Park Avenue Player(62)
“What time are you coming back?”
“They’re leaving soon. Probably in about fifteen minutes.”
I sighed. “Okay, kiddo. See you soon.”
Letting out a frustrated breath, I picked up the phone and dialed Elodie.
She picked up. “Hey.”
My tone seemed less than happy. “Hey.”
She could sense something was off. “What’s wrong?”
“So…I have a little problem.”
“Are you standing me up?”
“Fuck, no.”
“What happened?”
“I have Hailey tonight. Her plans fell through.”
“I thought she was sleeping over at Kelsie’s.”
“She was. But they had a family emergency. So she’s on her way back in a few minutes.”
Elodie blew a breath into the phone. “Shit. Okay. Well, that sucks. But it is what it is.”
Think. “I know you said you didn’t want Hailey to know anything. I think that’s wise…but I still really want to see you.”
“Well, what choice do we have?” She sighed. “We can’t.”
I rubbed my chin. “Maybe we can.”
“How?”
“Can you come to the city?”
“Of course, but she’s going to suspect something if I come over on a Sunday.”
I wracked my brain for a solution. “I’ll take her out somewhere. You can show up and pretend you just happened to run into us. I’ll take her shopping to get stuff to make dinner here. We need to go shopping anyway. When she sees you, I know she’ll beg you to come back home with us.”
“I’ve been telling her I want to check out the new gourmet place downtown, Victor’s Market,” she said. “Maybe I can have an intense urge for pickled artichokes that prompted me to board a train to the city on a lazy Sunday?”
“Perfect. Whatever. She’ll buy it if we make it look coincidental. How soon can you be here?”
“Ninety minutes?”
***
I spotted her before Hailey did. Elodie had a shopping basket hanging from her wrist as she perused the bread aisle. Her long, blond hair was tied into a low ponytail. Her little ears were exposed, and they looked bitable.
I wanted to bite her fucking ears now? Jesus. This woman made me lose my mind.
Our eyes finally met. We shared a smile as Hailey continued to be distracted by a cheese sample.
Elodie approached and pretended to be shocked to see us. Her jaw dropped. “Hollis?”
I acted surprised. “Elodie? What are you doing in the city on a Sunday?”
Hailey’s head whipped around. “Oh my God! What?” She ran to Elodie and gave her a hug.
“Hey, Hailey! What a surprise to run into you guys.”
“Why are you here?” Hailey asked.
“Well, I had the worst craving for pickled artichokes and warm brie. So, since I had nothing better to do today, I decided to come into the city and stock up on my favorite things.”
“You’re gonna carry all that food home on the train?”
“Well, I limit myself to one big bag.”
Hailey looked up at me. “Uncle Hollis is going to make homemade Margherita pizza for us tonight. We came to get dough, and fresh basil and stuff.”
Elodie gave me a look like she was impressed.
I shrugged. “I’m not the greatest cook. But pizza I can handle.”
“Then we’re gonna watch the new Marvel movie after.”
“That sounds like so much fun.” Elodie grinned.
Hailey bounced up and down. “You should come have dinner with us and watch the movie.”
Bingo. Thank you, dear niece.
Elodie feigned hesitance. “Oh, I don’t know. It might be too late for me to get home at a decent time if I come over. It’s a work night, after all. I have to be ready for you bright and early in the morning.”
Hailey sulked. “I guess that’s true.”
Elodie and I shared a knowing look. Neither of us had been expecting Hailey to give up so easily.
What now? “I’d be happy to drive you back after dinner,” I said. “I’m sure Hailey wouldn’t mind the ride.”
“Great idea, Uncle Hollis.” She turned to Elodie. “See? Now you have to come.”
“Well, how can I say no to dinner, a movie, and door-to-door chauffeur service?”
A woman near us was eating something chocolatey on a stick.
Hailey fixated on it. “Where did you get that?” she asked.
The lady pointed. “Sample table in that corner.”
“Be right back!” Hailey said, booking it over there.
Elodie shook her head. “She’s got a one-track mind.”
“I can certainly relate to that.”
She blushed. “You were very determined to see me. “
“You look beautiful.”
“Well, I thought I had a date with a very handsome, sometimes obnoxious man tonight. I’d gotten myself all dolled up.”
“I hope you know he had big plans for you…the Mandarin Hotel restaurant, a carriage ride, the whole nine.”
“I might have gotten a little carried away with my requests. I hope you don’t think I truly care where you take me. I’m thrilled just to be with you. Hanging out at home is great.”