Quick Dirty Luck: A Love Between the Pages Novel

by Heather Guimond

  “I’m glad,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Alexis?”

  “Yes?” I asked, surprisingly eager to hear what he wanted to ask.

  “It’s nothing,” he finally said after a long pause. “I hope you have a good night.”

  “You too,” I said, ending the call. I didn’t know what he’d wanted to ask, but I found myself disappointed he hadn’t.

  Twenty-Four

  Kent

  At least three times a week, my brothers and sister made sure Alexis had an urgent issue to attend to. I would have had them keep her hopping daily, but my mom reminded me we didn’t want to overdo it and put her through unnecessary stress. It was hard, I loved hearing the reports from Jasper, Dustin, and Tallulah about her reactions to them. It wasn’t so much that I would laugh at her expense—though I certainly wasn’t above a little of that—the stories made me feel a connection to her I couldn’t yet have myself.

  After her first month at the Kingsley, she seemed to be in the swing of things. She and my mom often went out and played around the city, but they also spent real time in Alexis’ office with their heads together, working on the author guest panels and reader information seminars. From what I could gather, they’d scored some big-name writers to give lectures and Q&A sessions with the readers. Ticket sales soared higher as each new workshop was announced. Gage and Stacy had even volunteered to give their own talk about how they approached co-writing. It was sure to draw authors and readers alike.

  One afternoon, Tallulah was in my office, and we were trying to come up with some new scheme to keep Alexis from traveling back to Los Angeles for a few days. She needed to check in on her house and visit her doctor. I didn’t want her going to appointments without me. I desperately wanted to be a part of the pregnancy, to experience it all with her. Yet at every turn, she still shut me out.

  “I can’t come up with a single idea to keep her here,” Tallulah said. “I’ve claimed every emergency I can think of. From the décor front, I’m all tapped out. Every detail is handled. You’re going to have to get Dustin or Jasper to pitch this one.”

  I stood, my arms across my chest, chin in hand and began to pace behind my desk. There had to be a way to keep her even busier.

  “I’ll call Jasper. Maybe he can think of something to distract her. I do not want her going to any more appointments without me.”

  I heard a sound come from the doorway and looked up to find Alexis standing there, a manila folder in her hand and a look sharper than an executioner’s ax on her face.

  “What the fuck is going on here?” she hissed, eyes cutting back and forth between Tallulah and me. Ever the smart girl, Tallulah scooped up her large handbag and made a beeline for the door, squeezing past Alexis at great personal risk. She’d left me behind to do damage control on my own, but I had to at least acknowledge her balls for wading into the space where death was a clear danger.

  “Alexis…” I began, but she cut me off.

  “Do I understand this correctly? You’ve been creating all these emergencies just to keep me here?”

  “It’s not that simple,” I tried to explain even though it was indeed very much that simple.

  “This should be rich,” she said as she strolled further into the office and took a seat in one of the guest chairs. “Please enlighten me why you and your sister were plotting ways to make me miss my doctor’s appointment.”

  “Fine. I don’t want you going alone. This is my baby too. I’m tired of missing out on all these little things. God knows, you don’t even talk to me after the fact to let me even remotely share in the details.”

  “You never fucking asked!” she exploded, her words slicing into me one at a time. “If you wanted to come to a goddamned appointment, you should have said so. I tell everyone well ahead of time when I need to head back home. At any point, you could have come to me like a normal person rather than dream up some Machiavellian scheme to prevent me from going altogether!”

  “What am I supposed to do when every time I come within three feet of you, you start looking for the nearest escape route? Am I supposed to literally chase you down the fucking hallway? Maybe if, for once, you didn’t run away from me, we could work everything out!” I shouted right back, taking two steps toward her, not sure whether I wanted to throttle her or drag her to me and kiss her into submission.

