Ditching The Dream (Dream Series)

by Isabelle Peterson

  After breakfast, we did some shopping on THE Avenues. Phoebe was especially excited about her red, cowgirl boot purchase. Even though Phoebe was a country girl at heart, and had more than a few pair of boots, she hadn’t packed any, figuring they wouldn’t be acceptable in New York. I picked up a nice strapless, cornflower blue sundress and a fun pair of silver sandals. And we both bought several Pashminas at a corner vendor. Best purchase ever. Four great scarves for only twenty dollars.

  We stopped for a leisurely late lunch, which would be Phoebe’s dinner due to the concert. I was enjoying some good ole-fashioned people watching with her when the bubble popped and the pleasantries ended.

  “So, what about Dad? You are going back, aren’t you?”

  Shit! I sighed and contemplated how to answer. Just the other morning I’d decided upon divorce, but I hadn’t really thought all of it through. Could I? Should I? I mean, I was having fun with Jack and Kevin nearly tripping over themselves to be with me. It’d done loads for my ego. But there was something to be said about a man who stayed by your side for more than twenty years. Greg was always a good husband, even if he wasn’t there much. He wasn’t abusive or anything.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” I replied.

  “What happened?”

  “Honey…” I let the sentence trail off. How do you tell your nineteen-year-old daughter that your husband wasn’t giving you everything you needed in a relationship, including effort in the bedroom?

  “Don’t, Mom. Don’t shuffle it away. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can take it. If you’re leaving Dad, you’re leaving. I have lots of friends who have divorced parents. It’s not the end of the world.”

  I smiled at her stoic disposition.

  “I haven’t yet decided, but I can sum it up best this way. Don’t get married too early. Live on your own. Be responsible for you before you move in with anyone who wants to take care of you. Stand on your own two feet. That’s something I never did. I got married straight out of college. If you don’t learn to stand on your own two feet, you’ll become whoever the other person wants you to be, not who you are.”

  She regarded me with deep eyes, and for the first time, I felt she really listened to me. “I hear you, Mom. And I think I know what you’re saying. Believe me, I’m not planning on getting married for many years. I want to be at least twenty-five.”

  “Maybe twenty-eight,” I suggested, smiling and picking up the dessert menu. “So, want to share a sinful chocolate something?”

  We arrived at the apartment with little less than an hour for the two of us to get ready, me for work, Phoebe for the concert. As Phoebe was putting on the final touches to her make-up, there was a knock at the door. That had to be Kevin collecting Phoebe.

  No, there was nothing unpleasant or odd about my lover taking my daughter, who was old enough to be his girlfriend, out on the town for the night. I was so screwed. If I weren’t going to work, I’d consider staying home and getting totally blitzed.

  “Lizzie. Good to see you as always,” he said, peering over my shoulder.

  “She’s in the bathroom,” I whispered, stepping aside and waving him in before Mrs. Hanlon could see him standing at my door, although it was probably too late.

  “So, how did I not know you had a daughter? Especially one who was an adult?”

  “Kevin, please,” I whispered, peeking over my shoulder at the door to the bathroom, Phoebe innocently tucked inside, listening to her iPhone croon Luke Bryan tunes.

  “I’ll keep your secret. That is if you want me to,” he said.

  I shot my eyes to his dark green pools. “Kevin, you cannot let on about us. Please.”

  He saw the panic in my eyes and nodded, pulling me into his warm embrace. He smelled so good. It was soothing. “It’s okay. We’re just neighbors,” he said, kissing the soft spot behind my ear. My knees went wobbly again and my stomach flipped. “And she’ll be safe with me tonight. I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

  I knew he would be or I wouldn’t have suggested that Phoebe go with him. I took a deep breath and nodded, then pushed away.

  “Phoebs,” I called out. “Kevin’s here.”

  “I’ll be right out!” she hollered back.

  I stood there biting my lip, in a pained silence.

  “Elizabeth. It’s fine,” he assured me again. He held my shoulders and leveled me with his eyes. “We need to talk though. There’s a lot we haven’t covered, and probably should.” I could only nod.

