Facade (15 page)

There’s a small platform at the front of the banquet room.  I’m not sure if everyone knows why we’re all here, but this is going to get good.  Mira takes her spot beside Skylar on the stage and all eyes are on the couple of the evening.

“Thank you guys so much for coming.  We’re so happy that so many of you came out to hear our announcement,” Skylar says.

“Hey stranger,” Danny whispers, sneaking up behind me and kissing my cheek.
  “What did I miss?”

“Nothing much yet.
  This is my boyfriend Jacoby.  Jacoby, this is Danny.  Mira’s ex … Well shit, what do I call you?” 

“We’ve met, Kylee.  And you can call me your friend,” Danny softly chuckles.

“Where’s Melissa?”  Danny’s face twists and he shakes his head telling me ‘not now’.

Mira clears her throat behind the microphone and all of our eyes turn back to face them.

“Skylar and I are really excited to tell you guys about our plans and we hope that you’ll be happy for us.  A few weeks ago, Skylar proposed to me, and, well, I said yes!” Mira squeals, throwing her left hand in the air, showing off her gorgeous ring.

From behind me, I hear Danny suck in a large breath of air, hissing out through his teeth.  I’m not sure anyone else notices the climate change from our area of the room, but it’s turned ice cold.

“I’m going to get a drink.  You guys want anything?” Danny asks, turning to head to the bar.

“I’ll come with you.” I kiss Jacoby on the cheek.   “Something’s wrong with him, I’ll be right back,” I whisper in his ear. 

A roar of clapping, hooting and hollering gets quieter as I approach the bar where Danny’s slumped over a stool.  I didn’t give much thought to how he would take this sudden news, and my heart breaks for the guy.  He’s been in love with Mira since the second he saw her.

“Danny,” I say, sitting in the stool next to him.  He looks at me and he’s clearly choking back tears. 
This poor guy.

“I’m good, Ky.  Go on back, I’ll be right there.”  He quickly turns his head back to the bartender and orders a beer.  I catch the bartender’s attention, adding a
nother beer to Danny’s order, preparing to wait with him until he’s composed enough to go back in.

“Talk to me,” I plead.

“I fucked up, Ky.  I fucked up so bad.”  Danny shakes his head, passing the bartender a twenty, paying for our beers.

“What do you mean? 
With Mira?”

“Yeah,” he says, taking a swig of his drink.  “I shouldn’t have let her go.  I thought I was doing the right thing, giving her a way out.  Skylar’s like a brother to me, but I never thought they would make it, let alone get engaged.”  Danny takes another long pull from the bottle.

“This has to be hard, but you’re right, you let her go. 
You
broke up with
her
.”  I’m trying to wrap my head around all of this.  This is why relationships are more trouble than they’re worth.  Danny’s an excellent guy and he’s hurting because he put Mira’s feelings ahead of his own.  “Where’s Melissa?”

“We broke up a month ago.  When Mira was in the hospital, I thought she wasn’t ever going to come back to us.  Melissa was a good distraction from the pain I was feeling, and I think I was for her, too.  Once we got together, it just wasn’t the same.  I liked her a lot, but nowhere
near the way I liked Mira.  Melissa was an infatuation, Mira was my first love. 
Is
my first love.  My only love.”

Mother fucker, this is going to be bad before it gets good. 

“Okay, this isn’t good.  Mira’s with Skylar now, they’re engaged and she’s so happy.  You can’t do anything to mess with that.  Promise me, Danny.  Promise you won’t do anything stupid.”  I grab his face, forcing him to look at me and acknowledge what I’m saying.

“You have a boyfriend now.  What would you do if you fucked up?  If there was the slightest chance that you could get him back, what would you do?”  I know exactly what I would do.  It’s not hard to think of those kinds of situations, as
there have been so many, but Jacoby’s always fought for me.  If I were in a position to fight for him, I would do so,
tooth and nail
.

“I know,” I concede.  There’s nothing
more I can do if he won’t listen to me, and I simply have no argument to his last point.

Danny orders another beer and downs it in a matter of minutes; I’m still nursing mine.  I see Jacoby walking toward the bar with a smile on his face and I can’t help but reciprocate. 

