Chapter 4
Chapter Four
O nce again, I was asking myself how this could happen as I sat in my kitchen one week later, waiting for the girls to arrive for our weekly girls’ night. We’d taken up comforting each other once a week, rotating houses, like we used to back in our cheerleading days. Only, last week we had missed our meeting because of my grandmother’s funeral.
I was sure they were still wondering about the results of our bet on the existence or non-existence of a certain legend tattooed clover, but they had been classy enough not to ask. It had been two weeks since my birthday, and my life was a mess. A complete and utter mess.
I repeat…I hated change, but my life was about to change in a very big way.
The doorbell rang, so I answered. “Hey, girls, come on in.”
I stood back and held the door open as Zoe, Harmony, and Morticia entered. I ushered them into my kitchen and had them sit around my ceramic and glass kitchen table, then I poured them each a drink. A diet cola for Morti, a glass of Chardonnay for Zoe, and a beer for Harm. Normally I opted for a glass of champagne or a martini, but tonight I opened a bottle of sparkling water.
“What was up with your ex showing up?” Morti studied me, looking concerned. “Tell me it’s not what I think it is…again.”
“He’s no fool.” The man gave me indigestion. “Now that I have Grammy’s inheritance, he’s threatening to sue me for more alimony.”
“You’re shitting me.” Harm scowled. “I seriously hate that man.”
“He’s always been lazy. Even when we were married, he claimed he couldn’t work because of a bad back. He was faking it then just like he’s faking it now. He can work and support himself just fine. Same with my so-called family only showing up because Grammy cut them out of her will. I’m sure they were heartbroken that she didn’t leave them anything.”
“I don’t know. We were there, hon.” Zoe gave me a sympathetic look, always the voice of reason. “They sounded really sincere.”
“Yeah, I hate to admit it, Tiff, but I agree.” Morti shot me an ‘I’m sorry’ wince.
“What the hell does that mean?” I couldn’t believe they were taking anyone’s side but mine.
“I can read you like a book, babe. We’re not taking anyone’s side. All we’re saying is that it might mean there’s more to the story than Grammy told you.” Harm never held anything back. It was one of the things I liked best about her…not so much at this moment. “I know you might not want to hear this, but they are your only family left. Take it from someone like me. I have a huge family who drive me nuts, but in the end, they are still my family.”
“Well, mine has never been there for me.” I put some dishes in the dishwasher. “Why should I let them be now?”
“We’re not saying you have to accept them. Just be open to listening to what they have to say. What can it hurt?” Zoe jumped up and started helping me.
I just looked at her. “You really have to ask that?”
“None of us want you to get hurt again, Tiff. It’s just, you need a support system in your life right now. You’re going through so much. I mean, what more can you take, right?” Morti opened another diet cola.
And with that, I burst into tears. “You have no idea.”
“Oh, no.” Zoe wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “It’s not like you to get emotional, Tiff. What’s really going on?”
“W-We didn’t have a meeting last week, so I couldn’t tell you all about that stupid bet.” I sniffed, dabbing my eyes.
“Wait…you mean you seriously went through with it?” Harm gaped at me. “I didn’t think you were serious.”
“It was the night of my birthday.” I shrugged. “Call it a moment of weakness. I was feeling insecure.”
“You?” Morti’s eyebrows shot up.
“I know forty is not old, but I really felt it that night.” I smiled fondly. “Matt was there, and he made me feel special. One thing led to another, and well, let’s just say there were fireworks after hours.”
“Oh, wow, then that means you saw the tattoo.” Morti’s voice was laced with pure awe and a hint of curiosity.
“I saw something, but I’m not sure what. And that is not why I slept with him at all, but then I made the mistake of revealing that I saw something.” I couldn’t get the look on his face out of my head. “He was angry and hurt, claiming all I cared about was verifying a stupid legend. I have a feeling many women know about the legend and want to see it for themselves. We both said things we didn’t mean, and I left. End of story.”
“Not end of story.” Harm shook her head hard. “You can’t drop that bomb and then not give details.”
“And that would make me no better than the other women.” I felt terrible for how I must have made Matt feel.
“We’re your best friends, not just random people you’re telling,” Morti said.
“Like I said, I didn’t get a good look,” I lied.
“Well, there’s always next time.” Harm wagged her brows.
“Trust me, there won’t be a next time.” I doubted he would even speak to me again.
