“I take it that means we’re going.”
“Of course we’re going. Ella’s all excited. Don’t you want to come?” She looked at him, eyes expectant, a slight pout on her lips.
“I’ll go.” He wasn’t about to disappoint Ella. Nor did he want Marienne headed to Bob’s house without him.
Marienne’s expression softened. “Did you have a stressful day?”
“Hectic. I’m so glad I didn’t miss Ella’s class. Every person I passed on the way out of the building wanted to stop and chat.”
“You’re so popular.” Her eyes twinkled at him.
“Mmm. Very.” He reached his arm around her waist. “But I’m all yours.”
She smiled and snuggled closer. “We need to drop your car off at home and drive together. It’ll be impossible to park two cars at Bob’s”
As Marienne had predicted, Bob’s street was already lined with cars when they arrived. Daniel dropped her and the girls off and went in search of a spot. He made his way down the darkened street wondering what Bob’s house was like. He’d picked Ella up a few times, but had never been further than the front hall. The house was packed full of people. Girls scampered everywhere, most still in their glittery costumes.
Daniel made his way through the rooms in search of Marienne. He found her in the kitchen, slicing pies, with Bob right beside her.
Marienne looked up and smiled at Daniel. “Can I get you some pie, sir?”
“I think I’ll hold out for some brownies. I hear they’re the best in town.”
She grinned, wiping her fingers on a kitchen towel. “Can you help me carry these to the dining room table?”
He grabbed two pies, happy for any excuse to move her further from Bob. Marienne introduced Daniel to several of the other parents, and he made small talk as they ate and drank bright pink punch. He was mostly focused on watching Bob. Several women went over to him, clearly flirting, their eyes focused on his, heads cocked to the side, hands fluttering across his annoyingly muscular arms. Bob seemed to take it all in stride. He smiled his too-white smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners with his beach bum tan, but he never returned the affection. His hands stayed at his sides or busy with whatever he was serving, not once did he touch an arm, squeeze a shoulder, lean in for a whisper. Those behaviors seemed to be reserved for Marienne. Daniel’s jaw ached.
“Are you okay?” Marienne slipped her arm around his waist and rubbed his back.
“Fine.” He took another swallow of punch. The tang of cranberry stung his tightened throat.
She looked skeptical but let it go, leaning her head against him. “Don’t worry. We can head out soon. We have to go get Drew from Arnold and Cynthia’s. I imagine borrow-a-baby probably lost its charm about an hour ago unless they were lucky enough to get him to go to sleep.”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Ella begged to stay at Katie’s and Marienne gave in. Ella kissed them goodnight and scooted off to play with her friends.
Daniel helped Marienne on with her jacket and they headed out into the night air.
He held her hand as they walked down the street, leaves crunching beneath their feet. The air smelled like fireplaces, reminding Daniel of his childhood. Marienne stopped in front of Daniel’s car and the moonlight caught the side of her face. Her hair glowed, her eyes sparkling below her bangs, irresistible. He kissed her, her lips full and firm in the chilly air.
“Mmmm.” She leaned in, her body curving into his. “You taste like brownies.”
“You taste better.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
The house felt empty the moment Daniel drove away. Marienne knew it was silly. He’d be back in a few days. It was still unsettling. Ella must have been feeling it too. She was clingy and whiny all afternoon. When the phone rang and Marienne saw Bob’s name on caller ID, she was relieved.
His voice was cheery. “Who’s in for Snow White?”
“I’m thinking it would be good for Ella to go. She’s already missing her D. A. D. D. Y.”
Ella’s voice piped in from the next room. “Mommy, I can spell you know.”
Bob laughed. “She’s a character. Wonder where she gets that from?”
Marienne smiled. “Do you think you can manage her? If she gets upset, call me and I’ll come get her.”
“She’ll be fine. I’m not worried. You sound a little blue yourself. You sure you don’t want to come with? I’m sure some people will have babies with them.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll skip it.”
“Okay. How about I pick you up afterward, and we all go get ice cream?”
“That sounds good. But why don’t you just call when the show is over. I can drive and meet you at the ice cream shop.”
“I’ll come get you. Parking can be tough, plus the roads may be a bit slick tonight. It’s going below freezing.”
What?
“It’s October.”
He chuckled. “Water doesn’t really care what month it is. When it’s cold, it freezes.”
“I have a lot to learn about life in New England.”
“Don’t worry, I’m an excellent teacher.”
Marienne hung up, thinking that was exactly the kind of statement that would make Daniel’s nostrils flare. She couldn’t figure out why Bob annoyed him so much. Sure he was a little flirty sometimes, but it wasn’t serious flirting, it was just his nature.
I think.
Marienne did two loads of laundry, changed the sheets on all the beds and scrubbed the kitchen sink until it sparkled. By the time Bob called to tell her he was on his way she was relieved to have any excuse to get out of the house. Bundling herself and Drew into their heavy coats, she waited by the door.
She wondered if Daniel had made it to the hotel yet. She’d hoped he would call before she left. It occurred to her that he might not be thrilled with the idea of them all going out for ice cream. She was about to call Bob’s cell phone and tell him to just take Ella, but his car pulled into her driveway.
Before she could even grab her purse and shut the door, he was at the front steps. He extended his hand. “It’s a little icy, you’d better hang on.”
Marienne reached for his hand, and Daniel immediately flashed into her mind. She let her hand drop to her side. “Maybe we’d better stay home. I don’t want you driving around if the roads are bad.”
“Not to worry, I’m used to the roads, and the truck will be fine. Trust me.” His hand remained in front of her.
She took it.
It’s just ice cream.
****
Sure enough she returned home to find the answering machine flashing. She’d missed Daniel’s call.
