Manic Monday

by Piper Rayne

  “You’re right, I dated Olive. It was off and on. Never really that serious. Her family is friends with my family.”

  Not what I was expecting.

  “We went to the same expensive private school. We hung around with the same entitled crowd. We each got an insanely expensive car when we turned sixteen. Both of our educations were off-the-charts expensive and paid in full when we graduated. We shopped at the same designer stores. Flew to the same vacation destinations. I thought she was what I wanted…or maybe I convinced myself I was what she wanted. I don’t know.”

  His hands knot together and in all the times I’ve been around Reed, he’s never looked this intense, this nervous.

  “She tried to stop me from being a Big Brother. Told me my time was too valuable to spend it playing house with someone else’s kid. I know her type. Even though we weren’t serious, she had our big mansion in North Shore picked out. Had our kid’s names decided and a Pinterest board of decorated bedrooms for them. She tried to mold me into someone I wasn’t. Someone I never wanted to be.”

  The swings slows down, and I spot Jade, her hair windblown and chaotic. Henry’s actually smiling.

  I could take a lesson from the kid. Some things are always scary starting out, but worth it in the end.

  “I’m not going to convince you how wrong you are about everything you just said. I’m not going to sit here and counter each argument one-by-one—which for the record, the prosecutor in me very much wants to do.”

  I chuckle, then stand, brushing the dirt off my ass. “Thank you.”

  “What I’m going to do is prove it to you. See, Victoria”—he corners me between the cement wall and the metal gate while the kids wait patiently on the other side of the ride for the attendee to let them out— “I want a woman with goals. You want to get your degree. I’m behind you. You want a career and a family. I’m your equal in parenting responsibilities. You want to have a loving and supportive boyfriend. I’m him. This thing between us isn’t my imagination. There’s chemistry and energy bursting between us every time we’re together. But I refuse to push myself on you because I want you to come willingly, and I guarantee you will.”

  “Mommy!” Jade’s loud voice has Reed stepping back, but his cocky smile says he means every word of what he said.

  It’s all I can do to lock my knees and stay standing. “Did you have fun?” I ask when she jumps into my arms.

  “So much fun! I’m starving.”

  “Let’s go eat then.” Reed high fives Henry. “I’m so proud of you, bud. You conquered a fear.”

  Henry beams but stays silent, per usual.

  I watch Henry’s hand find its way into Reed’s, he glances over his shoulder to make sure Jade and I are following. A small pit forms in my stomach.

  I can’t be wrong. In my experience, if it seems too good to be true—it is.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “MOM!” Jade screams from the front door.

  “Coming.” I hop along, sliding my foot into my right heel then walking through to the kitchen.

  She’s standing there, her hair in a haphazard ponytail, her spring coat unzipped. But can I really complain? She’s dressed, her backpack is on, her lunch is in hand.

  I glance over at my mom who is sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper.

  “I can take her if you like,” she says.

  Most days I would be grateful for my mom’s offer. I’d say yes thank you and give Jade a kiss on the cheek before dashing out the door. But today isn’t Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday—it’s Monday. And as much as I hate myself for it, I’m not skipping a Monday morning drop-off.

  I might not be able to have Reed as my own, but he’s like that late-night snack you know you should stay away from. You regret it after it’s in your stomach, but while you’re consuming your craving, you’re in bliss.

  It’s a love-hate thing with Reed. I love to see him. I love to interact with him. I hate myself afterward.

  “Nah, I got her.” I slide my arms through my coat and grab my bag. “Thanks for the coffee.” I raise my to-go cup at her.

  “Make sure you eat breakfast,” she says, straightening her paper.

  “Love you.” I blow her a kiss because the three steps out of my way seems more like a mile after an activity-filled weekend and a late night studying.

  “You, too. See you after class tonight.”

  “Finally.” Jade throws the door open. “Bye, Grandma, love you.”

  “Love you, bug.”

