by Debra Druzy
But he couldn’t be his best when his ex-wife still managed to bring out his worst.
He stretched out on the couch, giving Lily a chance to fall asleep alone, as he’d have a hard time controlling his craving once he got under the covers with her. Sex wasn’t the way to prove his feelings, especially when Claudine was on both their minds. He wanted to make love when they could concentrate on nothing but each other.
Sometime during the night, he crawled into his bed, thrilled to find a warm bundle of Lily to curl up with on a cold night.
In the morning, the alarm clock’s incessant beeping jolted him to awareness, but he turned it off before she woke, wanting to laze little longer with her nestled against his chest.
Eventually, she showed some sign of life.
“What time is it?” She sat upright, scratching her wild hair.
He loved how she looked with sleep still fresh on her face. “Ten.”
“I thought I set the alarm for seven. I have to be at the shop at nine.”
“I’m pretty sure everything’s closed because of the snow.”
“If it’s open, then I have to go to work. How else can I afford to live in this lap of luxury?”
“Why dontcha just live in the luxury of my lap for a few more minutes?”
He maneuvered her into a spooning arrangement with his arousal throbbing in his sweatpants against the curve of her bottom. It was an impossible position to maintain without causing him agony, so he flipped her around as if her supine position would feel any better beneath him.
Kissing her from above, his hands moved below the blanket, hoping it would be enough to convince her to stay in bed all day.
She swatted him away, covering her mouth with her hands in playful protest. “Get away. I don’t want to share my morning dragon breath with you.”
“If you can’t share it with me, then who can you share it with?” He suckled her neck instead.
“You’re crazy.”
“You’re right. I’m crazy about you. I keep telling you that. When are you gonna believe me?”
Her house phone jangled, wrecking the moment.
“Probably bill collectors,” she grumbled, grabbing the handset off the nightstand to read the caller ID. “No—wait. It’s Bob. Good morning,” she sang. Giving Nick wide eyes, she shushed him with her finger to her lips. “I think Sophia’s right, you should stay home today. But, sure, if you want, I’ll go with you.”
“Tell him I’ll drive.”
****
Not even half-a-day after their love-fest weekend ended, and Lily missed Nick like mad.
Although Bob knew about her feelings for the firefighter, she wasn’t ready to give out the dirty details about their living arrangement just yet. The last thing she wanted was for Sophia to find out.
As expected, the shop was void of customers. Neighboring business owners who made it down Main Street were the only people to walk in, talking about the Nor’easter.
However, all Lily could think about was Nick. She might explode from keeping him all to herself, locked in her head. She couldn’t wait to get home, back to bed.
To kill time, Bob sat in his empty barber chair watching ESPN.
Lily stood by the door, admiring the world from behind the frosty glass, drawing hearts in the fog.
The sidewalks were a mess. Ankle-deep snow turned to slush under the afternoon sun. The roads were narrow yet passable. Snowdrifts the size of miniature mountains would last for days, if not weeks, so the mayor decided to cart as much as possible to the marina and dump it in the Long Island Sound.
Maybe it was the positive effects of falling in love, but aside from being slippery as all hell, life looked as glorious as a glitter-coated Christmas card. For the first time in a while, she was actually looking forward to the holiday now that she wouldn’t be alone.
Things with Nick felt so good. So right. It was hard to believe it could be true. He was an all-around amazing guy. Any girl would be lucky to catch his eye.
No wonder his ex-wife wouldn’t let go.
Lily had faith that his former relationship was a non-issue. Nevertheless, the more she thought about it, the more it bothered her. And the more it bothered her, the harder her blood boiled until it pounded in her ears.
To cool off, she grabbed her coat and ventured outside, expending some frustrated energy, pacing the clean portion of the sidewalk.
She trusted Nick. There was no reason to doubt him. Everyone has skeletons. Baggage. Issues. Remembering how empathic he’d been when she shared hers, she needed to extend the same respect.
