Stay(48)

“I’ll walk Eli over for lunch if you want. He and I need to get out during the day, rest our eyes.”

“If you wait, I’ll walk over with you in the afternoon.” Lifting my chin, I meet his gaze, and we exchange a smile. It’s like we’re making family plans.

We continue north, past the chess and checkers house. “Strip chess?” Stephen teases.

“That would definitely draw a crowd. What could we use to hold our tips?”

He looks around. “I didn’t wear a hat.”

“Next time,” I tease, giving his arm a squeeze.

We veer west toward the carousel. So many children are riding, laughing, and squealing.

“I’ve always been afraid to put Eli on the carousel,” I confess softly. “All the lights and the movements. It’s hard to know what could trigger a seizure, and I never want him to be embarrassed.”

Stephen lifts my hand and kisses my fingers. “Hopefully all of that’s going to change very soon.”

My throat aches, and I look away so he can’t see the tears in my eyes.

We’re at the mall, so we take a seat among the statues to rest our feet. Stephen buys cotton candy from a vendor, and we take turns tearing off pieces and letting the sugar melt in our mouths.

“Are you planning to tell Burt?” He watches me, and my throat tightens.

“No.” I shake my head, thinking of all the times he’s said it was unnecessary. “We don’t have joint custody. I don’t have to get his permission for medical procedures.”

Stephen’s quiet a beat, and I hold my breath as I watch him consider this. “Technically you’re right. It’s possible he could object after the fact…”

“But it wouldn’t matter then.” My lungs are tight. We’re so close, and I don’t know if this will change his mind.

Seconds tick past, and finally he nods. “Okay. I just wanted to be prepared.”

The fear in my chest breaks, and I lean forward to hug him. “Thank you.”

I don’t have the words to express my gratitude for his strength, for making this happen. He gives me a squeeze and another strip of cotton candy. We finish it off, and he takes my hand again, pulling me up to walk back, past the statue of Balto, the heroic dog.

“Eli would love him.”

Stephen motions toward Pilgrim Hill. “He’d love the model boat sailing.”

“Oh, yes! We have to bring him for that.”

It doesn’t even enter my mind how our time together is limited. My silly heart simply grows bigger making all these wonderful plans. I suppose we don’t have to be married to keep them.

“Stephen?” A sharp female voice cuts through my daydreams. “Stephen Hastings? I thought that was you!”

Stephen’s body stiffens, and we turn to see a tall woman with long, straight brown hair striding up. She’s wearing skinny black pants and a long coat over a tailored blouse. She looks very rich and elegant, and I suddenly feel very casual in my ripped blue jeans and oversized white sweater falling off one shoulder.

“Alyssa.” He steps forward to give her a hug.

I do not let it bother me. Why shouldn’t he hug an old friend? Alyssa steps back, and her eyes zero in on my hand in Stephen’s.

“And who is this?” She’s trying to sound friendly, but it’s coming out high and challenging.

Stephen turns to me, and he seems unsure of what to say. “Alyssa Falcone, let me introduce Emily Barton…”

I’m not really offended. It’s a completely awkward situation, and we haven’t discussed this at all. Should he introduce me as his wife? We’re only going to be married for… I suppose it could be as long as six months, depending on the surgery. Then again, we can’t hide out in his townhome for half a year.

“What’s this?” Alyssa motions to my left hand holding his arm. It’s too late to stuff it in my pocket. Her eyes widen, and her face goes pale. “Are you… married?”

Stephen clears his throat. “Yes, well, it’s a recent development. I guess I should say let me introduce my wife Emily Barton Hastings.”

He smiles and holds a hand out to me.

“Recent development?” Alyssa emits a strangled laugh. “How recent?”

She looks at me like I’m a bug that escaped from the zoo, and I can’t decide if I feel pissed or sorry for her. I mean, of course I knew Stephen must have ex-girlfriends. He’s a healthy male…

Who’s taking a long time to answer her question.

“We were married last week.” I jump in.

“Last week!” Her eyes flicker from me to him and back again. “You said you didn’t believe in marriage.”

She’s so rude, I decide to lay it on thick. “Stephen and I knew each other as kids, and we reconnected at the dry cleaner where I work. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Miss Con-Cleaneality? It’s in the Village.”

“I… haven’t.” Alyssa smiles, but her left eye twitches, and my devilish side wants to see how far I can push her before her head explodes.

“We specialize in drag queens and pageant gowns.”

“Drag queens…”

“Really, we specialize in anything beaded or with sequins or feathers. If you have any dance dresses or stripper costumes, be sure to bring them to us. Miss Con-Cleaneality. In the East Village.”