Page 26 of A Valentine's Day Gift
“We’ll split the cost, okay?” She was doing just fine with alimony, child support, and her own money from her picture-book illustrations. William had done right by her and the boys, though her lawyer said she could’ve gotten a lot more. She’d let it slide, not wanting to drag out the divorce or cause any more acrimony between them. After all, she still had to see him regularly because of the boys.
“When ya gonna get it?” Vinny huffed. “I invite, I pay.”
“Okay, but next time I’m inviting you to something and I’m paying.”
“Gotta be quicker, then.”
She heard a little-boy voice in the background.
“Gotta go. Angel’s up and needs a glass of water. Talk to you tomorrow.” He hung up.
She hung up too, staring at nothing. Had she really just agreed to shack up in a hotel with Vinny? It sounded so sordid, so unlike her. Would sex ruin what they had? What if they weren’t compatible? Or what if they were? This could catapult them to a whole new level in their relationship. One that could involve the kids. And what kind of reaction would she get from her ex or, for Vinny, from his mother-in-law, who looked after Vinny and his family. She blew out a harsh breath. This could get real complicated real fast.
Maybe they’d just kick back, relax, and watch TV with their picnic. Do a little sightseeing.
She stood on shaky legs, her body knowing what her mind was having trouble accepting, it was time to get back on that horse. Except her horse was a massively large stallion.
~ ~ ~
Vinny drove to Allie’s house the following Friday night pumped for a whole weekend together. This was definitely a step forward in their relationship. He could hardly believe they’d pulled it off with the six kids all staying healthy, no major catastrophes. All of them well cared for and accounted for. His mother-in-law had agreed to watch the boys, and he knew it was mostly because she needed the distraction after her husband’s passing. Of course, it hadn’t been that easy. Loretta had given him the third degree about Allie, agreeing to babysit on the condition that she meet her formally for Sunday dinner to see “what this woman was made of.” Whatever that meant. He’d agreed, sorta. He would’ve said anything to get this weekend with Allie.
Was he looking forward to sex? Absolutely. He already knew they’d be compatible. Their kisses told him everything. Passion was there all right. She was sexy as all hell and he wanted her so badly it hurt. It was so hard to leave her at the end of their dates. Finally he wouldn’t have to. This could only bring them closer. Of course, that would come with different complications. They were both a package deal with the kids and his mother-in-law and…aw, hell. He didn’t want to think about all that. He just wanted to enjoy this rare weekend away with her.
Only the moment she stepped out of her house, dragging a large wheeled suitcase behind her, he knew she wasn’t on the same page. Her entire body radiated tension, her expression pinched.
“Here, lemme get your suitcase,” he said, reaching for it.
“No problem,” she said tersely. “It’s on wheels. I’ve got it.”
He walked with her to his car, loaded her suitcase in the back alongside his duffel bag, and got in the driver’s seat. He turned to her. “Everything okay with the kids?”
She smiled tightly. “They’re fine.”
He tried again, hoping she’d relax now that they were about to have a great weekend. No kids, no worries. “The hotel’s supposed to be a nice place, up north to Mystic, Connecticut, by the beach.”
“Maybe tomorrow we could explore the Mystic Seaport,” she said with zero enthusiasm.
“Sure. Unless we’re busy.” He caught her eye and winked.
She smoothed her hair, her movements jerky.
Oh-kay. He pulled out of the driveway and headed through town. She remained stiff and quiet. He tried a few surefire conversation starters: What’s new? How’s your painting going? What’d you pack for the picnic? All of which she answered in as few words as possible in the most uptight voice he’d ever heard come out of her.
He gave up and stopped talking, putting the radio on instead.
She stared out the window, saying nothing for miles and miles and miles.
Now he was getting tense. He’d been looking forward to this all frigging week, especially after the rough weekend he’d had getting up a bunch of times in the night to take care of Angel. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t tell me nothing. Something’s wrong. Just spit it out.”
She scowled. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
He tamped down his temper, trying for a calm voice. “Allie, I was so looking forward to this. You know the last time I got a weekend off from parenting? Never. Not once. It’s all me, all the time.” He took a deep breath, working for patience. “And I get to spend it with you. I thought you were excited too, but all I’m getting from you is tension. Now I ask you again, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just…” She coughed. “It’s just that I’m a little…worked up.”