  Jade heads down the walkway to the sidewalk while I shove my phone into my bag, double checking that I have everything.

  “Henry?” Jade’s confused voice triggers a reaction in my body—equal parts panic and excitement.

  My heart thumps harder in my chest and a light sweat forms along my hairline because where Henry goes, Reed follows. At least on Mondays. I might not want to want him, but he pulls the giddy school girl side out of me anyway.

  I lock the door behind me and then circle back to the street to find Reed outside his usual Uber car with Henry and Jade already in the backseat.

  “It’s only three blocks,” I say.

  My heels click on the concrete and I don’t miss the way Reed’s heated gaze takes me in, igniting the familiar pull between us. It must be that look I’m addicted to. The one that makes me wear sexy undergarments even though no one will see them. The one where I want to do my hair and makeup.

  “Well, in those heels, I bet it’d feel longer.” It’s only his gaze raking up my legs, but it feels so much like a caress that I have to fight to keep my eyes open.

  “I can handle it.”

  “Of course, you can, but you’re riding into work with me today.” He nods to the car.

  “Excuse me?” I pretend I’m annoyed by his proclamation, but in truth, the idea of Reed bossing me around has my nipples peaking. In the bedroom. In all other areas of my life, I prefer my independence.

  He opens the door where a smiling Jade and Henry are waiting for me.

  “It’s pointless when we’re basically going to the same place and I’ve decided that it’s more convenient this way. I have court tomorrow and I tend to get uptight the day before when I’m prepping. You help with my anxiety. Besides, why would you want to take a train when you can enjoy the pleasure of my company?”

  I can’t even control my lips. A full-on smile gives away how much this guy has already won me over.

  “I guess since you have it all figured out, I should be thanking you.”

  “No thank you necessary.”

  I slide into the car and he shuts the door, folding himself into the front passenger seat. I double check Jade’s seatbelt but of course she’s already buckled in.

  Three stop signs later, the car pulls up to the curb and Reed gets out first, opening my door before I can.

  “Not so manic this Monday, huh?” I eye his already done up tie and tie clip then step out, ignoring the prying eyes of Darcie and Georgia.

  “I was so excited to see you, I woke up early.” He winks.

  I roll my eyes, not wanting to give away how much I love the way he wears his feelings on his sleeve.

  “Have a great day, Jade.” I hug her to me, but she’s already trying to wiggle away from me.

  “See you, bud.” Reed fist bumps Henry.

  We watch them walk into the school and wave to the principal.

  “Get in.” Reed ushers me back in the car, sliding in behind me and shutting the door. “Go, Abe, go!”

  The Uber driver looks at Reed much like I am, confused. Where’s the fire?

  Knock, knock.

  “I’m late, Darcie,” Reed speaks through the glass.

  Not a fire exactly but it’s possible she breathes fire because dragon lady is an apt description.

  I tighten my lips trying to hold in my laugh and avoid looking at her.

  “Reed, I need to talk to Vicki.”

  “I’m really sorry, Darcie, there’s
no Vicki here.” How he can say it with such a straight face, I have no idea.

  “Reed.” Her eyes narrow and the laugh leaves me like an overinflated balloon.

  “I need to get to the office. Gotta go.” He faces Abe again. “Just go.”

  “Vicki!” she yells, but I just wave my fingers in her direction as the car pulls away.

  “It feels good now but come tomorrow she’s going to make my punishment that much worse.” I pull out my phone with the hopes that we’ll each do business on the way in.

  “I’ll be your bodyguard.”

  “You don’t take Henry to school on Tuesdays.”

  He shrugs, his phone buzzing and I watch him pull it from the inside pocket of his suit and read the text. His warm smile disappears and for the first time, I wonder what he’s like in court.

  His fingers move over the screen and I turn forward, only to find Abe’s eyes on mine. He smiles, and I smile back, staring out the window as he winds through the streets of the city toward downtown.

  I inch forward. “Hi, Abe, I’m Victoria.”

