“Called? No. But he’s never called. That wasn’t our thing. He texts me every morning to see how I am and if I need anything. He’s been doing that for months and months now.”
“And he’s still done this since your fight?” Her voice raised in surprise.
I nodded.
“Can I ask what you fought about?”
I felt the back of my neck tingle as my face grew hot. “My neighbor got married and he went with me to the wedding. I stayed out late with a couple girlfriends I hadn’t seen in years while he went home to relieve the sitter. Anyway, I had a couple drinks with the girls, just enough for a little liquid courage. I went home and made a move, the move I knew he was too scared to make and would never have made on his own. He thought I was drunk and turned me down.”
“But you weren’t drunk?” she asked.
“Nope.” I shook my head. “I remember every horrible second of that fight.”
“Why did he turn you down, though? What was his reasoning?”
“Mike. He felt like we were betraying him.”
“You’re right. I’m not the idiot, you are.” She shook her head. “I’ve known Viper for years too, and he doesn’t see the same girl twice in a lifetime, let alone hang out with one night after night after night with no sex. He’s clearly crazy about you, and you are obviously just as crazy about him, but you two won’t be together because you’re both scared of the exact same thing—that my brother, who has passed, would be mad at you? Am I getting all that right?”
My eyes darted around the coffee shop. Coming out of Taylor’s mouth, it did sound silly. “Pretty much.”
“You’re both morons,” she said sternly. “You guys have to get over this guilt thing that’s standing between you. Life is short, Michelle. You more than anyone should know that at this point. Don’t let any more time slip away. He’s a little wild, but from what Mike’s said, he’s a good man. You and the kids deserve a good man.”
My heart soared at her words.
“Plus, he’s willing to put up with your shitty cooking, and any man that would do that gets the seal of approval in my book.” She winked at me.
MY HANDS DIDN’T shake.
My heart didn’t race.
I pushed that doorbell with all the confidence in the world.
Within seconds, Michelle walked around the corner from the kitchen, freezing in her tracks when she saw me looking through the glass. She stood and stared for just a second before she pinched her lips together and came to the door.
“Hi!” I grinned as she opened it, walking right past her and into the kitchen.
I heard the door close, and she didn’t start yelling at me right away.
Already a good sign.
“How are you?” I asked nonchalantly as I started taking groceries out of the brown paper bag I’d brought and setting them on the island.
“Viper,” she sighed. “What is all this? What are you doing?”
“You haven’t had a cooking lesson in almost a month. I’m sure the kids are sick of pizza by now, so it’s time.” I glanced into the living room and down the hall toward Matthew’s playroom, frowning when I didn’t see anyone. “Speaking of the kids, where are they?”
“Matthew finagled Taylor into letting him sleep at her house tonight, and she thought she’d give me a break and take Maura too.”
“Even better.” I grinned at her, wiggling my eyebrows up and down.
“I’m so confused,” she mumbled, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples with her fingers.
While her eyes were shut, I stole a quick peek over at her. Her hair was damp from a recent shower, and she had on Wild sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt with no makeup. Frankly, she was one shopping cart full of crap away from passing for a homeless person, but I could not have found her more attractive than I did at that moment. It wasn’t about looks with her; it never had been. It was her heart I was in love with.
“What’s there to be confused about? We’re making chicken marsala.”
Her hands dropped to her sides in frustration. “You. Me. Us. This. I told you to leave and I meant it.”
“I did leave.” I shrugged. “And now I’m back.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Because why?” Her voice cracked, and that was all I needed to hear.
In one swift motion, I slid to my left and locked my hands on the counter on either side of her hips, closing her in with my arms. My face was inches from hers, our noses practically touching.
I stared her right in the eyes. I didn’t want her to just hear what I was about to say, I wanted her to see it too. To fucking feel it.