With each step, she inched closer to Farley’s pharmacy next door, until she was standing inside.
After last night, so close to taking things to a deeper level, she realized they hadn’t even talked about protection. It wasn’t foolproof, as she’d learned the hard way. Still, it was a better idea to be prepared.
The array of condoms hung on end-cap in front of the register. She skimmed the selection from a safe distance to avoid looking obvious. She never bought them before. When she was with Mark, she didn’t have to. He handled it.
Itchy fingers were anxious to grab a box so she could get the hell out of here before someone noticed her. There were so many to choose from, she spot-checked the labels for comparison. For Her Pleasure was a popular theme. No doubt, Nick would supply all the pleasure she needed.
No matter how nonchalant she was, Lily couldn’t avoid the clerk’s watchful eye a few feet away. She grabbed the smallest box and camouflaged it with some decoy items—cinnamon gum, a word-search puzzle book, and a dark-chocolate bar.
The clerk gave Lily a curious look that prompted her to conjure a half-lie on the spot. “They’re for a friend.” She forked over a hundred-dollar bill and snatched the change and the paper bag before rushing back to the shop to hide her purchase in her backpack.
Within the hour, Sophia magically appeared after catching a ride into town with the son of one of the Ladies’. She sat behind the counter, snapping her gum, flipping through a magazine, while Bob concentrated on the television.
“You know, we could have done this from home.” Sophia scowled.
“Oh, shaddup already.” He waved his wife away. “You didn’t have to come.”
“I need to make sure you’re okay. My crazy husband had to come to work today. Tell me again, how you got here without your car?”
“Same as you—one of Chief Maresca’s guys,” Bob snapped. “Now be quiet so I can watch TV.”
“Ooh, really. Let me guess which one,” Sophia said smugly just as the telephone rang. “Hell-oo?” She sweetened her tone for the caller. “Is that so?” After a long stretch of silence, she hung up, cutting her eyes at Lily. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Headache,” Lily lied.
“So, is that why you went to the drug store? For aspirin?” Sophia glared.
Answerless, Lily returned the elder woman’s angry stare.
“A whore buys condoms, not a lady!”
Damn the clerk with the big mouth. “It’s none of your business. Besides, it’s not for me. It’s for a friend.”
“What friend? Who—that man? Rick? Vick? Whateverhisnameis? A decent man takes a lady on a respectable date, not straight to bed. Am I right, Bob?”
Lily was mortified.
“Leave her alone,” Bob said. “It’s not our business.”
“But she already agreed to meet my nephew. He’ll be here in a few weeks.”
“I didn’t agree to anything. You just presumed I needed a blind date.”
“That’s because Bruno’s a great catch. Nick’s no good for you. He’s a fireman. God, what would your mother say?”
“Enough already!” Lily grabbed her coat and bag.
“Where are you going?” Bob shouted over the shrill.
“Home!”
****
While Lily was at work, Nick stopped at the Everyday’s Christmas shop and bought enough decorations to cover the small
tree from the skirt to the star. He spent the rest of the day at the firehouse taking care of business.
Before it got dark, he swung by Bob’s to see if they were ready to go. As soon as he stepped in the door, his cell phone droned his ex-wife’s notorious ringtone; he cringed and dumped the call to voicemail. “I’m looking for Lily.”
Sophia stopped filing her nails and gave him a dirty look. “Oh, really?” She wobbled around the counter wagging her finger. “I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but whatever it is, I don’t like it. My nephew is perfect for her. He could be her golden ticket to a good life. He’s my first choice—”
“Then I’m glad it’s not your choice.”
“When she meets him, and he sweeps her off her feet, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The door jingled just in time.
“Hello, dear,” Sophia sang. “I was just telling Lily’s friend that she went home already.”
Bob stopped short as if he slammed into an invisible wall. Two Styrofoam cups slipped from his fingers and hit the linoleum floor.
