Growing Love (Brookfield) (7 page)

Diane and Matt followed Alyssa into the shop. Connor was on his tablet,
leaning over the front counter, busily reading something.

“So?” Diane asked.

Connor set the device down. “I don’t have good news.”

Crap
.

“When I moved in with Alyssa, I put a request in for a renter to take over the unit for me
if they found someone. Before you moved in, they had apparently found someone and as soon as the paperwork was complete, they’d call me and I’d be out of my lease. They didn’t realize you were there and assumed it was empty still. The paperwork was all approved for the new renter, who will be moving into the unit in a week.”

“What?” That had made no sense. “Someone else is moving into my place?”

“I’m sorry. I know how much you liked it. But we’ll find you somewhere else. Until then you can stay with me,” Alyssa said.

“Where? You have a one-bedroom apartment. I can’t sleep on your couch.” She huffed. “And I’m not
sleeping in the bed you two share. Maybe Cody has room.”

“Matt, do you know of any places for rent?” Alyssa asked.

He was quiet and it looked like the wheels in his head were spinning before he blurted out. “Move in with me.”

Diane’s eyes widened. That was not a good idea.
He’d come home from work every day to her, she’d have dinner ready. They’d spend their evenings curled up together on the couch. “No.”

“Come on. I have the room. Just until you find something else.”

“No,” she repeated.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea either,” Alyssa added.

“We’re getting along. It would be good for us.” He stared at her pleadingly.

“Here is one.” Connor was busy searching the tablet again. “But it’s more than my old one was and it’
s on the third level. You don’t want to be carrying a baby up all that with groceries.”

“I’ll just call Cody. I have a week.
And he has room.” Diane twirled a strand of hair.

Connor cleared his throat. “
Ideally, I need to empty it out in the next few days so the complex can come in and do a fresh coat of paint before the new tenant moves in.”

She groaned.
“Let’s just call Cody.”

Diane marched off and sunk down on a couch in the back. She’d made a decision to stay and now that was all up in the air.
Just her luck. Apparently this was a sign that Brookfield was not meant to be her home.

The door to the shop jingled. She glanced up and saw Matt was gone. Go figure. When things got tough, it was just like him to leave.

Alyssa walked over with the phone. “I’ve got Cody on the line. I’m going to put him on speaker.”

Diane laid her head back and gazed up at the ceiling as she listened to her sister explain the living arrangement issues to their brother. The poor guy
. They were always hounding him about something. He never got a break.

“I can’t have Diane here at the moment. I’m sorry,” Cody said over the speaker.

Diane wanted to cry. He was her last hope.

Cody continued, “This is crappy timing, I know. But I didn’t exactly plant the termites in my house. And I’m really not happy about having to fix the place. And I figured, while I was having a wall redone, I might as well do a few renovations too.”

“Heck,
with the remodel and all, it doesn’t sound like
you
can even live there. Where are you going?” Alyssa asked.

“
I’m going to stay with a friend temporarily.”

“Does your friend have room for me?” Diane crossed her arms.

Alyssa glanced at Diane. “Matt has room.”

“No.” Diane shook her head. That wasn’t happening. She couldn’t live with him.

“I don’t want you to leave Brookfield. We’ll figure something out,” Alyssa said.

“I’ve got to get to work. I’m sorry I’m not
much help. Otherwise I’d take you in. You know that. But I’ll ask around the station and see if anyone has room for you.”

Diane groaned. “I don’t need a roommate. I need a home and pronto. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a baby coming soon. I don’t need extra stress. I
’ll just go back to my house in Alpine. Obviously, this is a sign I’m not meant to live here.”

Cody
sighed. “We’ll talk soon.” The call ended.

Diane
propped her face up with her palms. There was no way she could live with Alyssa and Connor. They simply didn’t have the room for her. And her sister would drive her crazy.

Laying her
other hand over her stomach, she took in several deep breaths to calm her nerves. This was not what she needed right now. Her original plan had been to come here for a few weeks, then return to her life away from Brookfield. Her life with Tom. 

“Will you take me back to the apartment so I can start packing up? If you can’t take me home, I’ll call Tom.”

“Please don’t go.” Her sister looked genuinely sad and Diane found she didn’t want to leave her either. She’d really grown attached to Alyssa.

“I can’t stay, Alyssa. I’m sorry. There is nowhere for me here.”

“You won’t even consider staying with Matt?”

