Note: I should have mentioned last chapter that, if you're a new reader, make sure to read Into the Fire first. I appreciate the kind words and suggestions from everyone! I'll be on vacation for the next couple of weeks, and I'm going to try to get the next chapter out tomorrow...but if I don't, I'll see y'all in May. Thanks again, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2
Girl tell me how you feel, what your fantasy oh
I see us on a beach down in Mexico
You can put your feet up, be my senorita
We ain't gotta rush just take it slow
You'll be in the high life
Soaking up the sunlight
Anything you want is yours
I'll have you living life like you should
You say you never had it so good
B.o.B. was blasting through my headphones as I finished my run on the treadmill. The gym on campus was mostly empty, as it was the last day of finals and some students had tests all day. I had completed my last class earlier in the morning and, after taking a much needed nap at my apartment, needed to blow off some steam. I'd studied hard, too hard, and was looking forward to the next month off for winter break.
As I finished the last quarter mile of my five mile run I pushed the Stop button, leaning over the bar to catch my breath. I found that running was a good cathartic activity, and lately when I let my mind wander it was filled with surprisingly good thoughts. I hopped off with my towel, dabbing as much sweat from my forehead as I could when I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Hey there, Tess."
I took my earbuds out and greeted Justin, the TA in one of my seminars. With over a hundred students in the course I had no idea he even knew who I was. "Hey, how are you?"
"Good, good. All done with finals?"
"Sure am, try not to give me too bad of a grade, please?" He flashed me a flirtatious smile and squeezed my upper arm. "Don't worry about that, you always do great work. I'm glad I ran into you. I've been wanting to ask you out all semester, but, you know, they kind of frown upon TAs dating students. But now that classes are done, do you maybe want to go grab some coffee?"
"That's a nice offer, but I've heard her husband has a real mean, jealous streak." Shane appeared next to me, kissing the top of my head as Justin's face started to turn red. "Oh, man. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were married."
I leaned into his side as he handed me a bottle of water. "That's okay, it was a few days ago."
"Congratulations. No hard feelings?" Shane scowled as I elbowed him in the ribs and gave Justin a genuine smile. "None at all. Have a good break, okay?"
"You too." Justin headed to the back of the gym towards the locker rooms as wrapped my arms around my husband's waist. "You are so unbelievably rude."
"He's just lucky he walked out of here with two unbroken arms, touchin' my woman." I raised on my toes to kiss him as he captured my bottom lip, biting it gently. "
Mine
."
"So possessive."
"Fuckin' right, Mrs. Thomas." We had gotten married at the courthouse the day after we got our license. There were no flowers, no string quartet, and no white dress. We were in and out in half an hour, stopping by our favorite café for lunch before we spent the rest of the night – and most of the next day – in bed. We had that disgustingly sweet newlywed happiness I'd seen in movies and read about in books but never thought I'd have in my life. "How much longer do we have to wait until we get an actual ring on that finger? Maybe then other guys will stop hitting on my wife."
I had already purchased his wedding ring, I was planning on surprising him on Christmas morning - a white gold band twisted into Celtic knots, three inset emeralds strewn throughout, reminiscent of his green eyes. "I just want to wait until we tell my dad and your parents. I don't want to surprise them like that, with no preparation beforehand. As soon as we get back from Texas next week, we'll go get rings, okay?"
He grumbled quietly but conceded, steering us toward the exit. "Fine, but I'm not promisin' I won't murder the next guy who hits on you. What else do we have to do before we leave tomorrow?"
"We set up Austin's dogwalker, and the car is all packed...can we stop by my parent's house before we go home? I need to grab some books."
He shot me a stern look. "Tess, you promised. No working."
"I'm not going to do any work, but I don't know the next time I'll be able to get over there and I need them for next semester." I entwined my fingers with his as we crossed the parking lot to our separate cars, as he drove to meet me for a workout after I finished my exam. "Pretty please?"
"Darlin', I just love it when you beg. Go, I'll meet you at home. Don't take too long." The eroticism hidden in his voice made my skin tingle. "Do you want to eat out tonight?"
"As opposed to all the other nights you
don't
eat out?"
"Dirty girl." He smacked me on the ass before I got into my car. "I'm gonna fuck that mouth of yours as soon as you get in the house."
"Then I'll be sure to start stripping as soon as I reach the porch." He bent down to kiss me goodbye. "Good girl. I love you."
"Right back at ya, Mr. Thomas." He shut the door, tapping on the window with his fingertips before heading to his truck and letting me pull off.
