Make Me Yours(46)

“Oh of course she is.” Eleanor dismisses the topic with a wave of her hand as Tessa returns to the room carrying that fucking bottle of port. “Remi, look what I found today in the bookcase. It’s that Tawny Port from the Prager Winery. Remember this?”

My throat is so tight, I’m sure I won’t be able to eat another bite. I have no idea what’s about to happen, but I sneak a glance at Remi.

“I do remember.” His voice is soft, and his expression is happy with a little sadness around the eyes. “It was a special trip.”

“It was your honeymoon. I’ll never forget when you got back, how happy you both were. Sandy said we had to save this a few years. I think we should have it now before it goes past its prime.”

“After dinner.” Remi takes another bite of steak, seeming to recover. “I miss being on the West coast. Seattle has a wine region as reputable as California’s. I wouldn’t mind taking a trip back home and scoping it out.”

Eleanor’s face goes from smug to startled. “You’re not thinking of moving back there? But it’s so far away. How would I see Lillian?”

“I want chicken,” Lillie whines, and I can’t help thinking Bok bok, bitch!

I fight it, because it’ll make me laugh, and it’s definitely not the time for laughter. Eleanor dug up that old memento to take us down a difficult memory lane, and guess what? Backfire!

Still, the last thing I want is to appear frivolous or insensitive.

“I’m sure we’d figure it out.” Remi doesn’t seem upset at all. He seems really healthy.

“My tummy hurts.” Lillie starts to whine, and I say a silent prayer of thanks.

“You should not have had ice cream so close to dinner.” I don’t know who Eleanor is scolding, but I put my napkin beside my plate.

“I can take her up and give her a bath. She’s had a busy day. I’m sure she’s tired.”

“Thank you.” Remi’s eyes meet mine, and my insides warm at the emotion I see in them.

I know from my work how complex his situation is, and the last thing I would ever do is hold his feelings against him. I want to tell him to take his time. I’m here to help. Instead, I take his daughter’s hand.

Eleanor’s loud voice makes me pause. “Don’t you want to try the port?”

I’d like to try shoving it up your butt.

I do not say that. I pause and smile. “I don’t really care for fortified wine, but thank you.”

Lillie gives me a pull, and I follow her up the stairs, away from whatever scene Eleanor thought she was putting together.

If she thinks she’s going to pit me against the memory of Lillie’s mother, she’s wrong. As much as my feelings for Remi are growing, as much chemistry as we share, I’m not a monster. I don’t expect anything from him.

I’m here to do a job, and that’s my primary focus now. I’m almost through week two. Two more weeks, and I’ll have made it through the month.





20





Remi


Stopping by my daughter’s room after dinner, I hear her voice coming from the tub.

“Henry’s ears stick out. He looks like Gus Gus in Cinderella.” Water splashes, and I change my mind about interrupting. I’d like to hear how this conversation goes.

Ruby’s voice is gentle. “People can’t help things like ears and noses, so it’s not nice to point out if they’re big or shaped funny.”

“I like Gus Gus. He saves Cinderella with the key from her wicked stepmother’s pocket. Even though Lucifer tries to eat him.”

More water sounds. I imagine Ruby’s rinsing her hair with a cup. “Henry does look a little like Gus Gus. But he’s not fat.”

I cover a silent laugh with my hand, and they continue stirring the water. It sounds like Lillie’s playing. “What’s evolve mean?” My daughter’s tone is sweetly curious.

“Where did you hear that word?”

“Henry said it.”

“You should probably call him Dr. Pak. You should get out before you turn into a prune.”

“What is it?”

“Evolve?” Ruby exhales. “It means to grow and change. To learn from experience.”

“You sounded like you don’t like it here. Do you like it here?” Noises of standing, stepping out of the tub, send me from the door into the hallway. I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I have to hear Ruby’s answer.

“I like you.” Ruby carries her into the bedroom, and I can see from the doorway Lillie’s wrapped in a hooded towel. “I like your pretty house and my pretty room. I like our garden.”

No mention of me. My jaw clenches, and I think about what happened at dinner. Ruby was eager to get away when Eleanor brought out the port.

“Are you going to go out with Henry?” Ruby pauses in scrubbing my daughter’s head with the towel. I realize I’m holding my breath.

“I don’t know.”

Her answer pisses me off more than it probably should.

Or hell, maybe it pisses me off the right amount? Go out with Henry Pak? Leave here? After what we’ve shared? Turning on my heel, I jog down to my office. Adrenaline is pumping in my veins as I pace in front of my desk, and I know I’m not getting any work done tonight. Not with all these thoughts racing in my mind.