Rex (22 page)

“You know, there’s always someone who has it worse, but that doesn’t make what you’ve experienced any less fucking real to you. And well, I—” Looking past me to the side table, he glances at the clock. “Shit, I have to get to work. I have a nine o’clock appointment.”

“Okay,” I reply back, curious now as to what he was going to say. “I need to get going, too. I want to see if Olivia can meet for breakfast before I go to work.”

“I wish I didn’t have to go, though.” He presses his erection into my thigh. “I’d much rather stay here with you.”

“I can see that,” I tease with a smirk. My fingers lift the sheet and I peek underneath. “Yes, I can definitely see that.”

He rolls over on top of me, nestling between my legs. “Do you want to grab a bite to eat tonight? I get off of work about seven.” His lips sail along the edge of my jaw, skimming my neck. The rough stubble on his chin is heavenly.

“Sure, that sounds good.” I angle my head as he peppers wet kisses along my skin, eliciting a shiver that travels to my toes. “Your lips feel so good on my skin,” I whimper, and he smiles against me.

“I’m particularly fond of them on your skin, too.” He grins, giving me a chaste kiss on the mouth before pushing off of me and heading for the bathroom. “I better shower now.” He mumbles something under his breath, then disappears behind the door.

After the shower goes on, I jump off the bed, dress quickly, and tiptoe into the kitchen. I’m going to see what, if anything, I need for the surprise I have planned tonight for his birthday.

Each cabinet I open reveals that he has very little to work with, so I’ll need to pick up a ton of ingredients and also grab some pots from home as well. I shake my head at the lack of food he has here. But then again, since we’ve been hanging out, I have yet to see him cook. The bag of popcorn I glimpse in the corner has a huge smile forming on my lips. It looks new and makes me take a pause when Rex’s voice catches me off guard.

“Blondie?”

“In here,” I reply, thinking fast and turning on the faucet.

“What are you doing?” His jeans are hanging low on his hips, fingers combing through his wet hair. I need water just to douse the flames of heat whizzing through my body.

“Just getting a drink of water.”

“With no glass?” he observes, and I laugh it off, hopefully distracting from my strange behavior.

“Oh yeah, right.” I open a cabinet, pull out a glass and fill it with water. “You want some?” I offer, draining half of the glass for show.

“No, thanks. I’ve gotta run, but I’ll see you tonight, right?”

“Yes, I’ll meet you here around seven. Let me just grab my purse. I’ll walk out with you.”

I come back out of the bedroom to find Rex deep in thought, staring out the window, a faraway look in his eyes. “All set.” More than a minute goes by and he doesn’t respond. “Rex?”

“Huh?” he startles, pivoting his head toward me.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.” He snatches his keys from the coffee table, and it’s almost as if he’s not here with me anymore. A part of me wants to see if he’s okay, but my instinct tells me he needs space so I let him be.

Once we get outside, we’re swept away into a whirlwind of people passing by us. There’s loud conversation in every direction, overpowered only by the honking of taxis.

“So I’ll see you later, Rex. Have a good day.” I try to sound peppy but worry betrays my voice.

“Yeah, a good day,” he responds with a bitter laugh. “You too.” He kisses my cheek and struts off in the opposite direction. I tap a finger against my arm as I watch him walk away, wondering what that was all about.

When he finally disappears from view, I hunt for the cell phone in my purse to call Olivia. I dial her number, the phone ringing several times with no answer. I’m just about to hit end when she picks up, laughing loudly in my ear.

“Hey, V!”

“How’s the morning after?” I joke, hearing Hunter’s deep chuckle in the background. “Sounds like it’s pretty good.”

“It’s fantastic,” she sings, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard her sound so happy. The joy in her tone thankfully drowns out the longing in my belly.

“So do you think you can sneak away for breakfast? I have to check out a new meeting venue at eleven thirty right off of Broadway, so I thought we could meet up before then,” I suggest, walking toward the subway.

“Sure, that sounds good.” She muffles the phone, whispering something to Hunter, and I giggle.

“All right.” I peer at my watch, noticing it’s eight thirty. “Do you want to meet at… say ten? I was thinking we could go to Community Food & Juice, they’re between one hundred twelve and one hundred thirteenth street. They have fabulous pancakes.”

“That’s perfect. I’ll see you then.” She laughs again, and the line goes dead.

I shake my head and silently give myself a pep talk. I’ve got too many things to think about today and I need to stop brooding.

Olivia isn’t there when I arrive at the restaurant, so I snag a table outside and order two coffees and some pancakes. I love this place. It’s more upscale than a typical diner, but the food has that down-home taste as if you’re sitting and eating at your grandmother’s house for Sunday breakfast. Not that I’d know anything about that.

My cell phone rings and I wince when I see the number at the other end. My mother. I consider hitting ignore and letting it go to voicemail. But it’s been about a month since we’ve spoken and if I don’t get it this time, she’ll probably keep harassing me. I let out what I hope will be a serenity inducing breath before I answer it.

“Hello, Mother,” I say with the lack of enthusiasm she instills in me, taking a sip of my latte as I listen for the sharp-edged tone that awaits.

“Vanessa. I’m glad you picked up. I need to discuss something with you,” she responds, as cheerful as ever.

“Well, Mother, let’s just dispense with the pleasantries and get down to it,” I reply, and she clears her throat, completely disregarding my comment.

“I wanted to inform you that I’m getting remarried and I realize it’s soon but it’s happening, and there’s nothing you can do to change it.” The lack of emotion she displays is astounding. She might as well be in a courtroom prosecuting a case.

