Vicki bit her lip. She'd stay with her family.
He took a sip of his wine, and did not elaborate. She couldn't quite close her mouth yet. He then reached across the table and placed his hands over hers. "I'll trust you to bring my daughter home. You both want to spend time together, and I believe in you."
Her heart soared. No one had ever believed in her. Vicki felt like someone who'd won the lottery. She glanced at Clara and smiled. Colt understood the entire situation, and he was right that telling their daughter had to be natural. Vicki's face heated as she glanced at her wine. "Thank you. If you want to spend the first night together with your fiancée tomorrow, I'll take Clara to dinner on the town too. Give you both breathing room."
"No." His fast answer shook Vicki's resolve. He massaged his neck and averted his gaze. Then she turned her palm upward and took his hand in hers. Colt's lips puckered as he said, "It's not you, but it's Belle. Clara needs time to see she's not a monster."
"Then I shouldn't be here." Vicki gazed at the floor. She stopped massaging his hand and shook her head.
"You absolutely should be here. Clara needs you." Colt pressed his lips together like he wanted to say something else but then stopped himself. "I made a promise to you. Natural will be easier to handle if we're all in the same room."
"Right now is good."
"Let me first talk to Belle. It's not that long."
"Clara doesn't need two women in one house." Now he wanted to talk to Belle? Perhaps she should see a lawyer. She swallowed that thought and finished. "It's a recipe for disaster."
"I want Vicki, not Belle," Clara added fast.
Colt shrugged, and then took his hand back. "Princess, I want you to stay."
He meant Vicki, not Clara. Vicki's pulse quickened as she wondered if he might care about her, but she could be so wrong. Maybe Colt and Belle weren't happy and there was trouble in paradise, but he'd never said a word to her. She'd pack a bag, for now, but ensure she had a full tank of gas in case she needed to evacuate. Whatever happened with Belle, she'd not be here. "No worries. Clara and I will have fun. We'll stop to my bridal shop, get lunch, do something fun, and return early enough for dinner with Belle."
Clara's face contorted.
"School starts in two weeks, so not too much fun." He nodded at his daughter and swallowed. Then he turned back to Vicki. "I'm trying to make this work. If we stick together, near home, we'll figure out how to function in a healthy, sharing way."
"You're amazing." She relaxed and lost any tension. The imperative in how he'd said that sentence told her plenty. Everything would be fine. Vicki's mind questioned if Colt intended to end things with Belle on his own. She exhaled and let the thought go. It wasn't right. She was determined she'd start on the right foot with Belle. She sipped her wine. "I'm excited to stay here."
A knock sounded at the door. No one moved until Colt stood to go get the pizza. Clara leaned over and told Vicki, "I wish we could be a real family, and all live here without Belle. You're fun, Vicki."
She was more than fun. She was her mom. Vicki pressed her lips together to stop the words she wanted to say. "It's a sweet idea, but unlikely. Your daddy is getting married to her."
"He's being stupid. I don't like Belle," Clara whined loud enough for Colt to hear.
With the box in his hand, he headed back to the table. "None of that. You'll meet her tomorrow and you will be on your best behavior."
Clara shook her head, but kept silent. The frozen face on Clara was how Colt also showed his stubborn streak. His upturned chin and lips that thinned out meant he had a very different opinion, and their daughter had that expression. Vicki brushed her hair behind her ear, and smiled to smooth over the situation. "Mmm. I love pizza."
Colt opened the box and placed a slice on Clara's plate. The moment their daughter moved, he reminded her, "You're going to be nice."
Clara nodded and looked away. Then she took the plate with her pizza and returned to her seat.
Vicki added a slice to Colt's plate then one on her own.
The moment she was done eating, Clara stood and announced, "I'm going to my room and going to bed now. Night."
Vicki stood to follow her, but Colt placed his hand on her shoulder. She tilted her head toward him. He had his finger on his lip to signal silence. Her brow wrinkled as she returned to sit beside him. A minute later the bedroom door closed, and Vicki wiggled in her seat and whispered. "What's going on?"
"Clara never goes to her room without demanding a story." Colt stared into the empty hall that led to their daughter's bedroom. "She's up to something."
"Why would you—" Her gaze trailed where her daughter had just walked, but then music wafted in the air. She nodded. "Never mind."
"She wants you here, and hoped you'll take over for Belle."
Vicki wouldn't mind, but her face heated. She blinked, bit her lip for a second, and then asked, "So why didn't you argue with her?"
"What's the point? She'll start a fight, then I'll put her to bed with tears in her eyes because she's frustrated and didn't win." He took a deep breath. "It's better to let her think she's won with her music. I get the quiet of the evening, and a chance to talk to you."
Vicki's skin electrified with hope that Colt wanted something between them too, though she'd never admit her feelings. "Smart. You giving in is new."
"Pick your battles. It's a parental trick." Then he offered her glass of wine. "We get a peaceful night."
She took the glass from his hands, but then he stood fast, like a spider just bit him. She stared at him, and his face turned red. Then he ran his hand though his hair. "You done with the pizza?"
"Yeah." She followed and helped clean. Together they worked fast, and all that was left was the wine glasses.
Colt opened the refrigerator. "I'll pour you another glass of wine, Vicki. Come sit with me in the living room."
"Your place is nice." She stared at the walls as she made her way toward the couch. "You changed it since we were children and there were flowers everywhere."
"Mom has the pictures at the condo," he called a few steps behind her. "I'm surprised you remembered that."
She sat as he handed her the glass. She took a sip of her wine. This time he stayed still. She smiled as he eased into his chair. Then she said, "You threw the best pre-graduation party when your dad was in D.C."
"I was in so much trouble when he came home." Colt sat more comfortably on the couch as they reminisced. "You came with Alice that night. I don't remember you causing much trouble."