  “Maybe you’re right, but now you’ve really fucked it up. Not only can I not trust you to be there for me in the end, I can’t trust you not to plot against me, you asshole!” She stood and hurled the folder she’d been holding at my face.

  That was all it took. I grabbed her by the shoulders and roughly pressed my lips to hers. Just as I was about to wrap my arms around her and deepen the kiss, she shoved me away roughly. I saw stars and felt the sting before I realized she’d punched me in the nose.

  “Don’t you ever put your mitts on me again, you shithead! I’d rather cut out my tongue than let you kiss me again.”

  I gave a loud shout of frustration, my hands gripping the sides of my head as she stomped out of the room. I thought for sure I’d tear my hair out with how hard I was pulling on the short strands while my nose felt like it was swelling three times its normal size.

  When my anger faded, it was replaced with panic like I’d never known. Had I fucked things up beyond repair? Was this a time I should chase her and try to make things better? I was far too angry and frustrated myself to try to have a conversation with her. She’d was irrational with this whole business about not being able to trust me to be there for her, but this time, she had good reason to be wary of me. I chose to use discretion and remained in my office for the rest of the day, an ice pack held to my poor abused nose.

  The next morning, Alexis was gone, and I had no idea if she was ever coming back. She hadn’t been scheduled to leave until the following week and didn’t mention a thing to anyone before she left. Panic swelled in my chest. I couldn’t lose what little hold I had left on her. Even if we could never be the family I dreamed of, I still needed to be a part of my child’s life.

  I was on tenterhooks for eight long days. After the first day, I’d broken down and started calling her, but every time I did, she sent my call to voicemail. I left message after message without a response.

  Finally, I went to the one person I knew had a chance to rescue my relationship with Alexis from the ashes—my mom.

  “I was just about to call you, you bonehead,” she said when she picked up the phone. “What the hell did you do to Alexis?”

  “Have you talked to her?” I asked in surprise. It really shouldn’t have been a shock to me, those two seemed to have become as close as any mother and daughter could be. I’d been happy for it, but at that particular moment, I was put out by the fact Alexis would apparently prefer to talk to my mom rather than me.

  “We had a short conversation. I hadn’t heard anything from her all week, so I finally called her. She didn’t say what happened, only she needed to go home to handle some personal business. I could tell she was upset though. Now, tell me exactly what happened.”

  “Alexis made an untimely visit to my office and overheard Tallulah and I planning to keep her from going to her next OB appointment. She’s beyond furious with me.”

  “Well, I can’t really blame her,” she sighed. “We got her to Las Vegas using questionable tactics. I don’t regret it for a moment, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think we’d have been able to reach her with the distance between us otherwise. However, no one likes to learn they’ve been manipulated by someone they love. In this case, several someones.”

  “She doesn’t suspect you,” I said. “Just me and your other kids.”

  “Why you and Tallulah weren’t having your conversation behind a closed door, I don’t know, but what’s done is done. Now, I have to figure out a way to get her back here.”

  “Do you think you can?” I asked miserably. “Moreover, do you think there’s any chance for her to forgive me now?” />
  “It might take a miracle, but I’m going to give it my best shot. If I’ve learned anything about Alexis, the direct approach is the best approach with her,” she said, her irritation with me still showing. “Give me her address. I’ll make a little uninvited visit. I’m pretty sure she won’t slam the door in my face.”

  “Thanks, Mom, that’s a great idea,” I said before looking up the information and rattling it off to her, then sighing in irritation at myself. “I’m thirty-five, and you’re still coming to my rescue.”

  “I love you, even if you are a moron. You come by it honestly though. Your father is one too, half the time.”

  “Then there’s hope for me yet since he still manages to hang on to you,” I said, unable to keep the smile from my face.

  “Well, like you, he has some very fine qualities that make the frustrations worthwhile. I’ll do what I can to smooth the road between you two.”

  After the call ended, I didn’t know what else to do, so I went down to visit Stan and his perfect vodka tonics.