  He smiles at me in the mirror again. “Not Vicki?” he asks, amusement creasing the wrinkles around his eyes.

  “Definitely not.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Are you on call for this guy?” I thumb in the direction of Reed, who’s still off in lawyer land.

  “Every morning. He’s on his own at night.”

  “Maybe he’s cheating on you with a Lyft driver?”

  Abe chuckles, turning right. “Not Reed.” He winks. “Any music or morning show you prefer to listen to?” His fingers are poised over the controls on his dash.

  “No. I’ll just work. Thank you though.”

  I slide back in my seat and he turns on a talk radio station.

  “This is the best. Turn it up, Abe.” Reed’s bubbly personality is back, and his phone is tucked away. “It’s the Second Date Update.”

  Abe ups the volume and the radio personalities are talking to a girl about a date she went on and now she’s complaining that the guy won’t return her phone calls.

  “This show will call the guy or girl to see why they’re not returning the phone call,” Reed whispers to fill me in. “You gotta hear some of this crap.”

  We listen to a woman explain how she was left at a cooking class. Her date excused himself to go to the bathroom, and never came back.

  “See. I’m already looking good,” Reed says, waggling his eyebrows.

  “Because you’ve never left me at a cooking class? We’ve never even been on a date.”

  “Yet.”

  “Never.”

  “Listen.” He taps his ear.

  Hitting some traffic, Abe slows down.

  The radio announcers call the guy to get his side of the story.

  “I’m not sure what the argument could be for him leaving her at a couple’s cooking class,” I mumble, and Reed’s hand stretches out, squeezing my knee.

  Skin to skin contact. All the air leaves my lungs in a rush.

  “There’s always a reason,” he says.

  Abe nods his head in agreement.

  The man answers the call and at first, he’s pissed that they’re calling him, then after a minute, he doesn’t want to share the reason why because he doesn’t want to embarrass the girl.

  “He doesn’t want to embarrass a girl who just called a radio station on him? I think this is set up,” I say, my usual skeptical self.

  “Either way, it’s hilarious. The perfect way to start your morning.” Reed elbows me gently.

  Abe nods his head in agreement. Of course, he’s not going to offend the guy who’s footing the bill.

  We continue to listen and the guy explains that the girl told him she slept with some other guy in the class. And then she proceeded to go on and on about how good the guy was in bed.

  Reed shoots me a look that says, ‘See? I told you this was the best morning show ever.’ It was funny, especially when the girl said that her date missed out because she’s never had an upset customer.

  “Customer?” Reed roars and Abe looks at us through the mirror, his own amusement lighting up his face.

  “See how many crazy women are out there? Save me.” He clutches his heart and his head falls to my shoulder.

  I push him back up by his forehead. “I think you’ll do just fine out there.”

  “I’d do better with you.”

  “Stop it. Otherwise this co-commuting stops.”

  He holds up his hands. “You can’t tell me you don’t prefer a ride in on an Uber that gets you to work faster while enjoying the company of me and Abe over a jam-packed train.”

  I say nothing because what can I say? He has a point and for some reason, I have no snappy comeback for him, so instead I take a sip of my coffee.

  When the big architectural high-rises swallow us up as we hit downtown, my body calms knowing my close proximity to Reed is coming to an end. A girl only has so much willpower this early on a Monday morning.

  “Abe, my building is right above The Sandwich Place on Washington,” I say.

  He nods and smiles through the mirror.

  “Have you been? To The Sandwich Place?” Reed asks.

  “Yeah, we go a few times a week.”

  “I guess I’ll have to frequent there more often.” His teasing grin goes on display.

  “I’m usually with my boss.” Hopefully that will keep his stalking tendencies to a minimum.

  “I’m as good with bosses as I am with parents.” My stomach flips when he winks.

  “Abe, how much longer?” I ask.

  Reed chuckles beside me.

  “Three minutes,” Abe says.

  Luckily, Reed’s phone rings and a scowl appears when he looks at the screen. “I have to take this, hold up.”

