For the first time in his adult life, Nick yelled at his mother. “No one is taking my family!”
“You really mean that no one is taking Beth from you, don’t you? Honey, I don’t want to upset you, but I do want you to realize, before it’s too late, that you aren’t guaranteed a life with Beth unless you’re ready to give her everything she needs and deserves. You deserve it, too. Just don’t close your mind to the future. If you can’t imagine Beth not being in your life every day, then you need to make sure that you give her a reason to stay—before it’s too late.”
Nick dropped his head to the counter, while his mom ruffled his hair as she had when he was a boy. “Stop sulking and get the cake out of the oven; I think we both need some chocolate.”
Chapter Twenty-five
“Please don’t make me go to IHOP again tomorrow morning,” Beth begged. Suzy had insisted on having their morning meeting over breakfast for the entire week. If she never saw another piece of bacon, it would be too soon.
“What? I think it’s been good to shake things up a little bit. Besides, Bonnie enjoys seeing us every day,” Suzy said, referring to their regular IHOP server.
“I’m not stupid.” Beth huffed. “I know what you’re doing. Suddenly you’re making time for breakfast and lunch every day and a snack, and Nick hasn’t missed dinner since he got back from Charleston. You’ve got Operation Feed Beth in full swing.”
“Full of yourself much?” Suzy laughed. “If you must know, I’m working off a lot of calories every night being a newlywed and all so I have to put some of them back on during the day. Marathon sex really takes it out of a girl.”
Despite herself, Beth couldn’t contain the giggle that slipped out. “You’re full of it, but I’m gonna stop there before you insist on telling me any graphic details about your nights. I need to be able to look Gray in the eyes without further intimate knowledge of him.”
“Ah, suit yourself. Intimate knowledge of Gray is the best kind. That man has so many talents.”
“Why, sis, that sounded almost dreamy.”
“Oh, bite me,” Suzy snapped.
“Wow. I knew you would come begging, but I never thought it would be in front of your sister.”
Beth whirled in her chair to see Nick leaning against the doorway with his usual sexy grin. Is it wrong that I want to jump on him, roll him down the hallway, and rip his zipper open with my teeth? She only half listened as he continued to trade barbs with Suzy. When Beth’s gaze finally locked with his, she could tell that he knew exactly what she was thinking. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she tried to look away before Suzy noticed the heat between them.
Nick cleared his throat and asked, “Are you ready to go, princess?”
“Um . . . I just need to finish up a few things with Suzy.”
Waving her hand toward the door, Suzy said, “Uh, please, just go. I can’t get anything done while you make puppy-dog eyes at each other. Just don’t make out in the damn elevator, please. I have to ride in that thing.”
When Nick smirked and opened his mouth, she held her hand up to stop him. “Forget I said the word ride.” With a satisfied grin, Nick shut his mouth and followed Beth out the door.
“So, where to for dinner, princess? How about Italian?”
Did these people ever miss a meal anymore? She felt like she spent her entire day, every day, planning her next meal. She had given up getting away with not eating breakfast and lunch. Suzy watched her like a hawk, so there was no hiding anything. Nick, however, was a different story. As long as they ate at home, she could get away with eating very little. She distracted him using a usual male weakness: ESPN. She insisted on eating in front of the television, saying it was more relaxing and, being a guy, he couldn’t turn it down.
She was ashamed to admit that she had resorted to hiding food in the couch cushions and going back later to throw it away. Within a few minutes of settling in front of Sports Center, Nick was totally oblivious to everything around him. She could pop out a boob and he wouldn’t notice. As long as she stuck with food such as sandwiches, which were easily slipped under a cushion, he was none the wiser. He didn’t say anything, but she knew he was happy when he looked at her empty plate.
Part of her knew that it was wrong, but what could she do? She was eating more than she had been, so couldn’t everyone just be happy about that? The scales showed that her deception was working. Despite the meals during the day, she was still maintaining her weight. Instead of being filled with dread, she was actually looking forward to tomorrow’s doctor’s appointment. The number on the scales would be something to be proud of for once.
“Hellooo? Italian?” Nick asked again.