Just Destiny Page 20
“Ya think?”
As much as his gut protested against her having Gabe’s baby now, he also saw that Jenny radiated love. It was like a positive comforting energy that wrapped around her. With Gabe gone, it seemed her energy needed to be expressed in their child. He got that. Even before Gabe died, she’d wanted a baby. He sighed. It all kept coming back to her need for their child.
As much as he hated to encourage her, he nodded. “Listen to your heart; you’ll know what to do.”
She pursed her lips. “Okay then.”
They raced up the off ramp, and Steve pointed the car toward the lake. Suddenly Jenny smacked his arm. “You could have let me know you’re really good at pool.” She pouted. “I actually worried that jerk might beat you.”
Steve grinned. He’d enjoyed Jenny’s defensiveness on his behalf. And he had to admit he’d shown off to impress her. “What fun would there have been in that?”
“Jerk.”
“Thanks for going with me tonight, Jen.”
She yawned. “Thank you. It was fun. I’d forgotten how much I love to dance.”
He’d like to take her dancing again, but he wouldn’t. In April he’d be a married man. “Sorry about the misunderstanding—them thinking you were Annie.”
She waved aside his concern. “Not your fault.”
“You handled it well.”
“What’d you think I’d do? Dissolve in a fit of embarrassment.”
“I don’t know.” He glanced sideways at Jenny before patting her hand. “I’m proud of you. Ya done good, kid.”
“I’m proud of me too. I actually had a good time.”
He pulled into Jenny’s drive and put a hand on her arm. “Wait.”
He hurried around the car and opened the door before extending a hand to help her out.
She yawned broadly again. “You don’t have to walk me to the door.”
He followed her up the walk and then reached around her to open the screen door. “My mom raised a gentleman.”
She snickered. “I’ll remind you the next time you burp in my face.” Jenny took keys from her purse, opened the door and turned back to him. “Thanks. Sleep well.” She popped into the house and closed the door.
Steve stood there a few seconds, watching for the lights to turn on as she walked through the house, then allowed the screen door to swing shut and walked back to his car. He shoved the passenger door closed and got in his side before reversing and then turning into his own driveway.
Steve shut the garage door and went into the house. In the family room, he flipped a switch to turn on the fireplace, and then shrugged out of his jacket before tossing it on the couch. He twisted his bow tie off and threw it on top of the jacket. With a quick flick of his wrist, he undid the top two shirt buttons and dropped into the leather chair.
What a perfect night. He hadn’t enjoyed a night out this much in years. Hell, he’d never enjoyed a work function as much. He probably wouldn’t have had half as much fun with Annie. She thought lawyers were boring and rarely went out of her way to hide her feelings, whereas Jenny seemed to mix well with his colleagues.
Jenny. He rubbed an index finger across his upper lip. Damn, she’d looked beautiful tonight. He’d dated beautiful women before—Annie was gorgeous—but none of them could compare to Jenny tonight. He found himself looking for any little excuse to touch her; help her on and off with her coat, dancing—now that had been a mistake. Watching Jenny lose herself in sensual abandon to the music brought out unwelcome desire he’d thought was long buried.
Desire you have no business feeling, prick, his little voice whispered.
I know.
And even though bittersweet memories of Gabe’s song wrecked the romantic mood, Jenny hadn’t broken down weeping for her deceased husband. She’d smiled, and laughed, and enjoyed herself—with him. He’d put that smile on her face.
Tonight he was king. Tomorrow he’d try harder with Annie.
* * *
Annie came downstairs as Josh let Steve in. Steve’s face lit in a smile and he held out a lovely bouquet of flowers as he unzippered and shrugged out of his coat.
“Does this mean I’m forgiven for missing last night’s party?” She drank in the scents of roses and pine prigs. Evergreens and scarlet roses lay nestled between sprays of snowy chrysanthemums in the Christmas bouquet. “Maybe I should beg off on more events if it gets me flowers.”