Dammit.
“Hi sweetie, just wanted to let you know I arrived safely. I’m in room 2736 if you need to leave me a message, but I’ll try to keep my cell on too. Hope you and the kids had a good day. Love you.”
She played it three times, shivering. She wished he was just late coming home from work and would be home soon so she could curl up with his arms around her. The thought of the bed, cold and empty without him, didn’t hold much appeal.
Drew and Ella were both tired so she settled them into their beds and headed back downstairs to watch television. Snuggled under a comforter she clicked through the channels, but nothing held her attention. If only she had a local friend to call, but the closest friend she had made was Bob, and she wasn’t about to call him.
The phone rang and she scrambled to get it before the sound woke the kids. “Hello?” she said, not even looking at caller ID.
“Hey, you’re home.”
The sound of Daniel’s voice warmed her instantly. “I’m so glad you called.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” She curled under the blanket again, closing her eyes to let his voice surround her. “I miss you. That’s all.”
“I miss you too. It feels like I’ve been gone a week. I’m supposed to meet the producers in the lobby in about ten minutes. I’ll probably fall asleep in my salad.”
Marienne longed to be getting dressed up to go out for dinner. “Is it warm there?”
“Probably around 70 degrees. Did it rain tonight?”
“Not just rain, freezing rain. The roads are all icy.”
“It’s October.”
“That’s what I said, but according to Bob it’s not unusual for it to go below freezing this time of year.” The minute she mentioned Bob’s name she cringed.
“Please be careful driving if the roads are slippery.”
“Don’t worry, I will. The kids and I are in for the night and I think it’s going to be warmer tomorrow. We’ll probably stay home and bake cookies anyway.”
“I hope you save some for me.”
“I’ll make you a batch of whatever you’d like the minute you get home.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Daniel was on his second trip to California in less than six weeks, and he wasn’t enjoying this visit any more than the first. The business meetings were out of the way but now he was expected to schmooze, an art he hadn’t perfected. He sipped beer as he looked around the crowded ballroom, feeling terribly out of place. He was considering leaving when he felt someone pass behind him, pressing against him. He was about to step aside to let the person by, but then warm breath tickled his ear.
“Haven’t we fucked?” The sultry whisper was unmistakably Justine’s.
He turned in shock and there she was, radiant as always. Tanned from head to toe, hair an even paler blonde than he remembered, a slinky white gown hugging her body in all the right places. The scent of lilacs wafted off her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, not believing that she was actually standing in front of him.
“I’m here with Byron Nelson, the producer.” She pointed across the room. “He’s a friend with lots of benefits.” Her laughter tinkled like ice cubes in a glass.
Daniel took another swig of beer.
“How’ve you been?” Justine asked, raising her champagne flute to her crimson lips. She eyed him as she swallowed.
“Excellent. Yourself?”
“No complaints.” She took another dainty sip and licked her lower lip. “I saw your name in the program. Congratulations. I always knew you had it in you.”
“Thank you.” Daniel wondered if that were a compliment or a knock. When they’d been together Justine had always been disappointed in him, he wasn’t sure if this comment was praise or an ‘I told you so’. Either way he didn’t feel like pursuing the conversation. He was exhausted and wanted to go back to his room to call Marienne. “I was just heading out.” He handed his empty beer bottle to a passing waiter.
“So was I.” Justine touched the same waiter’s arm and paused to drain her champagne glass before handing it to him.
Daniel sighed as Justine followed him into the lobby. He pushed the elevator button, hoping the door would open quickly so he could escape. “It was good to see you again.” He leaned over and kissed Justine on the cheek. “California seems to suit you.”
“It might suit you too, if you gave it a try.”
Daniel shrugged. The elevator door swooshed open, and he stepped inside. Justine put her purse against the door. “Do you mind if I come up and use your bathroom? The ladies’ rooms are always so awful this late in the evening.” Without waiting for an answer, she stepped into the elevator. Two men followed her in, and as soon as they pressed their floor, the doors closed.
Justine smiled wryly as the floors lit up. Daniel looked at his watch. He had wanted to call home before eight o’clock so he wouldn’t wake Ella. It was already eleven thirty. He fidgeted, trying to think of a way to get rid of Justine.
Daniel strode down the hallway toward his door. Justine sauntered. She leaned against the wall while he fumbled in his pockets to find his keycard. He knew she was up to something. Justine always had some sort of plan.
What does she want? Publicity? Contacts?
His brain worked overtime. Her body language gave away nothing. She was simply watching him. The door clicked unlocked and he held it open, gesturing for her to go first. She sashayed past him, her perfume once again hitting his nostrils.
He stepped into the room and began to remove his suit jacket. Before he had one sleeve off Justine made her move. She came at him swiftly, her mouth on his with such force that he fell back against the door. Her hands were in his hair, her hips pressed against him, her champagne-flavored tongue burrowed its way into his mouth. The sheer impact took him by such surprise that for a moment he reacted on impulse, kissing her back, but as the reality of the situation hit him he wrenched away.
“What are you doing?” He struggled out of his jacket, tossing it onto the nearby chair.
“You’re still so fucking gorgeous.” Her fingers slithered up his neck, her eyes black as night and locked on his.
“Justine, this is ridiculous. You need to stop.”
“And you still talk too much.” Once again her mouth was on his, one hand pulling his face closer, the other tugging his shirt out of his pants.
“Stop it.” He grabbed her wrist and turned his face away, but she pressed against him.
“You’re saying stop, but that’s not what I’m hearing.” She gyrated her hips against him, sending an unwelcome flood of heat to his groin
“I mean it.” He removed her other hand and pulled further away, annoyed that his body had betrayed him. His phone buzzed, and he jumped.