Saturday (Timeless Series #6)

SATURDAY

E. L. TODD

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Fallen Publishing

SATURDAY

Editing Services provided by Final-Edits.com

Copyright © 2016 by E. L. Todd
All Rights Reserved

Beautiful Day

Kyle

Honeycombs or Fruit Loops?

Both had way too many carbs and sugar but I didn’t care. A bowl of cereal once in a while wouldn’t kill my eight pack. I glanced back and forth between them before I shoved both into the cart.

Oh well.

I walked further down the aisle and grabbed a carton of almond milk and a few bananas.  Whenever I went grocery shopping I only grabbed the essentials. If I bought too many things they usually went to waste.

I moved down the next aisle and snatched a box of baking soda. That’s when I noticed a familiar face, one I’d never forget. Her brown hair was longer than it used to be, reaching down to her waist. She still wore it the same way she always did, in a braid over one shoulder. While everything looked the same there was one obvious difference.

She was enormous.

“Frankie?” I tossed the baking soda into my cart then walked toward her. She was standing in front of the powdered sugar, probably looking for baking supplies.

When she turned around her face lit up like Christmas morning. She was happy to see me, over-the-moon. Not only did she smile with her lips, but her eyes showed the same joy. “Kyle?”

I looked down at her stomach, unable to believe what I was looking at. “Damn, you’re about to pop.”

Both of her hands moved to her swollen belly, and she chuckled like I gave her a compliment. “Yeah…I’m starting to get uncomfortable.”

My eyes wouldn’t leave her stomach. I was mesmerized by the life growing inside her. “You look absolutely stunning. Pregnancy suits you.” Never in my life had I seen her look this happy. The glow that emitted around her was a beacon of light that the sun couldn’t compete with. She still had a small frame so her stomach looked even bigger in comparison. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” She ran her hands along her belly, feeling the life inside. “Sometimes I can’t believe there’s a little person in there.”

I came closer to her and extended my hand. “May I?”

“Of course.”

I pressed my hand to the surface, noting the distinct hardness. There wasn’t movement from within but I could feel the warmth. “You must be due any day.”

“Next week, actually,” she said, still smiling.

I pulled my hand away and returned my look to her, seeing the joy permanently engraved on her features. She and I hadn’t seen each other in a year, and now our old relationship seemed like a lifetime ago. She was about to bring a whole new person into the world. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“A girl.”

“Awe…little Frankie.”

She continued to rub her belly. “Her name is Suzie.”

“That’s even cuter.”

“Thank you. Hawke picked it out.”

The last time we spoke, she told me she was marrying Hawke. At the time I was heartbroken but now I was nothing but happy. While I wanted her to end up with me, I knew in my heart she was meant for him. “He has good taste.”

The mention of his name reminded her of the past. Flashbacks moved across her eyes, and then the guilt settled in. “Kyle—”

“I’m so happy for you.” I didn’t want her to feel bad about the decision she made. It was the right one. It took me months to come to that conclusion, and when I did, I felt better. “Truly.”

Francesca knew me better than most people. It was easy for her to spot a lie and see the truth. Once she realized I meant every word I said, she smiled again. “How are you?”

“Great. My firm just won a big case and I have a new apartment uptown.”

“That’s awesome.”

“I’m not seeing anybody right now but I was with this lawyer a while ago. She was cute and funny but I broke it off when I didn’t see it going anywhere.”

“You’ll find someone, Kyle.”

I had no doubt that I would—someday.
“Thanks.”

“Well, a lot has happened this past year,” she said. “I got married, got pregnant right away—”

“He didn’t waste anytime, huh?” I said with a chuckle.

She laughed. “Suzie was a mistake. But she’s the best mistake either one of us made.”

“I’m sure.” I wanted kids someday. I always thought I would be a good dad, the kind that was around for everything. “I heard you opened another shop.”

“I did,” she said. “It’s doing well.”

