“Looks like you have a fan,” I said, hiding my blush with one hand.
“I guess. Kids don’t usually like me. I think it’s the scar,” he replied, pointing to his cheek.
Getting Katie back into her car seat, I buckled her in, and we headed back to the apartment building. It was Katie’s nap time when we got back. Getting her into her P.J.s, there was something of a standoff when it came to the story. “Chase!” she kept shouting with her little arms crossed. Eventually, I was forced to take her and the book into the living room. “Did I hear my name?” Chase asked, sitting on the couch watching TV.
“Katie wants you to read her a story,” I said, apologetically. “Really?” Chase asked, actually raising an eyebrow. “Chase!” she shouted again. “Alright, then.” “Thanks,” I said, setting her down next to him along with the book. It worked wonderfully. I don’t know what Chase did, but Katie was fast asleep, curled up on the couch before the book was even finished. I went to pick her up when Chase stopped me. “It’s okay,” he said. Picking Katie up with unexpected gentleness, he carried her into the room, putting her down for her nap. “Sorry about that,” I said when he came back. “It’s fine,” Chase said, still seeming a bit surprised. “I’m not used to dealing with kids, but Katie is really neat. I’m actually enjoying spending time with her.” “Really?” I asked, unable to keep from smiling. “I know, I’m surprised too, but Katie is really fun.” Despite my initial reservations, I was beginning to warm up to the big, handsome lawyer. I had been convinced that he was at best a womanizer, working situations to his advantage but he had stepped up when he didn’t need to, and Katie really seemed to love him.
Maybe what Chase said about his ex being a gold-digger and wanting to spare his sister was true. If so, I was more than happy to help.
Honestly, I was starting to feel happy about our little arrangement, but that was when the intercom buzzed.
Chapter Seven
Chase
It never failed, just when I started to feel good, the shit storm would start up all over again, turning my life into a dark, raging sea. I could only imagine what terrors the fickle gods of fate had in store for me down at the main entrance to the building. “Yeah?” I said, hitting the button on the buzzer.
“Here!” Whitney sang.
“Come on up,” I said, hoping to all that was holy it was just her.
“That them?” Ashlyn asked, a worried look crossing her young face. “Yep, prepare yourself,” I said, heading to the minibar to steady my nerves. I decided to go light, opting for half a tumbler of scotch with plenty of ice. I had to keep my wits about me after all. All too soon, the knock came on the door. Going by the rhythm, I knew it was Whitney. While not exactly thundering, it was enough to wake Katie, who started crying.
“I’ll get her,” Ashlyn said, going off to the guest bedroom. “Right,” I said to myself. Plucking up my courage, I went over to the door, repeating calmness mantras that helped keep me alive in the desert. The second round of knocks had just started when I grabbed the knob and turned, letting the chaos in.
“Hey!” Whitney said, throwing her arms around my neck. “Hey, kiddo,” I said, returning her embrace. “Hey, honey,” Etta said, sexily, going in for a passionate kiss I narrowly dodged. “Slow your roll, she-devil,” I said, gently pushing her away. “She-devil?” Whitney asked, clearly hurt. “Sorry, force of habit,” I said, staring daggers at Etta who shifted her hips and blew kisses my way. I rolled my eyes at her.
“Where can we put our luggage?” Etta asked, unphased. I was about to suggest somewhere as uncomfortable as it was unlikely when Ashlyn came back with Katie. Seizing the opportunity, I went over to Ashlyn. “Woke up, did she?” I asked putting an arm around her waist and kissing her on the cheek. “What the fuck?” Etta steamed. “Watch your language,” I snarled. “Chase, what’s going on?” Whitney asked, stepping forward into the living
room.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, as though I hadn’t realized, “this is Ashlyn, my fiancé.” “And you have a baby?” Whitney asked, stunned. “I do, her name is Katie,” Ashlyn said. As though on cue, Katie started reaching out of me, saying my name over and over again. Reluctantly, Ashlyn passed her over, and I took her gently, holding her close, gently swaying back and forth in the way she liked.
“A fiancé and a step-daughter,” Whitney said, as though trying to figure it out. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful?” I sang, thoroughly enjoying Etta’s scowl. “I never knew you had it in you,” Whitney said, though not unkindly. She started to smile.
“People will surprise you. Remember Uncle Mitch?” “Fair point,” Whitney said with a nod. “You can leave your luggage in the front hall for now,” Ashlyn said, feeling far more charitable than I was. At least to Etta. After bringing in their baggage, in more ways than one, Whitney and Etta joined us in the living room. Etta tried to sit next to me, but Ashlyn ran interference, taking Katie back. She had fallen asleep again, so she didn’t raise any objections. A refreshing change from our present company. “Why didn’t anyone tell me you were engaged, Chase?” Etta demanded, focused on herself as usual. “I just did,” I pointed out. “I mean—” “You mean before you bothered to come all the way here?” I finished. Etta had nothing to say to this and just folded her arms and fumed, a maneuver I had seen hundreds of times before. While it once had the power to make me change my mind, I just found it funny at that point.
“Would you like a drink?” I asked Whitney. “Sure, a Brown Cow, please.” “I would like Vodka and ice if anyone cares,” Etta announced unprovoked. I went to the bar to make the drinks, pouring a double Glenfiddich for myself. There being too many glasses to carry myself, I put them on a tray to carry them over, choosing the silver one just to rub it in to Etta how much money I had that she wasn’t getting. “How did you two meet?” Whitney asked, trying to be civil. “In the hall, if you can believe it,” I told her. “I was living in the apartment opposite and we kept seeing each other every day and I guess one thing led to another. Katie also loves Chase so that helped a lot too.” “I bet,” Whitney said, with a big smile as she looked at the little girl. “She can be a real handful but she’s a great kid,” I explained. “I can’t believe you got engaged,” Etta raged, between furious sips of her Vodka and ice, “particularly to someone who already had a kid. I mean who the hell does that? Isn’t her pussy all stretched out and gross? I—” Etta was cut off by Whitney putting a hand on her knee. “It’s called love,” I said calmly. “I have and original, twenty-one volume Oxford English Dictionary. You could look it up.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Etta demanded, moving to stand up. I was about to do the same when Ashlyn put her hand on my knee, with similar results. I knew I didn’t know her well, but there was definitely an attraction. The idea of making her upset didn’t sit well with me. There was also Whitney to consider. Against all odds, Etta was her best friend and as much as I hated the bitch, it wasn’t worth upsetting my baby sister.