Chapter 17

Steve

“How long are you going to avoid her?” Davis asks over the top of his glass before taking a drink.

I look over at him, all smug on his couch. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Last night you hung out with Michael, the night before Griffin, and the night before that you showed up at Jack’s and slept on his couch. Now you’re here. What’s going on?”

I sit back. “I don’t know. She moved in.”

“Wasn’t that part of your plan?”

I nod. “But I thought we’d be more than roommates.”

“Did you talk about that?”

“We did, and she wants this to be all business. But we’ve had sex before. I thought she’d change her mind.”

“You think pretty highly of yourself.”

I open my mouth to tell him off. But then I close it and take a deep breath. “It’s more than that.” How am I going to explain this? “I think about her all the time. Her perfume lingers after she leaves. I can’t get her out of my mind, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“Have you really talked to her since she arrived?”

“A few times over text. But we’re not talking about anything other than work.”

Davis shakes his head. “Just because your parents don’t have a relationship to brag about doesn’t mean you’re going to do the same.”

“Tell that to Olivia.”

Davis looks at me, confused. “She’s married with two beautiful children.”

“They’re separated, and he’s dating someone else.”

He sighs. “Marriage isn’t always easy. Some days are harder than others, but if you can establish early on how you’re going to talk to one another, it’s a great thing. And…” Davis leans in. “Make-up sex is always the best.”

I roll my eyes. “I just don’t know where her dad gets off. I love Tom Rourke, but he’s requiring that his daughter find a life partner in order to pursue her chosen career. And he wants her to do it in six months. Does he think it’s so easy? He’s been married four times.”

“I’m surprised he’s not worried about her settling for some guy who’s out for her money.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I have a lot of hurdles to clear for them to accept me.”

We talk for a while longer and then Davis shows me to his guest room.

Paisley’s little sister walks down the hall.

“What’s up, Arabella?” he asks.

“I have to go potty.” She rubs the sleep from her eyes and looks at Steve. “Why are you here?”

“He’s going to sleep in the guest room.”

“Okay,” she says as she walks into the bathroom.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Davis tells me.

I nod and close the door behind me. The room is nice enough. It’s mostly dark blues and white. I stay in my clothes and lie down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

What do I really want from Eliza?

I’m such a coward to be here, away from her another night. I pull out my phone and look through the text messages she’s sent that I haven’t responded to.

The first night I left, I had an emergency surgery. One of the knee replacements I did earlier this year was having problems, and we looked at what was going on as soon as an operating room opened up. I slept at the hospital before driving to Surrey the next morning.

Eliza: Goodnight. Feel free to wake me when you get home.

Eliza: Good morning. It doesn’t look like you made it home. Are you avoiding me?

Then last night she sent:

Eliza: I finally finished off the Greek food tonight. No more Greek for a while. I was thinking Blue Water Café? Tanya is up for joining me tomorrow night. Interested in coming along?

A few hours ago, she sent:

Eliza: Goodnight. I miss you around here. I’ve begun looking for a new place to live. I’m sorry. I should have talked to you about moving in before I did it. We mentioned it at the beginning, and I thought you were okay with it. But I realize this happened quickly because my mom came back. I hate that you’re not coming home because I’m here. I’ll be out as soon as I can find a place.

I shut my eyes. Fuck . I’m screwing this up. I don’t want her to move out. The problem is my dick wants her to move into my bed, and that’s where I’m stuck.

Me: I’m sorry I’m being a dick. I don’t want you to move out. I’ve been stuck in my head. Did I miss dinner at Blue Water? How about a quiet dinner tomorrow night at Cioppino’s?

Eliza: Please come home tonight.

I stare at her words. I’m not sure what to do. What happens if I go home? Could I convince her that we might be something real? Do I want that? The idea of something long term completely panics me.

I finally sit up and text Davis that I’m heading home.

Davis: I’m glad. You’re welcome anytime. And Paisley wants to arrange a dinner for the four of us.

Me: Thank you for everything. You’re a great friend.

Davis: Anytime. See you next week at Joe Fortes.

I walk to the elevator and ride it down to the parking garage for guest parking.

It’s after two in the morning, and the streets are moderately busy, but I hit mostly green lights. I would love it here if it was always like this.

When I walk into my house, I find Eliza in flannel pajama bottoms with hedgehogs on them and a long sleeve T-shirt. It’s all baggy on her, but I don’t care. She looks amazing.

She runs into my arms and holds me tight. “I’m so sorry,” I tell her.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have talked to you before moving in. I get things in my head and just leap without thinking. ”

“You were right the other night. I heard what you said, and it sent me thinking about my parents. They’re a lot, but we need them to make this work. Can we go have dinner with them soon?”

She nods. “I’d love that. My mom wants me to bring you over too.”

“Let’s plan that, then. I want you to see where I grew up, and I want to introduce you to my sister, Olivia.”