“I’ll get the mop.” Sophia waddled to the backroom.
As Nick walked out, Bob grabbed his elbow.
“Hey, I don’t know what my wife may have said, but I know her opinions can be a little critical. Personally, I think you’re a decent guy. Why don’t you take Lily out to dinner, or a movie, some place nice, you know? This way she can tell Sophia. And Sophia will get off her back. Then everyone’ll be happy.”
He felt a little better with Bob’s support.
With all the inference from Sophia and Claudine, Nick was lucky Lily was still interested. This relationship was already like walking on black ice; he didn’t need these opposing forces working any harder against his sincere effort.
Before he walked in the house, he remembered to put his phone on vibrate.
“God, I’m so glad you’re home. What a terrible day!” With a freshly scrubbed faced and damp hair, wearing purple fleece pajamas, she looked like a teenager ready for a sleepover party. “I’m sorry I didn’t call to tell you I left early. I just needed to cool off, so I walked.”
Playing dumb, he asked, “Why, something happen at the shop?”
Lily tossed a tiny box; he caught it and read the label. Condoms, huh? Nick cleared his throat and shifted his stance to adjust the excitement in his pants.
Sophia’s onslaught made better sense now, and Bob’s recommendation rang in his head like a fire alarm.
“Get dressed, sugar, I’m taking you out tonight.”
Chapter Fifteen
After all these years of enjoying the Christmas splendor from the outside, Lily finally saw the inside of the Scenic View Inn.
It was more spectacular than she imagined with the twenty-foot tree in the center of the lobby, adorned with nautical-themed ornaments. Hundreds of crystal snowflakes dangled from the stained-glass cathedral ceiling. Oversized poinsettias flanked the mahogany reception counter. Corner to corner, green garland, red bows, and tiny white lights covered every wall and window.
The place was a whimsical vision, professionally decorated by Everyday’s Christmas as per the little posted sign.
It truly was the best place for a real first date.
Nick’s jeans and flannel shirt didn’t meet the dress code, so the hostess recommended the lounge instead. Lily preferred the dark, cozy ambience anyway.
It was too cold for the skimpy green dress tonight, so she wore a black tracksuit. Next time he wanted to take her out, he needed to give her more than five seconds to get ready. If she had it her way, she’d be home, in pajamas, under the covers, curled in his arms.
At a table for two, Nick held Lily’s hands, running his thumb over her knuckles, not taking his eyes off hers. “So, what about dessert?”
After devouring a basket of fresh rosemary bread, followed by the chateaubriand with mushrooms and roasted potatoes, Lily couldn’t eat another bite.
“Nothing for me.”
“Just order something. Anything. It’s our first official date. Let’s go all the way. How about ice cream?” Candlelight shimmered in Nick’s hopeful eyes.
“Fine.”
“Bring us something special,” he said to the waitress.
“So…what else did Sophia say?” she probed. He was such a vault, downplaying the details regarding the conversation that sparked the urgency for this unscheduled date.
“Not much.” He gave a slight shrug then sipped his seltzer.
“Well, I’ll be sure to tell her all about it tomorrow morning.” She twirled the ice in her cherry soda with the straw.
“Make sure you show her the receipt if she wants proof.” He winked. “But the Barbieris are right—you deserve to be treated like a lady.”
A salad bowl-sized sundae arrived with two long-handled spoons.
“A lady doesn’t need twelve scoops of ice cream.”
Nick dug in first. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
“My hero,” Lily teased, shoveling a fluffy mound whipped cream covered with rainbow sprinkles into her mouth.
The sundae didn’t stand a chance. They annihilated it while talking about Nick’s past and their future.
“So, your grandmother raised you?”
“I never knew my dad. I don’t even think my mother knew him beyond that one night. She tried doing it as a single parent, but it was a struggle. Eventually, she met some guy. They fell in love and wanted to get married, start a life together—a life that didn’t include kids. I guess that’s why I want my own. I think I’d be a great father.”
