Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) (24 page)

Both men chuckled. Kurt said, “I can’t believe I’ve got another chance with her, Mitch.”

Clapping Kurt on the back, Mitch said, “Well, don’t screw it up this time, buddy.”

“I’m trying not to, but she’s put a lot of damn rules on the whole thing.”

“Sounds like Zoe. You’ll live through it, though you won’t like it.”

“I already don’t...”

“Dad?” Kurt came back to the present to find his daughter beside his chair. “You awake?”

He realized he must have dozed off. “Yeah.” He reached out for her hand. “Did I tell you how much it means to me having you here today, Lauren?”

“About a thousand times.” Light brown hair—with new streaks of blond, he noticed—brushed her shoulders, and her hazel eyes sparkled. She was dressed in typical college garb of denims, boots and a gray Hartwick sweatshirt that matched his. “It’s fun seeing Zoe again.” She perched on the arm of the big chair and kept hold of his hand. “I really like her, Dad.”

“So do I, princess.”

She kissed his cheek. “You’re a lot happier than you were last Thanksgiving.”

“I was just thinking that.”

Last year, they’d eaten a stilted meal at an upscale restaurant with Elizabeth’s parents. Kurt had been miserable already, after just months into the reconciliation, but was too proud to admit he’d made a mistake.

Just then two boys appeared in the archway: Joe Taylor, Seth’s son, and Johnny. They were roommates at Columbia University, and Joe put in as many hours at the
Herald
as Johnny did at the clinic. Again Kurt was struck by their contrast: Joe had classic blond good looks and dressed like a kid in prep school, whereas John wore his standard black and was always in need of a haircut.

“Did you ask him yet?” Johnny teased Lauren.

“No.”

Joe gave her a mock frown. “Well, do it, girl.”

“Go away and I will.”

Laughing, Joe dragged Johnny from the doorway.

“What was that all about?” Kurt asked.

“I know we don’t have a lot of time together, Daddy, but I want to do something tonight.”

“
Daddy
, huh? Must be something big.”

“I’d like to stay here tonight. While we were watching
The Lion King
downstairs, the kids asked Johnny if they could have a sleepover. Alexandra, little Philip, Josh, Johnny, Joe and me in Johnny’s rooms.”

“Are you kidding? I’m surprised you didn’t come screaming upstairs after two hours with those three little ones.”

“Josh and Philip are angels.” She gave him a Lansing grin. “Alexandra’s a handful. But she and Camille are the only cousins I have. I’d like to spend time with them.”

He nodded to the doorway. “And those two handsome hunks have nothing to do with it?”

“Johnny’s practically family, too, Dad. And Joey’s a regular Sir Galahad, so he’s nothing to worry about.”

“Sure, honey, you can stay here. I’ll come back and get you tomorrow.”

Her huge hug warmed him. When she left, he remembered how difficult it had been arranging today. As always, Elizabeth’s timing had been horrible. Zoe had met him at the clinic last Tuesday to go to dinner, and they were about to leave when the phone rang. He’d punched in the speaker phone as he packed his briefcase…

“Lansing.”

“Kurt, it’s Elizabeth.”

Zoe’s eyes had widened. In them he saw surprise change to anger, tinged with a little fear. She started to back away.

He caught her arm and shook his head vehemently. “No, don’t go.”

“Kurt, are you there?” Elizabeth’s voice was slurred.

“Yes, what do you want, Elizabeth?”

“You can’t have Lauren for Thanksgiving.”

“It’s all arranged.”

“Sorry.”

“So am I. But she’s old enough to make her own choices. I promised her we’d spend the day at Mitch’s. And we’re going to celebrate her birthday on Friday.”

“I’ll make a stink.”

“Try it.”

“You’ll be sorry.”

“Elizabeth, what’s this all about?” No answer. “Have you been drinking?”

There’d been a studied pause. “I want to be with both of you, that’s all.” Her tone was whiny. “Let me come to Mitch’s, too.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Kurt I—”

“I’m not listening to you anymore. Goodbye, Elizabeth.”

After he’d disconnected, he and Zoe stared at each other. For a long time. Finally he said, “I’ve learned my lesson with her, Zoe.”

“She hasn’t given up, has she?”

“Apparently not. But it doesn’t matter.”

Zoe had walked into his arms then and hugged him tightly.

“Come to Mitch’s with me,” he’d said.

“All right. Cassie was elated when I told her we were trying this again. She asked me to dinner, too...”