***
I parked my Subaru in the garage of my parents red brick colonial, a little confused to discover my father's car in there as well, since it was in the early evening of a work day. I went through the door that led to the kitchen from the garage, throwing my keys on the counter, a sense of unease washing over me. I hadn't been back since my mom's wake, and my father was in the process of renovating. The once all white kitchen was now home to mahogany cabinets with dark granite, the walls painted a muted beige. There was a new island where the sink was moved, three barstools on the opposite side. It was more masculine and warm, and a surprising change from the sterile environment prior.
Though not as startling as the woman who walked out of the pantry.
She was reading the label on a box of quinoa, reading glasses perched on her bare, olive-toned face. Her black hair was twisted into an elegant bun, and she wore a colorful, paisley apron over her black pinstriped pantsuit. She finally looked up, a bright smile spreading across her face when she saw me. "Uh...hi?"
"Oh my gosh..." She came around the island to where I was standing, a waft of Chanel no. 5 floating past my nose as she gathered my hands in hers, holding them firmly. "You are even more beautiful than your pictures! Oh, and I look an absolute mess."
"I'm sure I look worse? I just finished at the gym." I didn't know what else to say to her. My dad strolled in at that moment, cutting our introduction short. "Ah, Contessa, this is a pleasant surprise. I see you've met Ronnie."
"In the process of." She gave me a hug, catching me off-guard with the sudden show of affection. "Byron, she is absolutely
beautiful
."
"Yes, she is." He placed a kiss her on her temple and went to the wine fridge to select a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. "We are about to sit down to dinner, would you care to join us?"
"I don't want to interrupt, I just came to grab some books." Ronnie's face lit up when my father made the suggestion. "Oh, yes! Please stay. I've made entirely too much food for the two of us, and I want to hear all about you. Your dad is always raving about how wonderful you are."
He is?
"I just have to make a phone call, excuse me." I walked past them as my dad poured her a glass of wine, whatever she was saying making him laugh. I dug out my cell from the pocket of my hoodie and called Shane, who picked up after the second ring. "Why are you not naked in our bed right now, woman?"
"Because my vagina needs a break, you sex addict. Also, I'm with my dad, and whom I am going to assume is his new girlfriend."
"Huh. She nice?"
"She seems to be. He's not at work, and he looks
happy
. I don't think I've ever seen him happy, it's strange." I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "The whole thing is strange. They want me to stay for dinner."
"Good, you should. I'll finish getting stuff done here. Go hang out with them, get to know her. Then come home and tell me all about it." His voice made me calm, quieting the doubts in my mind like a wave putting out a fire. "Okay. I love you."
"Right back at ya, Mrs. Thomas." I ended the call and headed back to the kitchen, where my dad was standing behind Ronnie while she stirred something on the stove. I cleared my throat awkwardly, the blatant display of affection freaking me out. "I'm just going to run up and take a shower, if that's okay."
"Take your time Contessa, we won't start without you." I headed up the stairs to my old room, reflecting on how odd it was for my dad to be dating...but he certainly couldn't do any worse than my mother.
***
"Dinner is terrific, Ronnie." We were dining on roasted salmon over a quinoa and kale salad. It really was delicious, and I was appreciative of a home cooked meal; neither of my parents ever cooked, opting to employ chef after chef who suffered through my mother's judgmental wrath. I could hear her harsh tone in my mind:
You call this food?...you have to cook low-fat for Contessa, she's way too fat...I can't believe you would even make this foul meal in my home, you're fired!
Ronnie, however, seemed like a friendly woman, animatingly sharing the story of how she met my dad during a business meeting at her law firm. They held hands throughout our meal, my dad gazing at her adoringly, laughing at her jokes. It was kind of adorable, a far cry from the cold relationship he'd had with Monica. "Byron tells me you're travelling to Texas tomorrow with your boyfriend. Which city is he from?"
"Austin. I'm excited to meet his family."
"Meeting the parents is a very big step, Contessa," he turned to Ronnie, "her boyfriend Shane is a very nice young man."
I set my napkin on the table and blew out a huge breath. "Husband, actually. We got married." Ronnie's mouth dropped open slightly as my dad's face remained emotionless. "About a week ago. It was impulsive, and I wanted to tell you in person. I think we're going to do a vow renewal ceremony this summer, after I graduate...you can even give me away, if you want."
Ronnie put on an encouraging face. "Congratulations Contessa, that's wonderful. Isn't it, Byron?" He coughed and set his silverware down. "It...is, and I would be honored to give you away." I started to tear up, touched that he wanted to be involve. "If you'll give me a few days I'll have a post-nuptial agreement drawn up for you."
I sighed heavily, annoyed at my father back on his business mode. "Dad...no. He doesn't care about money."
