VEGAS follows you home (53 page)

"A break?" I focus back on her.

"Yeah. So, he fucked up." She covers her mouth, apology in her eyes for cursing. "He made some crazy decisions and if you wanted to have him locked away, I would be right there, retelling the whole tale to put him in a padded cell. But, do you realize how different you've been? Don't you feel different?"

I close my eyes, knowing I've felt different — alive and relaxed at the same time. Something I haven't felt for…well, in forever.

"He loves you."

My eyes snap open and meet hers.

"It's not obsession or crazy, it’s love. And I'm pretty sure — at least, recently — you love him, too."

Tears pool, blurring my vision. I fight hard to keep them from falling.

"It's okay to love him."

Blinking, I fail. Tears drip from my lashes onto my cheeks.

"I'm so sick of crying." I wipe the wetness away.

"We'll blame the hormones." Mercedes winks.

"Okay," I laugh through the tears.

"So, when you move out, I get the apartment, right?"

I laugh harder, but she doesn't laugh.

"You're serious?"

She hesitates, but then nods.

"What about your place?"

She lifts one shoulder.

"I think it's time for a change. I'd pay rent for the apartment."

"Ced, it's not about rent."

Sobering, I realize I've been really self-absorbed in my problems and emotions over the past few months.

"I've been a crappy friend lately," I mutter.

"What?" Mercedes straightens. "No, you haven't."

"Yes, I have. We haven't talk about you or what's going on with you. I'm a jerk and I'm sorry."

She grins.

"Well, maybe it's been about you a lot," she playfully agrees. "I mean, it's not like you should be distracted by a Vegas one night stand, slash husband, slash baby daddy, slash another baby for the baby daddy, slash—"

"I get it," I cry out and giggle.

"Liv, I know you are going through a lot and I'm happy to have been here for you. Besides, you've always been the one for me to lean on. You're the dependable, put together friend who's needed a little crazy of her own. But, let's be honest, your time is up and I need some spotlight time."

We both laugh and I move, taking a seat next to her.

"Tell me how you've been, Ced."

"I've decided to be a bit more like you, since I'm growing up." She grins.

We sit and talk about Mercedes. She tells me about her night with Alfonso, the calls from him she's avoided until he finally stopped calling, and how she's been staying away from guys in general lately. Instead of going after every guy hoping to find love, she thinks maybe taking a break would be good for her. This brings us back to the conversation of her needing a change and moving into a new place. I discover that my carefree, crazy friend is at a point in lifestyle overhaul and I almost missed it. Mentally, I vow to be more attentive. I’m about to tell her this when my cell phone chimes. I’m prepared to ignore it so I can focus on Mercedes, but her phone pings as well.

While she checks her phone, I pull mine out of my pocket.

20 weeks: Not going to lie, this week is kind of gross. Something about meconium and sticky white substance on her skin. Good news, she gets eyelids and brows next week.

Grinning, I slip the phone back into my pocket.

"Felicity is losing it," Mercedes says, her eyes remaining on her phone.

"What's going on?"

Mercedes turns her phone toward me, showing me a text from Felicity.

Don't kill me. I couldn't help myself
.
             

I shrug.

"I don't know what she's talking about."

Mercedes’ fingers fly over the screen of her phone. When she's done, we both turn to watch Alex playing cars and discuss some of the things she's had on her mind lately.

Fifteen minutes later, there's pounding on my door.

"Do you think it's Erik?" Mercedes slips from the stool and starts for the door.

"Wait, maybe we shouldn't answer the door." I slip to my feet and step forward.

"Mercedes," a male voice calls from the other side of the door.

"That's not Erik," I state the obvious, relief washing over me.

"Oh no." Mercedes stops a foot from the door.

"Who is—”

"Mercedes, I know you're up here. Mrs. Dorn already told me where to find you."

Alfonso. I cover my mouth so not to laugh. Felicity's text suddenly makes sense.

"I'm gonna kill her," Mercedes snarls.

I snort, unable to hold the laughter in any longer.

"Cedie!" Alex shouts. A giggle follows his exclamation.

Mercedes glares at me over her shoulder.

"I didn't do it." I put my hands up in surrender.

"Mercedes, open the door." Alfonso knocks again — hard.

Groaning loudly, she steps forward and opens the door.

"What?" she snaps.

"You told my sister I'm bad in bed?" he growls. "You told that harpy I'm bad in bed. Do you realize she would take out ad space to tell the world something like that?"

"Not my problem." Mercedes shrugs.

"Not your…Jesus woman."

Alfonso looks and sounds distressed.

"Are you done?" Mercedes crosses her arms over her chest.

"No, I'm not," he states, his voice low and ominous.

Mercedes stands silent, waiting for him to explain.

"We're going to do this again," he demands.

"Do what?"