“I figured.” Francesca made everything come to life with her touch. She wasn’t necessarily a great businesswoman but she was a great people person. Everyone naturally gravitated toward her, wanting anything she could give.

Hawke rounded the corner than approached us down the aisle. He wore dark jeans and a gray t-shirt, a tattoo running down his left arm. A wedding band was on his left ring finger, black and noticeable against his fair skin. When he looked at me his features were stoic.

I wasn’t Hawke’s favorite person, and he wasn’t mine either. He might punch me in the face if I didn’t walk away right this second.

He came to Francesca’s side and stared me down, his thoughts still a mystery. He was naturally intense and rugged, infecting the air with hostility without actually doing anything. Then he did the unexpected.

He extended his hand to shake mine. “It’s good to see you.”

The gesture was so unexpected that I smiled. “You too.” I shook his hand and returned it to my side. “Frankie was just telling me about the new addition to the family.”

“Yeah, we’re excited.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “I told her to stay home and rest but she never listens to me…you know how that is.” He stared at her fondly, like she was the only person in the room.

“I remember her being stubborn as hell, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Frankie pressed her lips tightly together in a frown. “You’re supposed to be sweet to pregnant women, not insult them.”

“It wasn’t an insult,” I said.

“Yeah,” Hawke said in agreement. “It was the truth.”

She swatted his arm playfully. “Don’t be a jerk.”

“I’m your husband. It’s part of my job description.”

Francesca rolled her eyes.

Now that I said hello and took up enough of their time, I knew I should let them get back to whatever they were doing. “Well, it was great seeing you. Take it easy, okay?”

“I’m fine.” She rubbed her stomach again before she stepped toward me. Then she turned her belly to the side and moved into my chest to hug me.

I hugged her back, my arms wrapped around her shoulders. “You’re going to be a great mother, Frankie.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” I rubbed her back gently before I let her go. “Just don’t feed them too many muffins. They’ll get addicted.”

She chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Hawke shook my hand again. “Take care, man.” He didn’t hunt me down with his eyes the way he used to. It was the first time he looked at me like I was a friend, someone he actually liked. Marriage must have changed his perspective on everything.

“You too. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He gave me a quick smile before he turned back to Francesca and wrapped his arm around her. He guided her down the aisle and to the cart parked off to the side.

I watched them walk away, feeling an inexplicable surge of joy shoot through me. Once upon a time I loved that woman. She was all I ever thought about. I even bought an engagement ring because I was going to ask her to marry me. When it didn’t work out I was devastated and thought I would never be happy ever again. She was the one.

But I got through it.

I took it one day at a time until I stopped thinking about her altogether. All the grief and bitterness evaporated, and I was left in peace. Now I could watch her walk away from me without feeling an ounce of pain.

I was happy.

Chapter Two

Kyle

I entered my office then plopped down into the chair. My role in the firm was mostly management. I oversaw the cases from a distance, and I took care of the paperwork and the payroll. When something really interesting came along, I jumped in feet first. Since that was rare, I usually just played golf all day.

My assistant spoke into my intercom. “Mark wants a word, sir.”

“Don’t call me sir.” She was new so she didn’t know how I ran things around here. “Kyle is fine.”

“My apologies.”

“Send him in.”

“Will do.”

Mark walked in a second later. “Hey, busy?”

My feet were resting on the desk and I was squeezing a stress ball. “Do I look busy?”

He dropped into the chair facing my desk and slid a folder across the mahogany wood. “I want your two cents about this case.”

I opened the vanilla colored folder and searched through the brief. “I’m all ears.”

“The judge dismissed the evidence because it was circumstantial. But they found the knife covered with the suspect’s blood.” He slammed his hand down on the desk. “Come on! How is that circumstantial?”

The law could be a fickle thing.

“I thought I had this fucker nailed to the wall and then this happens. I swear, someone paid the judge off.”

It wouldn’t be the first time. “Give me an hour to look over this and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks, man.”  When he rose to his feet he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back. “Let me know what you’ve got.”

