The Perfect Life

by Anderson, Callie

  “It’s in Arizona,” I quipped. “This was before Bruce’s company relocated and we decided to have a family. When Bruce and I got back from our Vegas wedding, my parents gave us a beautiful piece of land.” I closed my eyes, remembering how excited we were to have something that was ours. “We built some storefronts with a few apartments on the top. Bruce’s sister, Rosie, was going through a hard time when we finished construction. She had married a man she barely knew, and six months into their marriage she found him with his new secretary.” I waved my hand as I rambled. “She needed a fresh start, so she flew out to live with us. Since she was newly divorced, and Bruce traveled a lot for work at the time, we kept each other company.” I shook my head to stop my rambling. “Anyway, long story short, Rosie opened her own wine bar and I drank for free.” I smiled wildly and took a sip of my wine.

  “Is that where you fell in love with wine?” Luke asked before taking a bite of the Manchego cheese.

  “I think people fall in love with wine by just needing a drink at night.” I shrugged. “The carbonation in beer makes you bloat, and vodka is too potent. Besides no one really judges you when you have a glass of wine with dinner.”

  Luke laughed a deep, throaty chuckle, one that I had fallen in love with. He sucked in his lower lip, and his teeth grazed along his flesh.

  “Do you want to get out of here?”

  “Yeah.”

  As much as I enjoyed the wine and food, I was about to enjoy being underneath him even more.

  Luke slid the key along the door and pushed it open for me. The second I stepped into the room, his lips were on mine. No words were spoken as he led us farther into the room. His lips pressed against my neck, and his tongue licked my sensitive skin, leaving a trail of dampness. My knees weakened as I thought about him crawling over my body. With each passing second, I grew wetter with need.

  Sitting on the bed, I kicked my sandals off, and he tugged on the sleeve of my dress, exposing my chest. My heavy breasts were under his lips, my nipples pebbling at his touch.

  I moaned.

  He grunted.

  Never pulling my gaze from his, I unbuttoned his shirt while he undressed me. “Lie back,” he whispered and ran his fingers down my chest. Every move was tender. Cherished.

  Discarding his pants, he climbed on top of me, ready to have me. My legs parted for him, my center growing needier with each passing second. He aligned himself at my entrance and rubbed the tip on my soaked core. I bit my lip, letting Luke have my body in ways that made my toes curl and my heart grow more in love with him.

  14

  Present

  Baseball season was coming to an end, and we only had a few games left. Luke and I stuck around after the game while AJ and a few other boys ran around the park. Laura was running the snack table, so I promised Luke and I would stay to control the chaos. I also knew that AJ had a special request for Luke.

  When the other kids had gone home and only he and Scott were left, AJ walked over to Luke with a wide grin on his face. I watched as his grin slipped, and he gnawed on his lower lip.

  “It’s okay.” I nodded. “Go on and ask him.”

  “Luke?” he said in a low voice.

  Luke must have understood that AJ was nervous because he crouched down, so he was eye level with him. I loved that he did this whenever AJ wanted to talk to him. He never acted like the adult. Instead, he lowered himself, so he and AJ were equals.

  “What’s up, buddy?” Luke asked.

  “Um . . .” AJ hesitated for a split second. “At the end of the month, the Cub Scouts are going on a fishing trip to Tybee Island. It’s a dad’s trip, and being that my dad is no longer here, I was wondering if maybe you could come with me?”

  There were times I wished I had a camera out to capture the moments. I wanted a photo to go back to and remember it all. Instead, I knew that this moment would forever be etched in my mind. I watched as the words registered in Luke’s mind. How the sides of his cheeks curled up into a wide smile. And I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed back his emotion. He didn’t need to say it. It was written all over his face. He was honored.

  “Of course,” he said with more enthusiasm than I would have imagined. “I remember when I was a kid and I went on that trip. It’ll be great to do it all over again with you.”

  AJ looked up at me and gave me a thumbs up. I didn’t even know that my eyes were filled with tears until my vision became blurry and I blinked it away. “Why don’t you go get your stuff?” I ran my hands through his hat hair. “We should get going.”