“I’m gonna get out of here.  Tell Mira I’ll call her next week or something.”  Danny stands, shakes Jacoby’s hand and is out the door.

“What was all that about?”
Jacoby questions.

“He’s gonna try to win her back.  Fuck.”

My best friend is in for a world of trouble and she doesn’t even know it.  Looking at her standing with Skylar, hugging friends and family, she has no idea what’s going to happen if Danny doesn’t get his head on straight.

Skylar might just kill him.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kylee

“What time will Dawn and Shelby be here?” I ask in a frantic dash, preparing the house for Jacoby’s ex and daughter to arrive.

“Within the hour.
  You don’t have to freak out, okay?  The house doesn’t need to be spotless, I swear nobody’s going to judge you,” Jacoby reassures me, kissing my forehead, lingering longer than usual.

“I just want everything to be perfect.  What will Dawn think about the house being a wreck when she drops off Shelby?  I can’t have her thinking I’m some slob who’s going to rub off on her daughter.”  My heart’s racing, palms sweating and my brain’s running a million miles per minute. 

I’m not sure if I’m more nervous to meet Jacoby’s daughter or his ex, maybe a combination of both, but I’m freaking out.  I’m sure he’s told Dawn about me, but still, walking into a house where your ex and his new girlfriend live to drop off your daughter for a week.  I’d have my claws out, ready for battle.

“First, the house isn’t anywhere near a wreck.  Second, if it was, oh fucking well.  Third, you’re not in competition with Dawn.  Finally, fourth, please breathe, Red.  Everything is going to be fine.  Shelby is going to love you and Dawn will too, because I love you.”  There he goes
again; calming me down when I don’t think it’s humanly possible.

“I love you, too,” I say, leaning into his touch. 

I’ve never really been around kids, so I’m not sure exactly how to act or what to be prepared for when Shelby gets here.  My heart’s stopped racing, but my palms are sweaty as ever.  Shaking my hands, trying to dry them off, I do a once over of the house, making sure it looks as presentable as possible.

The sound of two car doors shutting in the driveway breaks my trance and I’m still not calm.  Not even a little bit.  When the knocking starts, Jacoby rushes to the door, obviously excited to see his daughter, flings it open and embraces the most adorable little human I’ve ever seen.

“Look at my princess.  You’re at least a foot taller,” Jacoby says, pulling her back and eyeing her from head to toe.

“I’m not that big yet, Daddy.  Mama says if I keep eating all my vegetables, I’ll be big and strong one day.  I just hope I’ll be strong enough to beat up boys.”

I can’t help but giggle, staring at this miniature version of Jacoby, except for her almost white, blonde hair and big blue eyes the size of saucers.  The single dimple on her left cheek is large enough to fit a quarter inside.  Everything else is strictly Jacoby.  I’m wondering where she got the hair and eyes from when in walks the most gorgeous, supermodel-stunning woman I’ve ever seen.

“You must be Kylee,” she says, walking into the living room and pulling me in for a hug. 
Awkward.

“Dawn, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” I say, returning the embrace.  Could I sound any more like my mother?

An older man walks through the door, carrying a suitcase which I assume is Shelby’s, and sits it in the foyer.  He walks over to Jacoby, shaking his hand and patting Shelby on her head.

“Kylee, this is Michael, Dawn’s husband.  Michael, my girlfriend, Kylee,” Jacoby says, catching me by surprise.  Dawn really doesn’t have any feelings left for Jacoby, other than the shared love for their daughter.  A wave of relief hits me and I suddenly feel lighter than air. 

I walk over to Michael and engage in some small talk until Dawn announces they have to get going.  Something about she’s going to see her college friends while she’s in town.  With a quick kiss and longer hug to Shelby, she’s out the door.

“Shelby Marie Roberts, get your little butt over here and give me some love,” Jacoby bellows, chasing down Shelby
who’s running up the stairs.