She held out her hand for his coat and hooked the jacket on the coat rack.
“It was fine. Jen stood in for you so I didn’t have to go alone.”
“You took Jenny?” Annie paused on her way to the kitchen. A part of her was a little perturbed that he’d taken Jenny instead of going alone, then the other part was a little gleeful that Jenny’d had to suffer through the boring night. Then again, as a doctor’s wife, she was probably used to those dull duty events.
“Yeah. It was good for her to get out and be with people who didn’t know Gabe. The food was good. You would’ve loved the chocolate mousse.”
“Did they have Christmas cookies?” Josh asked. They moved into the kitchen and he climbed onto a counter stool.
“Not as good as your mom’s.” Steve sniffed appreciatively and picked up one of the un-iced sugar cookies.
Annie swatted his hand. “Those are for decorating.”
“Mom and me made the icing and got the dec-rations all ready.”
“You did?” Steve rolled up the sleeves on his shirt. “Well, let’s get to it.” He looked around. “Where’s Soph?”
“Shopping with Ryan. He’s going to drop her off after lunch.” To her surprise, Ryan had insisted on taking Josh and Sophie Christmas shopping and to lunch separately, so he could have a little one-on-one time with each of them. Despite herself, Annie was impressed.
“She didn’t want to decorate Christmas cookies?”
“She can’t do it—she’s just a baby,” Josh said disdainfully, stirring the green frosting.
“You were a baby too and I let you help,” Annie reminded. “We’ll save some for her to decorate after her nap.”
Steve settled on a stool and reached for a cookie. He ducked his head as Annie slipped an apron over him, then tied it in the back. “There. All set.”
“My mom called and asked about our Christmas plans.” He swirled white frosting in three globs on the snowman. “I told her we were having Christmas Eve with your folks. Seeing how this was our first Christmas together, I told her we’d probably be busy in the morning with opening presents and then we’d want to have brunch alone, but dinner was a possibility.” He looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Is that okay?”
“Uhhh…” Annie picked up a pastry bag full of red icing, and leaned over her cookie to buy some time. She’d intended to talk with Steve about their holiday plans a little later—in private.
“Don’t forget Daddy,” Josh piped up.
Out of the corner of her eye, Annie saw Steve’s head come up and immediately gave her cookie her full attention.
“I thought Ryan was going to be in Florida with his folks.”
She bit her lower lip and studiously gave her snowman his carrot nose, then switched bags to the black icing for eyes and buttons as she tried to find the right words to explain the arrangement she and Ryan had negotiated.
“Nope. We’re gonna have a great big sleepover.” Josh swung his arms wide. “With you and Daddy, and me and Sophie and Mommy.”
“We are?”
The silky cautious tone of Steve’s question went right over her son’s head as he nodded enthusiastically and reached for another plain cookie, but Annie felt Steve’s hard stare and knew she had to tread lightly.
“Daddy’s gonna sleepover just like you.” Josh raised shining eyes to Steve. “Isn’t that great?”
Steve looked at Annie as he stood. “My snowman needs a peppermint nose. Help me find it in the pantry.”
Josh wrinkled his nose. “Peppermint? Snowmen have carrot noses.”
“Not this snowman.” Steve took her wrist, pulled her into the pantry and closed the door behind them. “Ryan’s spending the night?”
She shrugged. “It’s Christmas. I couldn’t tell him no.”
“Why the hell not?”
“He’s their father.”
“He can come by later. He doesn’t have to spend the night.”
She bit back the instinct to point out that he was spending the night, but as her future husband, it was natural Steve would sleep over. Josh and Sophie were used to sleepovers with Steve.
“That’s what the kids wanted and Ry wanted to be there first thing in the morning.”
“Is that what you want?”
She shrugged. “It just worked out that way. It’s simpler.”
“It’s not what I want. It’s intrusive and weird.”
“I thought you liked Ryan.”
“My liking Ryan’s not the issue. I’m marrying you and the kids, not him.”
