The Debra Dilemma (The Lone Stars Book 4) (9 page)

Julia handed Debra the flowers and turned to Warren holding her arms up. “Up please.”

He scooped her up and kissed her absently on the cheek.

Clearly they spent a lot of time together and were very comfortable around each other. Somehow that just pissed her the hell off. All the while she was suffering and trying to make him suffer, he was leading a happy and normal life. To keep from hitting him over the head with the flowers, she took them to the kitchen, pulled out a cut glass vase, and filled it with water. After pulling off the plastic cone surrounding the flowers, she stuffed them into the vase. Julia would get a kick out of having the flowers on her tea table.

She could do this. She could spend the next thirty or so minutes with him and fight the urge to stab him in the chest with a wooden stake. First of all, she didn’t have a wooden stake and second, she was pretty sure that conventional weapons wouldn’t harm him because he was pure evil.

Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent free in her head. She repeated it over and over.

She picked up the vase and carried it to the French doors that opened onto her little terrace. When she and Julia had first gotten home and decided that a tea party was in order, they’d hauled her grandmother’s tea set out and had managed to scrounge up a table cloth, a couple bags of cookies, and real cloth napkins. Since neither one of them had really liked tea, they made hot chocolate, which was probably cold chocolate by now as it waited patiently in the teapot.

Debra stepped out onto her terrace and her breath caught. Warren was sitting across from Julia drinking cold hot chocolate from a dainty teacup with his pinky sticking out. His tie was wrapped around his forehead like a headband, his suit jacket was thrown over the back of his chair, his vest hung open over his untucked white shirt, and his pant legs were rolled up. He was being playful. Her mind leapt back to their first days together, when he’d just been a pool boy, and this was the kind of playful, joyful person he’d been. She hadn’t known any of that man still remained.

He turned around to find Debra staring at him. “I’m Prince Aladdin. Her Majesty insisted that I needed a costume.”

Debra shrugged. “Whatever.”

She placed the flowers in the center of the table and sat down. Because Warren was sitting across from Julia, there was no way for Debra not to sit by him at her four seat square table.

“Your Majesty, shall I pour?” Warren picked up the teapot and waited for Julia to give him the go ahead.

“Yes.” Julia laughed and bounced up and down in her chair. “More, please.”

She held up her cup.

He filled her cup and filled Debra’s. “It certainly looks like you two have had more fun today than I have.”

Julia nodded her whole body and then pulled out her left hand. On her fingers, she counted off the things they did today. Since she had diamond rings on every finger, the glare was enough to burn retinas. “Lunch then the train then the park and now a tea party.”

“That sounds way better than all of the business meetings I had today.” He relaxed back in his chair and watched Debra. “Next time you ladies have an outing, you should invite me.”

“Yes.” Julia held up her teacup. “Clink glasses.”

They all clinked their teacups and Julia giggled so they did it again and again.

Warren pulled out his smart phone. “Why don’t you two ladies squeeze together so I can get a picture?”

Debra scooted her chair over and leaned into Julia.

The little girl yelled out, “cheese” and flashed the camera a huge smile. He was definitely her father’s daughter. She kept yelling, “cheese” so Warren kept snapping pictures.

“Okay, now,” he got up and stood behind them. “One of all of us.”

They all leaned in as he held his arm out to get the picture.

Unfortunately, Debra was so close that she got a whiff of his no doubt expensive cologne. It was strong and fake, and she much preferred his natural scent. She bit her top lip. No, she didn’t. She didn’t like anything about Warren. He was evil and the enemy and wore too much cologne.

“Selfie.” Julia grabbed the phone, held it out in front of her, and snapped away.

Warren shook his head. “They start so young.”

“Watch this.” He touched Debra on the shoulder. “What do I do when I want to pay for something?”

He grinned at Julia, but his warm hand stayed on Debra’s shoulder.

Julia threw her hands in the air and yelled, “Charge it on the credit card.”

Debra couldn’t help but laugh. She was willing to admit that he was good with Julia, which meant that he wasn’t all bad. Okay, so ninety-nine percent of him was bad, but one whole percent was good. Check her out, she was almost a glass is half full kind of girl.

