I took the box from her hands.
“Shame, your pie tasted pretty fucking delicious,” I said, as I stared at her lips, remembering how I painted the filling onto that pout and licked it off. “Want more of that Reina,” I growled. I knew I was making her uncomfortable but I couldn’t help myself. I loved watching her squirm.
She opened her mouth to say something but her eyes moved behind me as Lacey walked into the living room.
“Hi Reina, I hope you’re hungry,” she announced, placing a salad bowl in the center of the table. I cocked my head as I stared at the bowl of lettuce and…peas? Lucky for me, they won’t be banging down the door to marry her for her cooking skills.
“Thank you for having me. Can I help you with anything?”
“No, I’ve got everything under control,” Lacey replied. “Make yourself comfortable, take off your coat. Dad, take her coat,” she commanded, taking the cake box from my hands. “Does this have to be refrigerated?”
“No,” Reina said, taking off her jacket and folding it over her arm.
I took it from her hand and hung it up on the newel post.
“You want a beer?” I asked, running my fingers through my hair.
“Sure,” she answered. I glanced between the two women and shook my head slightly, pondering how the fuck this was happening as I walked into the kitchen to fetch Reina a beer.
The kitchen was a disaster. I ignored the mess and grabbed Reina and I both beers before walking out of the kitchen to find they had migrated into the dining room.
“Your home is lovely,” Reina said.
“Dad hates it. He only sleeps here when I’m around otherwise he’s always at the Dog Pound.”
I twisted the top off the beer and handed it to Reina, warning Lacey with my eyes to nip it in the bud.
“I’ll see about dinner,” Lacey said, turning on her heel.
I held out the neck of my beer to Reina and lifted an eyebrow.
“Happy birthday, Jack,” she whispered, tapping the neck of her bottle to mine.
“Thank you, Sunshine,” I said huskily, before taking a long gulp of my beer, watching as she sipped hers. She pulled the bottle away and giggled.
“You know what I realized on the way here?”
“What’s that?” I questioned, taking a seat at the head of the table and leaning back against the chair, watching her intently.
“I don’t even know your last name,” she stated, bringing the bottle back to her lips for another sip.
I stared at her for a moment before taking another gulp of my beer. I had avoided the truth for as long as I could but I always questioned this moment in the back of my mind, wondering about when I told her my last name if she would connect me with Danny. The last time I spoke to Danny was nearly four years ago. He had paid me a visit while I was doing a bid at Ryker’s. He dropped in, gracing me with his presence just to tell me he was changing his name because he didn’t want to be associated with me. He took our mother’s maiden name, Gregorio.
I brought the beer down mid-way and met her curious eyes.
“Parrish,” I revealed, gauging her reaction.
“Jack Parrish,” she said, letting my name roll off her tongue. Nothing changed in her eyes, leading me to believe that Danny had definitely changed his name and never looked back. I also realized he probably never told this woman he had a brother.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask me what mine is?” She asked, playfully.
“What’s your last name?” I asked, humoring her.
“DeCarlo,” she murmured. “Seems like it’s something we should’ve told one another by now,” she added, glancing down at the table.
I leaned forward, looking toward the kitchen door before looking back at Reina and placed my hand on her knee.
“You mean before you knew what if felt like to have me…”
“Don’t,” she interrupted.
“Why not?” I taunted, her face flushing. “Can’t pretend it didn’t happen. I won’t let you.”
She averted her eyes to my hand on her knee, watching as I drew circles with my thumb along her silky pants.
“Dinner is served,” Lacey announced, walking into the dining room carrying a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs that were the size of softballs. I gave Reina’s knee a squeeze before removing my hand and smiling up at my daughter.
“Looks good, baby,” I said.
Her face lit up as she filled my dish before passing the bowl to Reina. Lacey grabbed herself a coke and popped it open. Sitting back, she watched hopefully as I twirled the pasta around my fork. I lifted it to my mouth, felt both women stare at me as I took my first bite.
I closed my eyes and moaned in mock appreciation. Lacey’s smile widened and she settled back in her chair as I reached for my beer to help wash down the under cooked pasta.
“Delicious.” I winked at my baby before nudging Reina. “Go ahead, you’re in for a treat.”