Chapter 9 #2
Sydney had been polished. Tasteful. The type of woman who knew which fork to use at extravagant galas and never wore shoes that didn’t match her purse.
He didn’t doubt she had loved him, but she had loved the image of them even more.
Her, the philanthropic consultant and he the wealthy real estate developer, and when paired together they made one dashing couple.
She wanted a future of them at fundraisers, high-powered connections, and them presenting themselves as one of the most powerful couples in Cleveland.
But he had wanted more.
Something he didn’t know how to articulate.
Maybe he was seeing that something now. She was barefoot in his kitchen, cutting pancakes into perfect little squares for his son.
Something stirred in his chest. He couldn’t name it, but he felt it.
“We can eat,” Tachina announced. She turned off the stove and motioned for them to head over to the table.
Vic went over and hoisted Kian up who let out a loud squeal. He tossed him onto his shoulder and jogged over to the table in the kitchen. Kian’s giggles were infectious. He lowered him down to the floor and helped him into the chair.
Vic didn’t comment on how well he and Tachina worked together as they gathered everything they would need. He grabbed the cups, juice, coffee, and condiments while she made Kian’s and his plates and brought them over to the table. He sat just as she placed his plate in front of him.
“All of this was in there?” He arched an eyebrow. He hadn’t realized Tony had restocked the pantry. He took in the plate and felt ravenous. After the night they’d had, he wasn’t surprised by how hungry he was.
The woman had outdone herself. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and home fries.
“Yup.” She turned away and sashayed back over to the stove where she piled food upon a plate for herself.
“Mom’s breakfasts are the best,” Kian said. The little guy had already started digging into his.
Tachina soon joined them, and they began eating. For a moment, Vic allowed himself to drink it all in. The smell of sweet syrup. Kian’s nonstop chatter. Tachina laughing as she took a bite of food. His home felt different. Lived-in. It didn’t feel lonely. Or cold and quiet.
And then there was her.
Every once in a while, Tachina glanced up at him shyly as if she didn’t want him knowing she was eyeing him. But he saw it. He felt her eyes on him every single time. This time, their gazes held for a moment.
She looked away first.
This was dangerous. They’d agreed years ago to go their separate ways after their brief entanglements. But then they’d found out about the baby and decided to co-parent…which had worked out.
But then last night happened.
There were now things he couldn’t un-feel.
Kian was telling some story about a cartoon character when Tachina suddenly turned to him.
“Hey, would you be able to take him Wednesday evening? I’ve got a late work thing.”
“Yeah,” Vic said immediately. He reached for his coffee and took a sip. “My mother’s been asking me to bring Kian over for dinner. That would be fine.”
“Is Sydney going to be there?” Kian asked innocently. He picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. “Gram keeps talking about her.”
Tachina froze.
It was subtle. Just a tiny tightening of her shoulders, a stillness in her hands, and a distant look in her eyes.
But Vic saw it.
He slowly lowered his coffee mug and cleared his throat. “No. Sydney won’t be there.”
That was the truth, but the glint that flickered in Tachina’s eyes made him want to explain. He didn’t want her to think he was hiding anything from her. Especially after the agreement they had made.
“Sydney and my mother still coordinate charity events together,” he said, careful. “They have a few ventures they created together. But Sydney and I…we’re not together.”
“It’s okay,” she said. She went back to eating, and her posture relaxed slightly.
“Mom, are you going on a date?” Kian asked.
Tachina and Vic paused at the same time.
Vic’s stomach rolled with something sharp and ugly. Jealousy filled him before he could push it down.
“I said work function, Kian,” she reminded him. She appeared amused and flustered. She tapped him on the nose. “I was invited to attend the opening of a gallery that I oversaw the redesign.”
“Oh,” Kian said. He appeared already bored with the topic. He stabbed his fork into his pancakes. “Can I have more syrup?”
Vic breathed out slowly.
A date.
They hadn’t spoken about either of them dating during this time. She was single and could if she wanted to. She was smart, sexy, and was an overall amazing woman. Vic wasn’t blind and knew any man would want her.
But the idea of another man taking her out, touching her or holding her, hit him hard. He didn’t want to acknowledge the feelings it brought out.
“I heard about that. The Marx Museum? You had a hand in that?” he asked. As a real estate developer in the city, he always had his ear to the ground regarding the latest developments.
“Yeah. I was in charge of the entire building’s renovations.” Her small smile widened into a grin. Pride beamed in her eyes.
“That’s awesome,” he murmured.
He’d always admired her ambition and eye for detail.
The lobby of his building received compliments daily.
She had been the lead decorator who had been assigned when he’d commissioned her company.
He’d wanted a new, welcoming look for his company.
He’d hosted the wealthiest of businessmen and women and wanted to have a show-stopping feel which Tachina had delivered.
“Everything is set for the party,” Tachina announced.
“My party?” Kian perked up at the mention of his upcoming birthday party.
Vic chuckled at the return of excitement on his face.
“Yes, your party. Auntie Addison has been hard at work helping Mommy plan it,” Tachina said. She ruffled Kian’s curls.
“Can Leo come?” Kian asked.
“His momma said yes.” Tachina laughed at Kian pumping his fist in the air. She turned her attention back to Vic. “Addison said that there’s a final payment due for the caterers.”
“They have my card on file. I told them to charge everything to it,” Vic said.
He glanced over at Kian who reached for his apple juice. Vic leaned over and handed it to him so that the juice didn’t end up spilled across the table.
“Addison is making sure you’re kept in the loop since you’re paying for everything. She’s not going to just go around charging things to it without your knowledge.” Tachina shrugged.
“I trust her, and you know the cost doesn’t matter,” he said.
It was for his son’s fifth birthday party. A boy only turned five once, and what he’d said was true. The cost didn’t matter to him. He wanted to ensure everyone had a good time and Kian was happy.
“We didn’t need to go all out like this. Chuck E. Cheese would have been fine,” she muttered.
“Do you think my mother would step foot in a place like Chuck E. Cheese?” He lifted an eyebrow at her.
They stared at each other for a moment before they both shared a laugh. Nancy Maxwell didn’t do places like that. When he or Logan had parties growing up, they were the most extravagant events. Nancy and her pearls wouldn’t be caught dead in Chuck E. Cheese.
Silence settled between them. It wasn’t awkward at all. Even Kian was quiet while he worked on his food.
“So…” Vic said quietly.
Her eyes lifted to his, warm and welcoming.
He felt a pull to her.
Again, and it had nothing to do with planning and kids.
“Are you staying tonight?” he asked quietly. Last night replayed in his head. He wasn’t done with her. Not yet, and it wasn’t because of her optimal timing to conceive.
He wanted her.
She understood what he was asking. Her gaze flicked to Kian who was watching and waiting for her answer.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“You’re sleeping over again? Can we have pancakes tomorrow, too?” Kian asked her. He bounced around in his seat with a wide grin.
“Sure, big man. Whatever you want.”
Vic and Tachina laughed at the pure joy on his face. Tachina met Vic’s gaze. His mouth suddenly went dry. There was a glint in her eyes that gave him pause. Was she feeling what he was? This thing between them was an agreement. Make a baby. Co-parents to two children as they had done with one.
But was this turning into more?
Vic blinked. Maybe he was reading too much into this. Last night was the first night they’d been together in over five years.
He didn’t know what to think. He would have to figure this out. He couldn’t just ignore what was simmering between them.
Didn’t want to.
Eventually, they would have to talk, but what if all of this was one-sided? He glanced back at Tachina and took in her lovely smile. Their gazes met again.
No, this was not one-sided.
She felt all of this, too.
Vic was sure of it.
But what would it all mean?