Jillian was not put off and continued to make another jab at it, this time landing in Alex’s mouth though, with his assistance. His face grimaced at the combination of the condiment and meat, but he chewed good-naturedly anyway. “Yum. Thank you, sweetheart.”
Angel passed him a napkin and lifted Jillian off of his lap. “Come on, pumpkin! Time to get ready for bed.”
“Let’s make duh tent!”
“What? It’s late, sweetie. We’ll do it another time.”
“Tent, Anga!” Jillian touched Angel’s cheek with her little hand and her blue eyes looked up imploringly. “Wit Zanda!”
“Oh, honey…” Angel began.
Alex interrupted her as he stood to start removing the plates to the sink across the kitchen. “Is it a game?”
“When Jilly stays over, and Becca isn’t here, we usually make a tent in the living room and sleep in there. At least, until she falls asleep.” Her expression was full of apology. Sorry, she mouthed with a cringe.
Alex turned back toward the two girls and smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Sounds fun. Let’s do it!”
“Yippee!” Jillian shrieked and wiggled in Angel’s arms until she was set on her feet.
“Oh, no, miss. You’re a mess.” She was covered in remnants of the day. Cherry snow cone and chocolate ice cream stained the front of her flowered top and dripped down to the top of her yellow shorts and dirt had collected on the surface of it. Her face was filthy, despite Angel’s repeated attempts to clean her up. “Into the bath with you first.” Angel pointed down the hall and blonde curls bounced as she ran toward the bathroom.
“Kay,” she said, disappearing around the corner.
“Alex, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. What should I do?”
“There are blankets and pillows in my closet, and I usually just push the two chairs closer to the couch and then drape the blankets between them. I’ll get them for you, if you want to start?” At his nod, Angel continued. “She falls asleep fast, don’t worry.”
By the time Alex had constructed a makeshift tent and went around lighting a couple of the candles Angel had around her living room, his phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Alex, one of Swanson’s goons rented an empty apartment in Angel’s building but doesn’t move in until Wednesday. I just found out from Bancroft.”
“Oh, fuck!” Alex’s mind raced. How in the hell would he get her out of here? “Uh, did you get the specs that I requested on the building?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, are there any other vacant apartments?”
“Just one, but it’s not on her floor.”
“Come and see me at my office in the morning. If you get there before me, ask Mrs. Dane to give you what you need and then rent that apartment. And, Cole; good job.”
“Too bad you can’t tell Dad. Man, this chick must be something.”
“Yes, she is.” As he hung up the phone, Jillian came running out of Angel’s room, all pink and freshly scrubbed.
Angel followed behind her, taking in the low lights and the soft glow of candlelight that shimmered all around the room. She cocked her head and sent Alex a questioning glance, but he only smiled in return. She’d changed from her dress into some grey sweatshorts and a white T-shirt, looking like she had just emerged from a bath as well. Her hair was piled in a knot atop her head, held in place by what looked like a white piece of fabric. She had on her Prada glasses, which were a dark green metal in a rectangular shape. Angel seemed younger without make-up, but still luminous. Alex stared until Jillian tugged at the leg of his jeans and he bent to lift her up. The little one smelled of baby powder and freshness. Alex inhaled deeply, enjoying her baby scent as she hugged his neck, her wet hair brushing against his chin.
“What are you looking at? It’s a pajama party.”
“I was just thinking that you look different every time I see you.”
“Is that bad? I know, I look—”
“Amazing. That’s how you look.” His eyes perused her body, caressing her curves, and his perfect mouth lifted only slightly on one side. As always, it made her burn from head to toe. She could feel her skin physically flush. “Every time, no matter how you’re dressed, make-up or no make-up; it doesn’t matter.”
Heat infused her face, the pleasure she felt at his words surprising her. “Thank you.”
Alex had taken the comforter and extra blankets from Angel’s bed and piled them on the floor inside the tent. Jillian scrambled in after Alex set her down and curled up on the pillows. Despite the heat of the Chicago summer, the apartment was cool, and she snuggled into the vast pile of down and fluff.
“Come on, Anga! Zanda!”
Angel and Alex laughed as he motioned for her to precede him. “You just wanna look at my ass,” she whispered as she passed in front of him.
“So? You just wanna look at mine,” Alex teased in return.
“I don’t deny it,” she said with a small shrug and a devilish smirk. Alex couldn’t help the pleased chuckle that escaped him.
Angel settled Jillian in-between herself and Alex, tucking the covers around her. She turned onto her side facing both Jillian and Alex. His head was propped up against the edge of one of the sofas as he leaned on the pillows.
“Did you have a nice day, today, baby?”
Jillian smiled and nodded with a yawn.
“We should thank Alexander for coming along. It’s been very nice to have him with us, hasn’t it?”
Angel’s wide brown eyes met his, the soft glow of candlelight filtering in through the blankets casting his features into half-shadow. His face softened and Angel had an almost undeniable urge to reach out and trace his strong jaw, the indelible cleft in his chin, to push the thick lock of hair back from his forehead. As if reading her mind, his hand reached up and pushed it away.
“Tank you, Zanda.”
Angel bit her lip to stop the laughter that welled in her chest. Zanda.
“You’re welcome, darling. I have a dog, named Max, who would love to meet you. Maybe we can take him to the park next time. Would you like to do that?”
She nodded and yawned again. Angel opened a tattered book and began to read as Alex looked on.
“Never tease a weasel,” she began, reading the well-worn children’s story lovingly to the little girl.
Alex couldn’t take his eyes off of Angel as she read, mesmerized as usual by her voice and expression, his heart tightened at the tenderness she lavished on the baby.
“Why don’t we tease, baby?” She touched the end of Jillian’s nose with her index finger.
“Teasing isn’t nice,” Jillian quipped sleepily, her eyes half-closed. She blinked, trying to hold them open.
“No, it’s not nice, is it?”
“I have a feeling you’ve read this to her before,” Alex murmured, and Angel nodded as she continued to read, stopping only when Jillian was obviously out.
“Keep going. I want to hear the end.”
“You’re not serious.”
“As a heart attack.” Angel balked at him but he persisted. “Please?”
“Oh, Jesus.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay.” She reopened the book and found her place.
Angel’s eyes flashed up to find Alex grinning at her, and he used his hand to motion for her to continue. “I’m gonna get you for this.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
Angel giggled and continued until she’d finished the story despite feeling silly doing so.
Alex burst out laughing as she threw the book aside. “Shhhh… Satisfied, now?” she whispered urgently.
“Hardly. But you can remedy that shortly.”
“Hmmmm,” she said softly, as he reached for her hand and began rubbing soft circles over the top with his thumb. “Is the Beemer yours?”