“If you say so,” she said.
“I mean, we’ve already slept together so there’s no big rush to do that. Plus I don’t want it to become the root of why we get together. I enjoy being around him, even if sex wasn’t in play.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking a foreign language to me, but I’ll let you have it. I haven’t seen you smile like this since Bradley passed, so as your best friend? I’m good if you’re good.”
“Thanks.”
“But seriously. Time to spill about yesterday.”
“No.”
“Does he give oral? It’s a deal breaker if a guy won’t go downtown.”
“Stop it, Nicole.”
“Oh! I see that blush. He was good downtown, wasn’t he?” she asked. “I bet he’s a growler. Did he growl in your ear? Did you call him Daddy? Did you cream all over him?”
“Oh my gosh, you are terrible,” I said with a giggle.
“Holy shit. He’s an animal in bed, isn’t he? Big dick?”
“Stop.”
“The biggest?”
“Shut up, Nicole.”
“Here’s what I really want to know. How many times did you come?”
I giggled and shook my head as I held up the number three.
“Oh yes, girl! Honey, I’m not leaving until you give me all the details.”
“I’m gonna need more wine for this conversation,” I said.
“Don’t worry, I got you covered. Now sit, drink, and spill.”
CHAPTER 18
GRAHAM
I was still shocked at how honest I’d been with Cindy the night before, but it felt good to tell someone the truth. Or at least the truth as I knew it. There were still questions that surrounded my family’s death I couldn't reconcile, but I was working on it. With the help of Daniel and his connections, we were chipping away at some of the looming issues that had no answers to them.
I’d let Cindy in, but more than that, I wanted to let her in. I wanted to be honest with her and tell her things about my past. I wanted to give her someone who understood the pain of losing a spouse, and I knew she wanted to give the same thing back. She wanted to talk to someone who got it, someone who wouldn't try to heal or change her pain but simply let her experience it.
And I wanted that, too, with her.
I knew there was a good connection between us, but I had to be careful. Someone was watching me, and I had to make sure she and Lily were safe. I hadn’t known someone was on my tail the last time, and it had cost me the two people who meant more to me than life itself.
And that shit wasn't happening again.
A knock came at my door, and I heard Lily’s giggle on the porch. A grin ticked my cheek as I hoisted myself up from the couch. I went to the door and opened it, and I was greeted with a massive hug from the beaming little girl.
I picked her up in my arms and watched as Cindy’s eyes lit up.
“What’s up, squirt?” I asked.
“Mommy and I are gonna go listen to music. Wanna come?” Lily asked.
“There’s a music festival going on downtown. I was going to take Lily and figured you might want to come with us?”
I looked over at Cindy and took in her beautiful features, her unassuming eyes, her tight curves, her strong shoulders and smooth arms. Her cheeks were reddened from the wind, and she’d piled her hair high on her head.
“Sure. Why not?” I said.
We all slid into Cindy’s car, and the three of us headed downtown. Lily kept asking Cindy all sorts of questions, and Cindy volleyed them without missing a beat. The two of them sang to music and played car games. There was a small family dynamic in the car when Lily begged me to join in.
It was a dynamic I hadn’t felt in years and one I realized I had missed.
After we arrived downtown, Lily ran from performance to performance, dragging Cindy behind her. I watched her crouch down with her daughter and point out all the instruments as Lily gazed in awe. She was a wonderful mother, the kind of woman who should have scores of children to raise for future generations. She was calm even when Lily got worked up, and she never once turned her daughter down when she started asking questions. She was alert and attentive, wholly tuned into the curiosity and excitement Lily was experiencing.
She reminded me a lot of Cary.
“Is that my Lilybug?”
“Uncle Paul!”
I watched Cindy look up at me, a strange expression crossing her beautiful features before she turned around. I looked over and watched Lily catapult into Paul’s arms, but the man glared at me from over her shoulder. What the hell was this guy’s problem? Did he not have anything else to do with his life other than try to intimidate me?
He seemed to think Cindy and Lily were his to protect, and while I could get behind that, the way he did it left a lot to be desired. I found myself feeling surprisingly territorial around him.
“I didn’t know you guys were coming out today,” Paul said.
“Yep. Lily wanted to come listen to the music, so we call came down,” Cindy said.
“Graham.”
“Yo,” I said.
“Can’t remember my name?” Paul asked.
“I remember it just fine,” I said.
He was sizing me up, and I could tell he was making Cindy uncomfortable again. Lily was asking him questions, but he wasn’t even paying attention to the little girl. An asshole, if anyone asked me, holding a child like he was and not even paying attention to her.
“Uncle Paul, are you even listening?” Lily finally asked.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. What was that?” Paul asked.
“I asked if you had a favorite instrument,” Lily said. “But now I have to pee.”
“Then let me take you to the bathroom,” Cindy said. “Come here, booger.”
Cindy threw a wary glance my way, and I nodded her off. I was fine on my own with a guy like this. He was making her uncomfortable, and I was going to make sure he was gone before she got back.
He wasn’t going to ruin any more of their day out in town, not if I could help it.
“You should back off, you know,” Paul said.
“You told me that last time,” I said.
“Seems like you didn’t get the hint.”
“You think Cindy would enjoy it if she knew how you were talking to her friends?” I asked.
“You’re not friends. I see the way you look at her. And she’s been through too much to get run through the ringer by a bad boy like you.”
“Got your feelings hurt because I look good in leather?” I asked.
“That woman was my best friend’s wife. I was there when he hit the tarmac. I was the one planning the funeral when she couldn't function. I was the one cleaning up that house of hers when she decided to finally move back.”
“Forgive me if I don’t applaud you for your efforts. It doesn’t mean she owes you a goddamn thing.”
“If anyone’s going to look out for her and her little girl, it’s gonna be me,” he said.
“Pretty sure all you’re doing is making her uncomfortable.”
“And if you weren’t around, I wouldn't have to do that to make sure she’s safe.”
“She’s not your property or your responsibility. Cindy can take care of herself.”
“Like she could when Lily was shipped off to Bradley’s parents because she couldn't even take the time to clean herself up?”
“You have no idea the kind of pain Cindy has been through,” I said. “So choose your next words very carefully.”
“I’m the one who holds her up,” he said. “And if anyone’s going to be with her, it’s going to be me.”
“What?” I asked.
“Hey, guys,” Cindy said.
“Hey there,” Paul said with a smile. “Find the bathroom okay?”
“Yep. And the shaved ice stand.”
I looked down at Lily who was covered in red and blue.
“It’s yummy,” Lily said.
“Have you guys been down to that end? There are some wonderful jazz ensembles down that way. I could show you if you’d like,” Paul said.
“Actually, we were just leaving,” Cindy said as she looked at me. “Right, Graham?”
Paul’s eyes locked hard on my face as a grin crossed my cheeks.
“We were,” I said. “You guys ready to head out?”
“Can I eat my ice in the car?” Lily asked.
“Of course, you can,” Cindy said. “Then we can run around in the backyard and sing all the songs we heard today.”