A few squeals and giggles
later, I know she’s been caught by the Daddy Monster.  I decide to throw something together for lunch and let those two get reacquainted.  Looking at the prepared meals from the housekeeper, I don’t find anything that’s kid friendly.  I want to get off on the right foot.  Nothing would suck more than her hating me because I try to feed her veal. 
Who am I kidding?  At twenty-three, I still won’t eat veal.

In the freezer, I find a box of chicken nuggets and a bag of French fries. 
Score.  Insta-kid food.
  I preheat the oven, put this afternoon’s delicacies on cookie sheets and pick up a magazine I left on the counter earlier this morning.

How to Tell If He’s the O
ne.
  This seems interesting enough to read through.

Question one – Does your heart skip a beat when he’s near? 
Check.

Question two – Do you miss him when he’s gone? 
Check.

Question three – Is he an attentive lover? 
Check this fucker twice.

Question four – Can you see yourself marrying him?
Check.
 

Holy shit, I can see myself marrying Jacoby.
  Now, all I can picture is me in a fitted white gown with a train a mile long, Mira in some God awful colored dress walking ahead of me down an aisle and then Jacoby standing at the front of a church, in a tux, smiling, knowing I’m all his.  Forever.

I barely register Jacoby galloping into the kitchen with Shelby on his back.  I drop the magazine on the counter, put the cookie sheets in the oven and pull a few juice pouch
es from the fridge.

“Would you like some juice, Shelby?”  Shelby eyes me suspiciously, like she’s watched too many cartoons about evil step mothers. 
I’m not her step-mother.

“Yep.”
She takes the juice pouch from me and hands it to Jacoby to open. 

“What do you say to Kylee?” Jacoby asks, while fidgeting with the little straw that never goes into the foiled top the way it should.  Getting frustrated, he turns the juice pouch over and stabs the bottom. 

“Thank you,” Shelby whispers.

“You’re very welcome.” 

Since we’re not getting off on the right foot, I really hope the chicken nuggets will inspire this ice child to melt and let me in. 

When the timer goes off, I pull the food from the oven and S
helby’s eyes light up like the Fourth of July.  Knowing I have this little girl right where I want her, I take my time plating the nuggets and fries.  I slowly go to the fridge, pulling out the ketchup.  Impatient Little Miss climbs up onto her own stool, looking angelic. 

We’re gonna have our hands full with this one in ten years.  Shit.
  I keep getting ahead of myself thinking of a future with Jacoby and his family. 
Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in a relationship?  Mother fucker.

“Hey Shelby, would you like another juice with your lunch?” I ask, innocently.

“Yes, please, Kylee.”  There we go.  I’m in.

I pass a plate and juice to Shelby’s place at the counter.  She’s digging in, not paying any attention to her surroundings.  I realize I’m just standing here smiling like a dope when Jacoby gets my attention, winking at me. 

He knows.  He always knows.

Shelby finishes up and I start to do the dishes, but Jacoby stops me.

“Why don’t you go talk to Shelby?”  Talk about being put on the spot.  I want to interact with her, but it just seems so forced.

“Okay,” I say hesitantly. 

I walk upstairs and find Shelby sitting on her bed, combing a Barbie’s hair.  I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but listening to her talk to her doll makes my heart smile.  It’s such an innocent act and the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. 

“Kylee,” she calls, “come play dollies with me.  You can have this one.  She has red hair like you.”  I walk into the room, sit on the bed across from her and take the doll. 

Grabbing one of the small combs, I start to brush through nappy redhead Barbie’s hair, reminiscing on the joys of my childhood; before my father ruined it for me.  Here and now, I make myself a promise to never let Jacoby hurt this little girl like I was.  I don’t know how much pull I have in said vow, but everything in my power, I will do.  This sweet child deserves it.  Something in me already knows that Jacoby wouldn’t do anything to put a strain on their relationship; in the past, now or in the future.

“Come here, Shelby.  Let me do your hair.”  She all too enthusiastically pushes all the dolls and accessories off the bed, turns around and pulls her hair out of the ponytail.

Parting her thin blonde hair down the middle, I start to comb it into separate sections.  I used to love when my mom would do my hair for no reason, and I hope that Shelby’s enjoying herself; I know I am.