“Ryan’s a part of the package, the same way Jenny comes with you. Jenny’s your friend. Ryan’s the father of my children. Neither of us was willing to give up Christmas morning with the kids, so we have to share.”
“How about…” Steve pursed his lips and frowned.
She watched warily, waiting for his idea.
“After they wake up with us and open their presents, we take them over to Ryan’s?” he suggested.
Annie shook her head, tamping down on rising impatience. She and Ryan already hashed this out and this was the best solution. “Santa only comes to one house, and we both want to be there when the kids open their stockings and Santa presents.”
Jaw tightening, Steve’s frown deepened. “I’m not spending the next ten Christmas mornings with Ryan.”
Annie didn’t like the hard edge in his voice or the unspoken ultimatum. She crossed her arms. “Well, you’re going to have to.”
“Hey, are you guys gonna help me?” Josh called out.
Annie raised her voice to be heard through the pantry door. “Be there in a minute, Joshie.”
“Tell Ryan it’s just us this year, he can have the kids next Christmas.”
“I don’t want to miss Christmas morning with my kids. The solution we came up with works just fine.”
“Not for me. I get that Sophie and Josh come with you, but I draw the line at including your ex-husband.”
“That’s unreasonable.”
“And I don’t want to honeymoon in Bora Bora.”
Her head whipped around. “What?” How’d they jumped from Christmas to Bora Bora? “What’s wrong with Bora Bora? We discussed it and you agreed.”
He shook his head. “There was no discussion. You told me what you wanted and booked it—just like the rest.”
“But you liked it all. I told you—”
“You told me—you didn’t ask what I wanted.” He tilted his head to the side. “Why’d you even agree to marry me?”
She frowned. “What?”
“What’s my favorite color? Favorite drink? What music do I like?”
“Beer. Uh…” She made a stab, “Blue? Favorite music…I have no idea.” Anger built in her at the grilling and she lashed back, “You don’t know me any better.”
His head bobbed up and down. “That’s the point. We don’t really know each other very well.”
“We have our whole lives to get to know each other.” Isn’t that what marriage was about? Growing old together?
“Why’d you accept my proposal, Annie?”
His proposal? “How could I not? You proposed on national TV in front of millions of people. The band playing that song…You went to so much trouble to set up an amazing proposal and then you got me my dream ring…what was I supposed to say?”
He cocked his head. “So you said yes to save me embarrassment?”
“Yes—no!” She shook her head, confused. “What girl wouldn’t want to marry you? You’re gorgeous, generous, financially stable, reliable,” Unlike Ryan—well, the old Ryan. Now that his dad retired and handed him control of the family boat shop, Ryan seemed to have matured quite a bit. He was even a pretty good dad. Steve had always been good dad material. “And you like Josh and Sophie.”
“Okay.” He nodded as if putting together puzzle pieces.
“Okay what?” What was wrong with him? Steve had always been so sweet and amenable. He’d always liked her plans. Why was he picking a fight now? She frowned and blinked back the tears burning her eyes. “I don’t understand. You never complained about anything before. Is this because I missed one business dinner?”
“No—it’s not about the dinner.” He leaned back against the shelf. “Look, if this is going to work, we have to be a team. We’ve got to want the same things. I get that your children are the most important people in your life, but I have to be next in line—not Ryan.”
“This isn’t about Ryan.” Ryan was her ex-husband. He was off sailing most of the time. She had no idea what this was about, but it wasn’t Ry.
“I agree. It’s about teamwork and loyalty. It’s about us and our commitment to each other.”
Was he saying she wasn’t committed to him? She was marrying the guy; what more did he want? She looked up at him. “I don’t understand.”
“We need to be a better team. Equals—not you making decisions and letting me know about it. I want to be included in any discussion that affects us. I deserve as much say as Ryan.”
She quieted, finally getting it. “You think you should have a say in decisions we make for Josh and Sophie?”
