His lead is strong. Confident. I follow him with ease, knowing just when he’s going to spin me. It’s slow and perfect. I don’t miss a step. Our eyes meet, and as he draws me back into him, we resume our body-to-body position. How I love being in his arms! Holding him tight!
My eyes closed, I soak in the lyrics. When we got married at the Vegas chapel, they were almost a joke. The cynic in me figured the Elvis impersonator preacher sung this song at every wedding ceremony he performed. It was his routine. I was just happy to be married to the man I loved.
But now, they mean something way deeper. The implication of endless love no matter what happens. An undying love that transcends the passage of time.
As the song comes to an end, Finn sings, his husky voice harmonizing with the duo. Oh so tenderly!
“For my darling, I love you . . . ”
And I always will.
I, Finn Hooker, take thee, Skylar Collins, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
I hold Scarlet closer to me. Feel her heartbeat.
Love doesn’t die.
CHAPTER 41
Three p.m. Heading home. By the time we reach the freeway, Maddie is fast asleep in her car seat, my now five-year-old wiped out from the day’s non-stop activities. I glimpse her in the rearview mirror. How angelic my little girl looks! Her head slumped, her rosebud lips slightly parted, her cheeks brushing against her plush kangaroo, which serves as a makeshift pillow.
Without me asking, Scarlet reaches behind and manages to throw a blanket over my daughter.
“Thanks,” I say appreciatively.
“Sure.” Facing forward, she quirks a fleeting smile as Springsteen’s “Two Hearts” plays softly on the stereo.
We spend the rest of the trip steeped in silence. My companion keeps her head angled toward the window, looking like she’s more in deep thought than taking in the scenery. I sneak a peek at her, marveling at the planes of her exquisite profile—that chiseled nose, her high cheekbones, and those long-lashed eyes.
I’m undeniably attracted to this woman. She does things to me—things I have no control over. When we pressed cider together, my cock rubbed against her backside and I got a raging hard-on. And I think she knew it from the wry expression on her face. Then we danced. I loved holding her lithe body against mine as we swayed to the Elvis song that once belonged to my wife and me. It felt natural, so real. She followed my lead as if she’d danced with me a hundred times before. If Maddie hadn’t been watching us, I would have gripped her ass and kissed her everywhere I could. How much I longed to press my lips against hers when the song ended as she stood there staring at me, her eyes glazed, her lips slightly parted, like an open invitation.
But it’s way more than just physical. I had the most fun I’ve had in ages with her. And when Kayla had to leave after her mishap, things got even better. She made me laugh during all those kid-friendly activities. And made me smile with how loving she was with my daughter. They’ve taken to each other like bread and butter. I, too, feel so at ease with her. As I cruise up the 10, I reflect on our intimate conversation, my willingness to open up to her about my late wife and the unsettling secret I’ve harbored. She listened, asked questions, and not once did she judge me. In fact, she made me feel like I’ve been needlessly beating myself up. Blaming myself for things in the past that maybe I shouldn’t. Two broken hearts, two adults who have committed mistakes and made wrong choices, we have a lot in common. There’s more than just her hypnotic eyes that reminds me of my late wife, and perhaps that’s even more reason why I feel the way I do about her.
Scarlet is nothing like Kayla. Just the thought of my fiancée knots my stomach. It was a bad idea to bring her along. What the fuck was I thinking? Her idea of an outdoor adventure is flying first class to Paris and staying at The Ritz or sailing on Sheldon’s superyacht and getting high on coke. To be honest, I was glad she twisted her ankle and had to leave. I didn’t miss her one frickin’ bit. Nor did my daughter. In fact, Maddie’s aversion to Kayla may be greater than Kayla’s to her. No matter how much I’ve tried, it’s just not working. Seeing Scarlet around my daughter has made me have second thoughts. Realize that Kayla is all wrong. With her substance abuse, sailor mouth, and party-girl ways, she’s unfit to be a mother. Why didn’t I see these warning signs earlier? Was I too blinded by her beauty? Too eager for fame and fortune? Too desperate to find a new woman to mother my daughter?
