“You’re going to blackmail me?”
“No, just using tools to help me get what I want, and don’t act as if you don’t need me too.”
“I don’t. It’s why I haven’t called, you psycho,” she snaps.
Laughing, I say a little louder, “Missed you too, babe.”
“Why don’t you two come in here?” Maura calls from the kitchen.
Smiling, I reach down and take Lottie’s hand. She attempts to snatch it away, but I have a firm enough hold on her that she doesn’t go anywhere. Leaning down toward her ear, I whisper, “I swear, I’ll make this worth it for you.”
When I pull away, her surprised eyes meet mine for a brief second before I pull her toward the kitchen, hand in hand.
Her mom turns and places a plate on the small four-person table. The table is situated under a large window, offering an expansive view of their well-manicured backyard. A canopy of trees and an old stucco wall offer them privacy from the close-knit quarters of their neighbors. “Jeff is working late tonight so Lottie and I were taking advantage of some ice cream sundaes, since Jeff is lactose intolerant.”
I’m assuming Jeff is her husband.
“I believe Lottie mentioned that,” I say, playing along. “Not sure what I’d do if I were lactose intolerant. I enjoy ice cream way too much.”
“Me too,” Maura says. “I’m grateful my digestive system can handle it. Please, take a seat.”
I pull out a chair for Lottie first. I might not have vast experience in dating a woman, but I do know fucking manners, and pulling out a seat for your girl is a sweet gesture. From the look on Maura’s face, I’m going to assume she agrees. When Lottie is settled, I take a seat as well and pick up my spoon.
“Wow, I feel spoiled,” I say. “This looks amazing.”
“I gave you the works, just like me and Lottie. I hope you’re not allergic to nuts, I should’ve asked.”
“I’m all good.” I spin the bowl around. “What’s in this?”
“Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, chopped peanuts, a dash of cherry juice, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and cherries.”
“Looks amazing. Thank you.” I dig my spoon into the bowl, take a large helping, and shove it in my mouth. Damn, it’s really good. I’m not sure the last time I had a sundae, but I’ve been missing out. “Really good.”
Lottie just stares at me, as if she can’t believe I’m here, eating ice cream in her mom’s kitchen, acting as though nothing is wrong.
Actually, that’s exactly what’s happening.
If only I could hear her thoughts.
My guess is, she’d just be saying, “I’m going to kill him,” over and over.
“Lottie, are you not hungry?” her mom asks.
I press my hand to her thigh and say, “She’s probably in shock. I’m not sure she was ready to tell you about me. I assumed no one was home when she was texting me, so I figured I’d stop by.” I squeeze her thigh. “Sorry, baby. Cat’s out of the bag.”
“Oh, honey, what do you have to worry about?” her mom asks.
We both look at Lottie, who looks like a deer in headlights.
“My reputation,” I say, covering for her. “It’s, uh, not the best, but not by my doing. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Cane Enterprises.”
Maura’s face morphs into shock. “Huxley Cane? You’re Huxley Cane?”
I quickly glance at Lottie, who looks clueless. Interesting.
“Yes. And even though Page Six likes to report on what girl I have on my arm one night to the other, it’s not true. Don’t believe anything you read in those things.” Thankfully I haven’t been mentioned in a while, because that wouldn’t work out well for my story with Lottie.
“Oh, I never believe any celebrity gossip unless it comes from Hoda Kotb herself.” Maura waves her hand in dismissal.
Lottie finally comes to life and says, “Mom, you always believe what they say in those gossip magazines. You told me the other day that Jennifer Aniston had triplets and sold them to Will Arnett.”
Maura laughs nervously. “It was a joke.” She clears her throat. “Anyway, is this why you’ve been so evasive about moving?” Maura asks Lottie. “Because you’re thinking about moving in with Huxley?”
Oh shit . . .
“What would make you think that?” Lottie asks in annoyance.
“Because when I looked around for apartments near Kelsey, there was nothing available. It seems as if you’ve been avoiding the whole conversation, and I don’t know, finding out you have a boyfriend just makes me think that you might be thinking about moving in with him.” Maura turns toward me. “Don’t get me wrong, we love having Lottie here, but we’ve also been excited about her promotion so she could find her own place, finally.”