The Pick-Up Wife

by W. Lynn Chantale

  “If you tell me you feel absolutely nothing, I’ll walk away and you’ll never see me again,” he murmured in her ear. “I just want a chance to prove I’ve changed. I can be the man you expected me to be.”

  Wrapped in his arms, surrounded by his scent, giving him a chance made sense. She lifted her head and scrutinized his face. She swept her thumb against the fullness of his bottom lip.

  Everything in her clamored for more, but she needed a clear head, not a raging libido.

  “I have to think about it.”

  He opened his mouth then closed it again.

  “Fine. You have my number?”

  She nodded. “I really have to go. Mel will be worried.”

  “You two are still close?”

  She smiled. “I wouldn’t have gotten this far without him.”

  Leo cradled her cheek. “Tell him I said thank you.”

  “I really have to go.” She stepped away.

  “You’ll think about what I said.”

  Bobbing her head up and down, she hurried away. She needed space, she needed time to think, and one way to have that was to focus on being a mom.

  Chapter Four

  “You’re late,” Melvin admonished as he grabbed two of the cloth grocery bags Symmone carried.

  She shuffled the others. “I know. The line at the supermarket was crazy and then it took forever at the gas station. I’ve had a really long day. You know who paid me another visit.”

  He thumped the bags on the kitchen table then turned to help her with the others. “Really.

  What did he say this time?”

  “He sent me flowers this morning.” She began unpacking the groceries.

  “Nice move.”

  “They’re in the car.”

  Melvin opened the fridge door when she held up a carton of eggs and package of cheese. “Well, you brought them home; that’s a good sign.”

  She shoved a box of cereal on top of the refrigerator. “I can’t be vulnerable again. I can’t just let him into my life. The kids don’t even know him.” She slid a case of fruit cups in a lower cabinet, then paused. “Ohmigosh. He doesn’t know about the kids.” She stared at Melvin. “He’s never known about the kids.”

  Melvin lifted a brow, his eyes widening.

  “Never?”

  “He served me papers the day I found out I was pregnant. I was a little preoccupied by the break up of my marriage.”

  “The kids had to have asked about him.”

  She shook her head.

  “Symmone!”

  She shrugged. “They’ve always had you, and most of their classmates at school only have a mom.” She huffed at the accusation in his eyes.

  “The subject never came up.”

  “You need to tell him.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  They fell silent as they continued putting away the remainder of the groceries. Once everything was shelved, properly chilled, or frozen, Symmone folded the bags and stuck them in a nearby drawer. She plopped in a chair and dropped her head in her hands. Life wasn’t supposed to be this complicated. She was supposed to grow old with the man she loved, not keep secrets from him.

  “Sym, I have to go.”

  She looked up. “Thanks, Mel.”

  “Make sure you tell him.”

  “As soon as I figure out how.”

  Chapter Five

  Every day for the past week Leo had sought out Symmone, as well as sent flowers. No matter how often he saw her, it wasn’t enough. He craved her company and looked forward to their banter, but he wanted more than the few minutes of witty conversation.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Melvin demanded as the bartender set a bottle of beer in front of him.

  Leo took a swig from his bottle and focused on the man seated next to him. “That’s the problem. I wasn’t.”

  Melvin shook his head. “You two deserve each other on so many levels. Did you talk to her?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Did you ask her out?”

  “She won’t budge.”

  He shook his head again. “I swear you two will be the death of me.”

  “She’s your cousin. Tell me how to breach that giant wall she’s erected around her life. She always refused any help I’ve tried to give in the past.”

  “You sent her flowers.”

  Leo sighed. “I think she liked them.”

  “Oh, she liked them. She brought them home.”

  He smiled. If Symmone took home the roses, she had to be softening. “She’s not making this easy.”

  Melvin barked a laugh. “Did you expect her to?”

  “No, but…when I get near her, It’s like I never left. She lights up and tries very hard not to sparkle when she sees me.” He faced Mel. “You would tell me if something was wrong with her, right?”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  “Why is she so tired?”

  Melvin fell silent.

  Leo studied him a moment. “See, she had the same look. Like she wanted to tell me, but didn’t. And why didn’t she finish school?”

  “Did you ask her?”

  “She said it was complicated.”

  “All right then.”

  “No. That’s vague and you know it.”

  “Of course it is, but since I’m the only relative she still speaks to, I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “So what do I do now?”

  “Either wait for her to call you or continue to show up at her job until she agrees to go out with you.”

  Leo turned back toward the bar. “You are no help.”

  Melvin chuckled, reached for a napkin, and pulled a pen from his pocket. He scribbled something on the paper before sliding it to the other man.

  “What’s this?”

  “Her schedule for the rest of the week.”

  Leo studied the napkin. “Are you saying she works two jobs?”

  He nodded. “I’ve done all I can do here.” He slid off the bar stool. “Have fun.”

  Indeed. Leo drained the rest of his beer and stared at the napkin in his hand. If Symmone didn’t call him tonight, he would definitely be at the café again in the morning. Why did she need to work two jobs anyway?

