Taking Connor (15 page)

With a chuckle, he waves back. “You too.”

When I make it inside, Lexi is sitting at the table, mug in hand, sunglasses still covering her bloodshot eyes. “I have bad news,” she begins as I dump the cold dregs of my morning coffee in the sink and pour myself a fresh cup.

“Yay,” I mumble. I may not know what the bad news is, but I do know, without a doubt, it has to do with our mother.

“Gladys knows about Vick,” Lexi confesses before sipping her coffee. My shoulders slump with this news. I’d rather have had a chance to get to know Vick without my mother interfering with mindless gossip and boasting me as the sweetest widow this side of the Mississippi.

“That is unfortunate news,” I sigh in defeat, taking a seat next to her.

“Mr. Grenier was at the bar the other night and saw you two together. Called mom and gave her the 411.”

“And . . .” I question. Surely Gladys has given Lexi her in-depth opinion of Vick, a man she barely knows.

“She’s just happy you’re dating someone, and it’s not Connor.”

I frown with her words. It makes me sad my mother thinks so lowly of a man she’s never met. It makes me sadder she doesn’t trust my judgment. And it makes me saddest that Connor is so undeserving of her low opinion.

Lexi, sensing my dismal thoughts, changes the subject. “Damn I’m hungover,” she sighs.

“You’re hungover every day, Lex,” I point out. “Why don’t you take a few nights off from the party scene?”

She snorts. “Gotta party while I can.”

“Are you seeing anyone?” I ask casually. Lexi is no doubt a very sexual woman. That’s not to say she sleeps with everyone, but she isn’t shy about sex.

She blinks a few times, her gaze drifting away for a brief moment as if in thought before moving it back to mine and smirking. “His name is Bob. You’d like him.”

“Bob?” I question, smiling a little, happy to hear my sister is interested in someone. “What’s he like?”

Twisting her mouth to the side she mumbles, “Hmm.” Then leaning forward, she says, “He’s a solid kind of guy and knows how to show a girl a good time.”

“Well, those are both really good traits.” I smile.

“And whenever I need him, no matter what time of day it is, he’s always there.”

“I like him already,” I add.

She smiles at me. “Oh, you’d adore Bob,” she agrees as she picks up her cell phone and starts messing with the screen. “I have a picture of him.”

I sit up straighter, waiting to see this guy that has my sister so enamored. “Is he cute?”

“He looks like Zac Effron.”

“Really?”

She hands me her phone and when I glance at the screen, my brows furrowing in mild confusion, she bursts into laughter. “Your face, Demi!” she bellows out as her hand slaps the table top.

I look up and glare at her. The picture she has pulled up using the internet on her phone is one of a giant vibrator with some weird looking thing that sticks out.

“Demi, meet Bob,” she gasps between laughs. “My battery operated boyfriend.”

I roll my eyes and slide her phone to her as her body jerks while she tries to stop laughing. “I was excited you had a boyfriend that looked like Zac Effron,” I add dryly.

“Well I picture that sexy son-of-a-bitch every time Bob and I have a go at it,” she jests.

“Very funny, Lex,” I say, shaking my head. “You’re an asshole.”

“I know,” she chuckles. “Sorry. I had to do it.”

Seeing the moment has passed, she moves on once again to a different subject. “How was this weekend with the kids?”

I let out a long breath. “Long and exhausting. Thanks for all your help,” I reply snidely.

She smiles saucily. “Looks like you and Connor had it handled anyway. Were they at least good for you?”

I decide not to tell her my concerns about Grayson until I have a chance to discuss it with Wendy. But McKenzie is fair game and being that Lexi was a bit of a wild card herself growing up, maybe she can offer some insight as to what is going on with Kenz. “Mostly well,” I begin. “But McKenzie is going through some major mood swings. She was just . . . angry all weekend,” I try to explain. “And she was even rude to the Jenson’s when they came over to say hi.”

“The old dude across the street?” Lexi questions and I nod. “He’s always given me the heebie-jeebies,” she shutters.

“Really?” I question surprised. “He’s so sweet, though.”

