The One That Matters

by Elle Linder

  “You’re going to clean it?” she asked again.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You’re not angry about anything?”

  “Nope, just in a hurry.”

  The smile on his face filled her with relief. “Wow, then get to it.” She smiled back, and he was off at lightning speed, leaving her at the table with her coffee.

  In the quiet kitchen, Parker re-entered Marie’s mind. “Why didn’t he come to see me again?” She assumed he had moved on. If he were interested, he would have tried harder to change her mind, right? “It’s whatever.” She shrugged, but the ball was in her court, whether she wanted to admit it or not. Ann reminded her often he had put it there. “Call me, Marie,” he had told her. The thought pained her. She could never call him. As much as she found Parker attractive, she knew she didn’t fit in his world, not with the hordes of women around him wanting selfies left and right. She’d go crazy with jealousy. Now, Seth—he was normal, just like her. She stood to clear off the dishes and prepare for her gathering. I’ll think about Seth later.

  Chapter 8

  The Barbecue

  The doorbell rang at three, and the door immediately flung open with Ann entering just as Marie stepped into the foyer. Such was their relationship for the past thirty years—Ann the bossy, controlling extrovert who never waited for anything or anyone and would take what she needed at the drop of a hat. Yes, she was the perfect best friend for Marie, who was the direct opposite in almost every way. Dancing was the one area in which Marie outshined Ann. In the end, both women needed the other to balance their shortcomings. Joined at the hip since the third grade when Marie had moved into Ann’s neighborhood, the two women were each other’s family.

  “So, I’m here.” Ann announced. “Take the pasta salad and I’ll get the baked beans from the car.”

  “Thanks. Where are the girls?”

  “They’re right behind me,” Ann hollered, walking out. Marie leaned out the door and sure enough Brooke and Tessa were piling out of Ann’s car with bags in hand.

  Ann returned within seconds leaving the stragglers in the dust. Everything she did was fast; she never strolled anywhere. “I made a double batch, so you could freeze some for another time. Now tell me how great I am.” Ann said.

  “You’re the best.” Marie lifted the lid on the pot. “I love your beans. Mmm.” She sniffed the amazing aroma.

  “I know you do.” Ann smiled. “I’ll put the crockpot near the stove.”

  Tessa and Brooke followed behind Ann, chatting among themselves. Marie squeezed both their shoulders in acknowledgement as they walked into the small kitchen. It was a tight squeeze with all four of them gathered in it at once. The second Marie bumped into Tessa, all that she had lost in the divorce suddenly surfaced, souring her mood.

  “This kitchen is so tiny. It’s a wonder I can cook anything in it,” Marie complained. Her eyes scanned the narrow kitchen, and she was reminded of her old kitchen with a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a Viking six-burner gas stove. Then there were the granite countertops she loved and a large island. She had taken it all for granted, even the moments spent with the kids while they ate their snacks at the island. Now she had a galley kitchen with laminate countertops and an electric stove. No island, just a small eating area and a single barstool at the end of the counter. “I can’t believe what my life has become since the divorce.” She glowered, looking around her dated home.

  “Oh hon, think of it as temporary. One day you’ll return to the lap of luxury.” Ann patted her shoulder.

  Marie laughed and shook her head. “Now that’s a pipe dream if I ever heard one.”

  Ann scowled at her.

  “Since I don’t cook, kitchens don’t matter to me,” Brooke interrupted. “I just bring booze wherever I go. Ann, will you do the honors?” Brooke handed her the sack of alcohol.

  “I’d be happy to.” Ann curtsied, then displayed a saucy little shimmy.

  “Hey, we all love it when you bring booze.” Marie laughed. “I have some freshly made salsa and guacamole in the fridge, and I’m marinating steaks. Except, I don’t know how to work the grill. Do you know how, Tessa? I know Brooke and Ann don’t.”

  “Sorry babe, I haven’t a clue about gas grills. Do you have the owner’s manual?” Marie looked at her, confused. “It’s the little booklet that comes with just about every appliance or machine you’ll ever buy. This way you can learn how it works.” Tessa winked.

  “Crap, I’m sure I tossed it out when we brought it home. Well, how hard can it be?” Marie shrugged.