“Do you write books?  Daddy said you’re a writer.”

“Yes, I do.  You’re daddy’s right.”

“Do you know Judy
Blume?”  I laugh; I’m already in love with this little girl.

“No, Shelby, I don’t, but I wish I did
. 
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
is one of my favorite books.”  Shelby slumps her shoulders forward, upset that I don’t know one of the most famous children’s authors.

“Daddy says he likes you a lot,” Shelby says.

“Did he?  Well, I like your daddy a lot, too.”

“Are you going to be my mommy here like Michael is my daddy when I’m
at home?”  How does one answer a question like this?  I don’t want to give her false hope, but she’s kicking up every maternal instinct I’ve kept buried for so long.  Instincts I didn’t know I had.

“Well, I don’t know about that.  Your daddy and I like each other and I live here.  I can be your pretend mommy, I guess.”  I really hope that’s okay to say.  The last think I want is Dawn down my throat.

“Knock knock,” Jacoby announces, coming through the door.  My face heats with embarrassment, wondering if he’s been listening to our conversation.  I suddenly feel like I’m overstepping on his relationship with Shelby.

I finish the pigtails in her hair and stand to excuse myself.  “No, don’t leave,” Jacoby says, sitting on the bed in front of Shelby.  “I have a present for you.”  He places a box in Shelby’s lap and she rips into the paper, revealing a rectangular velvet box.

She opens the box and tears the necklace out; a small silver heart, engraved with
Daddy’s Princess,
on a thin silver chain. 

“Daddy, it’s beautiful.  I love it.”  Jacoby unclasps the hook and places it around her neck. 

“It looks beautiful on you,” he says. 

Tears form in the corners of my eyes, witnessing this very special daddy
-daughter moment.  Jacoby winks at me, yet again.  If there was ever any doubt that I love this man, this seals the deal.  I, one hundred percent, for a fact, want to spend the rest of my life with him.  I want to be his wife and experience all of these moments with him as long as I live.

“I got you a present, too,” Jacoby says, handing me a similarly wrapped box, only mine is square. 

With my heart in my throat, I slowly open the paper; much more conservatively than young Shelby.  I set the paper on the fluffy pink comforter and open the box and a huge, and I mean
huge
, diamond stares back at me, almost taunting me.

I’m so caught up in the moment
that I don’t notice Jacoby get off the bed.  Furthermore, I don’t realize he’s kneeling on the carpet, looking up at me.

Gasping, my hand goes to my heart, just like in the movies, and I almost drop the ring.

“Kylee, I knew when I met you, you were something special; a force to be reckoned with.  The first time I held your hand, I felt fireworks.  And the way you look at the most important person to me, make my heart skip a beat.  I would love nothing more than for you to be Shelby’s mommy here and to be my wife, everywhere, every day.”  Jacoby takes the ring from my hand and holds it out to me, like an offering. 

“Kylee Re
nee Anderson, will you marry me?”  They say the finger your wedding ring goes on has a vein that leads straight to the heart.  Well, I know it’s a fact, and in this moment, without thinking about it, I give Jacoby my left hand, like it’s my heart’s doing and not mine, and he pushes the platinum band over that special little finger.

“This is just like in the fairytales, Daddy,” Shelby chimes in.  I totally forgot she was here. 
Pretend mommy foul.

“I would love to be Shelby’s mommy here and your wife.  Nothing would make me happier.” 

Jacoby places a chaste kiss on the corner of my mouth, and I understand why—Miss Shelby doesn’t need a lesson in kissing just yet.

Cleaning up the mess from dinner, I can’t help but watch the way my ring glistens with the light of the chandelier.   Jacoby put Shelby to bed a little over an hour ago and I’m beat, ready for bed myself.  I finish loading the dishwasher and meet Jacoby in the living room, where he’s typing away on his laptop.

“What are you doing?”I ask, sitting down next to him and laying my head on his shoulder.

“Finishing something up for my Vegas client.
  It appears that we’re not the only lucky ones tonight.  His permits are fully approved and we can start development in the next few weeks.”

“That’s awesome.  I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas,” I say, winking.  Jacoby catches the hint.