“Pretty much,” he answers, shrugging. “You were eyeing all of ‘em when we got here, so I figured I would get a little bit of everything.
“Well, thanks.” How thoughtful and adorable. Another point goes to the pro list. Who am I kidding? There’s basically no points in the con list. Clearly there’s something wrong with me.
“Do you want me to get Paisley?”
“Nah, we’ll let her play for now and eat while we have the chance.”
I’m just biting into a fried mushroom slathered in ranch sauce when I feel someone come up from behind me. I quickly swallow my bite, figuring it’s a customer. I’ve run into a ton of them today and they’ve all given me knowing looks when they saw Danny by my side. The one downside of living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone else’s business. To say my situation along with Tanner and Marissa’s was the talk of the town, was an understatement.
“Amelia.” I groan when I hear that voice, choosing to ignore it and grabbing a corn dog. Maybe he’ll leave me alone. Clearly I’m busy. “Hey, Amelia.” He comes around to the front of the table, tapping his knuckles on the wooden surface and I stiffen when I see Marissa scoot next to him.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I mutter, looking sideways at Danny, who’s looking back and forth between Tanner and I with a curious look. Fun times.
“Fine.” He leans back on his heels, tucking his hands into his pockets. Clearly, he’s not going anywhere. Marissa looks bored, popping some cotton candy into her mouth before waving to someone that passes by. The situation is uncomfortable.
I sigh, clearing my throat. “Tanner, Marissa, this is Dan. Dan, this is Tanner and Marissa.” I try to say her name without grimacing but I don’t think I do very well.
“Great to meet you.” Dan, ever the gentleman, gets up to shake Tanner’s hand, and I watch as Tanner grips his hand firmly, not letting go. The moment is broken when Paisley runs over, squealing when she sees her dad. He scoops her up, twirling her around while she chatters away about the bounce houses.
“Okay, baby girl. You go on and have some more fun. When you’re finished, maybe I’ll get you a treat.” When she’s out of ear shot, Tanner glares at me and then darts his gaze towards Dan. “Well, clearly I’m Paisley’s dad. Who are you exactly? And why the hell is he around my daughter? I thought we talked about this, Amelia.”
“Um…” Dan glances towards me, inching a step closer before wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Amelia and I are dating.”
“So, is he your boyfriend?” Tanner sneers and Dan’s arm tightens before shifting forward. These two seem to be having some kind of pissing contest and I want no part of it.
“Why does it matter? Let’s go, Tan,” Marissa whines, pulling on his arm. For a split second I think I actually liked Marissa. Tanner shrugs her off and she huffs, stomping off to pout like my two year old. Well there goes that feeling.
“Are you going to answer me?” Tanner questions with his hand on his hip.
“I’m Paisleys mom. I can decide when she meets whoever I’m dating and I thought it was the right time. We didn’t talk about this; you talked at me and I ended the conversation, if you remember correctly. Did you really forget how I iced you out?” I cross my arms over my chest and he rolls his eyes. “Dan’s a good guy. He wouldn’t be around her if he wasn’t. You have to trust me.”
“Good guy? He looks like that preppy asshole you dated before. What the hell was his name? Oswald or something douchey like that.”
“Look, man. I’m not disappearing.” Dan holds up a hand, his tone calm and even. He sounds doctorly right now; it’s kind of turning me on. Someone to handle Tanner for me—that could also possibly be added to the pro list, even though I can handle him myself if needed; it just gets tiring. “And I’m not a stuffy asshole, I’m actually a pretty good guy.” He smiles crookedly and I feel myself relax a little. “Why don’t we go out for a beer or something sometime? Get to know each other. Then, if you think I don’t need to be around your daughter for whatever reason, we’ll go from there.”
I clamp my lips so tightly, I’m sure they’re white. No way in hell is that happening. Tanner can’t just barge into my life and dictate it. No way, no how. But I keep my mouth shut for now.