Twisting my lips, I ponder—what the hell am I going to do? With my upcoming one-man show and engagement to Kayla the buzz of the art world, things are so damn complicated. Should I break up with her? Destroy my career? There’s no doubt in my mind that if I leave her, she will do everything in her power to bring me down. With all her faults, Kayla is a force to be reckoned with. She gets what she wants when she wants it. If she wants to see me fail, it will happen. Everything I’ve struggled for will—Snap!—disappear.
I glance again at my sleeping beauty in the back seat through the rearview mirror and can’t help smiling. Success has given me financial security and artistic validity, but it hasn’t given me joy. J-O-Y, that simple three letter word . . . something my daughter gives me daily in big doses. Something I experienced today with Scarlet. My emotions spinning like a top, my vision shifts once more to my stunning, pensive companion, her eyes still glued to the window. What is she thinking about? Our day? My Maddie? Maybe me? I wonder if she feels all the things I feel. Is she as attracted to me as much as I am to her? Her aloofness offers no insight. It’s time to break the silence between us.
“Hey, Scarlet, are you okay?”
With a slow turn of her head, she meets my gaze. Her expression borders on forlorn. Her eyes are watery, as if she’s been crying.
Before she can utter a word, my cell phone chirps my Bluetooth. Shit! I should have muted the damn thing. It beeps again and my chest tightens like a fist as I glance at the caller ID. Crap. Kayla. I attempt to reject the call, but accidentally answer it instead.
“Kayla, what’s up?” My tone is curt. From the corner of my eye, I see Scarlet tense up.
“Where the hell are you?” barks the voice on the other end.
Thank God, Maddie is still out like a light. Not wanting to wake her up, I fumble for my earbuds and put them on, thinking how I need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with my fiancée about her crass language. Maybe, it’ll segue into a breakup.
“We’re driving back,” I reply. “We should be in LA in about an hour if we don’t hit traffic. Where are you?”
“I’m still in the fucking emergency room.”
“Is everything okay?”
“No!”
Despite myself, an alarm button sounds in my head. “What’s wrong?”
“I pulled some ligaments.”
A sprinkle of relief. It could have been a hell of a lot worse—like some kind of head injury.
“I’m glad it’s only that.”
Her voice rises with fury. “What!? Are you kidding me? I have to wear this absolutely hideous black boot and I may need crutches!”
My empathy level is low. Make that zilch.
“I need you to pick me up and take me home.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
She shrieks. “What do you mean by . . . I. Don’t. Know. If. I. Can?”
Despite her outburst, I maintain my cool. “It’s Maddie’s birthday. I have a little party planned for her tonight.” The words “that you’re invited to” never leave my mouth.
“Scrap the stupid party! She’ll have another birthday! I need you to keep my foot elevated and iced!”
There’s no reasoning with this woman. I blow out a huff of air, not caring if she can hear it.
“Phineas, are you there?” Her voice grows louder and angrier. “Answer me for God’s sake!”
Several beats of silence prevail while Scarlet slips ou
t a small black spiral notebook from her backpack along with a pen. It reminds me of the notebooks my late wife Skye always carried with her. She opens the pad and scribbles something down. Then, tears out the page and hands it to me.
Pinning it against the steering wheel, I read it.
Tell her to go screw herself.
I meet Scarlet’s twinkling eyes. Mine smile with hers.
Next line: Then tell her to take an Uber. She’ll live.
As I read it, Kayla’s seething voice again pierces my ears.
“Phineas, what the fuck is going on? Can you hear me?”
“Yes, but barely,” I lie. “You’re breaking up. The traffic’s insane so you should probably Uber home.”
“What the—” she yells.
I cut her off. “Sorry Kayla, I can’t hear you. I’ll call you later.” And with that I end the call, promising myself I won’t pick up if she calls again, which is a given.
And sure enough she does.
“Finn, are you going to answer your phone?” asks Scarlet.
“No, I’m going to turn it off,” I reply to the bold, sensuous woman, who’s turning me on. My cock flexes. As I press down on the off button, a groggy little voice from the back seat slips into my ears.
“Daddy, are we almost home?”