Lily nodded. “I think so, too.”
“Really? You do?”
“Of course. You’re a great…guy. I’m sure you’d be an excellent dad.”
“What about a husband? That’s an important component to get from point A to point B, dontcha think?”
“We’ve only known each other two months. Aren’t we moving a little fast?”
“Maybe. But it feels right, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but…”
“But, what? I’m thirty-six and all grown up,” he said with a dab of strawberry ice cream on his chin. “I’m ready now. For marriage. Kids. The works. I’m just waiting on you.” He took another mouthful and stared at her with earnest eyes, as if he was waiting for an answer to an unasked question.
It was impossible to hide the smirk no matter how hard she tried. “Nick.”
“I know. I know. You’re not sure about kids.”
“Never mind what I said before.” Lily waved the words away. “I’d love to make a baby with you…one day.”
“I’m not even going to ask if you’re sure. I’m gonna take your word for it.”
Lily envisioned their best qualities combined to make a new little person. There was no doubt Nick was the only man for her. “I like you better than most people I’ve known my whole life.” The words fell from of her lips as natural as rain.
“I know exactly how you feel.”
“Where’s your grandmother now?”
The light in his bright eyes dimmed. “She passed away when I was in the Marines.”
“I’m sorry.” She bit back a tear for the broken-hearted little boy inside this virile man.
“Grandma Dorothy would have loved you.”
“I wish I could have met her.”
“She was a spunky little lady. And a great cook. I know all her recipes.” Nick tapped his finger against his skull.
“You oughta write them down.”
“You’re right. I will. Someday.”
“So, how’d you meet Tristan?”
“He lived next door to Grandma.”
“You’ve been best friends for a long time.”
“More like brothers. He’s a cop in Star Harbor. He and I do carpentry on the side. As kids, we constructed this incredible fort in his backyard from stuff we stole from the neighborhood. I helped him build the nursery for his daughter. It came out amazing. I got pictures...”
He pulled out his Smartphone and swiped the screen. “Wait I missed a bunch of calls. Speaking of Tristan…” He stood, staring at the device like it was a lifeline. “It might be something important. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m going to use the ladies’ room.” Lily went with him to the lobby before heading in separate directions after a parting kiss.
The bathroom was the size of her whole bungalow and elegant like the lobby with the same touch of holiday flair. A marble partition separated the toilet stalls from the sinks and mirrors. Soft piped-in music played a piano rendition of Jingle Bells. There was even a sofa and a baby changing station.
She aimed for the vanity counter to check her reflection for any remnants of hot fudge.
Despite her best effort to mind her business, it was impossible to tune out the calamity from one of the stalls—a bawling baby, and a mother begging it to stop.
“I’ll find it. Or I’ll get you a new one. Just stop crying already! Please!” The mother’s frustration echoed in the confined space. Then the stall door flung open, and she rushed out of the restroom with the child in her arms.
Lily stepped out a moment later.
On the way to the lounge, she spied a tattered scrap of pink fabric and picked it up—no doubt, that baby’s blanket. The woman was nowhere in sight, so Lily gave it to an employee in case someone came looking for it.
By the time she got back to the table, Nick was already there with a pensive look on his pale face. “Everything okay?”
“Not really.”
****
As soon as Lily mentioned the baby and mother in the bathroom, Nick knew exactly who it was. He called Tristan on the spot to give him the update. Then he grabbed her arm after slapping a couple of hundred dollar bills on the table.
“Where’d you see ’em?” His eyes scanned every face.
“In the bathroom. But they left ahead of me. I don’t know which way they went.”
“Where was the blanket?”
“There.” She pointed to the wall, near a coffee table with a plate of complimentary cookies, beside a heavy leather chair.
There was no other evidence that Nicole and Claudine might be here. Just Lily’s observation of two platinum blondes and a pink baby blanket. “Are you sure the blanket had lambs on it?”
