The Ground Rules: Undone (22 page)

“How’s this pressure?” Krysta asks as she massages my shoulders.

“Wonderful,” I breathe.

If only a trip to the spa could solve all your problems.

Claire looks adorable in her pink princess covered water-wings and pink goggles, her little paunch sticking out of her two piece bathing suit.

“Let’s go,” she says.

I tie my hair in a bun with the help of a large no-tangle elastic. “I’ll be there in a second.”

Chloe has already jumped; a canon-ball soaking the edges of the pool, the terra-cotta stones a deeper shade of orange.

Gwen makes herself comfortable on the chaise longue. “So glad to have you girls over again.”

I smile down at her. “You’re too good to me. Thanks for the massage today and looking after the girls. It was amazing.”

She adjusts her sun hat, and grins at me. “My pleasure. What are friends for, right?”

I bite my lip, wishing I could do as much for her as she does for me.

“That suit looks amazing on you, by the way,” she says with a playful smile.

I look down at the black and yellow two-piece she bought me a few months back. The little skirt hides my belly. “Yep, that’s one of the suits you got for me, remember?”

She sticks out her tongue — a funny habit of hers. “I bet Gabe liked it,” she teases, “and Weston too.”

I smile at her with wide eyes. I press my finger to my mouth in a shushing motion. She can’t be talking like that about Weston around Chloe and Claire. They still have no clue what’s going on.

“You never did tell me much about what kind of shenanigans went on that week,” she goes on, a playful twinkle in her eye.

I laugh. “And I don’t plan to.”

“Oh, you will, one day…you will,” she teases, a delicious looking appletini in her hand. How I wish I could have a sip.

“You’re starting to really show,” she whispers, “big time.”

“I know. I’ve been living in baggy t-shirts. It’s because it’s my third.”

“The girls haven’t noticed?”

I worry my lip. “Not yet, but I know they will soon enough.”

“I’m going in,” Claire calls out and I watch her as she makes her way to the pool steps. Beyoncé’s
Single Ladies
rings out from the bottom of my beach bag. I keep an eye on Claire as I grab my phone. “Hello.”

“Hello, Mirella.”

My heart is heavy, and my whole body seems to slouch at the sound of his voice. “Weston.”

“I know you probably want to be left alone after our last encounter,” he starts off, no small talk, no chit-chat. “But there’s something I need to show you.”

“What?” I ask, curious. If there’s something about myself I could change, it would be my intense curiosity. I really don’t enjoy the sensation of being kept in suspense.

“Uh…well, it would be preferable if you could see it.”

“Oh, that would be preferable, would it?” I scoff, my words coming out snarkier than I had intended.

“Mirella,” he sighs. “I know you don’t quite trust me. But I promise I won’t lay a hand on you.”

“Oh, I know you won’t. I just don’t trust my own hands.”

He laughs his trademark soft chuckle. “It’s not something I can bring to you. You need to come to me.”

“I’m sorry, but that sounds rather risky.”

Gwen eyes me with curious eyes and a big smile. I keep an eye on Claire and Chloe, mulling over Weston’s words.

“I don’t want any more surprises. Do you understand that?”

“One last time,” he pleads. “I need to show you something and tell you something. It’s very important…too important to discuss over the telephone.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Can Gwen and the girls tag along?”

“Uh…I’d rather they didn’t. The girls shouldn’t quite see yet, before…”

“Before what?”

“Can you get Gwen to look after them?”

I bite my lip, completely intrigued. He knows me well. He knows I can’t resist a good mystery.

Curiosity killed the cat.

I blow out a breath. “Sure,” I say softly. I am a stupid, stupid kitty.

“How about eight this evening? After dinner. I won’t keep you long.”

“How long?”

“And hour of your time…two, tops.”

I glance over at Gwen, whose ears are glued to my every word. “Can you look after the girls tonight at around eight for two hours?”

She sits up straight. “No problem.”

I chew on my lip. “Will you pick me up?”

“I’ll probably send Edward over, if that’s fine with you.”

“Sure,” I say, realizing my nine lives might just be up.

Edward picks me up at a quarter to eight. He smiles at me, his ruddy face still so familiar.

“Hi, Edward. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Miss Mirella,” he says. “We’ve missed you.”

I smile as he opens the door for me, and I take a seat on the sleek beige leather, remembering the last time I was here. I had cried the whole ride home. It was the night Weston discovered my tattoo — Gabe’s name inked on my flesh. He had flipped, and had told me I’d always be his.

“The ride won’t be long,” Edward tells me, “about ten minutes or so.”

“How are you?” I ask him, an attempt at small talk.

He perks up. “I’m having a baby,” he tells me, “in three months’ time.”

Me too
, I almost want to say. But I’m sure he’s not aware of this little tidbit of info.

“Congratulations,” I offer, a little stunned. Edward is no spring chicken.

“Thanks,” he says. “It’s been a while. Second marriage,” he explains. “My older girls are twenty-one and seventeen.”

There’s so much I never knew about him. I am a bad, bad person. “It’s perfect. They can babysit.”

He laughs. “Well, that’s the plan.”

I fiddle with the hem of my yellow summer dress, still nervous. I had no clue what to wear because I have no idea what’s waiting for me.

We dart across town and head toward familiar territory — Gwen’s posh neighborhood. I want to tell Edward I was just here today, but I keep my mouth shut, in complete shock. Is he bringing me to Gwen’s? Makes no sense.

