Your Lying Eyes

Your Lying Eyes Chapter 13

Chris was still at the apartment when they got there and greeted Jason warmly with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, her welcome to Howard being a lot cooler after all the upset he had caused her friend.

Howard trailed in after Jason, feeling unsure but trying to act his usual self.  It was strange seeing Anna in a new place.  Somewhere he had nothing to do with.  He glanced around him casually, trying not to give his feelings away.  Why was she doing this?  If she were trying to teach him a lesson, ok, he'd learned.  He wouldn't do it again.  Secretly he was impressed by her determination to do this.  She'd grown in his estimation.  

He didn't even know how he should behave in this situation.  They weren't finished, but they weren't together as they had been before.  It was like a backward step.  Neither here nor there.  How should he be towards her?  Normally he'd have gone to her and kissed her, was that allowed in this new situation or was he to keep his distance?  He knew what he wanted to do but didn't want to make a fool of himself so soon after the last time.  And not in front of witnesses again!

He followed Jason into the large comfortably furnished living room and stood by the door way looking for Anna.  As soon as she saw him, she came over and welcomed him to her new home.  She too felt on edge.  It was hard to know what the right thing to do and say was.  Knowing him as she did, she could tell he was unsure, just like she was.  It was all she could do not to fling her arms around him and reassure him.  Even though he had hurt her so badly, she still felt the same feelings stirring inside her at the sight of his shy smile and blue eyes.  She had to remind herself of how he had let her down so badly. 'Stay strong,' she thought to herself.

"Hello," she said, smiling at him.  "Would you like to give me that?" she asked him, nodding at the carrier bag with the takeaway in it.  

"Oh yes, sorry," he replied handing it to her, only for it to be whisked away by Chris and Jason to the kitchen to have a quick blast in the microwave.

"Let me take your jacket and hang it up," she told him as he unzipped his parka and handed it to her.  She took it and hung it on a hook in the hallway, smoothing it down as she did so.

Howard walked further into the room, looking for Maisie now.  As soon as Howard set eyes on her, he whisked her up out of her chair and cuddled her close, laughing and talking to her as he did so.  This was allowed without doubt!  Maisie gurgled back happily at him, her fingers going into his mouth. Taking hold of her tiny hand in his large one, he blew on her fingers, making her laugh out loud at him.  His eyes crinkled as a big smile spread over his face, and he blew on them again.  He took her to the large rug in the middle of the floor and stretched out with her, holding her up above him at arms length and bringing her down to blow on her cheeks. Maisie screwed up her eyes as he did so, the soft bristles on his face tickling her.  He laughed at her reaction and cuddled her close to him, his arms keeping her safely on his broad chest. Anna returned to the room, stopping at the doorway and watched them together.  She smiled, loving what she saw.  Howard glanced over to her, catching her eye as he sat up with Maisie cradled against him.  She felt her stomach flip as he smiled at her, her cheeks warming under the gaze of his deep blue eyes.

Chris coming back into the room nudged her out of her trance.  The food was set out on plates and everyone sat around eating from their knees.  Chloe gave Howard his daily report on what she and Maisie had been up to.  He asked her about her plans for the next day and what she intended to do with her.

"She's due at the doctor's tomorrow for her jabs," Anna informed him.  "We'll be taking her there in the morning then maybe let her sleep it off in the afternoon.  I thought I couldn't let Chloe take her for those on her own."