“Poor man. He’s not a circus animal. If he did get a tattoo there, I bet he’s regretting it now.” Zoe tsked. “He looks like a god, and with a rumored legend like that, he must attract all sorts of people. No wonder he’s single still. How can he ever trust if a woman truly likes him for who he is and not what he looks like or what tricks he can do.”
“He kind of said as much,” I admitted. “We’re not on the same page. He wants a wife and children. He wants it all, but I don’t. I’ve been down that path, and it wasn’t pretty. I’m not going there again. Besides, his family are traditional Catholics who don’t believe in divorce, so it’s a lose-lose situation. That’s why we decided in so many words not to give us a shot.”
“Then why the tears?” Harmony glanced at my still wet cheeks and handed me the tissue box.
“Because apparently, it doesn’t matter what I want.” I started crying all over again and blew my nose.
“What do you mean?” Morti forehead wrinkled. “I’m worried about you, Tiff. You’re always so put together. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Trust me, I’m not put together at all, doll.” I half-sobbed, half-hiccupped, taking a sip of water before finally blurting, “I’m late!”
“Oh, hon. No worries there. We’ll help you get caught up and back on track with whatever you need.” Zoe patted my hand.
“You know how organized I am.” I dried my tears to no avail, they just kept coming.” I’m not late in that way.”
“I don’t get it.” Harm scratched her head.
“How am I going to raise it if I can’t even say it.” I cried harder.
“Oh, my goodness, you’re pregnant.” Zoe slapped a hand over her mouth.
I nodded. “I’m on the pill, but I was sick recently, and Matt and I didn’t use protection. It was a spontaneous moment of weakness meant to cheer me up on my birthday, nothing more. Or so I thought. My cycle is like clockwork, so I knew something was up when I was late. I took five tests earlier today, and they’re all positive. And Matt McGinnis is the father.”
They all just stared at me in stunned silence.
“Congratulations?” Harmony said with a questioning tone.
I just shook my head and blew my nose again.
“We’re here for you no matter what you decide.” Morticia squeezed my hand. “What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.” I dried my eyes after the tears finally slowed.
“Are you going to tell Matt?” Morti studied me.
“I’ll drop everything and go with you. Just say when.” Zoe nodded.
“I appreciate that, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I know he’s the father, but it’s my body. I have a lot to think about.” My smile was wobbly as I looked around at the women who would do anything for me. “I love you ladies so much. I hope you know that.”
They nodded and said it back.
“I’m really tired and need to think. Do you mind if we cut tonight short?”
“Whatever you need, hon. Call us if you need us. You know where we’ll be.” Zoe hugged me, and they all followed suit before leaving.
What did I want to do…I really had no clue.
The next morning, I still didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. But life went on, and so must I. So, I headed down from my apartment above my massage parlor, Tiffany’s Titillating Touch. My house was located at the middle of Lighthouse Lane, across from the park with our town’s famous gazebo that held concerts all summer long.
I stepped into the plush waiting room decorated in different shades of relaxing blues, and immediately felt at ease. Sounds of the ocean filtered through the sound system, and a waterfall trickled against the far wall. The lights were on, and the waiting room was full. Trixy had already opened up, thank goodness, while Lucy and Maxim were already giving massages. I used to give massages and was a one-person operation. But now I taught sensual massage, and I had wonderful employees who actually gave the other massages.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said to Trixy, my receptionist. “I overslept.” That was so unlike me, but I was exhausted.
Trixy wore her bleached blonde hair in pigtails, and it worked for her. She might be young, but she was smart and a whiz with computers. She looked up at me and raised her brows. “Wow, you look…not normal.”
My lips parted and my stomach turned over. Could people tell I was pregnant already? “How do you mean?”
“Sorry, I just meant your makeup is usually perfect, and so is your hair.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but have you looked in the mirror? One eyebrow is higher than the other, your lipstick is above your lips, and your hair looks like it hasn’t been brushed in days.” Her gaze dropped to my clothes which were admittedly wrinkled and stained with I didn’t want to know what.
“Like I said, I overslept. I was in a hurry.”
“Gotcha.” She popped her gum, still eyeing me curiously.
“What’s the schedule look like for today?” I changed the subject.
“Lucy and Maxim are full, and you had a couples’ massage you were going to teach this morning, but they had to rebook. So, you’re free if you want to go, um, change, or anything.” She shrugged. “Just saying.”
What I wanted to do was go back to bed and sleep for a week. I’d taken several more tests and still kept hoping I was wrong. I wasn’t. I sighed. “I’m going to take the day off. I have some things I need to take care of.”