“That would be great.”

“Plus, I’m sure she’d love the cover of you being there when she tells our parents that she and her husband have broken up.”

Eliza laughs, and the peace that blankets me is warm and so very welcome.

After talking until the very early hours, Eliza stayed in my room with me last night. We didn’t have sex, and how I slept with a hard-on all night is beyond me. But I loved seeing her hair splayed out on my pillow and having her perfume invade my senses.

I spoke with my family earlier today, and we’re meeting for dinner tonight at my parents. I gave Olivia the heads up that Eliza was okay with being her shield if she wanted to tell Mom and Dad about her and Paul.

Now, as we stand on the threshold of my parents’ home, Eliza has a bottle of fancy Irish whiskey and a beautiful bouquet for my mom.

“Be prepared. They’ll be wonderful tonight,” I mumble out of the side of my mouth .

Eliza gives my hand a squeeze just as Mom opens the door.

“Welcome to our home,” Mom says with delight.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Elizabeth Rourke.”

Eliza hands her the bouquet. “Thank you for having me. I’m a huge fan of Gerber daisies. I hope you like them as much as I do.”

“These are beautiful—so many colors.” She motions us in. “Please come in. It’s wonderful to have you at our home, Elizabeth.”

“Please, call me Eliza.”

She nods. “John? Steve is here with Eliza.”

My dad walks out in jeans and a button-down shirt.

“Dad, this is Eliza, my girlfriend.”

My dad puts on his thick Irish brogue. “Welcome to our humble home.”

I didn’t see Olivia, but I hear her when she snorts at that. There is nothing humble about this house. Dad’s office is filled with awards he’s received, and he keeps trying to expand them out into the hallway, but Mom is pretty firm that they stay hidden away.

“Behind my dad is my big sister, Olivia.”

Eliza smiles. “Wonderful to meet you. I brought something for Emma and Dylan.”

Suddenly, the kids are circling around us, and Eliza reaches into her bag and brings out a sketchbook and colored pencils for Dylan and for Emma, a palette of fingernail polish. Emma lights up and looks at her mom.

“They peel off when you want them gone and don’t require nail polish remover.”

“Can I, Mom? Please?”

Olivia looks at Emma and ruffles her hair. “Yes, but you know the rules at school.”

The kids disappear, and Eliza hands Dad a bottle of Redbreast Irish whiskey. “This is my father’s favorite,” she explains .

Dad’s eyes grow big. “I love Redbreast. I think I’ve had this with your father.”

“It’s very likely. This is his drink of choice.”

“You know what makes it better than any bourbon, Canadian, or Scotch whiskey?”

She shakes her head, but there’s a twinkle in her eye, and I have a feeling her father has told her this before.

“It starts out in American whiskey barrels, but after a year, they move it to their port barrels, and it has a nicer finish.”

“I didn’t know that,” Eliza says.

Dad smiles. “Would you like to try some?”

“Sure, as long as I’m not the only one drinking.”

Dad pours whiskey for all the adults, and we sit in the living room and talk.

“How long have you two been together?” Mom asks.

“A few months,” I tell her, exaggerating. “Eliza was living at her mom’s while she was out of town, but when she came back last week, I talked Eliza into moving in with me.”

Mom’s eyes brighten. Ooh . This fake relationship is going to not end well.

“It’s only short term,” Eliza quickly adds. “I have Penthouse B at The Butterfly as soon as it’s ready.”

Olivia grins. “You do? That’s great. What do you think so far?”

“I was really drawn to the smooth lines of the building, but like many others, I’m frustrated that it’s taking so long.”

Olivia nods. “Tell me about it. Those rounded exterior concrete slabs were ordered from a supplier up north, and they were not up to spec when they arrived. That’s a challenge sometimes with something new like what the architect designed.”

“What made you pick these plans for this spot?” Eliza asks.

“I loved that it was across the street from an elementary school on one side and had full views of the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, and Coal Harbor,” Dad answers .

She nods. “My view is split between the school and West Vancouver. If I stand in a certain place, I think I should be able to see the Lions Gate. I would have loved one of the other penthouses, but they were all sold when I returned from London.”

“I think you’ll see more than you realize,” Dad says with a grin.

Olivia and Eliza continue to talk for a few minutes and make plans to meet for lunch in the coming weeks.

When Mom calls us in for dinner, she’s made a beautiful bone-in prime rib with all my favorite fixings.

“Did you make your blueberry cobbler?” I ask.

She glows. “I did. I had some frozen berries from this summer’s crop.”

“You’re going to love this meal,” I tell Eliza.

We sit down, and Mom eventually asks Olivia the question. “Sweetheart, we haven’t seen Paul in a while. What is he doing these days?”

“He’s been spending time with his twenty-two-year-old girlfriend.”

Dad stops eating and looks at her and then Mom. “What do you mean?” he asks.