  Twenty-Five

  Alexis

  I stubbed my toe as I hurried to answer my front door. Cursing loudly as I hopped on one foot—no mean feat when your body resembles a vertical Volkswagen Beetle—I opened the door to find Adele on the other side, a small suitcase in her hand. She smiled brilliantly before waltzing right past me into my house. I watched her in amazement—whether in awe over her confidence to just stroll right in uninvited or me not even thinking to prevent her from entering, I wasn’t sure.

  “Um, hi, Adele. What are you doing here?” I asked, limping toward her and guiding her to my living room.

  “I’m here to get you, of course,” she said, gracefully sitting down on my black, leather sofa.

  “So, Kent sent his mommy to do more of his dirty work?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and rolling my eyes.

  “Sit down, Alexis,” she said in a tone that reminded me of my own mother. I automatically obeyed, sinking into the matching leather recliner. She gave me a grateful smile before reaching out a hand and kindly placing it on my knee.

  “I know how manipulated you must feel by my children after learning they’ve been orchestrating these little emergencies to keep you in Las Vegas. I know I’d be ready to spit nails if I were you. But I want to talk to you, not as their mother, but as your friend.”

  “I really don’t know what you can say that’ll make a difference. Kent’s deceit just reinforced to me we’re bad for each other.”

  “You can look at it that way, or you can see it from his perspective. Alexis, he’s mad about you and is willing to go to great lengths to have you in his life, even preposterous ones. He loves you, and there’s nothing he won’t do to have you back even if he’s a little ruthless about it.”

  “A little? Adele, even you have to admit this little stunt is beyond the pale.”

  “It is, but I have to hand it to you too. You’re not an easy catch, that’s for sure.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, just this side of offended.

  “I see how you look at him. I’m sure you’ve been told before however you feel is written across your face, plain as day. When you see him, the last emotion you feel is hatred, yet you keep that boy at arm’s length.”

  “I never said I hated Kent, just that we’re not good together. Adele, you’ve only seen us with each other in the office when we’ve both had to be mindful about being professional. I steer well clear of him because we fight like animals.”

  “You’re both very passionate, outspoken people. Of course, you’ll clash swords frequently, and no doubt fiercely. But I don’t think that’s the real reason you stay away from him.”

  I wanted to get angry, to say she had no idea what I thought or felt, but Adele wasn’t wrong, and I wouldn’t lie to her. She’d been nothing but kind and welcoming, helpful with my work for Limitless. In addition, and most importantly, she’d become a mother figure to me as well.

  “I know I said I can’t trust him, but… the truth is, I can’t trust myself. I have a terrible track record with men. My judgment has never been sound. That’s why I’ve remained single. It’s much less complicated to live life on my own terms. Kent threatens all that.”

  “Why? Because he just might be the one man to prove you wrong? That maybe you can pick the good man, the right man for you?” she asked, sounding far too sensible to me. “In case you didn’t know, Kent also has a shitty history with his choice in women. Yet, there he is, willing to put his heart on the line for you. Don’t you think he’s scared too?”

  Adele paused for a moment, evaluating what to say next.

  “Alexis, I may not know you well yet, but I know you’re not a coward. You don’t have to fall into his arms and live happily ever after. All I’m here to do is ask you to come back to Las Vegas and finish your work there. You can demand Kent grovel—it wouldn’t be an unreasonable request, all things considered. If in the process, you two can at least come to a meeting of minds, I’d be elated. You’re carrying my grandchild, and whether either of you like it, you’ll be dealing with each other for the rest of your lives in one fashion or another. It would be nice to know when Christmas rolls around every year, we can all be together as a family, rather than just handing the child back and forth between parents.”

