ME: GET ME OUT OF HERE CALL MY CELL IN TEN MINUTES
She doesn’t respond right away, but she knows I’m out with him, and I’m sure she’s on high alert. It’s been months since I’ve been anywhere. “You can do this,” I say to my reflection in the mirror. “Ten more minutes and you’re done.”
What was I thinking? I should be home with Kai.
I walk back to the table and sit in my seat. The crab dip is already in between us and I want to gag.
“Here, you’ll love it.” Richard begins to scoop some dip onto my appetizer plate.
I toss my hand over it and say, “No thanks. I’m allergic.” His expression changes from joy to fear in a split second as he believes my lie.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you say something before when I ordered it?”
“It’s okay, the salad that’s coming will be just fine as an appetizer for me. Now all of the crab dip can be for you.” I feign a smile and wish I were back at Garrett’s house, floating in his pool.
Peggy is at the house tonight with Kai and Garrett wasn’t home when I left. I’m glad he wasn’t there because I didn’t want him to see me leave on this ‘date.’ I promised Marcie I would go, and I just want it to be over. I also don’t want Garrett to think anything serious is going on with Richard. In fact, there’s nothing going on with me and Richard. This isn’t even a date, really. More like a favor for a friend.
I just want to get home and pretend I never agreed to this outing tonight. Things have been really good lately, and Garrett has been doing great with Kai. Sure, there’s been a few ups and downs, but he’s been so attentive and not as nervous around him as he had been.
I look up and see that Richard is shoveling the dip into his mouth and making horrid noises while he does it. I take a sip of cold water to keep my gag reflex at bay. C’mon Cassie. Call, Goddammit.
“Marcie never mentioned you have a brother,” Richard says, catching me off guard. Did Marcie set him up with the wrong person?
“I don’t,” I state, and his expression changes again. This time he looks utterly confused.
“No? He answered your phone the very first time I tried calling you a while back.”
“You must not have called the right number, because I assure you, I don’t have a brother.” I glance down at my phone, willing it to ring.
“Well, then some other guy answered it. He may not be your brother, but he confirmed it was your phone.”
What the hell?
My cell phone vibrates loudly on the table, and I see Cassie’s name pop up. “It’s my aunt. She wouldn’t call me if it wasn’t important. She’s knows I’m on a date. I’m sorry, but I have to take this.”
“Hello?” I say, feigning worry.
“You’re a terrible mean person. Do you know that?” Cassie scolds me.
“Hey, Aunt Peggy. Is everything okay?” My voice becomes uncharacteristically high, and the lie begins to flow too easily.
“I can’t believe you’re ditching another date. Can’t you at least make it to the main course? You know, I almost didn’t call you back. I almost ignored your text. But I love you too much to do that to you.” I want to smile, but I bite my lip to stop myself.
“Really? He usually doesn’t have a problem with that kind of formula.” I continue the ruse, and I hear Cassie sigh loudly through the phone.
“Seriously, Sam. This is the last time I’m doing this. Marcie thought you’d really like this guy. He’s her cousin and she swears he’s the perfect catch.”
That explains a lot. Marcie isn’t exactly a social butterfly. She’s nice and all but is very socially awkward. I look up at Richard and see a vague resemblance. I should have known.
“Okay, I’ll leave right away. I’m sorry I left before you could run out to get his food.”
“You need to get laid, Sam. If Richard isn’t the one to do it, you’d better find someone soon. You’re cooped up in that house with the baby all day long, and you don’t have time for anything. I’m taking you out on Saturday night. We’re going to find someone for you. Stat.” She hangs up and I finish the fake conversation.
“I’ll see you in twenty minutes. I’m so sorry. He’ll be okay until I get there. I promise.”
I look over to Richard, who is licking the crab dip from his fingers. He raises his eyebrows and asks, “Is everything okay? It sounded serious.”
“No, it’s not. The baby I’m caring for is out of formula. I thought I picked up a case from the pharmacy the other day, but that was two weeks ago. My aunt came to help out so I could go out with you tonight, and I’m afraid I left her in a bad spot. I have to leave. I’m so sorry.” I gather my phone and my clutch and shift in my seat.
He puts his hand up, signaling the waiter. “No problem. Marcie says you’re one of the best baby nurses around. We’ll get you home right away.”
We stop at the pharmacy so I can pick up the formula that I knew was waiting for me since yesterday and pull up to Garrett’s house a few minutes later. I get out of the car and open the back door and take out the formula. I don’t see Peggy’s car, and I wonder if she pulled it into the garage.
“Thanks for everything, Richard.” I smile and turn toward the door. He chases after me and follows me up the stairs. My stomach sinks. I hope he isn’t expecting any physical contact. The thought of being near his crab-dip infested mouth makes my stomach churn again.
“Wait,” he says and turns me around to face him. He’s staring at my lips, and my body stiffens. Shit. Shit. Shit. He starts to lean in to kiss me, and I block him with the case of formula.
“I’m sorry, I need to get inside right away.” I turn and open the door. “Bye,” I say as I close it while he stands on the stoop staring.
I hear his car pull away a few minutes later, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I walk through the dark foyer into the kitchen.
“Who was that?” Garrett’s voice startles me, and I drop the case onto my foot.
“Ouch! God! Owww!” I hop around and fall into his chest. His strong hands grab my arms, and he steadies me. He’s warm. So warm.
“Are you okay?” he asks, concerned.
“Yes, I am now,” I lie, and I’m flustered when he lets go of me. The faint smell of alcohol wafts in the air between us.
“Who was that?” he asks again.
“Richard,” I say and wince as I try to put weight on my toe. Shit, I hope it’s not broken.
“Are you seeing him?”
I limp past him so I can sit on the stool by the counter.
“Have you been drinking?” I ask, attempting to change the subject. I see an empty tumbler on the kitchen island.
“Kai had a rough night,” he says and swipes the glass from the countertop. He puts it on the top rack of the dishwasher and turns to face me. Kai has been doing so well; it upsets me to think he’s taken a step back.
“Oh?” Concern bubbles up and anger shortly follows. “So you decided to get drunk while you’re home alone with him? What the hell is wrong with you?” I attempt to stand up, but pain shoots across the top of my foot where the heavy box landed a few minutes ago. “Dammit!”
“I wouldn’t be alone if you were here helping me,” he fires back, and my anger continues to escalate. Where is this attitude coming from?
“Where’s my aunt?” I ask, knowing she isn’t here.
“I sent her home a few hours ago. Kai drank a bottle around six and fell asleep soundly. He was content for a while, and I told Peggy I could handle things on my own. So she left.” He shakes his head and leans forward, placing his elbows on the counter. “Then everything fell apart.”
“Where is he now?” I ask, concerned that Garrett isn’t even holding him.
“Upstairs in his crib.”
Alone?
I hop off of the stool, ignoring the shooting pain in my foot, and go upstairs as quickly as I can. “I can’t believe he left him alone,” I mutter to myself as I reach the door to his room. I hear faint Rock-A-Bye Baby lullaby music through the closed door. I open it, and the soft glow of the universe nightlights fills my eyes. I walk over to the crib and see Kai swaddled tightly and sound asleep. There’s a stuffed dog that looks like a Dalmatian perched near his head, just out of reach. I’ve never seen that before.