“I hear a familiar voice.” Someone called from the street below.

Debra scooted out of her chair and glanced over the terrace railing. Summer waved up.

“Come on up. We’re having a tea party.” Debra cupped her hands to her mouth and called down.

Warren picked up Julia and held her up so she could see her mother.

“Come Mommy…tea party.” Julia yelled.

Five minutes later, there was knocking on her front door.

Debra stood. “That must be Summer.”

She went to the door and practically threw it open. Summer pulled her out into the hallway.

“What the hell is Warren doing here?” Summer whispered.

“No idea. Half an hour or so ago, he knocked on my door. I thought it was you so I opened it. One minute he’s handing Julia a bouquet of flowers and the next minute he’s wearing his tie as a headband.” Debra’s nerves were shot. She felt like her neat little boring life was coming unraveled.

“I’m guessing she talked him into being Prince Aladdin. Clint does it all of the time. It’s pretty funny.” Summer’s blue eyes turned huge and then her mouth fell open. “You like Warren.”

“I do not.” Debra could feel a blush staining her cheeks.

“You do, too. He’s cute.” She watched Debra like a hawk.

“He is not.” That was a lie and they both knew it.

“He is, too.” Summer looked like she was gathering the facts before passing judgment.

“Okay, that’s beside the point.”

“You like him.” Summer pointed to Debra’s cheeks. “You’re blushing.”

“It’s hot out in the hall.” Debra had to force herself not to shiver. Why the hell would they have the damned air conditioning on in the middle of December?

Summer shot her a look.

“Okay, I might have some unresolved feelings toward him that might not just be hate, but I’m done. It’s over. I’ve moved on.” Now Debra was starting not to believe the crap coming out of her mouth. It was important that she believed the lies she told herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Crap.”

“No…it’s going to be fine. Maybe the two of you just need to talk it out…you know. Clear the air and then you can go you’re separate ways and be done.” Summer nodded. “How about I stay and mediate?”

“I think I’d rather nail my earlobes to this wall.” She nodded to the wall behind her.

“Wow, that’s really graphic and specific.” Summer grinned. “Kudos.”

“Trust me, there are so many things wrong with me that the DSM-V hasn’t found a name for all of them yet.” Now that Summer was beginning to see the real Debra would she run away screaming?

“I’m there with you. I still have unresolved mommy issues and daddy issues and so many other issues that my issues have issues.” Summer smiled a lot and it suited her.

It was good to know that Debra wasn’t alone anymore. Summer wasn’t going anywhere and neither was Sweet Louise.

“I like that. My issues have issues.” Debra felt so relieved to have finally found someone to confide in. “Basically, we’re the same person only you got all of the boobs.”

“Well, you got the good hair and the killer body.” Summer sized her up. “I’m starting to hate you.”

Summer was kidding…Debra now had a friend with whom to kid.

Debra had let him in the door, and that was more than Warren had believed was possible. True, he’d had a little help from the pint-sized princess of cute, but still. He was here now and that’s all that counted.

“Dinner, my house, tomorrow.” Summer locked eyes with Debra as she picked up Julia, huge dress, falling off shoes, and all. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

Julia leaned toward Debra. “Kiss.”

Debra gave the little girl a big smacking kiss on the lips. “I’ll be there.”

She was good with kids. He hadn’t seen that coming, but he didn’t really know this Debra that well anymore.

“What about me?” Warren wasn’t waiting for his invitation. Dinner tomorrow was another chance to see Debra.

Summer’s gaze locked with Debra’s again and they shared a look.

“Sure, no problem.” Summer looked away.

Debra’s countenance said that she’d rather eat nails.

Just because she didn’t want to spend time with him now, didn’t mean that she wouldn’t in the future. He had to believe that no matter what. His heart refused to accept that they wouldn’t end up together. He slipped his hand into his pocket and touched the wedding band. In fact, he wished that they could skip over the getting reacquainted and go straight to their life together—the one that was supposed to last forever. On second thought, he didn’t want to skip anything at all. Debra deserved all the romance he hadn’t been able to give her before. Back then, he’d had plenty of time but no money and now it was the opposite. He’d make the time. She was his future and he wouldn’t take one moment with her for granted.