Steve nodded. “Okay, maybe not an equal say, but I should at least be consulted when the decisions affect us—me and you.”
Eyes widening, she looked away. It was hard enough working with Ryan and now Steve thought he should be able to tell her what to do with her kids? Or what? She didn’t care if the wedding was all planned, Steve was not going to call the shots when it came to Ryan and her kids. And she was standing by her decision.
Ryan would be with them Christmas morning. It was only fair. He’d changed. Their time together at Thanksgiving had shown her that. He earned the right to spend Christmas morning with his kids and Steve was just going to have to accept it.
She raised her chin. “I’m not telling Ryan he can’t spend the night. He’s the father of my children, and he’ll always be a part of my life. And if you can’t accept it, then…” She took a deep breath and twisted the ring from her finger. “I can’t marry you.”
Steve looked at her hard, thinking, then reached for the pantry door handle.
Annie grabbed his arm. “Wait!”
“You made your decision.” He left the pantry, whipped the apron over his head and threw it aside as he moved toward the door.
“Where’re you goin’?” Josh asked.
Steve snagged his coat and yanked the front door open.
Annie jammed the ring back on her finger and hurried after him. “That’s it? You’re going to give up so easily?”
He thrust one arm in his jacket, then the other. Without looking at her, he calmly walked out the front door. Annie followed him into the cold and slammed the door shut behind her. Joshie didn’t need to see or hear this. She couldn’t believe Steve hadn’t given in. She’d thought for sure he’d back down. Tears choked her throat. He was really going to allow Ryan to come between them?
She trailed after him, swallowing around the lump in her throat. They’d lose their deposit on the Yacht club—she already had her dress. He was really going to let her go?
“Do you want to see a therapist? Maybe talking to somebody could help us figure things out. A therapist can teach us how be a family.”
Steve stopped by his car, turned and studied the ground. Finally he raised his head and shook it, sadly. “A therapist can’t help us fall in love. It was stupid to ever think we would.”
“Love? Of cours
e we’re in lo—Oh.” Annie felt sucker punched as what he was really saying sank in. He wasn’t in love with her. Well. That was…sobering. And a little hurtful. But so what? So Steve didn’t love her? She knew he cared about her. Love was overrated. She and Ryan had been in love and look where it’d gotten them. Divorced.
She shrugged and rubbed her hands together. “That’s okay. I don’t need that ‘in love’ stuff. It’s romantic nonsense—what we have is more…better.”
“I need it,” he blurted out, then looked away as if embarrassed.
“Oh.” Annie crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly freezing. Well, maybe it was a deal breaker. She frowned and bit her lip. They had a great sex life; that was usually enough for most guys. Steve needed to be in love? Really? She’d been in love and wasn’t about to go there again, not for anybody.
She traced backward through their whole fight. This had all started because of Ryan. Ryan. The kids. Nope; love wasn’t their problem, this was a power struggle. Steve was just pissed because he wasn’t getting his way. She breathed in deeply and allowed righteous anger to push away the confusion and tears. She was not about to let another man run her life.
Annie looked up as Ryan’s car pulled in the drive. Sophie jumped out of the car. “Hi Steve.” She flew past him and launched herself at Annie. “Mommy.”
Annie caught her daughter and whirled her around. Squeezing her tightly, she relished the weight of her sweet baby in her arms. This little girl, her kids, were the most important thing in her life. “Hi, sweet pea. Did you have fun with Daddy?”
Sophie nodded. “We got you a present and we had hotdogs for lunch.”
“You did? What a lucky girl.” She set Sophie on her feet. “Go inside with Daddy and I’ll be in in a minute and you can tell me all about it.”
“’Kay.” Sophie spun away, grabbed her father’s hand and led him into the house. “Let’s go, Daddy.”
Steve silently watched father and daughter. Annie hardened her heart against the pain on his face. He’d made his choice. Josh and Sophie would be confused by their breakup, but they were young and Ryan would help smooth things over.