Every Woman's Dream... But You.

Four

"I feel like I'm a child in trouble." Katie smirks at me as I pull the kitchen door shut.
"What were you thinking, inviting him in!" I hiss.
"I was thinking he's a nice guy who's come to see how you are and I was being polite."
"He's not a nice guy, he's a rude arrogant arse." I sigh in frustration.
"Really?" She asks, genuinely surprised.
"I'm going home! You invited him, you can deal with him. Just send the girls home when they're ready." I snap.
"Oh wow, he's really got under your skin hasn't he." She asks, half surprise and half amusement.
"No! I just don't want to spend any more time with him than I have to." You peer round the corner to see what they're doing and catch a glimpse of his behind and blush. Katie grins when she sees it.
"Oh I get it. Ok. Goodnight." She chuckles.
"I know that smile Katie, whatever your planning, just stop."
"I'm not planning anything." She laughs, "go have a relaxing bath or something.
"A bath sounds nice actually." I mutter as I head to the front door.
"Bye." I yell back, knowing they could all hear me but wouldn't reach me before I got in my own front door.
"Has she left?" I hear Tom ask Katie as I slip in my door and chuckle. Well it's his own fault for basically inviting himself into my family. What was he thinking?
I only have a quick bath, knowing I've got more work to do on my next novel.
Maybe the girls will end up sleeping next door, that's the joy of having them there, the kids all sleep at both houses and it gives James and Katie a break and some grown up time and me a chance to be the free 30 something you'd intended when you'd married a man who never wanted children. Not that you'd hesitated when Amy died, James and Katie had a houseful and you were close with the kids anyway so it just seemed like the most obvious decision to move them in with you. You and Amy practically lived together anyway, always at each other's houses.
Ok, back on task. I wander down to the kitchen in a towel, not expecting to see anyone.
"Hi." Tom was stood next to your kettle, a glass in his hand and a sheepish look on his face.
"Bloody hell!" I jump and clutch at my towel to stop it from falling.
"Sorry!" He turns around but I see a grin on his lips before he does.
"What are you doing here Tom?" I snap.
"Your sister and nieces let me in."
"For gods sakes!" I growl and stalk out to get dressed.
Within minutes I'm back downstairs in comfortable pyjama bottoms and an old T-shirt of Brett's. My wet long red hair just left down when it is normally up in a tight bun.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't..." Tom starts as I come in the room but the apology seems to be stuck in his throat and he's just staring.
"You didn't...?" I prompt.
"Oh. Erm... I didn't obviously assume you'd be undressed, of course this is your house, I'm sorry, your sister in law just let me in and told me to wait." He's stumbling over his words and blushing. Well that's new.
"Yes well let's not make a habit of this." I feel like smirking but suppress it.
"Why did you want to wait for me?"
"I just wanted to say goodnight, and I'm sorry I barged in on your family time."
"Ok. Thank-you." He shifts his weight from one foot to the other awkwardly.
"Did Esther and Elsa come back with you?"
"No, they decided to stay the night next door. I meant to pass that message on. Sorry."
"Ok, thanks." This time I do smirk.
"Are they your daughters?" He asks suddenly, quietly.
"No they're my nieces."
"Oh." He's obviously confused.
"My sister's daughters. She died a few years ago so they live with me."
"Oh wow, I'm sorry." He looks genuinely heartbroken for me and that much emotion is too much for me right now.
"Thanks, it was a long time ago."
"Can I ask a personal question?"
"Depends." I sigh. "Go on."
"Who's the man in the photos?" He gestures to the wall full of photos of me and Brett.
"My husband." I am not comfortable talking about this, it's still painful but at the same time I want to tell people about how wonderful he was.
"Oh. I didn't realise your married." He looks dumbfounded and I see him glance to my empty wedding ring finger.
"He also died. 5 years ago."
He's truly flabbergast.
"I need to get to work Tom, is there any more questions about my personal life you feel the need to ask?"
"No." He gulped, "I'm truly sorry." He grabs his keys and starts to walk to the door.
"Tom." I follow him and he stops by the door.
"Why did you come here?" I ask.
"I." He hesitates, "I wanted to see you, to apologise and maybe get to know you a bit." He says in an apologetic manner.
"Ok." I'm constantly finding myself very annoyed by this man but at the same time I am ridiculously attracted to him, like I've not been attracted to anyone like this since Brett.
"I'm fine and thank-you for the apology. I'll see you tomorrow." I offer my hand which he takes. The sparks between us are undeniable, it's confusing and I don't like it.
"Good night Lily." He smiles and walks through the front door, leaving me more confused than before.