20. Daniel
20
Daniel
It’s Saturday morning. Michelle perks up a little as we start filling our shopping carts. She isn't smiling yet, but she's definitely less moody than before Chloe joins us. For some reason, my daughter assumed I'd only pick boring, ugly, colorless things for her bedroom and birthday dinner, rather than the trendier items that suit her style.
I have to admit, my choices are pretty conservative—okay, maybe they were downright drab. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be exciting.
The first item I picked out was a classic black bedspread, which was met with a flat, “No, Dad.”
The second had black and white patterns, but Michelle scrunched up her nose. “It’s like a school uniform.”
And the third, a pair of loafers. “I’m not 80, Dad.”
Each time, Chloe would swoop in with an alternative that made Michelle’s eyes light up.
Before I knew it, the two of them were off, giggling and chatting like old friends while I trailed behind with a cart full of rejects.
They resurface a while later with a fluffy pink rug and a lamp that will complement the white furniture in Michelle’s room. It’s too much pink, in my opinion, but if it brings out her smile, it’s a win in my book. We shop for another hour or so before making our way home.
We pull into the driveway to see the delivery truck from Michelle’s favorite restaurant awaiting us with a feast fit for a runway after-party. I plant a kiss on Michelle’s forehead and hand her the shopping bags. “Can you take these upstairs, honey? I’ll be up in a bit to help you out.”
Michelle tilts her head toward the food. “Is this for a party?”
“I don’t know.” Chloe looks my way, puzzled.
I shake my head with a smile, “Nope, it’s just the small family dinner you wanted tonight. You made it clear that big parties aren’t your jam.”
Michelle hauls some of the bags up to her room while Chloe unpacks, folds the grocery bags, and stashes them away in a cabinet. She doesn’t say a word to me. Not that she has said much to me since coming back to work yesterday.
I set the table and Chloe quietly joins me. Michelle bounces back into the dining room a while later and stops short, her eyes flicking between us. “Why is it so quiet? You two fighting or something?” she asks with a frown.
Chloe and I exchange glances, and almost on cue, we break into forced smiles. “No, of course not,” I assure her, and Chloe nods in agreement. “We’re just so focused on making tonight’s dinner perfect.”
We gather around the table to eat, and I present Michelle with her gift—a sleek, latest-model laptop that’s been on her wish list for months. Her eyes light up, and she squeals delightfully, “Dad, it’s amazing! Thank you!”
Chloe then hands Michelle a small, wrapped box. “Happy Birthday, Michelle,” she says softly. Inside, Michelle finds a locket attached to a silver necklace. Chloe leans in, “You can keep photos of the people you love close to your heart with this.”
Michelle opens the locket to find it empty. “There are two compartments for two pictures. I’m sorry it’s not much.”
It’s a sweet gift, but I keep my thoughts to myself.
The dinner progresses with laughter and stories. Chloe’s presence brightens the room in a way I can’t explain. We chat about everything from celebrity gossip to fashion topics and play board games until Michelle’s yawns become too frequent to ignore.
“Let me help her get settled into bed.” I lift Michelle into my arms as she rests her head on my shoulder.
“Goodnight, Chloe. Thanks for coming today,” Michelle mumbles.
After tucking her in, I return downstairs to find Chloe gathering the dishes.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s no trouble, really.”
There was no point arguing with Chloe as she’d already made up her mind, so I just fell in step beside her. She washes while I dry and put away. This goes on for a while until Chloe and I start talking simultaneously.
“I wanted to thank—” she says, while I blurt out, “I’ve been meaning to ask—.”
We both stop.
“You first,” I prompt.
“No, no, you go ahead.”
“Please, after you.”
Chloe lets out a small sigh. “I just wanted to thank you for the medicine the other day. It was...unexpected.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t sure which one you’d need, so I just kinda bought everything. I was hoping you’d feel better in time for Michelle’s dinner.”
Chloe nods. “Much better, thanks. You really didn’t have to go through all that trouble.”
“I wanted to. I’m just glad you’re back on your feet.” I pause. “So, you and Alex, huh?”
“Me and Alex? Alex who?” Chloe’s confusion only lasts a minute before realization dawns on her. “Alex?”
“Yeah, Alex.”
“OMG, no,” Chloe laughs.
“You’re not dating Alex?”
“Of course not. He still wouldn’t be on the table even if he wasn’t dating my best friend.”
“I see.”
“Do you have any other plans for tonight?” I ask.
“Not really. I just want to get home.”
I shrug. “Well, do you want to have a drink before you head out?”
“I should just probably—”
“Just one.”
Chloe pauses, then gives in. “Sure, why not?”
After we finish tidying up the kitchen, I grab two Sam Adams bottles from the fridge, and we sit on the living room couch. I open both and take a sip from one, handing the other bottle to Chloe.
Taking a sip, I notice a drop of beer on the edge of Chloe’s lips. My first thought is to wipe it away, but I resist the urge and keep my hands to myself. Instead, I watch as she licks the wet spot off her lips with her tongue, sending shivers down my spine.
Desire starts to simmer inside me. How can something so innocent feel like flirtation?
So much for trying to get her out of my system. Truth is, I’ve been craving another moment alone with her since our first kiss. And now, here we are.