“I’ve just always gotten a weird feeling about him. I don’t know. Must just be me.”

“Well, I doubt he’ll ever come back over after the way McKenzie treated them the other day. Not to mention she told me she hates my house and didn’t want to come over to begin with but Wendy made her.”

“Damn,” Lexi sighs, as her brows furrow. “She used to love spending the night with you. Think it’s because Blake isn’t here anymore?”

That thought hadn’t occurred to me for some reason. But Lexi has a point. Blake was always a part of our sleepovers, and he always made them fun. He’d make fires in the backyard for s’mores and take the kid’s for bike rides. “Maybe,” I admit. “I’m going to talk to Wendy about it. I love those kids, and I’ve been terrible about trying to spend time with them since Blake passed away. Maybe Kenzie and I need some one on one time.”

“Maybe, just don’t make it so obvious. You should include Mary-Anne as well. Otherwise, McKenzie will know you’re just trying to kiss her ass.”

“I’m not trying to kiss her ass,” I defend.

Lexi sips her coffee before saying, “You know what I mean but suit yourself.”

We share another cup before Lexi drags herself out the door and heads home for a nap. I busy myself cleaning up and washing laundry when I remember I never texted Vick back. I find my cell phone and power it on. There are two new texts from Vick.

Vick:
Okay, okay . . . it isn’t that small. I don’t want to lie to you anymore.

Then,

All joking aside, I hope we’re still on for Monday. I’ve been thinking about you all week.

I can’t help smiling as I feel a little flutter in my belly. I don’t know where things will go with Vick, but it is nice to feel . . . wanted.

I text him my address and tell him I’m looking forward to seeing him, too. And just as I’m pouring myself a glass of sweet tea with every intention of curling up on my couch for a nap in front of the television, I hear Connor start his bike and take off. As I plop down on my couch, I try hard not to think about where he’s going.

Apparently my little sister thinks I’m an invalid, incapable of dressing myself appropriately for a date. I assume this because she returned, again, tonight to ‘help’ me dress for my date with Vick. After much debate, I let her convince me to wear my best ‘ass showcasing’ jeans, as she calls them, and a flowy, emerald green top that hangs off one shoulder and makes my dark hair and eyes pop. As I stare at myself in my full-length mirror, I have to admit, I look pretty good. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt anywhere near the word sexy, but tonight . . . I do. And the outfit isn’t too much, so I feel confident without feeling over the top.

“Your makeup turned out awesome,” Lexi notes as she sprays me with my favorite perfume, Happy Heart by Clinique. I fan my hand in my face as I cough because she’s sprayed too much.

“That’s too much. I don’t want to gag him,” I choke out between coughs.

“It’ll fade in a few minutes,” Lexi argues as she sprays me once more.

“Enough, Lex,” I beg.

“Okay, okay,” she groans as she takes the bottle back to my dresser. “You look hot Demi.”

“Thank you for coming over and helping.” Although I would have never asked her to, I do appreciate her trying to help me.

Before she can respond the doorbell rings. “He’s early,” she giggles. “You’ve got this guy jonesing for a piece.”

I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. “Will you go let him in, and
pleeassee
don’t embarrass me?”

“Moi?” she asks feigning offense. “When have I ever embarrassed you?”

I snort. “My senior year when Billy Thompson picked me up for prom, and you told him if he was hoping to ‘get some’ he better think again because I was on the rag.”

Lexi cringes as she bites her lip. “Okay,” she gives in. “One time I was kind of an asshole and embarrassed you.”

“Kind of an asshole?” I question.

“Okay,” she nods as she raises her hands in surrender. “I was a giant asshole, but seriously . . . that was only one time.”

“And how about when I graduated from college, and you flashed my professor at the bar that night?”

The doorbell rings again, and Lexi rushes to the door to answer it. “Okay, two times!”

“Don’t embarrass me!” I shout after her.

Staring at myself in the mirror I try to give myself a pep talk. “You can do this Demi. It’s okay to want to be happy.” I wait a few minutes before heading downstairs and find Lexi and Vick in the kitchen each with a cold beer in their hand.