“We’ll see. Maybe,” Tanner grumbles. “Could I have a minute with Amelia—please?” he tacks on and I want to applaud him for acting like a grown up. Finally.
“Sure, I’m gonna go find a restroom.” He places his hand on the small of my back. “You good?”
“Yup.” I force a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
As soon as Dan’s out of ear shot, I stomp my heel and close the space between us. “Who the hell do you think you are?” I hiss.
“I’m her dad, Amelia. Whether you like it or not, that ain’t changing anytime soon.”
“That’s not the point!” I shove a hand into his chest and he doesn’t budge an inch. “Did I have to approve of Marissa? Nope. And yet I have to live with the fact that she’s around my daughter all of the time. So why the hell do I need your approval?”
“That’s different and you know it.”
“Oh really? So I can still give my approval or disapproval of Marissa? Well how wonderful. Do I really even need to tell you what that answer would be?”
“It’s not her fault. You don’t even know her.” His jaw is working back and forth as he flexes both hands. I can see the anger radiating off of his body, but I don’t care. Mine equals his.
“Whatever, Tanner. Dan is a great guy; he’s a doctor. He’s great with Paisley, even though they just met today because obviously I wouldn’t introduce my daughter to someone who isn’t going to be around. Is that good enough for you?” Okay, so I might be rubbing the fact that Dan’s a doctor straight into his face and I might have been having second thoughts about dating him, but Tanner doesn’t need to know that. I would do anything to prove Tanner and his judging-ass wrong.
He grunts in response and I stalk past him to Paisley, who’s found my mom, who was meeting us here. She’s sitting on my mom’s lap, munching on a piece of pizza. A look passes between my mother and I and it takes everything in me not to unleash everything that’s built up in side. “Tell your dad bye, Paisley. I think we need to go find some dessert, don’t you?” She nods before hopping off my mom’s lap and giving Tanner a sloppy kiss. Tanner’s still pissed, but I could care less.
“Hey, everything alright?” Danny comes up from behind me, placing a strong hand on my shoulder, and I instantly relax into his touch.
“Its fine,” I answer quietly. “How ‘bout we find something deep fried and chocolate, and then I need a drink—a tall, fruity, full of liquor drink.”
“Alright,” he answers with a laugh. “I think I can handle that.”
Chapter 6
“Oh, Danny…” Moaning echoes throughout the room.
Lips drag roughly across my skin.
Hands yank at my hair.
Sliding in and out.
Hips swiveling.
A breathy moan escapes from my lips and then…a blissful, euphoric high before a downwards spiral into a thick murky blackness.
I crack an eye open; my mouth feels as dry as the Sahara desert and I lick my lips to attempt to wet them—It doesn’t work. I don’t remember getting here but at least I’m in my own bed. I see the familiar picture frames dotting the walls, the quilt that my nana made pushed to the end of the bed and then my eyes land on the person next to me.
I suck in a breath as some of my night rushes forward, reminding me of exactly how I got here, with Danny lying—naked—next to me. The downward spiral was all kicked off when I ran into Tanner at the festival and we had our little tiff. My mom hung out with us for a short while when we hunted down some deep fried Oreos for Paisley and I and then she took Paisley back to her house for a sleepover.
Danny and I headed to the beer tent—that was my first mistake. No matter how many times I had gotten drunk and then regretted it the next mor
ning, clearly I haven’t learned my lesson. I wasn’t ready for this step with Danny. I didn’t know if I would ever have been ready for this step with him but obviously my body hadn’t agreed last night. Damn her and her horniness.
“Mornin’.” Dan’s voice is gruff and still filled with sleep but he moves closer, wrapping his arm across my bare stomach before his fingers start to travel south. Apparently, he’s not that tired.
“Danny.” I squeeze my legs together and he pushes on my thigh before taking my ear lobe between his teeth. I have to admit, there’s a want there but this time I have to not let my body think for me. His lips are on my neck now and he groans when I roll the opposite way and slide out of bed. “I’m sorry. It’s just…I need to pick up Paisley from my parents so I don’t really have time for that.”