I first became familiar with this area ages ago when Gabe and I drove through it to check out the beautiful houses. As soon as we entered the serene community, we knew we were in rich-people territory; perfectly manicured lawns, luxury cars, three-car garages. The homes in this enclave are so grand and exquisite, but I still love my house just as much.

It may not be as big, but it has charm. I still remember the day we first saw it, I fell in love. It was perfect, with its Tudor inspired design, dark wooden beams and sleek hardwood floors. The cozy country-inspired kitchen and the large trees in the backyard sealed the deal. But there was a hitch — it was way over our budget. Nevertheless, Gabe and I decided to live for the moment. We told ourselves we would work hard and save. This was our home. But that left us house-poor, like many other people. No extra money for trips, fancy clothes, restaurants, or luxuries.

I wrack my brain trying to figure out what is going on.

Edward rounds the bend, just past a pristine park, and drives up a stone driveway. The house is beautiful; traditional, a colonial style covered in light brown brick with soft yellow accents. A small oval window over the red front door catches my eye. The picture is perfect, complete with a white picket fence and gorgeous landscaping.

Where am I?

Edward walks me to the door. And I want to ask him a million questions, but I don’t say a word, too stunned to speak. I’m sure all will reveal itself eventually.

“Bye, Miss Mirella,” he says as he swings the old-fashioned door-knocker. “I’ll be back later to drive you home.”

Weston answers the door, all smiles. I step in with caution as I take in the space around me. A sleek console table and funky chrome mirror sit by the entry. A cool orange lamp sits on top of the console. As my gaze travels further, I notice the walls are bare.

“Come in,” he urges, his smile already affecting me.

Be strong. You will not crumble. No matter how cute he looks in his perfectly fitted dark wash jeans and vintage Pepsi t-shirt.

I follow him to the kitchen, a huge gorgeous gourmet kitchen with one of those giant industrial looking gas stoves and ridiculously tall funky faucets.

“Is this your house?” I ask, getting right to business.

He nods and smiles. “A recent purchase. Can I get you something to drink? An iced tea?”

What?

Why would he buy a house out here? To be closer to me? To be closer to the baby perhaps? An investment?
I realize his obsession with me has taken on a whole different dimension, and it’s a little unsettling.

“Sure,” I say as I cautiously take a seat on one of the sleek curvy stools at the island.

“My friend Gwen lives just around the corner.”

He cocks a brow in surprise. “Oh, interesting. I didn’t realize that.”

“Nice place.”

“You like it?”

“What’s not to like?”

He smiles at me and fetches a pitcher of iced tea from the gigantic stainless-steel refrigerator.

He fills the glass with ice from the refrigerator door, the sound echoes loudly through the kitchen. “So how is Manny treating you?”

I smile. “He’s great. Really good food. Thank you. I think Gwen has a little crush on him.”

He laughs. “Yes, I bet she does.”

“He made us pork roast tonight,” I tell him, looking out the window at the pretty backyard — a modern day English garden.

“Sounds good.”

“It was.”

I sit up straight, willing myself to get right to it — no sense wasting time. “Why am I here, Weston?”

He doesn’t say a word. As he hands me a glass of iced tea, my hand brushes against his…just. And I’m a little too aware of it. I suck in a breath, telling myself to behave.

Apparently we’re not quite ready for declarations and confessions because he blatantly ignores my question.

The iced tea is cold and refreshing. I swivel on the stool and take in the space. “You haven’t quite moved in yet,” I point out, looking at the bare walls and the open empty space of the living room. The gorgeous marble encased fireplace still awaits company. A lone vase sits atop — orange again. I notice there are a quite a few pieces; vases, a painting on the wall, a cushion on a slipper chair — all orange.

“Decorating with orange accents, I see.”

He smirks. “It’s your favorite color, isn’t it? You told me that once.”

“Yes.”

My stomach feels heavy as a realization finally dawns on me. Why didn’t I see it before?

This is all for me.

I gasp as I do a one-eighty swivel and look around. “Did you buy me a frickin’
house
?”

He smiles. “Well, now you see why you had to come to see it. I couldn’t exactly bring it to you.”

I don’t know whether to be overjoyed or incredibly upset. He can’t do something this huge without consulting me…something this insane.

I decide to not make a scene. I’m pretty sure he meant well. I can’t quite lose my shit yet. “This is crazy, Weston.”

He makes his way round the island, and takes my hands in his. “Is it?” he asks. “It doesn’t seem so crazy to me.”

My mouth is dry, my heart beats so fast. I think I’m still in shock. I look at him, wide-eyed. “But who will live here?”

“You, your girls and our baby. And me,” he says. “I may have to spend a few occasional nights in the city, but I’ll try to be here for you as much as I can.”

“But…”

“I know it’s a lot to take in. You need time.”

I can’t believe what he’s saying. The whole room seems to spin. This doesn’t seem real. I feel like I’m tumbling into a surreal world. I feel like Alice in Wonderland.

“What about your wife and your kids?” I scoff. “Will they live here too?”

He shakes his head and turns away from me.

I stand, reaching for him, I press my hand on his back and force him to look at me. “What about them?”

He stares down at the floor. “Bridget and I are done,” he tells me, his voice soft.

My breath catches. “What?”

“I left her,” he tells me, his voice still quiet. And I can tell he’s genuinely upset. “Things with us haven’t been right in ages. Ever since…you’re the one for me, Mirella.”