.” A crooked smile grew on his face. “You’re worried and frantic, and I’d like to believe I know you well enough to understand the only way you’ll calm down is if you know AJ is okay.” Luke leaned forward and grabbed my hand once more. “So yeah, we are going to drive back to your in-laws’ house, park the car a few yards away, and wait.”
“You would do that for me?” There was an ache in my chest like no other.
Luke placed his free hand under my chin and closed the gap between us. Gently he raised his hand, so I was forced to look into his tantalizing green eyes. “For you,” the corner of his lips grew into a grin, “I’d do just about anything.”
I bit my lower lip and waited for his to touch mine. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to stop holding back and place his mouth on mine. He sighed, running his thumb across my lower lip. “Soon,” he whispered.
He felt it, too.
My cheeks warmed, and slowly I looked down. Holding his hand, I led us to my car. Within twenty minutes, we were in front of Sue and Alistair’s estate. The entire ride, I drove with tension growing in my neck. I didn’t utter a word, nor did Luke force me to speak. When I reached their home, I pulled my foot off the gas and looked down their driveway. There was no sight of AJ.
“Nice house,” Luke finally said from the passenger side. “What does your late husband’s family do?”
I popped a K-turn on the street and parked the car a quarter mile away from their driveway entrance. “Old money,” I sighed and turned the car off. “Generations and generations of southern money. Bruce’s dad, Alistair, invested in the stock market, and then Bruce started a couple of financial consulting firms. A bunch of boring stuff if you ask me.”
“I see.” Luke lowered the visor to block the late afternoon sun that danced on the horizon. “And here I thought I was impressing you with my medical diplomas.”
I laughed and turned to face his seat. “Well, now you know I’m not after you for your money.”
“Touché.” Luke lifted his hands in defense.
“What made you want to get into medicine?” I nibbled on my hangnail as I made conversation.
“My sister.”
“Really?” I couldn’t mask the shock in my voice. “I didn’t know your sister was a doctor as well.” I shook my head, not believing it. “She looks really young.”
Luke laughed. “She is. She’s twenty years old, but when Lucy was a kid she was sick a lot, and in constant agony. She was petrified to go to the doctor because they were always poking and prodding her, so I made her a promise that I was going to become a doctor and find a way to free her from her pain.”
Luke, without even trying, was slowly destroying my fortress. “I think that’s the nicest thing a brother could do for his sister.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” I was greeted with another boyish grin. “I love her, but some of the things she does with her life make me want to shake her.”
I laughed. “I’ve heard siblings do that. I wouldn’t know personally. I was an only child.”
“What about you? What do you do?” He leaned his head back on the seat and watched me carefully. His eyes were on my l
ips, and I forced myself to stop thinking about him kissing me.
“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I mean, I went to school for finance with a minor in marketing. I was interning for Bruce when we met, and then we started dating. When we got married, he didn’t want me to work anymore.” I paused, realizing how boring my life sounded. “He traveled a lot, and I would go out and see him. It didn’t make sense for me to work if I was hopping a plane to see him every other weekend.”
“It must’ve been nice to travel.”
“It was at first. It’s exciting, a new city, a new hotel bed. But when we decided to have AJ, I wanted a place to call home. I had fallen in love with Savannah when I visited, plus his family is here.”
“I’ve never known any other place.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Born and raised. I went away for school, but I did my residency and fellowship here.” Luke shrugged.
“Afraid to see what’s outside of Georgia?” I cocked my head to the side, wondering if there were any skeletons in Luke’s closet that he didn’t want the world to know about. Hell, I knew my closet was filled with skeletons and demons; even a few monsters resided there.
“Nah,” he said in a southern twang. Every once in a while, it popped out and I couldn’t stop the smile that grew on my face. “I wanted to be close to my family.”
“That’s sweet.” My lips puckered as I imagined a young Luke attached to his family and protecting his baby sister. “When Bruce passed, the last thing I wanted was to be near family. I wasn’t myself for a long while. My parents are in Arizona and his family is here, so AJ and I went as far north as we could.” I shook my head as images of that dreadful night flooded my thoughts.
“Don’t people usually turn to family when they grieve?”
“Not me. Not after the stunt I pulled at Bruce’s funeral.” Luke’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“I think I do. I mean, it would only be fair since I am staking out your in-law’s house to keep you calm.” He crossed his arms like a defiant teenager. “Not to mention, you said you needed a rain check, but I have yet to hear back from you.”
The Perfect Life Page 8