“Soon, baby girl.”
Thirty minutes later, we reach LA and sail through Santa Monica. As we approach Malibu, the 10 Freeway becomes the Pacific Coast Highway. The sun, a red ball of fire, is beginning its descent into the ocean. The familiar landscape excites Maddie.
“Hooray! We’re almost home!”
“Are you ready for your birthday party?”
“Yup! Scarlet, are we still going to bake an apple pie and put candles into it?”
“Of course!”
My heart is melting. All this sweetness and love.
CHAPTER 42
Rosita, back at the house to celebrate Maddie’s birthday, gathers plates and utensils from the kitchen cabinets as well as a quart of vanilla ice cream from the freezer while I open the oven door to check on the apple pie I made with Maddie.
“Gracias, Rosita.” I thank her.
“De nada. You are a very good woman for Señor Jackson and Maddie. Señorita Phillips—she makes a face of disgust—muy mala! Perra!”
I silently laugh. She just called Kayla a bitch! Putting everything on a tray, she heads to the great room for the final leg of Maddie’s birthday celebration. Warm apple pie with ice cream and the opening of presents.
I poke my head inside the oven. Mmm. The pie looks perfect. The crust high and golden, glistening with a fairy-dust layer of sugar. With a pair of potholders, I slide it out and carefully set it on the counter next to the box of candles.
I turn off the oven and admire our creation. It was so fun making the pie with Maddie. We followed a recipe we found online. The perfect mother-daughter activity.
This whole day has been perfect—well, almost. Kayla was the only blemish, but thankfully fate took care of her. I had an amazing time with both my daughter and husband. Dreamily, I relive our picnic. Finn opened his heart to me. And when he held me in his arms, dancing barefoot on the grass, I don’t think I’d ever felt closer to him in my entire life. I sense tension between him and Kayla, but I’ve got to keep my optimism guarded because there’s a lot at stake. My past. His future. I haven’t contemplated my next move and the cunning witch can easily outsmart me. I’m just going to listen to Sister Marie. Be myself. And hope that Finn will fall in love with me again.
With a sigh of longing, I open the box of multicolor candles and slip out a pink one. Holding it between my fingers, I suddenly realize that this is the first birthday I’m sharing with my little girl. While a wave of sadness sweeps over me thinking about all the others I’ve missed, I brighten at the thought of sharing this one with her and Finn. For me it’s a milestone. And in my heart of hearts, I hope there will be many more.
Heading to the great room, the pie lit up with six flickering candles (one for good luck), I begin to sing “Happy Birthday.” Rosita and Finn join in, my husband harmonizing with his sexy voice that rivals Springsteen’s. Maddie’s face lights up with a smile as bright as the sun.
“Happy Birthday, sweetie.” I set the pie on the coffee table. “Now, you’ve got to make a wish and blow out the candles.”
Her sparkling eyes dart from me to Finn and then back to me, taking on a glint of mischief. “Okie dokie, I’ve got one.” Moving closer to the pie, she inhales a deep breath and then exhales, managing to blow out all the candles in a single sweep.
Cheers and claps all around.
While I slice a piece of pie for each of us with Rosita doling out scoops of the ice cream, Maddie’s eyes flit to the chair where her presents are stacked.
“Can I open my presents now, Daddy?”
Finn smiles. “Be my guest, sunshine.”
Jumping up from the couch, she waltzes over to the chair and selects a small box wrapped in colorful striped paper.
“Es el mío, mi chiquita!” Rosita smiles brightly. The love she has for my little girl warms my heart.
Excitedly, Maddie opens the present. It’s a charming music box. Maddie winds it up—the “Mexican Hat Dance” plays as multi-ethnic children in sombreros circle around.
“Me gusta mucho, Rosita!” She runs over to hug the beaming woman. “Gracias!”
Grabbing Kangy, she prances back to the chair and goes for one of mine. My stomach flutters. I hope she likes it. My eyes fix on her as she opens the card attached to the small pink gift bag. On the front is a cute illustration of a kangaroo. She reads it aloud.