  I thought about her words and felt the riot of emotions tumbling around inside me. I was furious with Kent for what he did, but I couldn’t deny every time our baby kicked, my pull to him grew stronger. I’d already admitted I was more afraid of trusting myself than I was trusting him, so didn’t that make me a coward after all? I didn’t know what the right thing to do about Kent was, but I did know one thing—I had to go back to Las Vegas whether I wanted to or not. I wouldn’t find any answers hiding out at home.

  “I’ll come back with you, but if any ‘emergencies’ flare up, you’re going to have to be the one to deal with them,” I said, pointing a warning finger at her, knowing she knew exactly what I meant, but saying the words out loud, anyway. “By stringing your eldest up and coating him with tar and feathers.”

  “Oh, wouldn’t that be fun!” she said, laughing mischievously.

  Before Adele and I headed back to Las Vegas, we went to my monthly appointment with my obstetrician. I was going to have a detailed ultrasound and was beyond excited. I’d finally see my baby looking like a baby, rather than the little bean I had on the sonogram tucked away in a journal I kept.

  I’d asked Adele to come to the appointment with me since I knew she’d be just as excited to see her grandchild. A part of me yearned for Kent to be with me, to share the joy like typical expecting parents. I was still angry with him, so I stomped down on those feelings and refused to feel sorry for myself.

  Adele and I whispered to each other excitedly as the technician dimmed the lights and squeezed the gel she’d thoughtfully kept in a warmer to the side of the machine on my belly. As she placed the wand on my abdomen, my excitement grew to a fever pitch. Within seconds, the vision of a fully formed baby appeared on the screen. It was in 4D, so the image was very lifelike, and I was able to watch him or her move in real time. I was eager to know whether it was a boy or a girl, but the technician kept me hanging in suspense as she took measurement after measurement of the baby and everything else in my uterus. Finally, the big moment came.

  “Would you like to know the sex?” she asked, a happy look on her face. You could tell this was the part of her job she loved most.

  I opened my mouth and was surprised when the words fell out.

  “No, I think I’d like to wait. I want to be surprised.” That wasn’t at all what I’d planned, but in that split second, I knew I didn’t want to share that moment with anyone but Kent.

  Adele smiled broadly at me as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. I just smiled softly back, then waited for the assistant to finish her job.

  After my appointment, Adele and I went to a restaurant by the beach for lunch. It was a warm summer day, an
d the cool ocean breeze felt wonderful on my skin. We chose to sit on the outdoor patio, sipping iced tea as we waited for our salads.

  Our conversation centered on the baby, and I couldn’t help from gushing about how excited I’d become. I spoke of preparing the nursery, precious tiny baby clothes, and the research I’d done about caring for an infant and parenting in general. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of conflicting information out there and shared my concerns over doing everything just right.

  “You’re never going to get everything right, Alexis,” she said as she forked a mouthful of salad. She looked at me closely as she chewed, seeming to search for the right words. It wasn’t her style—usually what came up came out—so I waited patiently, knowing she was going to give me her best advice.

  “Parenting is very much trial and error. The basics—things like feeding, first aid, knowing when a problem is serious—you have your pediatrician and his or her advice to rely upon. For emergencies, real or imagined, the office is only a phone call away.

  “The other stuff—that’s more complicated. The good news is, the first half of their lives, it’s all about keeping them alive and safe while setting the foundation for them to become a good people by being one yourself.”

  I scoffed loudly as I loaded up my own fork with bits of Cobb salad.

  “I’m hardly the image of a role model, don’t you think?” I asked before stuffing my own mouth.

  “Why on earth wouldn’t you be? You’re honest, you work hard, have solid values, a great sense of humor, and a spirit of adventure. Those are all qualities I have, and I think I did pretty good with my kids.”

  “What about my hair-trigger temper? That can’t be good for a child.”

  “So? You have your asshole moments. Who doesn’t? I’m an asshole, and every single one of my kids is too. But in the time you’ve gotten to know us, would you say even one is a bad person?” she asked, looking at me pointedly. It wasn’t a challenge, it was a simple question with a very simple answer.