“Yes, that was Lauren’s idea. When she described it, I thought right away about the booths, so I told Chris. We are having a soft opening this weekend to make sure everything goes as planned, and then next weekend, it’s go-time. I have a couple of celebrities coming. I even hit up your friend, Cooper Stone, and he’s bringing his wife, Parker, with him.”
I sit in the chair, looking at the pictures, while she talks, only half listening. “So, do you have a date for this or not? I can set you up with this girl I go to Pilates with. She is very detail oriented, and she just wants a good time.”
My head snaps up, shooting straight to Lauren. “Um, no.” I see her looking down at the pad in front of her. “I’m not bringing a date.”
Dani laughs at me. “Serena will be there anyway.” My eyes leave Lauren and shoot to Dani.
“Excuse me.” Lauren pushes off from the table and walks out.
I look at Dani. “Is that all? Did we need to go over anything else?”
“No.” She looks at me then at the door that Lauren just went through. “Jesus, are you and Lauren…” She motions with her fingers.
“She works for me, so that answers your question.”
“Right.” She gathers all her papers. “I’m going to hit up John before I leave. I’ll see you Sunday?” Every Sunday, we all get together for dinner.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, because I’m hoping that Lauren quits tonight.
I walk back to my office, expecting Lauren to be there, but her computer is shut off. I check my watch and see it’s only two-thirty.
I pick up my phone and call her on her cell. She picks up after the first ring. “Sorry, I’m so sorry I had to leave,” she says, almost frantically, without even greeting me.
“Is everything okay?” I’m ready to run out if she needs me.
“Yes,” she sighs. “Well, not really. I might have to call in sick tomorrow. Kaleigh has strep throat. She has a fever, and she’s at my parents’ house now, because the last thing I need is for anyone else to get sick.”
“What?” I’m trying to follow her, but she is rambling.
“Kaleigh had a fever, so she went to the doctor. She has a throat infection. She is the one who watches my kids after school while I’m at work. Except, tomorrow is a staff development day, and she’s sick, so I have no other backup.”
“Okay, don’t worry about it.” I go to my computer to check my calendar, seeing that there’s nothing on my schedule till Monday. “What are you going to do with the kids tomorrow?” I ask her, not exactly sure why, but I do it anyway.
“I have no clue. Hopefully, keep them from killing each other. Listen, I’m just getting home, so I need to go. Sorry about just taking off like that,” she apologizes softly.
“It’s fine. I’ll call you later to check in,” I tell her and then hang up.
I block out my day tomorrow, sending a message to Barbara that I’m going to be working from home.
I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing. But the next morning at nine a.m., I’m standing on Lauren’s porch, hoping she doesn’t turn me away.
I hear the door locks turning and hold my breath. Rachel opens the door, still in her pajamas. I squat down to talk to her, asking, “Hey there, is Mommy home?”
She smiles at me, showing me a missing tooth, her lips shiny with what I’m assuming is syrup. “Mommy!” she yells loudly. “Asshat is at the door.”
I put my head down, laughing at the nickname. “What?” I hear her voice from somewhere inside the house as she makes her way to the door. She is wearing a short pink cotton robe, loosely tied at the waist, the front a bit open on top so you can see her camisole. Her hair piled up on her head, she places her hands on Rachel’s shoulders. “What are you doing here?” She looks down at me.
I rise up from the squat position. “I came to see if you and the kids would like to go ice skating?” I ask her, and not waiting for her to invite me, I walk past her, kissing her on the head.
I shrug off my jacket, throwing it on the pile next to the door with the other jackets. Then I turn and look at her. “Is that bacon I smell?”
“Real bacon,” Rachel says, turning to run back into the kitchen.
I look at Lauren questioningly. “Kaleigh makes them eat vegan bacon, but I picked up the real deal yesterday, so it’s like Christmas morning.” She laughs as she pulls her robe together at the top of her neck. “Austin, what are you doing here?” she asks me again, and before I have a chance to answer her, Gabe runs into the room.