As if his thoughts had conjured her, Zoe appeared in the doorway. He loved the way she was dressed today, in snug red jeans, a candy-striped sweater and heeled black boots. “You asleep in here, old man?”

“Nope. Just resting.”

“Well, perk up, because we’re ready for charades. Boys against the girls.”

He groaned. “I hate charades.”

“Oh, Lord, how can anybody hate charades?”

“Kiss me first.”

She eyed him from the doorway. Then she tossed her head and walked toward him, her curvy hips swaying as she came close. He patted his lap. “Sit here.” Her gaze narrowed, then she gave him an exotic smile and straddled him.

She’d been noticeably less wary of him physically since the phone call from Elizabeth, even instigating a kiss here and there. “You look great in this sweatshirt, you know that?” she told him, her breath fanning his ear.

“Great? Not yummy? Like Jason Priestly?” His hands flexed on her waist.

“Mmm, yeah, yummy, too.”

She lowered her head and took his mouth in a searing kiss.

“Happy Thanksgiving, love,” he said against her lips.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” she whispered back.

o0o

FROM HER POSITION on the floor leaning against the couch, Zoe slid to the rug, holding her sides, which hurt from laughing so hard. “You guys are pathetic. I’ve never seen such dumb clues.”

Giving her a disgusted look, Mitch, who’d just blown the title
My Best Friend’s Wedding
, marched over to her, reached down and scooped her up in his arms. He was as tall as Kurt and muscular. “Take it back, lady.”

She hung on to his neck. “Never.”

He strode to the front door and opened it easily with one hand. It was pouring rain outside. He began swinging her back and forth. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t take it back, you’re getting soaked.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” She watched him, then called over his shoulder, “Cassie, help!”

Cassie came running out and leaped onto Mitch’s back. “Leave her alone, big guy.”

Dragging Cassie along, Mitch stumbled back into the living room, dropped Zoe into Kurt’s lap and tackled his wife to the floor, where he began to tickle her.

“Just because you’re such poor losers,” Lacey said as she returned from checking on the kids.

Mitch glanced up at her and gave her a say-more-and-you’re-next look. She scurried to the couch.

“Don’t worry, Ace, I’ll protect you.” Seth pulled her onto his lap and cuddled her close.

She laughed and whispered something in his ear.

When things quieted down, it was the girls’ turn to guess. Zoe drew a scrap of paper from their pile with flourish. In front of a red-faced Cassie and an unusually spunky Lacey, she read it and said, “Piece of cake.”

The men booed.

Cockily Zoe held up her hand and spread her fingers.

“Five words,” Cassie called out.

Zoe raised her index finger, then touched it to her thumb.

“First word, a small one. The?” This from Lacey.

Zoe nodded and held up two fingers twice.

“Second word, second syllable.”

Zoe patted her back.

“Back.” Lacey’s guess again. “Okay, back is part of the second word.”

Watching Zoe’s next gestures, Cassie concentrated with the intensity of a brain surgeon. “Third
and
forth words?”

Vigorously Zoe nodded and made a half circle with her hands.

Cassie said quickly, “The whole concept.”

Zoe folded her hands, prayer-style.

“Praying?”

She shook her head.

“Religion?”

She shrugged.

“It’s religious.” Lacey began to brainstorm. “A person. A backward religious person?”

The guys guffawed.

Zoe rolled her eyes.

“Not a person.” Cassie frowned. “A thing.” Zoe nodded. “A church? The back of a church?”

Lacey stood up. “I know.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
.”

All three women jumped in the air when Zoe said, “Yes!”

“That’s it.” Lacey grinned.

“We win,” Cassie boasted.

“Damn,” Mitch said. “I hate it when women win. They gloat.”

“Watch it, mister, I’ll throw
you
out in the rain,” Zoe told him.

“Yeah, half-pint, you and who’s army?”

It was just like old times.

The doorbell pealed. Mitch looked at his wife. “You expecting somebody, Cassie?”

“No, but I’ll get it. Maybe it’s for Johnny.”

Still smiling, she hustled to the door. When she returned, she wasn’t smiling anymore. “Kurt, I think you should...”

“Hello, darling.” Behind Cassie stood Elizabeth. Her tall model-thin frame was cloaked in an expensive mauve raincoat, her hair curled around her shoulders in studied disarray. Her makeup was exquisitely correct. But she swayed slightly on her feet. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Kurt paled; his gaze swung to Zoe. She looked shell-shocked.