  He released me as Phoebe stepped out of the bathroom, looking every bit the fun loving girl I knew, except…

  “You look fantastic, however, button that button there,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her chest.

  “Yes, Mother,” she groaned, rolling her eyes and dropping her head back for added effect.

  “Your mom’s right. You never know what kind of perverts you’ll meet in the city, not to mention a concert,” he added with a smile that made my panties melt. God, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle the night.

  CHAPTER 33

  I showed up for my shift to find Jack already seated at the bar in “his” seat. After stashing my purse in the back room and clocking in, I made my way to Jack.

  “Phoebe all settled in?” he asked.

  “Yes. Thank you so much for your help with getting her picked up. I don’t know where my head is lately. So many distractions,” I said, glaring at him playfully.

  “So, you didn’t bring her? What is she up to tonight?” he asked, looking around.

  “She’s actually gone off to a Luke Bryan concert with Kevin,” I replied.

  “I’m sure the kids will have fun. Luke is quite a performer from what I hear.” His use of the word kids did not escape me. Jack recognized that Kevin was so much younger. I did, too. Did Jack consider me a kid as compared to his age? “Maybe us adults can hang out after your shift,” he continued with a wicked gleam in his eye. Okay, maybe he didn’t think of me as a kid.

  “We’ll have to see,” I said with a wink. “What can I get for you?” Before he could sling another invitation at me, I added, “From the bar.”

  The night went smoothly, Tom and I working together as well as Shelby and I did. The Saturday energy was electric, but I couldn’t seem to keep my mind off Phoebe and Kevin. Were they having fun? What were they talking about?

  No surprise, Jack was my last customer to close out. As I handed the check folder to him, he took hold of my hand.

  “Can I take you and Phoebe out to dinner tomorrow night?” he asked. “I’d love to meet her.”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” I replied, ducking my head.

  “You let her meet Kevin,” he retorted.

  “True, but…”

  “But nothing. Look, nothing bizarre, I swear. Just friends. From back home. Besides, if she’s serious about this changing her major and looking into NYU, I’ve got connections. What we have is between us — she won’t have a clue. I promise. Just friends. She already knows something about me, as it was my driver who picked her up at the airport.”

  I started to shake my head, but he stopped me by placing a finger under my chin. “Please.” His eyes were so hopeful. Almost like he was…… falling in love?

  I should stop this crazy train right now. End all of it. But the truth was that as he’d gotten me to confess the other night, I needed Jack. In a twisted way, I needed him. “Okay,” I agreed. “But please, nothing about us,” I implored.

  Jack shook his head and with his free hand, turned an imaginary key and locked his lips, then threw the key over his shoulder.

  Arriving at my apartment just after one in the morning, I was concerned when Phoebe wasn’t there yet. I started to imagine all sorts of horrific and crazy things, like they were being held at gun point by some hopped-up druggie. I imagined they were backstage partying with band members. I imagined them in Kevin’s apartment – Don’t go there! I admonished myself.

  I texted her a quick messag
e:

  1:36AM

  Thought you’d beat me

  home. Hope you had fun

  @ the concert. What time

  do u expect 2 b back?

  Then I poured myself a glass of Macallan. Grabbing my kindle and glass, I curled up in my chair, but I couldn’t focus on a single word. An agonizing fifteen minutes passed before my phone buzzed with a message.

  1:41AM

  Sorry, Mom. After the

  awesome show, Kevin

  brought me 2 Times

  Square. This place is

  incredible! We’re heading

  home now.

  I smiled remembering how Kevin played tour guide with me, taking me to Times Square. Then I remembered what we did after Times Square and I started to hyperventilate. Surely Kevin wasn’t that kind of guy.

  Another text came through bringing me out of my panic.

  1:42AM

  Oh and OMG (shhh)

  Kevin is HOT. Too

  bad he’s just got his

  heart broke and is

  taking a break from

  dating :(

  How do I translate this last message? On the one hand, yay! It seemed there was no budding romance between my (*gulp*) lover and my daughter. I downed the last of the scotch with relief and to bolster myself as I considered the first part of that message.

