LAKE
“Hey. How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” She took another bite of the purple macaron Homer bought for her.
I didn’t know why she suddenly liked purple, but watching her engrossed in that thing made me want to punch someone.
I took her home after that incident, no matter how much she resisted and insisted on working. She needed to rest and let what had happened sink in.
She had changed from work clothes to a baggy shirt and shorts. Now, she was on the sofa with her chin tucked on her knee.
She didn’t talk much, and that was what worried me. She must have been shocked seeing the mother who abandoned her and suddenly appeared after twenty years.
“Baby?”
“You should go back to the hospital.” She didn’t even look at me. She was staring at the skyscraper outside.
“Aurelia is there. You need me here.”
“Then take me with you.”
“What?” I sat across hers. “No. You need to rest. I’m sure you’re shocked.”
“You’re overreacting. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
She glared at me. “Do I look like I just rode on a roller coaster?”
I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“When I thought I would be angry seeing her, I was furious. God, I think she’s Nana’s adopted. Nana is a good woman, and I’m not that bad, but that woman I met today, she’s the worst I’ve ever met.”
“Yeah. Dad can attest to that.”
“What do you mean?” She stared at me, trying to find something in my eyes.
“Dad offered her fifty grand for information.”
“That bitch!”
“Without even persuasion.”
“Jesus. She’s a horrible woman. She told me I snatched a billionaire and shouldn’t be working. How did she even know where to find me?”
“Social media, maybe.”
“Yeah. Probably.” She took another bite.
“Why purple?”
“I like Olivia Rodrigo’s album Guts.”
That cracked me up. “Yeah. She’s pretty.”
“Really?” Now, she took my words negatively.
“Yeah. That girl can rock. Lately, I have heard pop, R&B, and hip-hop. I like something with 20’s kind of vibe.”
“Whatever.”
“You need to talk about it, baby.”
“I’m angry. I’m mad. That’s all. She thinks that I owe her for being me and that she’s the reason why I have a rich husband. Who does that?” She rolled her eyes. “That’s what pissed me off. She did not even apologize for abandoning me. God, I hate her.”
“That’s good. For a moment, you made me worry.” I swallowed hard. Knots twisted in my stomach for failing her again. “You almost-”
“Thanks for the save, Superman.” She beamed at me, which made me feel terrible.
I nodded as I looked away.
“Oh, come on. I’m fine. This is why I don’t want to talk right now. I know that look. You’re blaming yourself again for something you couldn’t have known. I hate it when you always blame yourself. Why not blame that woman?”
I went to embrace her. “I love you, baby.”
“I know.” She looked at me. “You want purple macarons?”
“It’s food coloring.”
“No, it’s not. It’s blueberry, lavender, and purple yam flavors.”
“Artificial flavors. Additives.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re right, but you can have them. You’re craving, huh?”
“I think so. I don’t know.” She shrugged, still enjoying and on her third piece.
“Or you’re stress eating.”
“Fuck you.”
“Maybe later.”
I heard chuckles.
She turned to her brother with a glass of whiskey and my guys. “You guys shouldn’t be eavesdropping.”
“Then lower your voices,” Terzo said.
“How do you always know if I’m in trouble, Terzo? And don’t tell you have people.”
“That’s exactly what I’m about to say, sis.”
My phone rang in my pocket. “This is probably the hospital.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Baby, no.” I checked the caller and answered it. “It’s Aurelia. Hey. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. They’re wrapping it up. How’s Maverick?”
“Stubborn, and she wants to come with me?”
“Tell her to rest. She can come with you tonight. You too, you don’t have to come here right now. Your father will still be under the effects of drugs. I’ll give you updates.”
“So it’s a success then?”
“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “God, I’ve never been so scared, but I know he’ll make it through. Stay with Maverick for a while. She needs you, and don’t worry about your Dad. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks, Aurelia.” I hung up the call and could feel everyone’s eyes on me.
“Is your dad out of the surgery?” Maverick asked.
“Not yet, but the doctors are wrapping it up. He’ll be in the recovery soon.”
“That’s great news.”
“What do you want me to do with that woman?” Terzo specifically asked me.
“Give her money, and tell her not to come back.”
“Or I will frame her up for something she could not get out of the prison.”
I observed Maverick’s reaction. She just stared beyond the glass window.
“Just give her money and threaten her. You don’t have to do anything heinous, but if she comes back, I will sue her for harassment. I’ll send the money to your account.”
“That won’t be necessary. I got it covered.”
“You slapped her,” she said nonchalantly.
Our eyes shifted to Maverick.
“Oh, I did not regret it a bit. You almost fell on your ass, Maverick, and you’re pregnant. You and your baby could have been hurt.”
I took her hand and pressed it against my lips.
“That’s exactly the first thing that came to my mind. That’s why I’m still furious. I did not expect her to grab me. And all that for money.” She came close, resting her face on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her to pull her closer, pressing a kiss on top of her head.
“I have to find that woman before she can go back to Chicago.” Terzo put the glass down on the table and walked towards the door.
“Hey,” Maverick called her. “Are you flying back to Italy after this?”
“Papa left, but I can stay a day or two if you need me.”
“You’re needed there. I’ll be fine.”
“You should call that lady your father talked about?”
What lady?” Maverick asked, sounding curious as she pulled away and looked at her brother. “Terzo, what is Lake talking about?”
“Fuck you, Winston. Love you, sis.” That was it. He walked towards the door and slammed it behind him.
“Who’s the lady, babe?”
I grinned. “They could be a star-crossed lovers.”
When she yawned, I took her upstairs and put her to bed.
“Will you stay with me for a moment?” she said between yawns.
“I can stay as long as you want, but you might not like it.”
She barely cracked her eyes open and glanced at me. “Why?”
“It may involve less clothing and more humping,” I smirked.
“Jeez. Give me a break.” She rolled her tired eyes.
“Just kidding. Of course, I’ll stay here until you fall asleep.” I dragged a chair and sat before her.
She drew a deep breath and put her hands under her cheek as she closed her eyes. “Love you, Lake.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
When my phone buzzed, she said, “You should go. I promise. I’ll still be here when you come back.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. Before I could get up, she cupped my head and pressed her lips against mine. I kissed her back. When she opened her mouth for me, I shoved my tongue inside, tasting her and exploring her, and she tasted the flavor of the macaron she had eaten a while ago.
Our kiss turned passionate and demanding like we were both starving, seeking dominance. Our hands were on each other, sliding, gripping, palming, fingers digging. It went wild and savage.
The next thing I knew, she was fumbling with my shirt’s buttons, and I was pulling off her baggies.
“Fuck. I want you.”