  When his footfalls were a few feet away, I looked over at Luke. We’d been doing this for a few months now, and in my heart and in my soul, I knew it was time to fully bring him into my life. He’d spent months being ever so patient, and he still never pushed me further than I was ready for. When I needed to retreat, he gave me space.

  “Do you have plans later?” I said to him as one final tear slid down my cheek.

  “No.” He caught the tear with his finger. “Aside from waiting to see what you want to do tonight.”

  “Why don’t you come over and I’ll cook us dinner?” My voice was unsteady.

  “Over as in...?” He cocked his head to the side and his eyebrows furrowed.

  “As in my house.” I shrugged.

  “Really?” He laced his arms around my lower back. “You’re officially letting me in?” He kissed my cheek.

  “I am. You’ve spent the last few months breaking down every barrier I built around my heart.” I poked his chest. “Don’t make me regret this.”

  Luke laughed, a deep, throaty laugh. My favorite kind. “I love you too much to make you regret anything. What time?”

  “Let’s say seven?” I closed one eye, trying to gauge how long it would take for me to whip up something impressive.

  “Perfect.” He kissed my lips. “I’ll pick up a bottle of wine, if that’s okay?”

  “More than okay.”

  I ushered AJ inside the car and headed for the grocery store. The smile that was plastered on my face made my cheeks ache. It had been an eternity since I was this happy.

  Truly happy.

  “What do you want for dinner?” I looked in the rearview mirror as I pulled into the parking spot at the local supermarket. AJ sat in his booster seat tossing his baseball in the air before catching it.

  “Um . . .” AJ pressed his pointer finger to his lips. “Mac and cheese?”

  I pouted my lips. “How about something a little more celebratory?”

  “Celebratory?” AJ said the word slowly as he tried to discern what it meant. I shifted the car into park and looked back at him.

  “Yes, we’re celebrating that you had an awesome game. Mac and cheese just doesn’t seem exciting enough. Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes, but you say I have an awesome game every week.”

  I climbed out of the car and opened AJ’s door. “Well, how about we celebrate that Luke is going with you on your fishing trip?” We walked over to the carts. “That’s something worth celebrating.”

  AJ released my hand and ran to grab a cart. “Oh, yeah. It’s going to be so cool. We’ll fish and sleep in tents. It will be like when we went on his boat, but better.”

  I laughed and guided the cart into the store. “Also, I wanted to talk to you about Luke and me.” My voice was shaky. I was worried what AJ would think about us dating. Yes, he knew I spent a lot of time with him, and he’d seen Luke kiss me on the lips once or twice, but I never asked him how he felt.

  “Why?” He looked up at me.

  “Well, you know how Luke is Mom’s friend?” I tiptoed around the word. I probably should have found a book on this topic. Surely there was one out there that helped single parents talk to their kids about dating.

  “You mean your boyfriend.”

  I laughed. “And here I thought you were going to have a problem with it.”

  AJ shook his head. “Nope. I like Luke.”

  �
�Well, I want you to know that in no way is he replacing your dad.” I stopped in the center of the aisle and placed my hand on his shoulder. “Your dad loved you with everything he had, and no other man will take his love away.”

  I know, Mom.” He shrugged. “But you need to be happy, too.”

  “When did you get this big?” I leaned over and kissed his forehead.

  “I think I had a growth spurt last month.”

  I smiled. “Come on, let’s make this quick.”

  “Mom?” AJ said as I picked out a few vegetables.

  “Yeah, AJ?”

  “I know Luke won’t ever be my dad, but I wouldn’t mind if he was my stepdad.”

  * * *

  I settled for paella. It was a one-pot dish and any wine Luke brought would complement it. AJ helped me set the table on the deck. The sliding door near the breakfast nook opened out to it, which was oversized and perfect for entertaining. Not to mention, the sun setting over the Herb River was the reason I’d fallen in love with the house. It was my favorite place to sit and relax.