  ****

  Symmone flinched at the heavy thud behind her and glanced over her shoulder to find Amanda frowning at her. Not what she needed while she was on break.

  “Why in the world would someone want to send you flowers?” Disdain oozed from every syllable Amanda spoke.

  “Maybe I have a better attitude.” Symmone turned around.

  Amanda sniffed and spun on her heel, nose tilted to the ceiling. Symmone scooted her chair closer to the arrangement of flowers before briefly wondering if the woman’s neck ever got a cramp from holding her nose in the air.

  More roses. She plucked the card from the holder and the corners of her mouth quirked upward. “Have Dinner With Me.”

  She shook her head. Dinner was out of the question, especially after the kiss they’d shared last week. Just thinking about the touch of his lips, the heat of his body, left her yearning for one night in his arms. She couldn’t let it go any further.

  She tapped the card against her hand. Or could she? Maybe she would call him after the kids went to bed and plan something for the weekend.

  Even if only to test Leo’s sincerity, she had to tell him about the children.

  ****

  Chaos reigned when she arrived home.

  Throughout the day she’d expected Leo to show up at the café—after all he’d stopped by every day—but he hadn’t. Despite the slight relief of not seeing him, she was surprised to find disappointment lurking. Now that she was home all thoughts of her ex were pushed from her mind as she watched the scene unfold before her. LJ chased Jewel, brandishing half a toy car, while they screamed at the tops of their lungs.

  “Stop it, LJ!” Jewel shrieked.

  “You broke it!” he shouted.

  “You two. Hey.
Hey!” Symmone waited until they came to a reluctant stop, only to indulge in a shoving match. “Stop it. Now.”

  “But Mom–”

  “No. You, in that corner.” She pointed to LJ, then to the wall near the front door. “You in the other corner.” She waited until both children were at opposite ends of the hall, with their noses to the drywall, before she heaved a sigh. “I want you to think about what you’ve done and I’ll be back in five minutes to hear what you have to say.”

  Jewel turned around. “Mom.”

  “What?”

  The little girl looked at her feet then at Symmone. “I did break his toy. Don’t make him stand in the corner.”

  Symmone studied her daughter for a moment. “And you’re willing to accept all the consequences of your actions?”

  Tears puddled in Jewel’s eyes, but she nodded.

  “Fine. Go to your room, and I’ll be up there in a minute. LJ, have a seat on the couch. And no TV.”

  “Yes, Mom,” they said in chorus.

  Once things had quieted down, the faint drone of water running drifted to her ears. Now where was that coming from? A quiet thud and the droning morphed to rumbling, almost like water hitting the floor. “Did you leave the water running?”

  “Symmone! I could use a hand,” Melvin hollered.

  She looked up in time to see water drip from the ceiling. She dashed upstairs and into the bathroom. Water cascaded over her shoes and a stream shot from the wall beneath the sink.

  “Melvin! What happened?” She grabbed a handful of towels and fought her way through the deluge.

  “The pipe broke.”

  “So why didn’t you shut it off?”

  He held up a pair of vise-grip pliers, then went back to work. “There is no knob for the shut-off valve to the main line.” He fought with the pliers some more; the water slowed to a trickle and finally stopped. “You really need to find someplace else to live.”

  Symmone slipped on the water and fell on her butt, banging her wrist against the toilet.

  “Are you okay?” Melvin scrambled to her side.

  “No!” Tears stung her eyes as she cradled her arm in her lap.

  Footsteps pounded in the hall and she glanced over her shoulder to find her children on the threshold. “Did you hurt yourself?” Jewel asked.

  “There’s water dripping in the hall downstairs,” LJ said.

  Melvin helped Symmone to her feet.

  “Go get the mop and bucket, Jewel. LJ, put those towels in the washer, but don’t do anything else.”

  “Honey, your arm is bleeding,” Melvin said.

  Symmone inspected the swelling skin to discover a long line of crimson welling above an inch-wide gash. She grabbed a handful of tissues and pressed them to the cut. “Now I’m all wet.”

  He smoothed her hair from her face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Just fine.”

  “Why don’t you go change and dry off. Me and the kids can clean up the water.”

  She shook her head.

  “It’s just water.”

  “Look, I’m fine, just wounded my pride. The kids can stay in their rooms. And how much is this going to cost?”

  He bit back a comment when Jewel banged through the door with the bucket and mop. Water sloshed along the floor. She eyed the adults.

  “This is gonna take forever.”

  “Not if we all pitch in and help,” Melvin said.

  Symmone gave a weary nod. At least she had the weekend.

  ****

  It was raining by the time she dragged out of the building. Symmone stared at the spitting sky.

  Just great. Her jacket was in the car. She stood under the awning a moment before rummaging in her purse for her keys.

  At least everyone showed up tonight. She couldn’t have handled a full shift with a throbbing hand and an aching hip. Tomorrow, or rather today, she would sleep in and make the kids waffles. The only good thing about the weekend was that those days were hers to do whatever she liked. She stepped from the awning and cold rain pelted her arms and her clothes.

