Page 50 of Damien
“I moved here to help build apartments that families like you could live in, on campus.”
“Really?” Julia asks.
“Yeah,” Vanessa answers for me. “Students like Unks and I have kids, and they all need places to live. We’re lucky we live in a house with a yard you can play in. Some families live in apartments and like to be with other families, instead of with other students.”
“So you mean places like my friend Kate lives?”
“Yeah, squirt. Exactly like that,” Vince answers.
We spend the next few minutes discussing the student housing project. Vince impresses me with his ability to see the need for family housing on campus. But then again, he and Vanessa have a unique situation. I doubt many students live with a toddler as freshmen. I sure wouldn’t have thought much about family housing at their age. Hell, the only reason I’ve thought about it at all is because it’s a part of my job.
“Hey, Van, I have something I’d like to run past you,” Sydney says as she wipes her mouth with her napkin. “I want to give Abby and Drew a going away party before school gets out in a few weeks. With our place turning into a storage unit for boxes, would you mind if we host it here?” Before Vanessa can answer, Sydney rushes out, “It will only be us and Drew’s roommates most likely. Maybe a few players from the team and a friend or two from Abby.”
“If you’re living here, this is your place, too.” Vanessa shrugs. “I don’t see a problem with it. Do Jules and I need to make other plans for the day?”
Sydney’s head shakes profusely. “No. Not at all. What do you think of having a barbeque and just hang out in the backyard if the weather holds? Abby wouldn’t want you to miss her going away party.”
Then Sydney turns to me. “You’re welcome, too, Damien. If you’re not busy. I still need to run the date by Abby and Drew. They’re leaving in a little over three weeks to check out apartments in Baltimore, so it might happen next weekend or the one after.”
“I… uh…” I don’t even know where to begin. Does Vanessa even want me here? Under the table, I feel her hand squeeze my leg and from the corner of my eye, I see her nod in a silent invitation. “Okay. That sounds good. Just let me know when.”
As soon as everyone finishes their meal, Vince says, “Hey, squirt, help Syd and I with the dishes. Let’s let your mom and Damien go relax for a bit.”
“Do I have to?” Julia pleads the way any kid with better plans would.
Sydney bops her on the nose as she walks past her. “You do if you want dessert.”
“Okay. But I wanted to show Dame how fast I can ride my bike.”
To buffer the situation, I assure her, “I’d love to watch you ride when you’re ready.”
Vanessa motions with her head that we should leave, so I take her cue.
As soon as we’re out of the kitchen and away from prying ears, she says, “I hope my crazy isn’t too much for you?”
Puzzled, I ask, “Uh, what was crazy about it?”
“Well, Vince giving you the Spanish Inquisition and just a typical evening with Julia.”
Reaching for her hand, I give it a squeeze. “I hate to break it to you, but there wasn’t any crazy about tonight.”
Rolling her eyes, she shakes her head. “Okay… if you say so.”
Tipping her chin to meet my eyes, there’s a sense of unease I’ve never seen before. So, I assure her, “I’m having a great time.”
Leaning in, I slant my lips over hers and kiss her until she grasps one simple concept. I enjoy her company—simple as that.
I pull apart when a dish clatters to the floor in the other room.
Without missing a beat, Vanessa calls out, “Everything okay?”
“Sorry, Momma, it slipped. But it didn’t break,” Jules calls from the kitchen.
A devilish grin forms on Vanessa’s lips as she whispers, “Hey, I’m not done with you yet.”
Damn. I love her feistiness. “Well,” I say on a low chuckle. “We can’t have that now, can we?”
But before my lips can reach hers again, Julia bursts into the living room. “Momma, we’re done with the dishes. Can I show Dame how fast I can ride? Can I?”