  My mind shifted into overdrive. He’d just gotten his heart broken? Did I dare flatter myself and think he was talking about me? Or was he talking about Erin? Or was it Erica? I hoped he was talking about the girl before me.

  I did my best to put it out of my mind with a shower while I waited for Phoebe to get home. If they were at Times Square, it’d be at least twenty minutes.

  Just after I’d climbed into my pajamas and finished brushing my teeth, I heard the door. Peering out of my bedroom, I saw Phoebe come in on her own.

  “Hey sweetie. How was the concert?” I asked, walking into the living room, giving her a hug.

  “Hey, I wasn’t sure you were going to still be awake. The concert was fantastic! And Times Square? So much more fun than I thought it would be! There are a lot of crazy people in this town. I want to move here! Did you know Kevin got his Masters from NYU. He’s so cool. I wish he was dating. I’d so…” Phoebe looked at me and smirked. She plopped down on the sofa and pulled her boots off.

  What? Why are you looking at me that way? I was frozen with fear at what she knew, or might have known. Had Kevin let something slip?

  “Well, you know. I’m sure you’ve had a fantasy or two about him. I mean how could you not? Look at him! Smell him.”

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, he’s quite the package,” I agreed.

  “And a little younger. I think he’s too old for me,” she shrugged and laid back. “Man, I’m exhausted, but I have to take a shower. I haven’t danced so much at a concert ever! Kevin was incredible. He two-stepped us in our tiny little space. He’s an awesome dancer. And he’s got such a great bod under that T-shirt! And his ass –”

  “Okay—” I interrupted. “Off to the shower with ya. I have the lunch shift tomorrow. You can come and see where I work, have lunch, then you can explore the city.”

  “Cool! What are the plans for dinner? Kevin asked if we three wanted to go to some Mexican place in the West Village. God I love this place! West Village,” she giggled.

  “Actually, we’re going to go out with a friend of mine. He’s the one who saved me the other night when I was working and you’re plane landed. The limo was his.”

  Phoebe’s eyebrows nearly shot off her face. “You have friends with their own limos? I thought you hired the limo!”

  “I do. His name is Jack. He wants to hear more about your aspirations in the communications field and NYU. He thinks he might be able to help you out.”

  “Omigod! This is so destiny!” She rushed up and hugged me. “I love you, Mom. I’m so glad I came.”

  I hugged her back tightly, feeling a bit guilty for not being fully honest with her. “I love you too, sweetie.” My eyes darted to the clock that hung on the wall. It was already two in the morning.

  “Okay. Shower, then bed.” I released her and shoved her to the bathroom. “I’m going to sleep. I have to leave for work by nine-thirty, so you can’t sleep all morning if you want to go with me,” I called after her.

  “Got it,” she yelled from the bathroom as she cranked on the shower. “And I LOVE this shower!”

  I smiled and climbed into bed. This was all going work out, right?

  CHAPTER 34

  Phoebe and I made it to work in the nick of time. Everyone was really sweet with her as she sat and watched me work. She loved the food and the afternoon was in general uneventful and pleasant. Seeing how much I made in tips had Phoebe second guessing going to college at all. But, I quickly pointed out that her shopping spree yesterday was on Daddy’s credit card, not the money I bring home, as well as how much my rent was, and on top of that, the cost of groceries in this city.

  Phoebe and I got ready for dinner with Jack. My stomach was in knots. I hoped that Jack and I would be able to pull off this “just friends” bit.

  At six o’clock, Dominic called to tell us that our ride was waiting downstairs.

  “The limo?” Phoebe asked hopefully.

  I nodded. “Probably.”

  She squealed and hugged me tight, then we headed downstairs. Sure enough, Anand stood at the ready at the passenger door of the limo.

  As we stepped through the door that Dominic held open for us, Anand opened the back door and out stepped Jack. He stood and smiled, making my heart slam against my chest.