  AJ, my magnificent sous-chef and sidekick, turned on the twinkling lights strung overhead. Bruce had strung those twinkling lights over the deck and yard. I’d spent so many years avoiding this house that I’d forgotten its true beauty. As I rinsed the lettuce for the side salad, I took a moment to admire the yard. The kitchen had three large windows that looked out to the backyard. A large tree sat in the center, with a tire swing tied to a low branch. When I was pregnant with AJ, I spent most of that spring gardening. Now, almost six and a half years later, white rose bushes ran along one side of the fence.

  The doorbell rang, and my heart jumped. “AJ!” I called out for him. “Go around and grab Luke.” I didn’t want AJ to track his dirty feet through the house.

  As AJ ran out the gate, I carried the large pot of paella and set it on the iron table. The clicking of the gate told me AJ had found Luke.

  “Hey,” I said when AJ led Luke to the deck. “Welcome to our home.”

  He looked delectable in a crisp white polo and jeans. “These are for you” He handed me a bouquet and kissed my cheek.

  “Thank you.” I smelled the colorful wildflowers. “I should put these in water.”

  “Mom, can I play on the tire swing?” AJ asked.

  “Yes, but only for a little. Dinner is ready.” I glanced over at Luke. “Do you mind opening the wine? I’ll put these in water and bring out some glasses.”

  “Sure thing.” Luke walked over to the table and set the bottle down.

  With my heart stammering in my chest, I rushed inside and grabbed an extra-large Mason jar, filling it with tap water before grabbing two wine glasses. When I returned outside, Luke was standing at the railing looking out into the rest of the backyard. I poured us each a glass of wine and joined him.

  “Hi,” I said, handing him a glass.

  “Hello.” He looked over at me and gave me a boyish grin.

  “I’m nervous,” I admitted, and took a large sip of wine.

  “Really?” Luke stared deep into my eyes. “Why?”

  “Well, you’re here, and I told AJ about you being my boyfriend.”

  “I’m your boyfriend?” Luke winked and brought the glass to his lips.

  “Shut up.” I smacked his arm playfully. “I don’t know what you are. Adult friend?”

  “Boyfriend is perfect.” Luke laced his free hand around my lower back and pulled me toward him. He turned us slightly, so we were both gazing out at the sun setting over the river. “I figured your house was beautiful given your in-laws’ place, but this is not what I expected.”

  “It’s not that big.” I glanced back at the four-bedroom home. It was a quarter the size of my in-law’s estate.

  “It’s not about the size. This yard is a dream for any homeowner.”

  “I know.” I sighed and rested my hand on the railing. “It’s my favorite place.”

  “I can see why.” He placed his hand over mine, and for a few minutes we watched the sunset.

  “Oh, crap,” I said, pulling my hand away. Luke looked over at me, confused. “The paella is getting cold.” I smiled. “AJ? Dinner.” AJ hopped off the swing and ran through the grass and up the five steps to the deck. “Wash your hands,” I ordered him.

  Luke sat across from me, and AJ sat beside me. During dinner, Luke and I shared small glances while AJ rambled on about their trip together. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Luke was more excited than AJ. During their conversation he kept pausing to add things to his list, so he wouldn’t forget to buy them. First on the list was a new camping tent, which he said had to be the best available. He added new fishing poles to the list, followed by new boots for himself and AJ.

  As I sat back, sipping my wine and watching them, I was transported back to a time when Bruce was the one overly excited to take AJ to the pool. My throat tightened, and I pushed the memory out. I couldn’t, however, ignore the voice in the back of my head that said Wait for it. The other shoe will drop.

  For tonight, though, I would ignore it because even if this moment was temporary, life was short, and I would not let anything ruin it. After AJ devoured his dessert, he asked to play with his iPad.

  “You can have thirty minutes of electronics and then it’s shower and bed, okay?”

  “Yes, Mom.” He excused himself and ran inside.

  Luke waited till the screen door was shut before he moved from his seat and took AJ’s empty chair. “Thank you for dinner,” he said and laced my hand in his.

