-Stevie-
"What are you doing here?" I would never tell him how happy I am to see him. I would sound like a real loser and it would boost his ego a little more, which isn't necessary... that's boosted enough.
"You look so-"
"What are you doing here?" I cut him off, repeating the same question I asked only seconds earlier, because I don't want to listen to his words... I can't listen to them. "I thought you were staying at your condo?" I wrap my shawl around myself tighter, trying to hide the dress I decided to wear.
"I need to talk to you about something, Steph." He slides right past me and into the foyer, almost like he's just welcome into my home and of course he is, but not when I have another man right upstairs.
"Can't this wait until morning?" I don't know what I'm even saying, because I don't want him to leave- not even a little.
"No..." He hesitates, giving me a weak frown, the same one he had the night we ended our marriage. "I have to talk to you now." He adds, letting out a huff as he starts to pace the hardwood floors.
"What's the matter?" I hate this- the suspense is making me sick.
"It's about Luca," he shrugs, another sigh escaping him.
"What happened?" My heart starts pounding, because I immediately have to think the absolute worst.
"He-"
"Stevie?" I can feel my throat close up when David's voice lingers through my home, which causes Lindsey to quiet down.
He creases a brow, looking from that direction, back to me. "Is that guy here?" He chuckles, almost like it's unbelievable and maybe it is.
"Well-" I try to explain, but I'm cut off my David, coming down the staircase.
"Are you okay?" My mouth hits the floor when I realize that he's only in the shorts that he must have had on under his khakis... just those, that's it.
"What the fuck." I can hear Lindsey mumble it under his breath.
"Umm," I clear my throat, looking from David to Lindsey. "Lindsey, this is David- my friend." I can't call him my boyfriend, because he definitely isn't that. "And David, this is my Lindsey..." I bite down on my bottom lip, "I mean, this is my ex- husband and his name is Lindsey." I correct myself, rolling my eyes at how stupid I sound.
~~~
-Lindsey-
"Hi, Lindsey." He gives me a wave and I can't even control my laughter.
I don't know why Stevie does this to herself, because never in a million years would I imagine her with someone like this.
She's so perfect and this guy just isn't for her. I don't know, maybe he has a 'good personality,' that draws her to him, but I don't really think so.
"Did I interrupt something?" It's not like I'm going to leave if I had, but I'm just curious.
"No," Stevie shakes her head, which tells me that she didn't want this, so basically I'm here almost like a hero- Superman, if you will. "Uh, David." She sighs, awkwardly shifting to look at him. "I think we should probably see each other a different night, maybe later this week."
He looks super embarrassed, but if I was standing there in my Cookie Monster shorty shorts- I'd be embarrassed too. "Alright," he gives her a gentle smile, and I have to hand it to him, he does seem like a pretty nice guy. "I'll just go get put together," he motions up the stairs, and only a second later he starts his journey back to her bedroom.
It only takes him a couple of minutes to fetch his fancy Hawaiian shirt and then he's back downstairs, kissing her goodbye.
And I won't lie, I am jealous. I'm jealous that I don't get to kiss her, hold her and love her like I want to... that dude even got to take her out to dinner. Lucky man.
"Bye- bye," she lingers in the doorway of her home, watching him walk out to his car. "What happened?" She shuts the front door, locking it right behind her.
I wish we didn't have to start like this. "Well, Luca would like me to tell you what kind of dilemma he's gotten himself into." I don't want to call it a disaster, but I know that's probably what it is, especially to his mother.
"What did he do? How much does it cost?" She looks like she's going to cry, and I'm sure she will.
"Usually it costs about a couple hundred thousand dollars, but he has eighteen years to pay it off." My hands fall to my sides as I let off a small shrug.
"Don't say that, Lindsey." She knows... she has to know. "Don't tell me that," I see that look Luca was talking about- that look of disappointment.
"He also dropped out of college," I can't keep it from her forever, even though I wish I could take away the hurt she's feeling.
Her hands fall to her hips with force as she groans. "I can't," she spins around, still clutching that shawl like I can't see what's under it...
"Let's talk, Stevie." I follow her into the kitchen, where she's already pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Why?" She slams the bottle on the kitchen counter, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why is my life falling apart?" She whispers, looking me right in the eyes.
It breaks my heart, because she is the last woman on this earth who deserves what's been thrown at her, yet she's remained as strong as ever.
We both know I can't take care of an infant on my own, and Luca isn't responsible enough to raise a baby, but here he is- getting ready to welcome a child. She's going to have her hands full, and I really wish she would allow me in enough to be a constant.
"Can I hold you?" I need to feel her close to me, and I have feeling she needs that same reassurance.
"Please," she slowly nods, leaving her glass to trail towards me.
Wrapping her in my arms, I let out a sigh of relief. "It's going to be just fine, Stevie." I don't know that for a fact, but I can assume so.
We've made it through a lot more...
"Come lay in bed with me," she takes my hand in hers, tangling our fingers together as she leads the way.
I follow close behind her, one hand falling on her waist just to feel the silk. I miss this, more than anything- I miss the simplicity of our love. We're just meant to be together, no matter how long and how much she's been denying it.
Once we've made it to our old bedroom, we both crawl into the sides that were designated years earlier. "You didn't...." I linger, raising a brow lightly.
"No," she gently shakes her head as she cuddles into my side. "It's you that I love." She adds, looking up at me as she slowly starts to rub my chest.
I've wanted this for a long time, but suddenly I don't feel like this is actually what she wants, more like what she thinks she needs. "Steph,"
"Please, Lindsey." She brings one of her hands up to my cheek as she starts planting light kisses on my neck.
"Don't say it unless you mean it." My hands start moving up her waist, tangling the fabric of her red dress in between my fingers.
"I mean it," she still has that soft tone lingering in her voice, while her lips move right to my ear.
Taking her face in one of my hands, I stare into those eyes for a long moment. "You are stunning,"
"So are you," she whispers as her nails graze my cheek.
"I love you," I say, kissing her forehead.
"I love you, too." She repeats.