“You aren’t trying to get rid of me, are you?” He props up on his elbow, resting his head in his palm as he watches me carefully.
“What? No, of course not.” That comes out high pitched and not convincing at all. Why did I get myself into this situation? “I’d invite you along but then I have to head into the bakery. Ronny normally opens up on Sunday mornings for me.” I pull out a pair of jeans and a tank top before heading to my bathroom to change. I have no time to shave my legs, because really, I do have to get going. By the time I come out of the bathroom, Dan is fully dressed and pulling on his shoes.
“Um, how exactly did we get back last night?” I squint, trying to remember. I see my keys on the nightstand, but I hope I was at least in the right mind to not drive and I know Danny had at least a few beers. “Your friend Monroe. Her husband followed us back over with your car.”
“What?” I snort, as an image of Miller trying to fit inside of my Volkswagen Bug. I didn’t think it was even possible. I hope Monroe got a picture of that to blackmail him for the rest of his life.
“Yeah, we hung out with them for a while. Apparently, you two are sisters. You told me about twenty times last night.” He smirks before standing and pulling his keys out of his pocket. I shift on my feet, the air feeling thick with awkwardness that I don’t know how to clear through. “Well, I should get going then. Call me later?”
“Sure thing.” He presses a kiss to my cheek before leaving my room and I let out a loud breath as soon as I hear the front door click closed. Well, way to keep things moving slow, Amelia. I desperately needed the cobwebs cleaned out but why in the hell did I do it in a drunken blur when I had no clue if Dan and I should even be an item? Would I ever get anything right?
***
“You what?” Monroe screeches and I shush her before collapsing onto the couch, tucking my feet under me. “We had sex, we screwed, we fucked, we banged. What other way do I need to put it?”
She shakes her head, her lips twitching. “Where in the hell did that southern belle go that I met all those years ago?”
“Roe,” I roll my eyes to the ceiling, “why in the hell am I so stupid? I mean, Dan is a great guy and he’ll be a perfect husband someday. But I don’t think he’s right for me—I just don’t feel the connection.”
“Well, you must’ve felt something last night. Unless he had a teenie weenie or something.” She mutters the last part, her cheeks turning a tint of pink and I slap a hand over my mouth, trying to contain my giggles.
“Well, I don’t remember much about it but judging by the funny way I’ve been walking all day, I’d say it was big enough. It has been a really long time though—it could just be from that. I was basically a born again virgin. I haven’t had sex since Paisley was conceived.”
Her mouth drops open before she shakes her head. “Oh, Amelia. I love you and I’m sorry that it has been that long. Welcome to womanhood.” She snorts and I roll my eyes.
“So.” She takes a sip of her wine before setting it back down next to my glass of water. I’ve officially decided no more drinking for me. I was using it as a way to escape and even though it wasn’t something that was happening nightly—even weekly—I couldn’t keep doing it. I needed to deal with my life not inebriated. “What are you going to do about Dan? You’re sure you don’t want to give things some more time? He seems like a great guy, maybe you’re being overly cautious and not letting yourself feel what could really be there.”
“That’s deep. You’ve really been thinking about this.”
“Well, I want my best friend to be happy and I know you’re not.”
“I’m happy,” I argue. She purses her lips and the strong front I try to put up falters slightly. “Really, I am.”
“Who exactly are you trying to convince?”
“Whatever.” I wave my hand at her. “But I do know there’s nothing there with Dan. I sent him a message earlier and told him things were over.”
“You what?” she sputters, a splash of her wine spraying me in the cheek. “You seriously broke things off with a text?”
“I know.” The guilt eats away at my stomach—the reason why I’ve felt sick all day. Well that and the fact that I’m super hung over.
“So, how did he take it or was his text tone back unreadable?”