Everyone in the room rose. Cassie crossed to stand next to Mitch, and Lacey sought out Seth. Both couples flanked Kurt, forming a solid wall of support. Zoe nudged up behind him.

“Elizabeth,” Mitch said frostily, “what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to see my family on Thanksgiving.” Glittering eyes scanned the room. “Where’s Lauren?”

“She’s—” Cassie began.

But Kurt interrupted. “Elizabeth, you smell like gin. You’ve been drinking.”

“Some.” She arched a brow. “It’s Thanksgiving, darling.”

“Look, you don’t belong here. I told you that when you called last week. It’d be best if you left now.”

Lazily she unbuttoned her raincoat. “I belong with my husband and daughter on a holiday. And you know it.” Her glassy gaze zeroed in on Zoe. “Or at least you would if certain home wreckers would leave you alone.”

As before, this was too much for Zoe. She wanted no part of it. “Excuse, me,” she said, and started to back away.

Kurt reached for her and caught the sleeve of her sweater. “No, you’re not going. The only person leaving this room will be Elizabeth.” Kurt slid his arm around Zoe, anchoring her to him. “It’s over, Elizabeth. There’s no chance for you and me. We tried to reconcile and it didn’t work.”

“We would have stayed together if it wasn’t for her.” She pointed an unsteady finger at Zoe. “You could never stop thinking about her.”

Zoe cringed. Oh, God, she hated this. She wanted to run, but Kurt’s arm was like steel around her. He stared down at her with bleak eyes.

Suddenly she remembered what he’d said last week.

 Zoe, tell me one thing. Why is it that you didn’t fight for me a year ago?

She looked around—Seth, Lacey, Mitch and Cassie had no intention of leaving Kurt alone with Elizabeth. Only
she
had thoughts about getting away. The idea spun around in her brain. Oh, God, hadn’t she learned from the past? Would she really let Elizabeth waltz right in again and take the man she loved?

Shaky, but determined, Zoe faced Kurt’s ex-wife. “I’m sorry you’re without your family, Elizabeth, especially today. But you were wrong to come here. Kurt isn’t yours anymore.” She slid her arm around his waist. “And you’re just embarrassing yourself by making a scene.”

For the first time the woman’s cool demeanor cracked. Her gaze flew from Zoe to Kurt. She sent Kurt a sickeningly sweet smile. “I took the train out from the Hamptons and a cab here. You’ll need to drive me back.”

“No.” Kurt’s tone was implacable.

Mitch stepped forward. “Come on, Elizabeth. Seth and I’ll give you a ride back to the train station.”

Seth nodded.

Haughtily Elizabeth surveyed the six people before her. Then, without another word, she turned and walked to the foyer. Mitch and Seth followed her.

When the outer door closed, Cassie cast a worried glance at Zoe and said, “Come on, Lace, let’s go get some drinks.” Both women squeezed Kurt’s arm on the way out.

Once alone, Zoe turned to Kurt. His face was ravaged and full of questions.

In that instant Zoe realized she’d taken one giant step toward cementing her new relationship with Kurt.

o0o

KURT PULLED ASIDE the sheers and stared out the window of Zoe’s bedroom—where he never expected to be again—at the bay. The water was calm tonight, lazily lapping against the dock and kissing the shoreline. He turned back to the room. It carried her scent of lotions, perfume and soap. He’d always thought the room very feminine—perfect for Zoe—with its creamy walls, wrought-iron bed, ruffled pillows and blue-and-beige coverlet.

And now he was back here...

“Come in,” she’d said after they’d left Mitch’s house and Kurt had driven her home, the slap of the windshield wipers broken only by an occasional innocuous comment.

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. I’m raw. I...” He’d raked a hand through his hair and shrugged. “I don’t have much control tonight.”

She’d stood on tiptoe and kissed him. The way she used to kiss him when she’d believed he was a man she could count on. “I’ve changed my mind about taking this slowly,” she’d said simply, grasped his hand and, after shedding wet coats and shoes, led him up here to her bedroom. He was still reeling from the impact of her actions and her decision. What had brought this on?

The door to the bathroom opened and all questions fled. She stood in the half light of a muted corner lamp, clothed in the pink nightgown he’d admired that day at Victoria’s Secret; it dipped low in the front and skimmed her thighs. Slowly, as if she was savoring the moment, she moved toward him. Her head was high, and confidence brimmed in her huge brown eyes.