  “I’m not the best chef—”

  “I couldn’t tell.” He leaned over and cupped my cheek. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he whispered before kissing me one more time, hungrier than the last. His tongue gently licked the outside of my lips, and I opened my mouth, deepening his hungry kiss. When I pulled away, we were both breathless.

  “Wow,” I whispered.

  “Sorry,” he muttered, and I took another sip of wine. “It’s hard to concentrate when I’m around you.”

  “Trust me, I know the feeling.”

  “Oh, really?” Luke cocked an eyebrow.

  “Oh, yeah. I’d like nothing more than to fulfill my fantasy on top of this table.” I tapped the iron table top. “I always wanted to see if these swirls would imprint on my back.”

  Luke choked on his wine as he laughed. “I can’t fulfill that fantasy tonight, but we can put it on the schedule.” He ran his hand up my thigh.

  I grabbed his hand, imagining his warm body on top of mine as I stared up at the stars above. “Okay. I think that might be enough talk about fantasies tonight.” I stood and shook away the goose bumps that had exploded all over my body. “How about a tour?”

  “I’d love one.”

  I stood and grabbed the empty dessert plates off the table. Luke helped, grabbing the assorted toppings and hot fudge sauce. When his eyes lingered a few seconds on the sauce, I instantly had another fantasy, and this time it included that sauce all over our bodies.

  Adding that to the schedule too, I smiled and walked inside. Placing the dishes in the sink, I turned back to Luke. “This is the kitchen.”

  “This is really nice.” He placed the sprinkles and M&M’s on the counter. “Was it like this when you bought it?”

  “No, we had the kitchen and family room redone.” I walked around the kitchen island to the family room. Luke took his time admiring my décor and art work. Nervously, I grabbed a few Lego pieces that AJ had left on the floor.

  When I looked up, Luke had stopped at the mantel. His gaze was glued to a group of old pictures. I watched as his eyes moved from one to the other. I’d updated most of the pictures with photos of our last four years and the different cities we’d lived in.

  Luke stopped at the last picture and picked it up. “Is this your husband?” His voice had changed from upbeat and smooth to cold and low.

  Shoving the Lego filled box under the coffee table, I sat on the floor and glanced back at him. “Yeah
,” I said, hoping Luke didn’t notice that it had been ages since I dusted the mantel. “We took that shot when AJ was six months,” I said nervously, shoving things in odd spots. The picture was of the two of us as we strolled through the park. It wasn’t one that anyone would frame, and I hadn’t framed it until AJ and I moved back.

  It was an odd picture, one that the photographer hadn’t meant to send to us, but when I saw it, I knew it captured us in that particular time. AJ had been tossed in the air by his father and was screaming bloody murder. His face was red, and tears dripped down his cheeks. I had rolled my eyes at the thought of smiling for another impromptu photo, and I looked as if I belonged in an exorcism. And then there was Bruce. His arms were in the air waiting to catch a crying AJ. His smile was forced, but he looked happy and carefree. And though his child was crying, and his wife was annoyed, he was happy. That was why I framed the photo. I wanted to capture the man I loved. The man I’d forgotten during the many years I spent resenting and hating him. The photographer had captured the exact moment when our family was at its truest. I was annoyed and bothered, AJ was a normal six-month-old who cried for no reason, and Bruce was happy with whatever life threw his way.

  “This is your late husband?” Luke asked again. This time the tone in his voice registered in my head. He was annoyed. No . . . hurt?

  “Yes,” I replied and sat back on my feet. Luke gently replaced the picture and sucked in a breath. I noticed how his shoulders pinched together. He didn’t utter a sound. For minutes I sat on the floor of my family room afraid to move. “Luke . . .?” My voice was low, hesitant. I did not expect what came next.

  “I . . .” Luke’s eyes met mine for a split second and then he looked away. “I should go.” He swallowed and moved toward the front entrance. His strides were long, and I found myself unable to get up fast enough to chase after him.

  “Luke?” My legs felt like Jell-O as I walked out of my living room. “Luke?” I said again, but it was too late. The door slammed behind him.

  I stopped and turned back to the picture that sat in the other room. What had he seen?