The Wife Stalker(53)

35

Piper




Piper got up from the lounge chair and glanced at her watch. It was close to four, and Rebecca would be home with the kids soon. If she hurried, she could get in some laps before they got back. September was her favorite month in Connecticut—the air still warm but without the stifling humidity of August.

The water felt good, and after ten minutes in the pool, she felt the stress in her muscles begin to dissipate. Leo had promised her he’d be home early and the two of them would go out for a romantic dinner. It had been weeks since they’d been out alone together, and she was pulling out all the stops. She’d bought a new dress and lingerie for the occasion, made reservations at their favorite local restaurant, the Artisan, and booked a room at the Delamar. She was going to surprise him with the hotel. She didn’t want any interruptions to their lovemaking tonight. Evie had gotten into the habit the last few weeks of coming into their bedroom at night, claiming she’d had a nightmare. The first couple of times Piper had been sympathetic, but it was almost every night now. When she’d tried to ask Evie what the nightmares were about, the girl got quiet and said she didn’t want to talk about it. Tonight she’d have to knock on Rebecca’s door instead.

The sound of giggling made her stop in mid-lap and look up. Evie was chasing Stelli, who was holding his sister’s ballet case behind his back, laughing at her as she yelled for him to give it back. Piper was about to tell him to stop when Rebecca ran over and started chasing him, too, laughing along with him and turning it into a game.

“Come on, Evie, let’s get him!” she yelled, and just like that, Evie went from being upset to laughing along with her brother. How did Rebecca always seem to know how to handle them?

Piper walked up the steps of the shallow end, exiting the pool, and reached for her towel, but before she could pick it up, Stelli dropped the ballet bag and grabbed the towel.

“Keep away from Piper!” he yelled, running toward the house.

Was she seriously supposed to go galloping after him? She felt annoyance fill every pore of her being. Rebecca and Evie were watching her quietly. Was Rebecca trying to make her look bad by just standing there waiting for her reaction? She forced a smile.

“Stelli, dear, I’m too wet to chase you. I could slip.” That’s probably what he hoped for.

He made a face at her and walked back toward her, then tossed the towel on the ground at her feet. “You’re no fun.”

Rebecca finally stepped in. “Stelli, you apologize.”

Piper put a hand up. She didn’t need Rebecca to make her look any worse “No, it’s fine. You’re right, sweetie. I haven’t been much fun. Why don’t I run up and change, and then we can go out for ice cream?”

His eyes lit up.

“But . . . they haven’t had dinner yet,” Rebecca stammered.

Piper turned to Stelli. “Now who’s no fun? Who says you can’t have dessert first, right?”

“Yay! Ice cream, ice cream,” he began to chant. After a minute, Evie joined in.

Piper gave Nanny Tight Ass a triumphant smile.

When they returned from town, Leo was waiting in the kitchen, snacking on a brownie. Piper was really going to have to speak to Rebecca about all the crap she baked for the house. Although, considering the stunt she had just pulled with the ice cream, Piper decided she’d better wait a few days.

“Hi, babe.” He kissed her on the lips, then crouched down and opened his arms. “Pethia mou,” he called in Greek as the children ran into his arms.

“Piper got us ice cream!” Stelli told him.

Leo laughed. “I can see that. You’ve got a chocolate mustache.”

“I’m going to go get ready. Our reservation’s in an hour.” Piper smiled, her mood lifted further by this rare good time with Stelli and the prospect of an entire evening alone with her husband.

“Where are you going?” Evie asked.

Piper stopped and turned around. “Out for dinner. Remember, I told you this morning?”

Stelli stomped his foot. “I have my family tree project. You were supposed to help me,” he whined to Leo.

Piper felt her heart skip a beat. This could not be happening.

Leo’s expression was puzzled. “I thought that was due next Friday, right, buddy?”

Stelli, his arms crossed, shook his head. “No, tomorrow. And you said you’d help me find pictures of Mommy!” He doubled over. “And I don’t feel good. My stomach hurts again.”

Leo looked at Piper. “Can you move the reservation a little later?”

She probably could, but what was the point? They hadn’t even started on the family tree, and they’d be at it for hours. Plus, she was sure it was going to end in tears anyway, given the subject matter.

She forced a smile. “No worries. I’ll reschedule it for next week. This is more important.”

Leo looked at her gratefully and gave her a peck on the lips. “Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”

Sure she was, she thought, as she walked up to the bedroom and shut the door. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a pillow from the bed, went into the bathroom, turned the water on, and screamed as loud as she could into its feathers.





36

Joanna