  “Right. How hard can it be? With four intelligent women to play around with it, one of us is sure to light its fire.” Tessa stuck out her tongue.

  Marie’s mouth fell open.

  “I love it.” Brooke giggled.

  “What in the hell was that?” Ann said, shocked.

  “I need a man. That’s what that was about,” Tessa grumbled. “I also need a shot. Bartender, serve ‘em up!”

  “I’m on it.” Ann saluted.

  “So, tell us about this Isaac?” Tessa asked, intrigued.

  “Well first and foremost, Lexi doesn’t want him getting bombarded with a gazillion questions so you all better be on your best behavior. I don’t want her getting angry with me.” The girls let out a frustrated sigh. “Now Isaac surfs and plays guitar, and according to Lexi is the hottest guy ever. That’s all I know.”

  “That’s so sweet. And where’s the little turd?” Tessa scrunched her nose.

  “He’s upstairs with his friend, Ricky. I let him invite two friends. The other one will be here later. I gotta tell you guys, he’s like a changed boy. I don’t know what happened, but I am so grateful.”

  “What about you?” Ann said as she passed a tequila shot to each one of the women. “Look at you. Your hair is down and you have a glow about you.” Ann waggled her brows. “If I didn’t know better I’d suspect you had a man in your life,” she teased.

  Tessa and Brooke’s head whipped around to stare at Marie with suspicious eyes.

  “Stop it you three. Baths are a wonderful thing.” Marie lifted her glass. “Salúd.”

  “Woohoo!! Salúd!” The women cheered and pushed back their shots.

  Marie ushered the girls out to the patio, which was her outdoor living space. It was more accommodating than Marie’s kitchen, plus it was nicer than the rest of her home. She had turned the patio into a welcoming, tropical paradise. Even Ann and the girls loved it. Many of their evenings were spent on the patio drinking, eating, laughing, and listening to music while Marie refused to leave her house. It took her a month to turn the plain, boring concrete pad with pergola atop into her dream escape. The time and money she had invested had paid off, giving her a tranquil retreat to relax in at the end of the day.

  Stylistically, the patio didn’t match the rest of her house, or the complex for that matter. But her goal had been achieved. When she was on her patio, it transported her to a luxury resort. The colorful outdoor rug that lay beneath the teak patio set, and the two chaise loungers with striped cushions that complemented the rug, all contributed to the tropical feel of the space.

  There were clay pots filled with flowers that changed with the seasons, courtesy of Brooke, who was part-owner of a flower shop, along with a couple of potted dwarf lemon trees placed along the fence. Strands of lights were hung from the pergola and draped along the fencing with various outdoor plaques and signs.

  In the evening, the warm glow from the lighting and flickering candles on the table provided a romantic ambience. Her patio was her pride and joy. It’s where she spent most of her free time at home, cozied up with a glass of Merlot and a good book. It was her little hideaway from her boring, sub-par life. And a perfect reflection of her.

  “All right ladies, drink requests?” Ann asked. The saucy, fair-skinned blonde with a vulgar mouth was the mixologist among the women. There wasn’t a drink she couldn’t make, provided the ingredients were available. What made her the best at m
ixing cocktails? She liked to add extra liquor. But by day, she was an office manager for an accounting firm where she had to keep her mouth in check.

  Outside of work, Ann was the F-bomb Queen, and Marie’s oldest and dearest friend. Nobody knew Marie better than Ann. After they graduated from high school, they had remained best friends, but their friendship deepened through each of their divorces. Ann married several years after Marie, but her marriage only lasted three years. It ended when she caught her ex in bed with the neighbor. Although in hindsight, it was actually the best thing to happen to her. Who wants to be married to a man who won’t make love to you because he’s not attracted to you, or any woman, for that matter? As shocked as she was, Ann bounced back rather quickly. Over the years she’d had boyfriends, but she’d been hesitant to commit to another man, on the off-chance he didn’t really know if he liked women or men.

  One after another the women shouted out their drink requests, “Tequila sunrise!” “Margarita on the rocks!” “Rum and coke!” In her element, Ann went straight to work preparing the drinks.

  With drinks in hand, the women relaxed and were in a constant state of laughter as they munched on chips, salsa, and guacamole. Marie turned on Latin music, with “Oye Como Va” first on the playlist. The girls squealed and jumped out of their chairs. Hips gyrated rhythmically, shoulders shimmied, hands flew through the air, and the occasional provocative pelvic thrust was performed, followed by giggles.