  She muttered a curse when she dropped her keys, then froze as a shadow fell over her.

  Snatching up her keys, she spun around, then sagged with relief.

  “Leo.”

  He stepped closer, aiming his umbrella over her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  She stared at him, waiting for her heart to return to normal, only it raced even more. “What are you doing here? It’s three in the morning.”

  He chuckled. “I came to see you.”

  The heat of his body chased the chill from hers, while the subtle scent of his cologne left her a little giddy.

  She eyed him with suspicion. “How did you know where to find me?”

  “I asked your cousin.”

  “Remind me to cross him off my Christmas list.”

  Leo smoothed a damp curl from her forehead. “Don’t be upset with him, he’s just trying to–”

  “Meddle in my love life.”

  “You could say that.”

  “Why are you here? Don’t you have a career to pursue?”

  He nodded. “Yes, but at the moment I’m on leave.”

  She folded her arms against her breasts, noted how he followed the movement with his gaze, and a flicker of awareness shot through her.

  “On leave?”

  “I needed time to persuade my ex-wife to become my wife again.”

  She dropped her arms to her sides and stepped away. Leo followed, keeping the umbrella over her. “We were barely on speaking terms, and you’re already talking about marriage.”

  “I said I want you back. Come with me and we can talk.”

  She shook her head. “Leo, I’m tired.”

  When she swayed, he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her against his chest.

  She stared into his face and read determination in the rigid set of his jaw. A tiny jolt of longing wiggled through her veins, puckered her nipples, and warmed her thighs. He was here—would it be so wrong to indulge, just a little bit?

  “Do you have to run straight home? All I’m asking is for the rest of the night.”

  “You don’t want much, do you?”

  He cupped her cheek, sweeping the pad of his thumb across the fullness of her bottom lip. His eyes implored her. “Say yes. The lounge at the hotel has live music all night and all I can think about is holding you in my arms.”

  She sighed; she had to be more tired than she realized. He was getting to her. “Fine. I’ll follow you to your hotel.”

  ****

  Ten minutes later, Leo ushered Symmone to an empty table. She glanced around the dimly lit room, surprised to see so many of the tables full. A slow, sensuous blues song filled the air as the vocalist moaned about lost love and the need to find his way home. She could so relate.

  “Did you want anything?” He sat next to her, his arm draped across the back of her chair.

  “No.” She leaned forward, rested her elbow on the table, and propped her chin in her hand.

  Only in her deepest dreams did she expect to be this close to him again, and even with his knee brushing her thigh she still couldn’t believe she was sitting next to him, listening to music.

  She closed her eyes, swaying to the beat.

  Gentle fingers slid down her spine and a soft sigh left her lips. She couldn’t even remember the last time she went out by herself or even a group of friends. Most of her time and attention was focused on her children. And that left little room for a relationship. If she was really honest with herself, she missed being with Leo.

  The chair beside her creaked and Leo’s arm grazed her shoulders as he leaned closer.

  “Dance with me.”

  Anticipation crackled down her spine. She twisted her head to stare into his eyes, his face mere inches from hers. All she had to do was close the scant few inches to taste his lips. Wanting him the way she did was insane, yet she couldn’t deny the lure of being held again.


  “Okay.”

  He grasped her hand and led her to the dance floor. Once there he swept her into his arms, bringing her in contact with his hard lean body and his arousal. A shudder of awareness rippled through her body. This close to him she went rigid. How else were they supposed to dance together?

  “Relax.” His warm breath tickled her ear and tightened her nipples. “I just want to dance with you.” He slid a hand to the curve of her hip, while his other clasped her hand. “Remember how much we loved listening to music and dancing until management asked us to leave?”

  Resolve waning, she smiled at the memory.

  “That was so long ago, I’m surprised you thought of it.”

  They swayed to the music, and despite being tired Symmone sank into the strength of his embrace. With a sigh she leaned her head against his shoulder and inhaled his scent, a little spiced pine and all male.

  “Every day I remember.”

  She fell silent. So many times she’d wanted to be in his arms, dancing or just being held by him. For a moment she allowed the memories of the good times to wash over her. The day he proposed, he’d taken her on a picnic. Then their wedding day. The only member of her family who’d showed up for the big day was Melvin. He cheered her on when no one else would, and the day had been perfect. Beautiful weather. Then the day she found out she was pregnant. Before she could even share the good news, her happy world came crashing down.

  They’d been married just over a year, and for some reason Leo decided the best thing for his career was to leave her. She thought he did well as an architect straight out of college. Maybe it was too much too fast. She didn’t even have the benefit of hindsight to pinpoint the exact moment when things went wrong. They hadn’t argued about money or the time he spent working. She was too busy with her accounting classes to really complain about long hours. Somehow they always managed to spend Sundays together, or a few stolen moments at the end of each day.

  If she’d known he wanted out, maybe she could’ve prepared for the breakup in some way; but being blindsided… She exhaled a stuttered breath. That’s why the divorce hurt so much. And now he wanted her back? Would he still want her when he learned about the children?