“For the last time, no!” She stood and began to walk away from her sister.

“You love him. He loves you. Quit fighting it, or you’ll never be happy.”

Diane spun around and gazed at her sister. “I’ve done some shitty things and maybe I deserve to be alone.”

Alyssa walked over and rubbed her shoulder. “No, you don’t. You deserve to be happy as much as anyone else. You can continue to run from your problems, or you can face them head-on—like an adult.”

“I’m not a child. Quit treating me like one.”

“Then don’t act like one. Stop hiding behind Tom.”

“Just take me home.” She went to the front door. “I was crazy to think this would ever work.”

* * *

Matt set the remote down. Diane was gone. She was here, then gone. Life almost seemed like it was going to work out the way he wanted. Then poof, it was all like a dream.

With Diane away from Brookfield, he was going to see his son less. He wanted to be there for her. To help her in any way he could. To be the one to rush her to the hospital when the baby came. But it would be Tom—just as Diane had been planning all along. Matt needed to face it.

He stood and paced his home. It was a decent size
for the price. It had two bedrooms, each of equal size, and separate bathrooms. The floor plan was open and was hardly filled with any furniture. Hell, he’d offer the place to Diane without him in it, except she was gone. Last he heard, Alyssa was taking her back—to Tom.

Damn it. Why couldn’t he just go all caveman on
her? Grab her by the hair and drag here into his home where she belonged. He smiled imagining it. Diane would kick and scream the whole way, but when she got her hands on him, she’d skin him.

Deep down he’d hoped they’d work things out before their son came. That slowly he’d win her over and that glorious moment would come that she’d call Tom to tell him she could no longer be with him. After
all, Matt was the father and was her guy first.

Maybe he needed to take this up with Tom. He knew he wasn’t the kid
’s father. And shouldn’t he and Diane have a real chance at this? Try at least for their son. Isn’t that what people did? He wasn’t talking marriage but to at least give it a go.

He du
g his cell phone from his pocket. He was going to call her right now and stop her. Finding her name in the list of contacts, he pressed the
call
button and put the phone to his ear.

You’ve reached Diane. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I can.

Crap. It had gone straight to voicemail. It didn’t even ring. Was she out of service somewhere between here and Alpine?

He wanted to redial but knew that was desperate. Maybe a text. Then when she got back in an area with service, she’d know he’d called.

Hey, tried calling you. Call me.

Locking the screen, he slid the phone back in
to his pocket. Now he needed to find something to occupy his mind as he waited on her to call.
If
she called.

In the freezer, he pulled out
a tub of ice cream. He had just enough left in there to eat while he watched something on TV. He set the container down and picked the remote back up, turning the television on to HBO. 

He’d barely leaned back against the sofa and stuck his spoon in the creamy mixture when the heavy front door to the apartment complex slammed. Heavy and slow footsteps sounded on the stairs.
A second later, a light knock sounded on his door.

Of course, as soon as he starts to eat, someone shows up. Setting the tub back down, he
rose and went to the door. Turning the knob, he tugged the stubborn door.

“Diane.”
The name escaped his lips in a surprised whoosh, all thoughts of Rocky Road ice cream and HBO drama gone as he stared at the woman before him.

Chapter Eight

“Can I come in?” Diane stared at Matt who looked as though he’d seen a ghost. This all felt a little déjà vu.

“Uh, yeah. Please.” He stepped back.

She entered his place. It was in an older building of Brookfield, but the first thing that caught her eye was the tall ceilings with the exposed wooden beams. It was an interior designer’s dream. As she walked across the rustic wooden floor, she couldn’t believe all the original stuff that was in here. She liked the place—a lot.

“I got your text.” She smiled. “Figured I’d just come by instead of call.”

“I thought you’d be all the way home by now.”

She let her finger dance around the top of her belly. “About that.” Could she do it?
She glanced away and walked a little farther in. He had the TV on and a tub of ice cream. His favorite past time. She would even bet it was Rocky Road, knowing him the way she did, she’d also bet there was just enough in it to last the duration of the show he was watching. “I’d like to take you up on that offer.”

She watched the change on his face as it registered. “You’re going to move in?”

“If the offer still stands.” She held her breath as she waited for his answer.
God, please don’t turn me down.
Though, she deserved for him to. She knew she hadn’t been the nicest person since coming back to town. One moment she was nice to him, the next she treated him like dog shit on the bottom of her shoe.