“Just to be sure, we’re off the clock now, right?” Chloe asks.
“Hmmm...not sure how weekends work, but I’m always your boss, aren’t I?”
Chloe raises an eyebrow, and I chuckle. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
“Right.”
“Which means asking you to tell me more won't be inappropriate.”
“More about?”
“You.”
Chloe raises an eyebrow again. “I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about personal stuff. Didn’t you say it was bad to mix business and personal life?”
“I could fire you.”
She shoots me a deadpan look. “That probably wouldn’t be the best way to get me to talk.”
“Then tell me what is.”
Chloe smirks. “You sound pretty—"
Two glasses of wine at dinner and now beer. It has to be the alcohol talking. “I feel pretty desperate right about now. Let’s start with your past relationships.”
I can’t tell Chloe that I stalked her Facebook page and found the engagement picture on it, so I hope she brings it up herself.
“Are you sure I can be honest with you? No judgment tonight?”
“I’d be upset if you weren’t.”
“I was sort of involved in an office romance. Well, I wouldn't call it romance, so let’s just say it was a fling. It was more like a mistake after drinking too much at the company holiday party. You get the idea.”
“Yeah, unfortunately, I do. So, you hooked up with someone from work…hang on. I’m gonna grab another beer. I’m guessing this story won’t end well.”
Taking a deep breath, she carries on. “Anyway, I really loved my old job. It was basically my whole life for the last seven years. I started as an Intern after college and worked my way up to Director. I went on dates, but I hadn’t been in a serious relationship until…” she drawls.
“Uh-huh?”
Clearing her throat, she continues. “Anyway, I hooked up with that co-worker after the holiday party.”
“No judgment from me. It happens a lot, believe it or not. I’ve been there.”
“The guy turned out to be a real piece of work. He told me he was single. Two days later, he announced he got engaged over the holiday break to his long-term girlfriend.”
“He sounds like a total—”
“Trust me. I know. He was. And that’s not even the worst part. I told him exactly what I thought about him and made sure I treated him as such. A few months later, he was promoted to being my boss.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah. And what’s worse, he doesn’t know anything about the job.”
“Then how did he get promoted?”
“He’s the owner’s son.”
Dang.
“Wow. I get it, though.”
“You do?”
“Of course. You have a few drinks, it gets out of control, and next thing you know, your job is on the line…or you feel like you have to quit because it’s all of the sudden uncomfortable.”
“Exactly. And now, I’m here.”
I frown. That isn’t the story I was hoping to get out of this conversation. Maybe she doesn't trust me enough yet and she's testing the waters with this story. Whatever. I'll let it go. Eventually, she’ll feel comfortable enough to tell me about the man she was once engaged to.
“Chloe?” I call softly, and Chloe turns to look at me. “I owe you an apology for that night in the office, you know, when you asked me about Maddie during the power outage. You sort of caught me off guard, and I could have handled that better.”
“It’s okay,” Chloe shrugs. “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.”
“Maddie was...she was like a light in a room. She always knew how to make things brighter. I can’t explain.”
“I can imagine. She sounds wonderful.”
“She had this way with Michelle. They’d spend hours in the garden or baking in the kitchen. It was their thing.”
“That’s really sweet. It must have been hard for Michelle when...”
“Yeah, we struggled with it. It was like losing a piece of ourselves.”
“I’m glad you both are doing better now. It’s important to keep moving forward.”
“You’re not giving me that pitiful look,” I say. “Everyone does that when they hear about Maddie.”
“Well, I feel bad, for sure. Maybe if I knew you when it happened, my face would be like the rest of them. In any case, you and Michelle have moved on a lot since then, and that’s a good thing. I’m sure Maddie wouldn’t want you wallowing around forever.”
“Chloe, I—”
“It’s true. Look, Daniel. What I see in you is this tough-as-nails guy who’s been through hell and back. And you’re still standing, still fighting. That’s not something to pity; that’s something to admire. You have a little girl who thinks the world of you, and you’re her hero. You don’t need anyone to feel sorry for you. What you need is people around you who get that, who see the real you. People who’ll have your back, come what may. Yes, you have to work on your delivery with people, that’s for sure, but we can fix that. So no, I’m not going to look at you with sad eyes and a head tilt. I’m going to be here to cheer you on or be ready to step in when you need a break, or I’ll just be someone to talk to. Occasionally, though. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to make it through. And nobody should have to do that alone, even if they’re... you .”
Something snaps in my head as soon as the last word escapes Chloe’s lips, and suddenly, I know what I’ve been holding back.
This needs to stop one way or another. I’m done hiding my sickening, frustrating attraction to this incredible woman. I have a feeling this isn’t one-sided, especially since she made the first move that night.
Now, it’s my turn.
I see the way she’s looking at me, her eyes swelling with desire, electricity crackling in the air.
Leaning in, I brush my lips against hers, and instantly, her lips part, inviting me in. I can’t help but wonder if she’s been waiting all night for this. Our kisses meld together with an equal fervor, her sweetness intoxicating. Her fingers glide down my chest, making the hairs on the nape of my neck stand. At that moment, nothing else matters but the passion radiating between us.
Without a word, I scoop Chloe up into my arms. She wraps her legs around my waist, holding onto me as if I’m her lifeline.
There’s no turning back now.