“Hoppy Birthday!” She flips it open and the kangaroo now with a joey in her pouch pops up. Giggling, Maddie continues reading. “My Sweetest Girl~ May all your dreams hop right into your lap! Happy Birthday! Love and kisses~Scarlet.”
How much I wanted to sign it “Mommy.” Maybe, next birthday I will. My gaze stays glued on her as she removes the tissue paper and reaches into the bag. Gasping, she stares at the tiny kangaroo in her hand.
“Oh my gosh! It’s Kangy’s baby, Joey. She’s back!” Breaking into a megawatt smile, she cuddles the adorable beany toy and then tucks it into Kangy’s pouch. It fits perfectly.
I smile. “See, I told you Kangy would find her baby!”
Clutching her treasured stuffed animal with its newfound baby, Maddie runs over to me and gives me a big hug. “Oh, Scarlet!! Kangy is so happy! Me too! Thank you!”
My daughter’s glee makes my heart swell with joy. “I have another present for you.”
Her eyes bounce back to the chair. She gazes at the large box that’s wrapped with a whimsical Paris-themed paper I found online. “I thought that was from my daddy.”
“No,” says Finn. “I have something else for you.” He juts his strong chin. “Go open it, baby.”
Wasting no time, Maddie hurries back to the chair. She opens the card, which depicts her favorite storybook character Madeline holding a suitcase, and reads what’s on the inside. With a perfect French accent.
“Ma plus chère Madeline~
J’espère que tu vas porter ma surprise à Paris l’année prochaine avec ton papa et moi.
Mille bisous~ Scarlet”
“What does it say?” asks Finn, impressed by her ability to read and speak beautiful French.
“Daddy, it says: I hope you’ll wear my surprise next year in Paris with your daddy and me . . . A million kisses.”
An awed smile lights Finn’s face as Maddie eagerly tears off the paper and opens the box. Unfolding the delicate layers of tissue paper, she beholds my surprise—a last minute Etsy purchase that I couldn’t resist. Her eyes grow round as saucers and her jaw drops to the floor.
“Mon Dieu! It’s an outfit just like the one Madeline wears in the books.” She holds up the royal blue coat and then the wide-brimmed yellow hat.
“Scarlet, can I put them on?”
“Of course, my sweet girl!” I w
atch as she shimmies into the coat and slips on the hat. Though the coat’s a little big for my petite girl, she looks totally adorable in it. My Madeline.
“Come over here, sweetie. I’ll button it for you.” With a cheek-splitting grin, she skips over to me and I help her with the buttons. Then, I tie the red bow that accents the white collar.
She looks up at Finn. “Daddy, do you like it?”
“I love it.” He shoots me a dazzling, dimpled smile that makes my heart melt. “C’mon, sunshine. You’re dressed perfectly to go outside.”
“Outside?”
“Yes, that’s where my present is.”
Exchanging a conspiratorial wink with Finn, Rosita offers to clean up.
Perplexed, Maddie and I follow Finn outdoors. He leads us down to the beach. And there it is shimmering in the moonlight. I gasp.
A magnificent white stallion that’s been made up to look like a magical unicorn—complete with a sparkling pink mane and tail and a rainbow cone—just like the one I drew. Maddie must have shown him the picture. I don’t know how my gorgeous husband pulled this off. He never ceases to amaze me. My heart is overflowing with emotion. And love.
My little girl is as blown away as I am. “Daddy, it’s a unicorn!”
“Uh-huh. He’s come for your special day. Tomorrow, he will return to his kingdom.”
“Can I pet him?”
“Of course.” Finn lifts her up and she gently strokes his neck.
“Daddy, he’s so sweet and beautiful. Scarlet told me unicorns are magic!”
“They are. Come on, let’s go for a ride.” He sets her on the sequined blanket draping the horse’s back and then takes the reign, slowly leading the noble creature along the beach with me by his side. He takes my hand in his, every cell in my body lighting up like the stars above us.
Together, we stroll along the black as night ocean to the lull of the white-crested waves softly ebbing and flowing beneath the celestial sky. The silver moon is full, smiling down upon us.
Remember Me Page 19