Trixy nodded then went back to the multiple computer monitors on her desk.
An hour later after a long hot shower, proper hair and makeup, and fresh clothes, I headed outside into the sunshine feeling more like myself than I had during the past two weeks. Glancing a few doors down to McGinny’s Pub, I turned in the opposite direction, then headed across the street to the park.
Mayor Edwards stood talking to Officer Donald Pickles and Fire Chief Wendy Monroe, probably about the Fourth of July party in the park. There would be a parade, food and music in the park, and then fireworks over Freedom Lake.
“Sorry to hear about your grandmother, Ms. Eisenhower.” The mayor’s voice held genuine sympathy in his tone. He nodded his shiny bald head, his apple cheeks looking more red than usual. “She was a good woman.” He ran a hand over his white linen suit that barely stretched over his protruding belly. “My wife, Eleanor, and your grandmother, Eugenia, were good friends. They played Bridge together every week right up until the end.”
“Thank you, Mayor Edwards. My grandmother always spoke highly of your Eleanor. Please give her my best.”
“Will do.” He studied me curiously. “Your grandmother was big on supporting many of Mayflower’s causes and events. Can we expect your continued support?” Since you inherited her fortune? was implied, but the mayor was a nice man and would never say that out loud.
This town might have loved my grandmother, but they were still on the fence when it came to me. It was no secret my ex-husband was in town, threatening to sue me, and my birth parents and sister had been disowned by my grandmother. I smiled wide. “Of course, I will pick up where my grandmother left off, and maybe add a few causes of my own.”
“That’s wonderful to hear, my dear. I was hoping we could count on you. My secretary will be in touch after you’ve had time to sort through your grandmother’s affairs.” He tipped his head to me.
“I can hardly wait,” I mumbled, then waved to Officer Pickles, who blushed, and Fire Chief Monroe, who laughed and waved back.
I turned around to head back across the street toward my house, no longer in the mood for a walk, when I bumped into Matt McGinnis. His hands shot out and he steadied me so I wouldn’t fall.
“Whoa, easy there, lass. I wouldn’t want ye falling and getting hurt.” His gaze ran over me in a non-sexual way as if he were inspecting me for injuries.
He couldn’t possibly know, could he?
I cleared my throat, and he dropped his hands. “Thank you. Guess I’d better watch out where I’m going. What are you doing here?”
“Same as ye I suspect.” He shrugged, then slid his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “Taking a break to stretch my legs. It’s a beautiful day.”
“It sure is. The days are warming up nicely. It’s going to be a good summer. I can feel it.” I was saying anything I could to avoid the awkwardness between us.
He hesitated a moment, and then lowered his deep voice an octave. “How are ye doing, lass?”
“I’m fine.” I gave my standard answer.
“I mean, really? How are ye coping with losing yer grandmother?” I could hear the sincerity in his tone. He wasn’t just asking like most people. He genuinely wanted to know. “I know how much family means to me. I can only imagine the pain ye must feel in losing the woman who raised ye.”
My bottom lip wobbled. Damn hormones . “It hasn’t been easy. She’s been such a big part of this town for so long. Everyone loved her. It didn’t hurt that she had money, of course. Now everyone wants a piece of me. I don’t want to let her down.”
“Ye won’t. Ye don’t owe anyone anything, lass.” Eyes so blue and full of warmth and kindness and a little regret stared back at me. “Not even me. I’m sorry fer the way things ended between us.”
“Ended? They never began, doll.” I winked, sliding into my defense mechanism. Push them away before they could reject me.
“Right.” He stared at me for a long moment. “Friends?”
“Friends.” I wondered how he would feel if he knew the truth. If …because I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do.
“Well, as yer friend, I’d better make sure ye get to the other side of the road in one piece.” He laughed, distracting me from my thoughts as he looped his arm through mine, and we crossed the street back to our side of Lighthouse Lane.
“Why, thank you, kind sir.” I let go of his arm and curtsied with a laugh.
“Yer very welcome, milady.” He grinned wide and bowed gallantly at the waist.
“See you around, Matt.” I realized we were lingering a bit too long.
“See ya, Tiff.” He saluted me and then headed back to his pub.
The fact that I watched him walk every step of the way didn’t go unnoticed by me. I shook off my longing, blaming it on pregnancy hormones. I had to get ahold of myself and fast…before I did something again.