“Don’t judge my text breakup. You would’ve done it too if you were me. It’s like I’ve been doing the walk of shame all damn day, except I’m the only one aware of the fact and let’s just say…he sounded pissed. And in the two voicemails he left me, he sounded super-duper pissed. He told me to call him when I was really ready for a relationship. Um…excuse me? Who exactly does he think he is?” I groan and Monroe remains silent, waiting for me to continue. “I really wish I wouldn’t have started anything up with him in the first place. I really would’ve liked him in my life as a friend, but I don’t think that’s going to happen now. Do you think Paisley is going to ask where he is? That little girl remembers everything.”
“Don’t worry.” She pats me on the back. “Out of sight, out of mind. Besides, it’s not like you introduced him as your boyfriend or something to her, did you?”
“Nope, just as a friend.”
“Well then, you’re good.”
“Right,” I groan, flipping the TV on so we can get started on our movie marathon. After a busy day of picking up Paisley from my parents, letting her hang with me for a bit at the bakery, and then sending her on to the studio with Monroe so they could have their own personal dance party, I’m beat. Once we got home, I fixed dinner, gave her a bath, played princess for a bit, read about ten different story books to her, and then she finally passed out. I was ready to go crawl into bed, but I hadn’t gotten a lot of alone time with Monroe since her wedding and honeymoon. I need some good quality girl time with my bff. “But what in the hell am I supposed to do about Tanner? He was worried about me bringing guys in and out of the house and that’s exactly what I did with Dan.”
“No need to tell Tanner. He doesn’t need to put his nose where it doesn’t belong. You’re doing a good job, Mama. That’s all that counts.”
“I guess you’re right,” I mumble, pushing a smile onto my face before starting up the first movie of the night—if only that were true.
Chapter 7
No matter that I was born and raised in Georgia, I still am not used to the squelching summer heat and the stickiness that comes along with it. Today, I can hardly breathe—that’s just how unbearable it is. I fan myself with my hand as I flick the lights off in the bakery and turn the sign to closed. There is no way I can keep it open any longer. I knew something was wrong as soon I stepped through the front door this morning and sure enough there was: the AC was out. I had a list a mile long of things to get done but I was going to have to put it off because there was no way in hell anything would set right in this heat with no cool air pumping in. Miller said he was on it though so hopefully the problem would be fixed by the morning.
I sent Tanner a message to tell him I was done early and to see when he wanted me to grab Paisley. That’s pretty much the only way we communicate lately. I avoid him as much as possible—that way he doesn’t worry about what’s going
on in my life. He doesn’t seem to care or worry about what I’m doing, leaving me to be able to continue tiptoeing around him as much as I can. Apparently he was called in on his day off— Paisley was left hanging out with his mom at his house which made me happy. I love Lydia; she is one of the warmest and kindest women I know. I figured she would hate me for being the other woman basically but she never questioned a thing and came at me with open arms when I was lying in my hospital bed right after having Paisley. We had a pretty good relationship after that. She doesn’t seem to approve of Marissa and that makes me like her even more, even though I never say that out loud.
I knock on the front door, bracing myself just in case Marissa’s home, but I doubt that’s the case since Lydia’s here. No one answers and I hear a tiny squeal coming from the backyard. I should’ve figured as much—I would be in the exact same spot if I had a pool.
“Amelia!” Lydia spots me as soon as I round the corner and I wave, laughing when I see Paisley with her floaties on, paddling around the pool. “Hi, honey. I didn’t know you would be here so soon. I would’ve gotten her all ready.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m not in a rush and she looks like she’s having a blast. She’s a little fish in the water.”
“She sure is. Tanner was so worried about the pool being back here when she was first born. He took every precaution possible, but the best thing he did was start swimming with her. She just loves it.”
“I can tell.” I plop down onto the edge, hike up the edge of my dress and dip my feet into the water. It’s lukewarm from the heat but still feels refreshing. Paisley finally notices me but all I get from her is a wave before she swims off in the other direction.
Southern Sweets (Midnight) Page 6