Olivia glances at the kids, who have raced through their meals and are busy with the dog. “Paul decided he didn’t love me any longer and moved out almost five months ago. He wasn’t interested in counseling or trying because he was in love with Svetlana.”

“She’s really nice,” Emma pipes in from the floor. Guess she wasn’t as busy with the dog as it seemed.

Olivia’s eyes close as she digests the information Emma has just delivered.

“What does your priest say?” Mom asks.

Olivia smooths the napkin on her lap. “I’m not going to ask a man, who really has no idea of what a marriage is, for any advice.”

“He could counsel you on how to stay together,” Mom implores.

Olivia looks at Eliza. “I look forward to having lunch with you, and I promise we won’t talk about the next thing I’m going to do.”

Eliza nods, her brow furrowed.

“Mom, priests—and I know it’s been more than one—have told you and Dad to stay together, and you’re both miserable. Paul saw it and knew he didn’t want to have anything to do with the hell you’re in. No. I’m doing what’s right for us and our family. I can’t work with someone who doesn’t want to try. I hope I can move on to a healthy relationship and show my children that they deserve that, rather than having to be miserable with someone.”

“Don’t talk to your mother like that,” Dad growls.

“You want me to lie to her?” Olivia challenges.

Dad pounds his fist on the table, and everyone freezes. “Don’t talk to me that way.”

Mom’s hand reaches for Olivia’s. “I’m sorry you feel that your Dad and I are so unhappy. Marriage isn’t always a bed of roses. Sometimes it’s a rocky beach with crashing waves, but that doesn’t mean at the first sign of things being hard that you cut and run.”

“I agree,” Olivia says. “And that’s not what’s happening here. But we’re doing what’s right for us, and it’s divorce.”

“But you won’t be able to take communion any longer,” Dad points out.

Olivia shrugs. “I’m okay with that.”

Olivia looks at me, ready to change subjects.

“Mom, have you and your friends figured out what your girls trip is going to be this year?” I ask her.

Just like that, she shifts gears. Amazing. “We have. We’re going to Italy.”

“That’s where my mom just returned from,” I offer. “She was there about eight months. She had the best time.”

This subject carries them through much of the rest of the evening, my mom peppering Eliza with questions. By the end of the night, she’s connected our moms together.

As we’re slipping our coats on, Olivia gives Eliza a hug. “Don’t let them jade you about marriage. Paul and I just weren’t meant to be. I see that now. I thought he’d change his mind about kids when we had our own, but he didn’t.”

“Don’t you worry,” Eliza tells her. “I have my own baggage to overcome. My mom never remarried. She enjoys her freedom and doesn’t understand why anyone would want to be tied down. My father is working on his fourth marriage, and this one looks like it’s going to stick. She’s nearly our age, of course, but he’s one of those who’s so deliriously happy he thinks everyone should be the same.”

“I can tell you and Steve are that happy, so don’t let my ex and his wayward dick sway you either.”

Eliza reaches for her. “You’re amazing, and the right guy is going to see that in you.”

“I’m busy running the largest construction company in all of BC. I’m not so sure about that.”

“Are you even getting out there?”

“Right now, the kids and I are working on our routine.”

She kisses us both on the cheeks and gets her kids into her car. They wave as she heads down the hill and into Vancouver to where she lives.

We say goodnight to my parents, and as we drive down the hill ourselves, I sneak a glance at Eliza. “Tonight was a peaceful night, and even that was a forest fire.”

She looks at me with a small smile. “You can tell they love you both very much.”

“I agree. It wasn’t always that way. Dad was so angry at me for sticking with medicine and making it so the company would go to Olivia, who wanted it, by the way.”

“Did he have requirements before she could get the company?”

“She was already dating Paul, but he wanted her married, so I think that sped things along. I was pretty sure Paul was only interested in her money, so that was difficult. I really had to go to bat for her. The construction business is very male dominated, and Dad worried that if she didn’t have her husband working by her side, the business he’d worked so hard to build would crumble.”

“It hasn’t,” Eliza points out.

“No. In fact, because it’s a woman-owned business, it’s opened up a lot more work. She’s on the way to doubling the size.”

“That’s great.”

“Yes, but it was hard on Paul’s ego. He struggled over Olivia being his boss at the office, so he quit. Then he got caught up in Olivia making more money than he did.”

“Did they have joint accounts or separate accounts?”

“Joint, so it was both of their income.”

“Ahh, he has little-penis syndrome,” Eliza says.

I nearly choke as I pull up to the garage. “What?”

“He needs his salary to make up for his little dick.”

I chuckle. “You need to tell that to Olivia.”

“If it comes up, I will. I have her phone number, but I’m not about to text her right now.”

I laugh as we walk into my house. I pull her to me and hold her tight. “Thank you for joining me tonight. I hope it didn’t scare you too much.”

“It takes a lot more than that.”