Page 65 of Every Now and Then
“Oh, Hayes…” I slowly shake my head.
The truth dawns on him, and I watch his face as it hits him. “It’s not fucking going to charity, is it?” He laughs. "And technically, she didn't even lie. She said it was 'going to a good cause' and I just assumed that meant you were donating the money."
I’m laughing so hard that my sides start to hurt. After a minute, I calm down and wipe the tears from my eyes to explain, “We’re saving up for a family vacation to Disney World.” I playfully pat his cheek. “I’ll have a talk with her tomorrow about lying, Gullible Gary.”
“Fuck, no. That will not be my nickname, Yankee.” Grinning, he rolls his eyes. “Damn, Grace played me like a fiddle. Is it bad for liking her even more now that I know what she’s capable of?”
“Honestly, she terrifies me, Hayes. She’s wickedly smart, but she doesn’t always use her brain for good.”
“Shit, her teenage years are going to be tough.”
I groan. “Don’t remind me, Gary.”
“Also, no.”
The next morning, I awaken with a jolt, immediately confused by my surroundings. It takes me a few blinks before the previous day comes back into awareness.
Laura.
Hospital.
Hayes.
Guest room.
Ah, got it. I fell asleep while talking to Hayes last night. I’m still in my clothes from yesterday, never having gotten back out of bed to change or even brush my teeth or wash my face, which leaves me feeling gross and gritty this morning. Stretching my arms overhead, I sit up in bed and glance around for a clock.
I need to get my butt in gear if I’m going to wake up the girls and drop them off at school on time, I’m sure. I see my phone on the bedside table, and as I reach for it, I find another note.
AB,
Hope you got to sleep in. If you wake up before I’m back, I’m taking the girls to school. You were sleeping soundly, so we thought it would be better to let you get your rest. But G&C snuck in to give you a quick kiss.
H
Who knew Hayes, the country music superstar, would be so good with my daughters? And so good to me.
Throwing back the luxurious comforter, I stalk into the attached bathroom to shower off the residual grime from yesterday.
Since Hayes packed my overnight bag, my normal morning routine has been greatly abbreviated. That sweet man didn’t pack me anymakeup or toiletries besides a toothbrush, deodorant, and a comb. Rifling through the tote bag, I pull out the clothes Hayes selected, and I can’t help but giggle. Black leggings, an old long-sleeve souvenir T-shirt from Martha’s Vineyard, a very sexy light blue lace thong, and a matching push-up bra. Luckily, he also packed socks and tennis shoes, so at least I won’t be stuck wearing my heels from work yesterday.
Looks like it’ll be a casual Friday for me at the office today.
Still grinning from his wardrobe choices, I slide on the skimpy lingerie, followed by the rest of the clothes. I’m just finishing tying my tennis shoes when I hear Hayes return to the condo, and I bound out to meet him.
“You’re up!” Hayes smiles when he sees me round the corner as he plops a drink carrier and my car keys on a console table in the foyer.
“I am. Thank you for letting me sleep in and for taking the girls to school,” I gush. “I haven’t had the luxury of sleeping until I wake up on my own in months.”
“You needed it, especially after yesterday.”
“Did the girls get off okay?”
“Yep, Gertrude told me what to do in exacting detail.” Pleased, he smiles. “Even though I’m sure Friday mornings aren’t really donuts for breakfast day like Gertrude suggested, I still stopped and got them donuts, anyway. And I didn’t even have to watch another YouTube video when it came time to do their hair this morning, either.”
He looks quite proud of himself, but I’m bewildered. “What are you talking about?” I laugh. “Gertrude? YouTube?”
“Gertrude is the nickname I gave Grace this morning, since she’s such an old soul. To be honest, she doesn’t love it, so I may shorten it to Gertie. She said, and I quote, she’d be more amenable to that.”