  “Reed Warner,” he answers with authority. My mind shoots to me secured to a bed with his ties and him using that same stern voice as he explores my body. “No, that’s not the deal.”

  The car slows even though there’s plenty of space between the car ahead of us and our bumper. Abe couldn’t make it any more obvious that he’s trying to make sure Reed finishes his phone call before I hop out of the car. We’re inching forward at a snail’s pace and he’s purposely stopping behind the buses now.

  “I can get out here,” I lean forward and whisper to Abe.

  “Wait until I stop,” he says.

  Reed’s hand lands on my knee again and then he holds up one finger. I’ve been here before. When one minute turns into five, turns into one more phone call. I used to sit there next to Pete as everything got pushed ahead of me. Well, my time is important, too.

  “I gotta call you back,” Reed says, his eyes on me the entire time. “No, Bill, I don’t give a shit. I’m asking for five minutes, not a lifetime which is exactly what your client is going to get if this goes to jury because you keep me from saying goodbye to my girlfriend.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and clicks the phone off.

  “I’m not your girlfriend.”

  “Yet.”

  “Never.”

  “I got it from here. See you tomorrow morning, Abe. Thank you.” He opens his door and steps out of the car.

  “Thank you, Abe.” I slide toward the open door.

  “See you next Monday,” he answers.

  “Oh, no. This was a one and done.”

  I accept Reed’s hand but before I clear the interior of the car Abe speaks. “Whatever you say. But I’ll see you Monday.”

  I shake my head. Even this Uber driver thinks Reed will get what he wants. Well, I’ve dealt with lawyers before and I don’t fall for their case winning, persuasive closing arguments—anymore. It’s all bullshit sprinkled with a few big words.

  “You must be the steak.”

  My hand’s not out of Reed’s when his gaze shoots from the woman he doesn’t know back to me. I close my eyes wishing I would’ve fled the car moments earlier because Chelsea will not make this easy on me.


  Chapter Fifteen

  “Steak?” Reed asks, his eyes lighting up because I’m sure he’s figured out it’s not a bad thing to be compared to.

  “Chelsea.” My tone is curt and displeased.

  She straightens her computer bag over her shoulder, her gaze taking in every inch of Reed. He’s looking exceptionally attractive today. A gray suit instead of his usual blue. His jacket hangs open displaying a buttoned-up vest underneath which his tie is tucked into. His usual mop of hair is gelled to perfection and a satin-mustard handkerchief that matches his tie peeks out of his front pocket.

  “Who dresses you? A Nordstrom’s personal shopper?” Chelsea asks the question I was just wondering.

  Reed chuckles, holding his hand out for Chelsea. “Reed Warner, and I take pride in the fact that I’m a big boy now and can dress myself.” He gives her a playful wink.

  She accepts his hand, her eyes still roaming over him like he’s too much for her to take in all at once. “Definitely a steak.”

  “Chelsea, I think you have an early morning call, right?” I say and nod toward the building.

  Her gaze flickers to mine. She could say anything at this moment and that scares me more than Reed’s close proximity.

  “Yeah, I’ll leave you two alone. Very nice to meet you, Reed Warner.”

  “You too…Chelsea?” he questions since I never properly introduced them.

  The sidewalk is filling in with everyone rushing off to work before the start of the day.

  “Sorry. Chelsea Walsh,” I point to her. “Reed Warner.”

  “Nice to meet a friend of Victoria’s,” Reed says. “Tell me, what’s the secret to getting her to accept a date with me?”

  My cheeks heat as Chelsea pretends to think about it. “She’s a tough one for sure.” She taps her lips with a newly manicured nail. “Bribery is probably your best option.”

  “Bribery?” Reed questions and glances over at me.

  “You just need to figure out what it is she wants most.” She gives me a meaningful look and then looks back at Reed.

  “I am a lawyer, so that should be somewhat easy.” The smug grin on his face says he’s playing.