“Wow, Mother,” acid spews from my tongue, “being a bitch is a great way to lessen the sting. I really appreciate that.”

“
Vanessa Summer Hilliard
.” Her attempt to sound forceful is negated by her lack of power over me or my responses, evidenced by my bitter laugh that silences her.

“
Really
, Mother? That didn’t work when I was a child and it certainly won’t work now. Have you told Dad?”

“I’m seeing your father this evening and I plan on telling him then.” Her voice oozes so little sincerity I feel sick to my stomach. Did she ever care about him?

“Okay, then. Is that all? I’m rather busy.” I pick at my fingernail repeatedly, cursing her in my head.

“Yes, that’s all. I just thought you should know.”

“Gee, thanks. And an extra thank you for the pick-me-up. Goodbye, Mother.” And I hang up without even waiting for her to say goodbye, dropping my head in my hands, wondering how I could’ve been so blessed.

“V. You okay?” The sound of Olivia’s voice and the feel of her sincere hand on my arm pulls me up from my bootstraps.

“I guess. I just talked to my mother. She’s getting remarried.”

“Already?” she asks, surprise lacing her tone.

“Exactly. It kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Maybe she was seeing this guy while they were married. Who knows? Honestly, Liv, I’m so thankful they live in Seattle. I don’t think I could handle it if they were close. Anyway,” I wave my hand in the air dismissively, “I don’t want to ruin my morning any further by talking about them. Tell me about you.”

She flops her hand down right in front of me, and I come face to face again with the sparkling boulder on her finger.

“Liv.” I grab her hand. “That ring is beautiful, and enormous. You may need a forklift to pry it off.”

“I’m never taking it off,” she says, staring at it with a dreamy smile.

“So… spill it. Tell me about your night.” I lean back, sipping my coffee and dusting off any lingering remnants of my mother.

She sighs, tucking her fist under her chin. “It was amazing, V. So romantic. I mean, I know I’ve always said I’m not the flowers kind of girl, but he had rose petals and candles everywhere when we got back to his place. It seems surreal to me. I kind of feel like I’m living someone else’s life, you know?”

“It’s a life you deserve so hard, Liv. I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.” I finish off my coffee as the waitress brings our pancakes, placing them on the table.

“I can definitely think of someone who deserves it just as much, though,” she implies, her eyes boring holes through my skull. “Speaking of which, you and Rex looked pretty cozy together last night. And even I’ll admit, he seemed pretty relaxed. How are things going?”

My cheeks warm and I already know I’m blushing. “Good. We have a good time together, and… I like him.”

“Yes, well, the flush on your face is a dead giveaway, not to mention the way you were staring at him last night.”

“Was it that obvious?” I ask, hoping it wasn’t that apparent to Rex.

“Just to me, I’m sure, because I know you. Just—”

“I know,” I interrupt her, well aware of what she’s going to say, and getting tired of hearing it. “Be careful, and I will.”

Olivia’s big, blue eyes narrow. “Don’t get bitchy with me. I care about you.”

Her word choice hits a nerve, striking a chord of insecurity deep within me. I huff out a breath. “I know you do, Liv. But I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. I’ve done it my whole life.” I stare down at the plate in front of me, picking at the pancake with my fork. “Hey, I want to ask you something.”

She nods as the waitress refills her coffee. “Sure, anything.”

Self-doubt creeps into my head and I can’t help the next words that fly from my mouth. “Do you think I’m like my mother?”

“No,” she emphasizes, dropping her fork with a rattle, and I look up at her. “I don’t think you’re anything like your mother. She doesn’t have a caring bone in her body. You’re the total opposite.”

“Thanks for saying that.” I exhale a relieved breath, needing reassurance after that harrowing phone call.

She covers my hand with her own. “I’m not just saying it, V. I mean it.”

“Okay.”

“So what are you doing tonight? Hanging out with Rex again?” She smirks, twirling a piece of pancake with her fork.

“As a matter of fact, I am. But, it’s his birthday and he doesn’t know that I know it’s his birthday, so I’m making him a surprise dinner.” I motion to the waitress to get the check.

She leans forward with wide eyes. “You’re cooking… for a guy?”

“Don’t look so surprised. You know I can cook. I just never had a desire to do it before,” I say, just as the waitress comes by with our bill. “Thank you.”

After she walks away, Olivia sets her sights on me again. “Yes, I know,
that’s
why I’m surprised.”

“And on that note,” I push my chair back, “I have to run. I need to go see this venue and then run some errands before I head to the office.” I throw some money on the table. “Breakfast is on me, Mrs. Grayson.”

Her lips turn up into a beaming smile as she stands to see me out. “I like the sound of that. It has a nice ring to it.”

“I hope so.” I laugh, and we march arm in arm out into the sunshine before parting ways.

“Have fun tonight,” she yells, and I whirl around, lifting a hand in the air.

“You know I will.”

The space for the event is perfect and the walk-through doesn’t take as long as I thought. After I’ve said my goodbyes to the management staff and leave the building, I notice that I’m only a few blocks away from Intricate Ink. Without even realizing it, my feet are pulling me in that direction. It appears they know what I’m thinking better than I do. I want to see Rex.

Of course, when I’m finally standing in front of the shop, my legs seem to be singing a different tune. They won’t move, frozen as if they’re having second thoughts. I know I am. And now I’m overanalyzing my behavior, which I never do. I’m just about to hightail it out of here, when the door jingles and Rex’s deep voice calls out to me.