“I’m Trina.” She extended her perfectly manicured hand.
“Alex.” I lightly shook it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Alex. Welcome to our little group. Right ladies?”
“Yes. Welcome,” they all spoke.
“My daughter, Lucy, has been dying to set up a playdate with Lily at her house. We should set one up.”
“A playdate?” I cocked my head at her.
“You know, where the children play for a few hours after school. Perhaps Lucy could come over tomorrow.”
“I’ll talk to Lily about it.”
“You could bring her home with you and I’ll pick her up. What time does Stefan usually get home from work?”
“I’m really not sure. Today is my first day as Lily’s nanny.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sure he’d be home by seven at the latest.”
“I guess.”
“Great. Lucy will be so excited!”
I gave her a small smile as the bell rang.
“Alex!” Lily shouted and waved to me as she ran out of the school.
“Hey there, Lily. How was school?”
“It was good. I’m hungry.”
“Me too. How about we go get some ice cream and then go to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner?”
“Okay. Can I get a double scoop?”
“You sure can.” I smiled as I patted her head.
I opened the oven door to check on the chicken and au gratin potatoes when Stefan walked into the kitchen.
“Wow. It smells really good in here.”
“Daddy!” Lily jumped up from her seat and gave him a hug.
“Hey, baby girl. How was school?”
“It was good. I’m just finishing up my homework.”
“Music to my ears.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I need to set the table now, Lily. Can you take your homework to your room? Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Okay.” She smiled.
“I honestly didn’t expect you to cook dinner,” Stefan said as he took off his tie. “Your job ends when I get home.”
“It’s okay. I wanted to.”
“What are you making?” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Breaded chicken and homemade au gratin potatoes.”
“Damn. Seriously?” A grin crossed his face. “What’s that other smell? Like a fragrance or something.”
“When I was at the mall shopping for a new purse, I ran into bath & body and picked up some wallflowers and scents. No offense, but this house could use a little fragrance flowing through it.”
“Thank you. I agree.” The grin never left his face.
The sliding door opened, and Sam walked in.
“Hey, heads up. Dad and Celeste are making a surprise visit to your house tonight.”
“What?” Stefan asked. “He couldn’t tell me?”
“You know Dad. What is that smell?”
“Alex is cooking dinner.”
Sam looked around the kitchen and then pointed at me with a smile on his face.
“You clean up as you cook.”
“I do. Nobody feels like cleaning up a huge mess after they eat,” I said.
“Right? That’s what I keep trying to tell Julia but she’s not getting it.”
“Okay, you freak.” Stefan laughed. “Thanks for warning me about Dad.”
“Since when do you have wallflowers?” Sam’s brow raised at Stefan.
“Since today. Alex went to the store and bought them. She said the house could use a little fragrance flowing through it.”
“I like you, Alex. I really like you.”
“Thanks, Sam. I like you too.”
“Get the fuck out of here.” Stefan playfully punched his brother’s arm.
“Good luck with Dad. If you need back up, call me.”
Chapter 14
Stefan
“I need to warn you about my father,” I said as Alex opened the oven door and took out the chicken and potatoes.
“Okay. What about him?”
“He’s coming over here to check you out and possibly interrogate you.”
“Why would he do that?” Her brows furrowed.
“Because I told him I hired you and how we met. He’s worried about Lily.”
“That’s understandable. Don’t worry. I can handle whatever your father throws my way. Maybe I should go change.”
“You look great as you are,” I spoke as I stared into her beautiful eyes.
A light smile crossed her lips before she quickly turned away from me and transferred the chicken from the pan to a serving plate.
“Can you tell Lily dinner is ready.”
“Of course.”
I walked up to Lily’s bedroom and opened the door.
“Dinner is ready, baby girl. Is your homework done?”
“Yep.” She smiled as she held her drawing pad in her hand.
After we finished dinner, I told Lily to go take a bath while I helped Alex clean up. Looking at the clock, I wondered when my dad was coming for it was getting late.
“Dinner was great. Thank you,” I said as I took the plates from the table over to the sink. “Where did you learn to cook?”
“I’ve been cooking since I was seven years old. When your father is an alcoholic and drunk pretty much 24/7, you need to grow up really fast.”
“Was he always an alcoholic?”
“His drinking became worse after my mother passed away.”
She placed her hands on the counter and lowered her head. Reaching over, I placed my hand on hers and with the slight turn of her head, her eyes met mine.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it.”
“Thanks. But it’s fine. It’s my life story and there’s no use trying to hide it.”
“Dad, I’m done!” Lily shouted from the bathroom.
“I better go check on her.” I removed my hand from hers.
After I got Lily settled on the couch to watch some TV before bed, I walked back into the kitchen only to find it was spotless. Looking out the sliding door, I saw Alex sitting in one of lounge chairs. Opening the refrigerator, I grabbed two beers and went outside.
“Beer?” I asked as I handed it to her. “You’re officially off duty.”
“Thanks.” She took it from me with a smile.
I twisted off the cap and took a seat in the lounge chair next to her.
“I can’t believe my dad never showed up.”
“Maybe you should give him a call.”
“Are you kidding?” I glanced over at her. “I’m not poking the bear. It makes me think he told Sam that because he knew he would tell me. You watch, he’s going to show up when we least expect it.”
Alex let out a laugh.
“You think?”
“I do.” My lips formed a smirk.
“By the way, I met some of the moms today when I picked Lily up.”
“Good lord. I knew it was only a matter of time. Who sunk their claws into you first?”
“Trina.”
“Ah, Lucy’s mom. That woman is something else.”