Chapter 14
Beatrix
Later that week,I’m home alone with Lizzy while Cooper has an offseason practice and training session that’s running long. She’s finally out of school for the year and enjoying it by playing video games and lounging by the pool outside. I’m busy following up on some inquiries Madison sent out and emailing a photographer in Seattle we’d both love to see do some work with Quentin if she’s willing to while we’re all out there later this summer.
But midway through, I hit a wall of fatigue, and I don’t think I can bear to open one more email. Writing line after line of polite professional jargon is almost as exhausting as doing time on the elliptical, and I need to give myself a break. A snack wouldn’t hurt either, so I wander into the kitchen and start working on some small cucumber sandwiches and a fruit bowl. I end up making more than I need since I don’t think Lizzy’s had much other than the big pancake breakfast we all had this morning, so I put it on a tray to take outside, figuring I can use some vitamin D too.
“Hungry?” I ask.
She pulls down the headphones that she has on while she floats in the pool and grins.
“Yes! Starving. Hang on.” She kicks her way around and makes for the edge of the pool.
I set our snacks out on a table between two loungers and take up my spot, slipping out of my shoes and putting my sunglasses on. I could get used to this life. One where the pool is just outside the back door, and work breaks involve getting to lounge outside. Lizzy pulls up next to me a moment later and sprawls out on the neon-colored beach towel she has spread out.
“So I was just thinking…” She nibbles away at one of the sandwiches, finishing it with some of the lemonade I brought out to go with them. “Dad’s birthday is coming up next week when I’m already at camp.”
“Oh, is it?”
“Yes. It’s that Friday, and normally, I do a whole thing where I bake him a cake and send invites to Ramsey, Garner, and the rest of the guys. But I won’t be here to do it. I know he’ll say he doesn’t care and that we can celebrate it later, but I know he loves having everyone over for the pool and BBQ. He won’t do it for himself though.”
“Yeah, I know that about your dad.” Cooper is always very focused on his friends and family, always making sure everyone else has a good time.
“So I was wondering… Since you’ll be here, and I know you bake the most amazing things, would you be willing to host it for him?”
I stop mid-bite of my fruit salad.
“Me?”
“Yeah. You guys are friends. You work with the Chaos, so you could get the invites out to them. We could get the groceries for the BBQ delivered if you don’t have time, or we could even have a BBQ place cater. That might be easier. I have a credit card for emergencies.”
She’s already thought this whole thing through and has the entire plan ready to be put into action. I really don’t have a good excuse not to do it, at least not from her perspective. Honestly, I love the idea and figure Cooper could use the break from all the practices and end-of-year parent responsibilities he’s had with Lizzy’s school.
But then I worry about what it’ll look like when the woman who’s moved in with him is baking him cakes and throwing a birthday party for him like she’s a girlfriend. Especially after the other morning when we clearly flirted with a line we shouldn’t cross if I’m going to be living here for the summer.
Lizzy eats the last of her sandwich and then frowns while she waits for me to say something.
“If you’re too busy, I understand.”
My heart sinks. I don’t want to let her down. Especially not when she wants to do something so thoughtful for her dad. I really don’t want to let Cooper down either, given how generous he’s been with his home and his time for me as I navigate the mess that is my life right now. We’re both adults and I can do something to help his daughter celebrate him.
“No. No. It’s not that. I can do it. If you plan it and put the invitations together this week, I’ll deliver them to the guys before the end of the week for you. I’ll just tell them I’m stepping in for you since you can’t be there. Just want to make sure you get credit for all the hard work.” I smile at her.
“Will you bake him a cake though? I know we can order one, but we both always loved the stuff you made at the lake house when you were with Uncle Rob.”
“Yes. I can do that. I have a recipe I’ve been wanting to try anyway. Your dad likes chocolate, right?”
“He loves it. It’s his favorite.” She grins, and then it fades. “Sorry for mentioning Uncle Rob. I know that probably made it weird. I didn’t mean to.”
“No, it’s fine. We were together for a while. It’s how you and I met. He’s still your uncle. You’re allowed to mention him to me. There are no hard feelings there.”
“Well, I have hard feelings. His new girlfriend is nowhere near as fun as you are. I don’t know what he was thinking. But I’m glad you’re here with me and Dad for the summer.”
“Yeah, I heard you played a significant role in that. Thank you. You’re really thoughtful, you know?” I smile at her.
“Don’t get too excited. It was a little bit selfish on my part. It meant I got to spend more time with you. And you make Dad laugh a lot, like the way he was at the fair; I’m glad you guys can have fun together.”
“Me too.” I grin.
“I’m just sad I have to go to camp now because it means I don’t get as much time with you.” She rolls her lower lip into a pout.
“I’ll still be here when you get back.”
“But then we’re going to the lake house. You know it’s my birthday then… and I might need you to make my cake too.” A wry grin forms on her face, and she wiggles her eyebrows.
“Okay… let’s take this one thing at a time.” I give her a look.
Going to the lake house is a nonstarter, not that I want to tell her that. It’s one thing to hang out with her and Cooper here. But Rob and his new girlfriend would most definitely be at the big family summer get-together, and I don’t need to be the odd woman out for that. Or worse yet, looking like I’m still pining after him and trying to find ways to see him.
“Fine. But I’m still going to be plotting for it.”
“You do that. In the meantime, tell me more about camp. Is it a programming camp or design? What all are you doing there?”
“Yes! It’s like a boot camp for game designers. A bunch of other people my age will all work on a project together.” She starts telling me all the opportunities she’s going to have and I listen. My heart is so happy for her, to know she’s getting to do something she loves so much, and that her parents are so supportive of her pursuing her dreams.