  Phoebe leaned over giggling, and said, “Don’t you have any ugly friends in this town?”

  Jack stepped forward and gave me a sweet kiss on my cheek. “Elizabeth,” he said. He pulled back and smiled his mega charming smile at Phoebe. I swear she almost missed a step. “This must be Phoebe.”

  Phoebe extended her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. And thank you for the ride the other night.”

  Jack took her hand lightly and covered it sweetly with his other. “It was no trouble at all.” He stepped back and swept a hand toward the open door of the limo. “Shall we? I made reservations for an Indian restaurant that I love, unless you’d like something else.”

  As we settled in our seats, I turned to Phoebe. “I love Indian,” she said. “My friends don’t care much for curry, so I always get voted down.”

  “Excellent,” Jack said as he settled into the seat with his back to Anand.

  The ride to the restaurant was filled with getting-to-know-you-chit-chat. Jack seemed genuinely interested in Phoebe’s enthusiasm about New York.

  And through dinner, Jack listened to Phoebe talk about switching majors. Apparently one of Jack’s best friends was a vice-president at one of the major networks here in New York. He offered to help her investigate internships for the summer and he’d put in a good word for her if she wanted to try it out.

  He also shared that he an alumni from Columbia University’s business college and had several connections there, as well as at NYU, and that she should look into both. He promised to set her up with a tour of the schools, if she wanted, first thing Monday morning. Phoebe graciously accepted the offer then turned the tables.

  “So, Jack. What’s your story? You don’t sound like a native New Yorker. In fact, you say a lot of words the same way my mom does.”

  “We actually grew up in the same town,” he replied coolly. “I used to date you’re mom’s sister’s friend.”

  “You grew up with Aunt Suzie?” she stared at Jack, stunned.

  “I did,” he nodded.

  “Small world,” she mused. Funny to see that realization come to your daughter. “So, how did you make it to New York? Columbia?”

  “Actually, I came here after a modeling scout ‘discovered’ me.”

  “You’re a model? This just keeps getting better and better! Are you still modeling?”


  “No. I actually own a modeling agency myself, now.”

  “And that’s how you have your connections,” she said.

  “Many.”

  “This is so cool,” she said, sitting back. “My friends at school will never believe this.”

  Jack just laughed then ordered us some dessert.

  The night ended without a hitch. Jack played everything very cool. I was thrilled that I’d spilled to Jack that we knew each other back when. It made the whole business of explaining who Jack was so much easier.

  Phoebe nearly fell asleep on the ride home. I guess the flight and the concert finally caught up with her. I was grateful, because it made ending the night so much easier.

  Monday morning, just before I had to leave for work, Jack called to tell me that he’d set up a few meetings for Phoebe. Today she would get to speak to the communications department head at NYU at eleven to learn about their program. Then on Tuesday, he set up a meeting at ten o’clock at Columbia, and at three in the afternoon with his friend at NBC about summer internships. He’d also hired Anand to get her to all these places safely and on time.

  So, I went to work like any other day, and Phoebe went off in the back of Anand’s limo. My Monday at work was peaceful. Jack did stop by for lunch, but he didn’t linger and he kept things friendly. It seemed he just wanted to spend time there. He wasn’t overly flirtatious or anything. It was really nice. I couldn’t imagine Greg doing any such thing.

  Monday night, Phoebe and I poured over the information from NYU, and she prepared for her meetings the next day with Columbia and NBC. It was all so very exciting. And I was truly grateful to Jack for getting this all set up. If it were just up to me, we’d have gone sightseeing.

  Phoebe didn’t have anything interesting to say about how Elizabeth was doing. As Phoebe would, she only talked about herself. At least Elizabeth’s friends were treating Phoebe well, and Phoebe was enjoying her spring break.

  Tomorrow was Elizabeth’s birthday. I was going to take her to this great new seafood restaurant that Morgan was telling me about, but she’s not here. What will she do on her birthday? Eat a microwave meal, like I was doing? Maybe she’ll get a steak from the place she’s working at.