“Come play with me; just for fun. Like we used to,” she said as she held out her hand.
There was nothing I wanted more than to see Connor playing on the big piano, but there was no way he was going to do it. As he handed Julia to me, he took Cassidy’s hand and stepped onto the toy with her. I stood there in shock. He took two steps to the left as she took two steps to the right. I put Julia in her stroller and pulled out my phone. This was something that I never wanted to forget, I thought as I hit the video record button. As Cassidy stepped off the piano, Connor stepped a little tune. When he was finished, Cassidy stepped on and played the same tune. Both of them were smiling and laughing. It was so good to see Connor having fun and relax a bit. They were both out of breath when they finished. Cassidy walked past me and I high-fived her. As Connor walked up to me, he wrapped his arms around me tightly and swayed me back and forth.
“You looked really sexy doing that.” I smiled.
“We used to come here all the time. Sometimes when Cassidy and I would be playing on it, one of the other keys would light up that we didn’t step on, and I’d tell her that Collin was here playing with us. It sort of freaked her out.”
I broke our embrace and put my hand on his chest. “I bet he was here. He’s always with you in spirit.”
Connor smiled and kissed my head. “Come on; let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
While we stood in line, waiting to make our purchases, Connor took Julia from the stroller and held her up while making funny faces at her.
“Well, look at Daddy Connor,” I heard a voice from behind say.
Connor and I turned around and we saw Sarah standing there. Instantly, Connor became nervous.
“Sarah. How are you?” he asked politely.
“I’m good, Connor. It’s nice to see you again.” She smiled. “Ellery, you look wonderful.”
“Thank you, Sarah,” I replied as I watched her move closer to Julia.
Seeing her always put a sick feeling in my stomach. Just knowing how she and Connor had used each other for years, and the things they did, made me irritated, but not as bad as when I looked at Ashlyn.
“Ellery, she’s adorable, and she looks just like you.”
I smiled politely as she backed away. “It was good seeing both of you again. You’re a perfect little family, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was jealous. Have a good day,” she said as she walked away.
Cassidy looked at me and then looked at Connor. She didn’t say a word and neither did he. Suddenly, I blurted out, “Well, that was awkward.”
Connor put Julia in her stroller, stood behind me, and whispered in my ear, “Like it was awkward running into Kyle.”
I looked around and saw that Cassidy was making her purchase. I discreetly reached my hand back and placed it on Connor’s crotch, giving it a light squeeze. I leaned my head back and whispered, “He was my boyfriend, not my fuck buddy. There’s a difference.”
Connor placed his hand on mine as I released my light grip. “Baby, that’s not nice, and we’ll discuss it when we get home.”
“You bet we’ll discuss it when we get home; just not with words.”
“Oh God,” he whispered.
I paid for Camden’s birthday gifts and the four of us walked out of the store. As Connor pushed the stroller, I looped my arm around his and smiled.
***
While we were waiting for our food to be served, I asked Connor how he knew we were at FAO Schwarz.
“Babe, you told me last night you were going there, and when I talked to Denny, he said he’d just dropped you and Julia off.”
“But we had already been in there for over two hours. How did you know we were still in there?”
“I took my chances, Ellery. What’s with the million questions?”
I shook my head and apologized. Something wasn’t sitting right with me, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Oh my God! I completely forgot to tell you, Connor!” I exclaimed.
“What?”
“The reason Julia and I were coming to see you at the office. Sal called me and his brother is opening an art gallery in Chicago, and he wants me to do a showing with five of my paintings.”
“That’s great news, Ellery.” Cassidy smiled.
“Baby, that’s wonderful. I don’t think you have five paintings done, do you?” Connor asked.
I looked down as the waitress set my club sandwich down in front of me. “No, I don’t. I need to start painting, and quick.”
“When’s the opening?” Cassidy asked.
As I gave her a perplexed look, I bit down on my bottom lip. “I don’t know. I was so excited, I forgot to ask.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Connor smiled as he leaned over and kissed me.
While eating our lunch, we talked about Camden’s party and then Cassidy had to go and say something she shouldn’t have.
“Ben’s coming to Camden’s party.”