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.”
Interesting. So, she does need a place to stay; that’s not what she said the other night. And since she didn’t get a promotion, but was fired, not telling her mom makes sense. I think I have Lottie right where I want her.
Maura offers me a sly grin. “Jeff and I really want to walk around the house naked.”
“Mom!” Lottie says, her face turning red.
I lean in and wink. “I totally get what you mean.” Clearing my throat, I say, “I asked her to move in, but I’m waiting on an answer.”
“Really?” Maura asks, excitement beaming from her eyes. “Oh, wow, that’s so exciting. Honey, are you going to say yes?”
We both look at Lottie, whose mouth is full of ice cream. She glances between us, and I know she wants to murder me, because if looks could kill . . .
I’d be six feet under.
She swallows cautiously and then says, “I’m not sure. He’s more attached to me than I am to him.” She shoves more ice cream in her mouth.
“Lottie. How could you say something like that?” Maura asks, horrified. Whispering, she adds, “And right in front of him, too.”
“Ah, she’s only kidding,” I say, taking the heat off Lottie. “She was the first one to say ‘I love you,’ actually.”
Maura’s eyes widen. “Wow, I didn’t . . . I didn’t know.” Maura turns to Lottie. “I’m sad you didn’t think you could trust me with this information.” Oh shit. I don’t need the mom feeling sad.
“It’s my fault,” I say quickly. “I begged her not to tell anyone. I really wanted to keep it on the down-low. She wanted to tell you and Jeff, but I asked her not to. Please don’t be mad at her. If you’re mad at anyone, it should be me.”
That earns me a soft gaze from Lottie, but it doesn’t last very long, not when she turns back to her ice cream and scoops some more into her mouth.
“I appreciate you being honest with me, Huxley.” Jesus, if only she knew. “Well.” Maura rests her hands on the table. “How did you meet?”
“On a walk,” I say, even though that’s not what I told Dave. Jesus, this is already twisted and fucked. At least on a walk is true. “She was lost and I helped her find her way back home, but I knew before she left, I needed her number. Couldn’t stop staring at her. Those green eyes of hers mesmerize me.”
Lottie glances in my direction, a surprised look on her face. Yeah, I pay attention to the small things. I’d remember those eyes even if they just briefly glanced at me.
“How sweet. Lottie, you haven’t said much.”
Because I keep stepping in before she can say anything. Because even though I know she needs me to cover for her, I’m not fully confident she won’t fly off the deep end and blow our cover.
“Just observing Huxley,” she says. “Seeing how he fits in my environment.” She stirs her spoon in her bowl. “Not sure he fits in or not.”
“Please excuse my daughter, she apparently has no decorum. Lottie, this is your boyfriend.”
Maura is a good woman.
“It’s okay, Maura. She tends to bust my balls often—excuse my language.”
“Oh, don’t bother excusing yourself around here, we aren’t proper in any way. And I guess she gets that attitude from me; I tend to throw some shade toward Jeff as well.”
“Makes it that much more fun, especially when at night, she curls into me for a hug and presses those sweet lips on mine. Makes it all worth it, because I know my girl loves me. Truly loves me.”
And the Oscar goes to . . .
Lottie stands from the table, bowl in hand. “I’m done. Huxley, let me show you my room.”
“That’s presumptuous,” I tease while taking a mouthful of ice cream. When she glares at me, I stand from my seat and say, “Maura, excuse me while my girl gains some private time with me. Shall I put my bowl in the sink?”
She waves at me. “No, I got this, you two go ahead.”