  “We’ll have to get a conga line started later,” Marie shouted. Her comment was met with clapping and cheering. She turned her attention to the grill and was stumped seconds later, unable to start it. She threw her hands up in frustration, grabbed her tequila sunrise, and went back to dancing.

  Once the song ended, the girls settled back in their seats. Marie plopped down with a ridiculous grin on her face.

  “What’s with the stupid grin?” Ann asked.

  “Do I have a stupid grin on my face?” All three women nodded. “Well, I’m not sure…the tequila?”

  “I don’t think so. That’s the look only a man can bring to a woman’s face.” Ann snorted.

  “Did you call Parker?” Brooke asked, bouncing in her seat excitedly. She was the youngest of the four friends. At thirty-three, she was coddled by the older women; she was their little “Brookie.” Despite her age, she acted more like a teenager, flying through life by the seat of her pants and her head in the clouds. To Brooke, life was meant to be lived to the fullest and her number one priority was love.

  “No, I met a guy in the gym this morning. He’s new to the complex. His name is Seth,” Marie informed the group.

  “Well…do tell.” Ann sat forward in her chair.

  “There’s not much to tell. We ran alongside each other on the treadmills and he said he’d see me tomorrow morning.” Marie shrugged.

  “No, no, no…we want the good stuff. What does he look like?” Tessa demanded.

  “Let’s see… He’s tall with dark brown hair and icy-blue eyes. They really jump out at you. And he has an amazing set of biceps.” She shivered just thinking about what they’d feel like wrapped around her, holding her close.

  “But was he cute? Handsome? Sexy?” Brooke asked, clearly exasperated.

  “Yeah, how does he compare to Parker?” Tessa asked.

  “Parker who?” Lexi asked as she walked out the sliding glass door, holding hands with Isaac. “I see the party started without us.” She flashed a bright, full smile and kissed Marie on the cheek.

  “No, baby, this is just the pre-party. Now that you’re here the real party can start. Now let’s meet your guy,” she whispered.

  “Isaac, these are my mom’s best friends, Ann, Brooke, and Tessa. You might remember Tessa from high school—she’s the art teacher. And this beautiful lady is my mom, Marie,” Lexi said proudly.

  “It’s nice to meet you all,” Isaac said. “Ms. Romero, I wanted to take your art class. I had heard you were awesome, but it was at the same time as music, so I had to go with that. Music’s my passion,” Isaac said.

  “Totally understandable. So, I hear you play guitar?” Tessa asked.

  “Yes, and piano, but guitar is it for me,” he said.

  Isaac easily fell into conversation with Tessa and Brooke, so Lexi went inside with Marie to assist her. “Well, what do you think?” Lexi asked.

  “He’s adorable. And very polite, and you know how I like that.”

  “Yes, he is polite and respectful.”

  “I’m so glad,” Marie said while she assembled a veggie tray. “Can you grab the bowl of berries out of the fridge, please?”

  “Sure. Where’s Jackson?”

  “Oh, he’s upstairs with Ricky. They’re keeping watch for another friend.”

  “What other friend? I thought Ricky was his only friend.” Lexi placed the bowl of berries on the counter.

  “You know, I don’t actually know. I guess we’ll find out when he gets here. Now, I better figure out how to work this grill or we won’t be having any steak.” Marie rolled her eyes, trying not to let her inadequacies ruin her evening. “Grab the berries, will you?” she asked, walking out to the patio, veggie tray in hand.

  “Yup, but first I’ll go check on the boys,” Lexi said.

  Lexi was headed up the stairs when the doorbell rang. “Must be the other little boy.” She bounced back down the stairs and swung the door wide open. Not a little boy, but the furthest thing from a little boy. Her jaw hit the ground.

  “Hi,” Parker greeted.

  “Oh my gosh, Parker Nichols… Are you lost?”

  “No, not lost. Lexi, right?”

  Her eyes bulged in disbelief. “Yeah, how do you know my name?”

  “Your brother Jackson said he had a sister named Lexi. I assumed you were her. Can I come in? I don’t want to draw any attention.”