“Will do.”

Mark walked out, and the second the door was shut my assistant spoke over the intercom again.

“Charles is here to see you, sir. I mean—Kyle.”

“Charles who?” I knew a lot of people by that name.

“Charles Rubien.”

My mother’s boyfriend
. I didn’t realize he was stopping by today. “Send him in.”

“Will do.”

The doors opened again and Charles walked inside. He wore a suit that was more expensive than a car, and his watch had more value than the average savings account. Despite his wealth he was humble—and that’s why I liked him.

“Kyle.” He extended his hand and shook mine vigorously. “It’s nice to see you.”

“You too. How are you?” Charles was a good guy. He was personable and warm, and he had a great sense of humor. But none of those things really mattered—including his wealth. He treated my mom right and made her happy. That was all I cared about.

“Great. I hope I’m not keeping you from anything.” He took a look around my office, glancing at the pictures on the desk, before he turned back to me.

“The law never sleeps. That’s nothing new.” I sat behind my desk and placed the folder aside. “What’s up?” He’d never come to my office before. My father opened this practice nearly thirty years ago, so it was still his in my eyes—even though he’d been done for nearly seven years now. To have my mother’s boyfriend in his old office was a little strange. It was the first time it ever happened.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you about something. It may be a little uncomfortable for you but I hope you take it well.”

My eyes narrowed on his face because I had no idea what warning he was giving me. “You know I always have an open mind.”

He adjusted his tie before he spoke. “Your mother is a wonderful addition to my life. After I lost my wife twelve years ago I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again. Your mother is the perfect partner in every way possible, and I’d love to spend the rest of my life taking care of her. I hope I have your blessing before I ask her to be my wife.”

My jaw dropped. “Say what?” I jumped to my feet and gripped my skull. “You’re going to ask my mom to marry you?”

He chuckled and pulled the box out of his front pocket. “I am.”

“No way.”

“Way,” he said with a laugh. He opened the box and displayed the enormous ring that contained more diamonds than it could handle.

I came around the desk to get a better look. “Damn, this will definitely make all the men steer clear.”

“That’s the point.”

I examined the ring and watched every flawless diamond sparkle. It was made of white gold with a slender band. I didn’t know much about jewelry until I bought Francesca’s ring, but this suited my mom. “Dude, it’s perfect.”

“Thank you.” He closed the box and returned it to his pocket.

It was weird to see Mom with another guy, but I knew it was time to move on. Dad had been gone for a long time and he would want her to be happy. And I wanted her to be happy.

“So, you’re okay with this?”

Charles was always nice to me, but he never crossed the line and tried to be anything more than my mom’s boyfriend—which I appreciated. He understood he would never be a father figure to me because I didn’t want him to be. “Absolutely.”

He breathed a sigh of relief like he expected a different reaction. “I know this is hard. Thank you for being mature about it.”

I shrugged. “I know my dad would want her to move on and be happy. And you’re a great guy. Mom needs someone to look after her. When I settle down and have my own kids I won’t be around as much.”

“Excellent points.”

“So, when are you going to do it?”

“I’m taking her to Florence this weekend. I have a yacht there. When we’re having dinner on the deck I’m going to ask her.”

“Damn, that’s romantic as hell.”

He laughed. “She loves Italy.  It’s her favorite place.”

“She’s definitely not going to say no to that.”

“I hope so.” He put his hands in his pockets and gave me a fond look. He seemed to genuinely like me, and not just because I was my mother’s son. “You’re a good man, Kyle. Your parents did a wonderful job raising you.”

“Thanks. Mom is the best of the best.”

He chuckled. “She is.” He moved his hand to my shoulder and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “Wish me luck.”

“With a yacht in Italy you don’t need any luck.”

“I hope so.”

“When I propose, you’re going to have to give me some pointers.”

He laughed as he headed to the door. “I have a feeling you don’t need pointers from anyone, Kyle.”