"Sex. I'm going to prove you wrong."

"Oh my…"

Mercedes looks back at me.

"Do you hear this?"

I nod, biting my lip so I don't burst into hysterics.

She turns back to Alfonso.

"You've lost your damn mind. Why the hell would I want to have bad sex twice?"

Her head gives a little swivel in emphasis.

"Listen, there are things…I was trying to be gentle and easy," he says, his voice dropping low, but I can still hear.

"Yeah, okay," Mercedes says in her best sarcastic voice.

"I'm going to pick you up after work tomorrow." Alfonso steps back, but keeps his eyes on her. "I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Well then, how about, drop dead."

Mercedes slams the door shut and locks it.

"Tomorrow, Mercedes. I'll be here at five o'clock. Be ready and well rested."

Unable to hold the humor back any longer, I laugh so hard, I'm having trouble breathing. Alex laughs from across the room and it makes me laugh more.

"This isn't funny," Mercedes growls, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. "I'm going to beat the shit out of her."

Her fingers move fast and she presses the cell to her ear. Felicity is about to get a verbal smack down.

"I've missed you," Damon says against the knuckles he just kissed.

"It was only a couple days."

"Doesn't matter." He helps me into the back of his car while the driver puts my overnight bag into the trunk.

Slipping in behind me, the driver closes the door. We settle into the seat. His thigh presses to mine, causing me to be hyperaware of his every movement.

The car pulls away from the curb.

"Are you feeling well?"

Looking up from our touching thighs, I nod.

"Yes. The appointment is next week," I remind.

"I know." He grins.

"You're weekly updates are quite entertaining, by the way." I smile.

His grin grows into a wide smile.

"You haven't responded, so I wasn't sure how you felt about those."

The doubt in his voice, the fact that he is actually self-conscious, is unfathomable.

"They're good."

I place my hand on his leg. His larger hand immediately captures and holds it there.

We arrive to Monterey Bay Fish Grotto and the driver drops us off. Inside, we're seated in a room with the view of the skyline. The sky is dark, so the four towers of the PPG building flash, the headlights of the many cars moving through the city and the bridges. It's gorgeous.

Our waitress is professional, crisp, clean dressed, and can answer any question about the fresh fish of the day. Damon settles on the Swordfish Parmesan and I order Ahi Tuna Sesame, cooked well. The waitress convinces Damon to try the crab cake with remoulade sauce appetizer. As we wait for our drinks, I stare out at the Pittsburgh skyline.

"You love it here, don't you?" Damon asks.

Without looking away from the view, I answer, "Yes. The city is beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

My eyes meet his and I open my mouth to speak, but the waitress appears with our drinks.

"I'll be back with the appetizer."

"Thank you."

Damon nods to her before focusing back on me.

"I'd like to talk about something with you."

He lifts his glass and takes a drink.

"About?"

"The baby…and Alex."

His Adam's apple bobs.

"Okay…"

Staying vague with my response, I wait to see where he goes.

"Would you object to our daughter having my last name?"

It takes a moment to process what he's asking. I go with my gut.

"No."

"Okay." Damon sits up straighter. "This leads me to request Alex's name be changed to Knyght. I'd like our children to both have my last name. I know we didn't agree on this early on, but I hope we are now in a place where you will consider the idea."

"Yes."

"Yes?" Damon's eyes brighten.

I nod. He smiles.

"Would you be angry if I have the papers with me to start Alex's name change?" He lifts one brow.

I laugh, loudly, drawing attention from others in the restaurant.

"Do you have them?"

"Maybe."

He picks up his glass and drinks through curled lips.

"I wouldn't expect any less from you, Damon."

The waitress arrives with the appetizer. The crab cakes look and smell amazing. My stomach rumbles and mouth waters.

Being a gentleman, Damon serves me before getting some for himself.

One bite, and the crab melts in my mouth. I moan. Damon's eyes lock onto my lips.

"Do you have any preferences for the baby's name?" I ask before putting another bite into my mouth.

"What do you think about Harlow?"

"Harlow?" I furrow my brow.

"Yes. I think your name is beautiful, Olivia. For it to carry on as her first name would be nice."

"I don't know. Isn't that a bit odd?"

"I don't think so."

"Maybe." I shrug and sip my water.

"Do you have something in mind?"

"What about Rosalyn? I always lean toward traditional names."

"Rosalyn," he repeats, trying it out. "I like that."

"We have time. I was just curious about your thoughts."

"I appreciate you asking. I really do. Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." I place my fork down on the empty plate.

"There's one more thing I'd like to talk about. Mind you, I've mentioned it before, but I just want to be open about my desires."

"Okay."

"This house isn't just for me and weekend visits, Olivia. I want us to be a family and live there."

"I need more time to think, Damon."

He nods.

"The house should be ready to move into two months from now. I won't move in without you."