—
That Sunday Nash went sports fishing with friends, a strenuous sport that would have them rolling on the heaving Atlantic. They would return late in the evening with bluefin tuna and sunburns, and Monday morning most of them would be hung over.
Darcy decided to give herself a Self-centered day, which was the opposite of her Perfect Darcy day. She avoided her computer as if it had a contagious virus. She’d prepared for today the night before, when she bought ice cream and ready-made salads and microwavable lasagna, and she vowed to stay in her silk kimono all day. She’d taken a few enticing books from the library and began her day by curling up on the sofa, drinking coffee, eating not one but two chocolate croissants from the Nantucket Bake Shop, and reading.
When she was younger, she could read all day without stopping. Of course she could, because some adult, usually her grandmother, took care of everything—food, shelter, all her personal needs. Also, whomever she stayed with—Penny or one of Lala’s daffy relatives—seemed to like Darcy most when she was quiet, tucked into a corner, asking for nothing, needing to go nowhere. She learned to go everywhere through books.
She’d finished her coffee and croissant and the first two chapters of the compelling mystery when someone knocked on her front door. Susan’s probably out of milk again, Darcy thought with a smile. She strolled to the door and pulled it open. And stopped smiling.
Boyz stood there, all Ralph Lauren in his golf shirt and Bermuda shorts and loafers without socks. He’d gotten a beautiful tan, so even it looked painted on, and his hair gleamed in the sunlight.
“Boyz!”
“Hey, Darce. Could I come in? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“Um, okay….” She led him into the living room. “Would you like some coffee?” She couldn’t help it; she was relieved and a little smug because she was wearing the silk kimono when she could have easily been clad in an old T-shirt.
“Thanks, no. I’ve finished breakfast, had enough caffeine to blast me to Mars. Autumn and Willow are still sleeping. That’s why I decided to come over now.”
“Oh?” Darcy said, slightly wary. She motioned to a chair. “Sit down.” She took the chair across from him.
Boyz set his elbows on his knees with his hands dangling down between his widely planted legs.
Oh, please, Darcy thought, don’t call my attention to your equipment. I’m so over you.
Boyz got right to it. “I need to talk to you about Willow. No insult intended, just a friendly observation, from a man who knows you well, who understands what you lack and what you need.”
Darcy wrinkled her nose in confused disgust. “Wait, what?” The moment the words left her mouth, she realized that was exactly the way Willow spoke.
“I know you’re sore about me and Autumn. I know your pride’s been mangled and you’re unsure of your desirability. It’s absolutely understandable. Anyone would feel that way. But, Darcy, honey, it’s kind of foul play to bring Willow into the mix. She’s a young, impressionable girl. She might get the idea you like her for herself.”
Had the man gone insane? Darcy’s eyes widened. “But, Boyz, I do like her!”
“Come on, Darce, don’t forget I was married to you for three years. I know you inside and out.” Boyz treated her to one of his superalluring lascivious grins.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Darcy said.
“If you want to get together with me, privately, I mean, I’d be all over that like white on rice, but it’s not necessary for you to try to sneak in through the back door.”
“Really, Boyz. I have no idea what you’re going on about.”
“Well, first of all, I need you to know I care about Willow. She’s my stepdaughter. I don’t like her used to get to me. Second, if you’d like to join me in bed for old time’s sake, I’d be up for that.” Another grin. “Really up.”
Darcy was horrified. “Are you saying you think I’m friendly with Willow so that I can get you to notice me, to have sex with me? Boyz, that’s over-the-top vain, even for you!”
Boyz continued to smile. He was almost leering at her.
“Darcy. Honey. Don’t try to pretend. You and I had some pretty sweet times together. And I want you to know I still consider you a beautiful woman.”
“Boyz. Listen to me. I have no interest in you at all. Really. Truly.”
Boyz tilted his head and dimmed the wattage of his smile. “So why are you hanging out with Willow?”
“Because she’s wonderful!” Darcy was so angry and insulted on Willow’s behalf she wanted to punch her ex-husband. “And I’m not ‘hanging out’ with her! Willow helps at the library, she’s great with the little kids during story hour. She reads to Mimi Rush who lives next door and is eighty-nine years old and has bad eyes. She’s babysitting Susan Brueckner’s three boys during the week—when you’re in Boston. She’s a sweet, intelligent girl and if I see more of her than you do, it’s not my fault, it’s yours!”
“Oh, Darcy,” Boyz said softly. “If that’s all true, why aren’t you involving Autumn in these arrangements? Autumn is her mother, after all.”
Darcy bit her lips. She could tell Boyz exactly what Autumn was up to with Otto Brueckner, but maybe she was wrong, and she didn’t want to be vindictive and it wasn’t relevant anyway. “I’ve discussed all this with Autumn. I phoned her several weeks ago to invite her to join us. Autumn declined. She wants Willow to have her own group, away from her mother. She told me I didn’t need to contact her all the time. She trusts Willow when she’s with me, with us.” Angry, Darcy demanded, “Don’t you even talk to your wife?”
She’d taken one step too far. She’d embarrassed Boyz. His face went red. Gone was his seductive tone. Now he wanted to hurt. “Whatever. The point I’m trying to make here is that Autumn is Willow’s mother. You are not, and you’ve got to stop pretending you are. I sincerely hope you’ll have a child of your own someday, but until then, hands off Willow. Okay?”
“Boyz.” Darcy was embarrassed to see her hands were trembling. She rose. “I think you’d better leave.”
Like a chameleon, Boyz switched back into his charming self. He stood, walked close to Darcy, his pale blue eyes warm with affection. “Darcy. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Come here. Let me make it all better.”