Page 33 of Secret Baby
Without a word, he hopped out of his chair, retrieved a bottle, then poured her a glass of white wine, and one for himself. Her head tilted as he placed the glass in front of her. "Thank you."
Colt inhaled then broke their visual connection to give Clara an unsweetened tea, her favorite drink. Vicki's skin jumped as she realized she knew that one fact about her daughter now.
He ran his hand through his hair, slid into his seat, and served everyone edamame. Vicki nodded, unable to speak due to the heat that coursed through her. This was her family. Clara was her daughter, and Colt was unforgettable. As she pressed her hand in her lap, she changed the topic. "Do you all go to a Dolphins games with Clara?"
"Not yet," Colt answered. "But that's a good idea. Clara should experience a football game, and one day we might get a good team again."
"You loved the Fins." In her head, she wanted to add,We can go as a family, but then her pulse raced at the realization that he intended to marry someone else. Clara stared at her like she'd made a strange face, but still Vicki didn't say a word.
Colt didn't seem to notice. "You were the cheerleader."
"It was easy in high school. I was rooting for you."
His face grew a huge smile. Then he turned to Clara. "Vicki's getting her clothes, then she moves back in here to spend more time with you. Tomorrow, do you want to go with her to pack a few things, visit her store, and have lunch in Miami?"
Vicki's lips formed a circle and she couldn't blink. Move in? They hadn't discussed that. Wasn't his fiancée about to show up?
"You trust me to do that?" she asked, though she wished she could stay here with him, without his fiancée. No woman would want the mother of his child living with him. Vicki gulped and kept that to herself. Three was a crowd. He knew that. Colt was being kind.
Vicki bit her lip. She'd stay with her family.
He took a sip of his wine, and did not elaborate. She couldn't quite close her mouth yet. He then reached across the table and placed his hands over hers. "I'll trust you to bring my daughter home. You both want to spend time together, and I believe in you."
Her heart soared. No one had ever believed in her. Vicki felt like someone who'd won the lottery. She glanced at Clara and smiled. Colt understood the entire situation, and he was right that telling their daughter had to be natural. Vicki's face heated as she glanced at her wine. "Thank you. If you want to spend the first night together with your fiancée tomorrow, I'll take Clara to dinner on the town too. Give you both breathing room."
"No." His fast answer shook Vicki's resolve. He massaged his neck and averted his gaze. Then she turned her palm upward and took his hand in hers. Colt's lips puckered as he said, "It's not you, but it's Belle. Clara needs time to see she's not a monster."
"Then I shouldn't be here." Vicki gazed at the floor. She stopped massaging his hand and shook her head.
"You absolutely should be here. Clara needs you." Colt pressed his lips together like he wanted to say something else but then stopped himself. "I made a promise to you. Natural will be easier to handle if we're all in the same room."
"Right now is good."
"Let me first talk to Belle. It's not that long."
"Clara doesn't need two women in one house." Now he wanted to talk to Belle? Perhaps she should see a lawyer. She swallowed that thought and finished. "It's a recipe for disaster."
"I want Vicki, not Belle," Clara added fast.
Colt shrugged, and then took his hand back. "Princess, I want you to stay."
He meant Vicki, not Clara. Vicki's pulse quickened as she wondered if he might care about her, but she could be so wrong. Maybe Colt and Belle weren't happy and there was trouble in paradise, but he'd never said a word to her. She'd pack a bag, for now, but ensure she had a full tank of gas in case she needed to evacuate. Whatever happened with Belle, she'd not be here. "No worries. Clara and I will have fun. We'll stop to my bridal shop, get lunch, do something fun, and return early enough for dinner with Belle."
Clara's face contorted.
"School starts in two weeks, so not too much fun." He nodded at his daughter and swallowed. Then he turned back to Vicki. "I'm trying to make this work. If we stick together, near home, we'll figure out how to function in a healthy, sharing way."
"You're amazing." She relaxed and lost any tension. The imperative in how he'd said that sentence told her plenty. Everything would be fine. Vicki's mind questioned if Colt intended to end things with Belle on his own. She exhaled and let the thought go. It wasn't right. She was determined she'd start on the right foot with Belle. She sipped her wine. "I'm excited to stay here."
A knock sounded at the door. No one moved until Colt stood to go get the pizza. Clara leaned over and told Vicki, "I wish we could be a real family, and all live here without Belle. You're fun, Vicki."
She was more than fun. She was her mom. Vicki pressed her lips together to stop the words she wanted to say. "It's a sweet idea, but unlikely. Your daddy is getting married to her."
"He's being stupid. I don't like Belle," Clara whined loud enough for Colt to hear.
With the box in his hand, he headed back to the table. "None of that. You'll meet her tomorrow and you will be on your best behavior."
Clara shook her head, but kept silent. The frozen face on Clara was how Colt also showed his stubborn streak. His upturned chin and lips that thinned out meant he had a very different opinion, and their daughter had that expression. Vicki brushed her hair behind her ear, and smiled to smooth over the situation. "Mmm. I love pizza."
