I looked hot, the girls looked pretty with matching red sundresses, braids down both their backs, and I was ready.
“What’s this?” Paxton questioned with one cocked brow.
“We look pretty,” Ophelia said as she slid from the stool and ran to him.
Paxton scooped her up and kissed her cheek. “You sure do.”
“And so does Mommy,” Rowan assured him while she gathered forks from the drawer.
“Yes, and so does Mommy.” Paxton examined me with a peculiar expression and strolled over to me. “Help your sister set the table,” he said while Ophelia slid down his body.
“How was your day?” I removed the casserole and worked around him.
“Where’s my roast?”
“This is better for you. You’ll love it,” I said as I stepped around him, bumping his arm with mine. “Here, Phi, put the spoons on the table.”
“We have chocolate pudding for dessert. Me and Row made it,” she said as she boasted to her dad about their help. They loved helping me, and I loved having their help. Even if it did mean more mess for me.
I picked up my red drink and sipped it, eyes zoning in on Paxton’s confused expression.
He took the glass from my hand and sniffed it. “What the fuck is this? Are you drinking?”
“Yes. I need it after the day I’ve had. I made you one, too. It’s not that strong. Try it.”
“You don’t drink, Gabriella.”
“I do now. Let’s eat.” I held a death grip over my drink, and walked hurriedly past him. No way was he getting this drink.
Paxton complained about the food I made, but not too much. The girls helped out, explaining that they helped me make it. I could tell he loved it, anyway. The three plates I dipped out for him was a dead giveaway.
Dinner was good. Neither one of the girls ratted me out about messing up their whole day. It was Candace. She was the big mouth that told on me. We all looked up to her knocking on the glass door by the pool. I waved a hand for her to enter and offered her a plate.
“No, I’ve got to go. Lane’s grilling burgers. I just wanted to check on you. Chance said the girls weren’t at dance this morning.”
“We quitted,” Ophelia said around the food in her mouth. I turned my eyes to hers, but not Paxton’s. She took another bite and spilled more beans. “We climbed on the boulders at the beach and had a picnic. Rowan ate my pickle.”
“I gave you mine. Don’t start with that again,” I said, warning her not to whine about the pickle that Rowan ate. “I got a little lost this morning. I gave up and we hung out here.”
Candace smiled and walked backward toward the door. “Good for you. I’ve tried to tell you for the last year that you had them in too much. I like this you.”
“And Lane was there, too,” Rowan said while offering the information to his wife.
Candace’s feet stopped moving and her face dropped, but she didn’t look at me. She kept her eyes on Rowan. “Oh, yeah?” That’s it. That’s all she said.
“Him was running,” Ophelia explained with her head bobbing, helping out.
“We didn’t really talk to him. He was out for a jog,” I said for whatever reason. Like I was defending myself.
“Yeah, he worked from home today. Okay, I’ll see you guys later. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“Yes, thank you for checking. We’re fine,” I said while trying to read her face. There was something there. What? And why?
The door closed behind her and I turned to Paxton. Oh, boy. He was pissed.
“So did they miss everything today?” he questioned in a pleasant tone, face not matching at all. Three lines formed on his forehead while his face turned to crimson.
I took a drink of alcohol before answering. “Yes, except for the grocery store. We did go there.”
“That’s nice. Finish up girls. You have to get baths.”
“We already did. That’s why our hair is pretty. See,” Rowan offered. Her head turned completely around so he could see the braid going down her back. A beautiful fishtail. I didn’t even know I could do that.
“Oh, you took baths before supper. I see,” Paxton said with a smile toward her, and a glare right at me.
“Cause we’re going to watch a movie, Daddy. I get to pick it,” Ophelia said while explaining the details we never discussed with her dad.
“Okay, you ladies go do that. I have some work to do yet. I’ll catch up to you later.”
“No,” she whined, “I picked Cinderella. The movie one that’s not cartoons. Remember, Dad? You said you wanted to watch it with me. Remember?”
Paxton’s heart melted in front of me. He was such a sucker to these little girls. “Oh, yeah, well okay. Let me go grab a shower. I’ll work after you go to bed.” He stood and slid his chair out, taking one long drink of the red stuff. He liked that, too. I could tell. So did I, and I needed more of it.
“Rowan, you clean up the plates and put them in the dishwasher. Phi, you get the cups and the silverware. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Are you going to fight with Daddy?” Ophelia worried.
I looked at her like she was crazy, turning back with a frown. “No, of course not. I’m just going to go talk to him for a second. We’re not going to fight. I promise.” I gave her a wink and walked out of the room.
My lungs filled with air and my foot stopped on the bottom step. I knew without a doubt that I’d crossed a line, and I was about to cross another one. I ascended the steps with another deep breath. A deep breath of courage.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter Fifteen
Paxton was in the shower when I entered the bathroom. I sat my drink on the sink and gathered the clothes that he’d tossed on the floor. Right next to the hamper. His phone and wallet were still in his jeans. I placed them on the counter and leaned against the vanity.
“I didn’t do anything to disobey you, Paxton,” I called over the water.
Paxton stuck his head out and I could see the anger practically steaming from his ears. “Get the fuck out of here. I’ll deal with you later.”
“No. Stop doing that. I can’t live like that, Paxton. I don’t know anyone who could. You gotta let me have one of the reigns. If you want this to work, you have to let me have a say in a few things around here, too. I don’t think that’s asking for too much.”
Again, he stuck his head out. “Get the fuck out of here. Now, Gabriella.”
I sighed and took my drink. He watched as I downed the last of it and sashayed toward him. “Kill him with kindness” rang in my head. A soft voice. My mother.
“I’m going to leave you alone, but don’t be mad at me. I didn’t do anything to be vindictive to you. I’m sorry,” I said with a quick peck to his wet lips. He kissed me back, but instantly pulled away, confusion in his green eyes. I walked out, swinging my hips to entice him.
The girls did an amazing job cleaning up, and they didn’t even fight. Rowan was busy scooping the little bit of leftover casserole into a glass bowl with a lid while Rowan placed silverware, neatly into the dishwasher. Each utensil with its own compartment.
“I have the best little girls in the entire world. Thank you, Row-row.”
“And me, too. I put the salad away. See?” Ophelia pointed out her good deed, desperately seeking the same attention.
“Wow! Thank you, love. You did an amazing job. Both of you. Let’s all go find pajamas and go get settled for the movie.”
“Can we have popcorn, too?”