“Hey,” I smile and give an awkward wave. I don’t know if I should hug him or . . . what? And Lexi being here is causing me to overthink it even more. If I hug him, she’ll probably make some obnoxious ‘Aww’ sound. So, I do nothing. I just watch Vick as he runs his eyes up and down me, and I can’t stop the butterflies I feel when he gives me a thoughtful half smile that borders on a look of appreciation.

“Wow,” he breathes. “You look amazing.” However apprehensive I may be about how to appropriately greet him, Vick apparently doesn’t share that sentiment. In three short strides, he’s in front of me, pulling me to him, placing a chaste kiss on my cheek.

“Thank you,” I manage when he pulls away, heat blanketing my face.

“Well, I’ll be heading out now. It was nice to meet you, Vick,” Lexi interrupts before chugging the remainder of her beer and tossing the bottle in the trash.

“You too,” Vick smiles and waves.

“Call me tomorrow, Demi.” Then she’s out the door before I can respond.

“Your sister is nice,” Vick notes turning back to me. He’s still standing inches away, close enough that I have to fight the urge to back up. It’s not that he’s making me uncomfortable that makes me want to react that way; it’s a feeling of inexperience. It’s been years since I’ve been this close to a man, and I feel like a young girl about to be kissed for the first time ever. It’s ridiculous that I feel that way, but I can’t help it.

“She’s something all right,” I chuckle. “You look nice.” And it’s true. He’s wearing a black polo shirt with khaki shorts, and his hair is mussed in a sexy surfer guy kind of way.

He looks down at himself and smirks. “I’m not great at dressing up. This is about as nice as it gets. Pretty low-key.”

“I like low-key.”

His blue eyes meet mine and watch me for a moment. Then . . . he steps toward me. This time, unable to fight it, I back away a step. His smile grows. “Do I make you nervous?”

Darting my eyes away, feeling silly for stepping back, I answer, “I’m sorry.” Then I meet his gaze again. “I’m just . . . out of practice, I guess.”

He steps toward me again, but this time I remain planted in place, even when he takes another step toward me. Now he’s barely an inch away, and my heart picks up its pace. He leans in, his mouth millimeters from mine.

Don’t chicken out, Demi. It’s okay to kiss another man.

“I have thought of nothing but what it would be like to kiss you; really kiss you.” A part of me wants to kiss him, to see how it feels, test my limits, and another part of me wants to run upstairs and hide. “But I won’t kiss you until you’re ready.” Then, remaining close, his eyes hooded as he stares down at me, he sips his beer as my screen door opens and slams closed.

“Demi, that copper piping is shit!” Jeff yells as he enters the kitchen wiping his hands. Today was his first day of repairs, and he’s been outside all day cursing up a storm. Vick backs away, and I look around him as Jeff does the awkward glance between the two of us realizing he walked in on a moment.

“Oh, uh, sorry,” he clears his throat.

I laugh nervously, attempting to play it off, and failing miserably. “Do you need money for more material?” I ask, rushing for my purse.

“We can talk about it tomorrow,” Jeff mumbles stiffly as he straightens to his full height, his protruding belly not quite aiding in the tough guy look he’s trying to portray. I know he’s trying to let Vick know if he messes up, he’ll be dealing with him. He’s the best. “I’m Jeff, Demi’s cousin,” he blurts, gruffly as he holds his hand out to Vick.

“Vick. Nice to meet you.” They shake hands and Vick doesn’t seem to be at all phased by Jeff.

That is, until Jeff informs him, “That girl is my baby cousin. You hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with.”

I’m extremely impressed when Vick doesn’t show one iota of finding Jeff humorous, but in a very serious manner nods and promises, “I’ll treat her with the utmost respect.”

“Good,” Jeff concedes. “Demi, I’ll talk to you in the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will, Jeff.” I smile. “Thank you. Tell Wendy I want to stop by for a chat tomorrow,” I add. I need to discuss the things I’ve noticed with Grayson, and I want to talk about McKenzie as well.