Summer shuffled Julia to the other arm and gave Debra a one-armed hug. “Thanks for today.”

“No problem, it was fun.” Debra patted Julia on the back. “I’m available to babysit anytime.”

The little girl touched her crown. “Sank you berry much.”

“You’re welcome berry much.” Debra smiled at Julia.

Would this have been their life if he hadn’t sold out? Would they have had a sassy little girl or maybe a bookish little boy or maybe even both? Chances were they’d live in a small house somewhere and he’d still be cleaning pools. He sighed. That life didn’t seem so bad. Money would have always been a factor, but they would have made it somehow. Yes, he’d messed things up, but would she give him any credit at all for wanting to fix his mistakes?

Debra opened the front door for Summer and Julia. He watched as Debra and Summer embraced again and Debra gave Julia another kiss. Everyone waved goodbye and Summer carted Julia off down the hall.

“So.” Debra held the door open and made a big show of looking at her watch. “I’m sure you have other things to do with your afternoon so.…”

“No, my afternoon is clear.” He had no intention of leaving until they’d…what…talked it out…she agreed to forgive him? He had no idea. “Let’s get the tea mess cleaned up.”

Reluctantly, Debra closed the door and leaned against it. “Why are you here?”

Her hazel eyes looked green in this light.

“I…um…wanted…” For a highly educated man who most people thought of as well spoken he was having a hard time piecing words together. “I was hoping…you know…that um…we…sort of…could be…friends.”

That was pathetic.

Debra’s face twisted in horror. “Why?”

Because he still loved her…had always loved her…would always love her. He was pretty sure telling her that was a bad idea. “Things feel unresolved between us.”

Her eyes squinted like she was mentally processing his last sentence. “I’m not sure how my telling you that I was pregnant and then you accusing me of lying and then sleeping around left anything unresolved. I would say that things have definitely been resolved.”

She had a point.

“Have dinner with me so we can clear the air.” He was not giving up.

She looked at him like he’d lost his damned mind. “I can’t believe that I’m going to say this, but I’d rather have dinner with my father.”

Wow, she really didn’t want to have dinner with him. “Coffee then?”

“Have you hit your head recently?” She stepped closer and analyzed his pupils. “Your pupils are normal sized. Are you experiencing headaches, nausea, ringing in the ears?”

She really thought he had some sort of head trauma. Well, she was concerned…that was something.

“No, I’m perfectly fine.” He wanted to touch her. A lock of hair had fallen out of one of the many sparkly barrettes holding clumps of it back, and he wanted to tuck it back for her, but chances were she’d punch him. She was fierce and feisty. Part of him kind of liked that about her.

“Good.” She turned around and walked into what he remembered from the building plans was her bedroom. “I have to get ready for work. Let yourself out.”

He had no intention of leaving. They needed to clear out the past so that maybe they could have a future. Or so that maybe he could move on. Clearly she had.

This was the life that he’d chosen for both of them and he had no right to feel left out of hers, but he did. If ever there was a need for a rewind button, this was it. He glanced around her condo. Everything was neat, but very impersonal. The walls were off-white, the wooden floors were medium brown. The only thing in her apartment with any color was the red leather sofa and the framed blue plaque sitting on the fireplace mantle. He walked over to it.

At first he’d thought it was a diploma, but as he got closer he saw that it was a birth certificate.

A birth certificate?

That didn’t make sense. He read the first line.

This is to certify that August John Covington was born December 14th
…

Who was August John? He was born the same year that Warren and Debra broke up. August and John…both of the names of his grandfathers.

In the blank for name of mother, was Debra Covington. The father’s name was blank.

Realization dawned. Her pregnancy. He did the math. Holy crap. He swayed a little and grabbed the mantle to steady himself. She hadn’t aborted the baby. She’d had a son….
his
son…he had a son. He scanned the living room looking for any sign that someone other than Debra lived here. Surely she hadn’t given him up for adoption.