  “Yes, of course.” She moved out of the doorway for him to enter the townhouse, then quickly closed the door behind him. Speechless and star-struck, she stared at him.

  “I’m a little concerned by your reaction that you weren’t expecting me. That would mean your mother isn’t expecting me either?” Parker furrowed his brow.

  “I don’t think she knows.”

  Just then the rumble of footsteps roared down the stairs. “Parker! Oh my gosh! Ricky, I told you he was coming,” Jackson yelled, “and you didn’t believe me.”

  “Hey Jackson, it’s great to finally meet you.” Parker put his hand out just as Jackson’s face fell. Parker followed his gaze to Marie, and their eyes connected.

  “Mom, don’t be angry,” Jackson pleaded, walking to her. He rubbed her arm up and down. “Please, Mom. I called him.” Her eyes were locked on Parker. “Mom…?”

  Marie took a deep breath. “Parker, it’s nice to see you. Please, come in.” However amicable it may have sounded, there was a serious, stern tone in her voice, the kind most mothers mastered.

  “I don’t understand what’s going on,” Lexi interrupted.

  “Parker’s my friend,” Jackson declared. Anyone could see how proud he was with a cheesy grin stretched across his face.

  “How? How would you meet Parker Nichols? You never go anywhere.” Her mouth gaped open, shocked by Jackson’s announcement.

  “Let’s move this onto the patio.” Marie managed to keep her face devoid of expression. Lexi nodded and ushered the boys along. When Marie turned to follow, Parker startled her by grabbing her hand. She stopped instantly. Slowly she turned to face him.

  “Marie, I’m sorry. When he invited me, he said it was okay with you.”

  Speechless, she looked down at his hand holding hers, as the fluttering began in her belly. He let go and her eyes traveled up to meet his. They were genuine…safe. All she could do was stare at him. He was in her house and knew her son… How?

  “Parker, I don’t understand how all this happened. I never expected to see you again. We’ll talk about this later. Right now, I have guests out on the patio. You’re welcome to stay sin
ce you’re apparently friends with my son.”

  “Marie, he said he got my number from your wallet. I was a little confused when he called.”

  Her mouth gaped open.

  “Yes, he called me, and I talked to him. I didn’t know you had a son, but once I knew, I couldn’t turn him away. He’s a great kid. Don’t be angry with him…or me.”

  Marie’s stomach was in knots. Parker Nichols…he was more handsome than she remembered, and his intense gaze sent a surge of desire through her, just like in her dreams. How could she be angry? “I’m not angry. I’m surprised…very surprised.”

  “I can see that. I brought you a bottle of Patrón.” He lifted the gift bag. “We could do a few shots to take the edge off.” He winked at her and flashed that sexy grin. “Or, I can leave if that’s what you want.”

  Why did he have to be a celebrity? Marie scanned her house—it was not worthy of a celebrity. Then she looked down at herself and cringed. Parker looked like a million-bucks, and she looked like she had been cleaning house in the grey cotton romper she was wearing. What could be done now when she was actually happy to see him? But here in her home… Roll with it, Marie.

  “Do you know how to work a gas grill?”

  He nodded and raised an eyebrow.

  “Good, because I don’t. In fact, I can’t even start the darn thing. So, I’m going to use you—to grill.” Her eyes smoldered up at him.

  “Use me. You have my permission.” Parker wasn’t joking and that made her feel tingly inside. “Now point me in the direction of the grill.” His warm, strong voice melted her like butter.

  “I’ll do better than that, and take you to it myself,” she said, taking hold of his hand. But she stopped again to look up at him. “Thank you for the tequila.”

  “You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me stay.” He stared at her…she could tell he wanted to kiss her, and the sparks she felt went off like fireworks.

  Once the excitement settled down from having a celebrity in the house, Marie put Parker to work. Whatever he asked for, she retrieved. They worked well together. In fact, she enjoyed assisting him. She relaxed as the awkwardness of having him in her home faded, and then she noticed Ann’s eagle eye on her. She knew she was analyzing their interaction. Every flirting look, whisper, and occasional touch between them was filed away in Ann’s brain. Her smug expression told Marie as much, in typical Ann fashion. Their chemistry wasn’t hard to miss even—Marie couldn’t deny it.