“But I thought you couldn’t.” He paused
and appeared to be in deep thought. “I want you here. Believe me, I do.”

Here came the rejection. She braced herself for it.

“I think this can work. Though I must be honest. I don’t know if I can handle you and Tom…ya know?”

She giggled
. At least he’d said yes! “Don’t worry about that right now.”

Matt took a seat on the couch. “I guess we will take this one day at a time.”

Sounded perfect to her. She sat next to him.

“Want me to get you a spoon?”

“No, Alyssa and I just ate.”
Her sister
. “Crap. She’s downstairs waiting on me.”

“Are you leaving?”

Diane shook her head. “She has my bags. I’m not going anywhere. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll get it.” Matt was up and out the door without a second gla
nce.

Diane
laid her head back. She’d tried to leave Brookfield. They’d even gotten past the city limit sign. But then she felt it. The baby had a fit—kicked her hard in the side and Diane knew she couldn’t leave. She’d told Alyssa to take her to Matt’s.

She had to give this a chance. But she wanted it to move slow. She’d debated with Alyssa if she could tell Matt the truth about her and Tom. Diane was worried once Matt knew Tom and
her were nothing more than friends, he’d swoop in and she’d fall hopelessly in love with him. Not what she wanted—or so, she thought.

The door opened and Matt and Alyssa walked in with her suitcases.

“Where do you want these?” Alyssa asked.

“Guest ro—Diane’s room is the second door on the
right down that hallway.” He pointed.

Diane couldn’t wait to see it. She started to get up when Alyssa returned.

“Where is she supposed to sleep? There’s no bed in there.”

Matt raked his hands through his hair. “Uh, I guess we need to go shopping. But until then, I’ll take the couch and she can have the bed.”

“I can have my bed sent from home,” Diane said. “I’ll call Tom and have it arranged. I’d rather spend the money on nursery furniture.”

Alyssa placed an arm around Diane and squeezed. “I’m really glad you’re sticking around.”

“Me too.”
I think.

“You’d better take care of her, Jerkface.”

Matt chuckled. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“Well, she’s fed for now. In about an hour
, she’ll need to eat again.”

“Hey, I’m not a child.” Diane tugged away from her sister and playfully smacked her.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“See ya. Call me if you need me.” Alyssa hugged her again and headed for the front door.

A moment later, Diane stood there alone with just Matt. It was awkward. What to say? What to do?

“Crap.” He broke the silence. “My ice cream.”

She joined him in the living room and watch
ed the TV as Matt quickly ate up the gloppy cream.

*
* *

Diane woke after the best night of sleep she’d had in months. Rolling over, she snuggled her face into the pillow and inhaled Matt’s intoxicating scent. Last night she hadn’t
woken once. And she felt amazing, ready to take on the world. But now she had to wonder, why did she feel this way? Was it his bed? Was it being back here with Matt?

She didn’t have time to dwell on it. Now that she was up, her bladder demanded release. Tossing the plus
h comforter back, she climbed out of bed and hurried across the oak floors to the bathroom. A moment later, she emerged ready to begin the day.

In the kitchen she rummaged through the pantry until she came across some cereal. She opened a
nd closed a few cabinets and finally found the dishes. After her cereal was poured in the bowl and milk added, she walked over to the small table she assumed was the dining room table.

Matt groaned from the living area.

“How’d you sleep?” she asked.

“Horrible. Leather couches are not made to sleep on.”

It probably wasn’t a good time to tell him she’d slept great.

Matt stumbled into the dining area and sat.
Mornings were good to him. He had a face full of sexy stubble and his hair stuck up in every direction. “Coffee?”

“Don’t drink it anymore.” She pointed at her belly.

“God, you must’ve been a nightmare when you first gave that up. You were a pot-a-morning kinda gal.”

“It wasn’t easy. But usually I have a cup of hot tea now.
” She took a bite of the cereal.

“I don’t have any.” He rubbed his chin. “We should go grocery shopping today. I need more fruits and veggies in here for you.”

She smiled at that, touched by his mentioning something they should do together.

“I’m gonna make coffee.” He stood and went into the kitchen.

She continued eating her cereal until her phone rang from her bedroom. Matt hollered he’d get it and as he walked back with the now-quiet phone, he handed it to her.

“It was Tom. I didn’t get it in time.” He left with a look back.

She should’ve told him then that Tom and she weren’t together. The disappointed look on his face caused a pang of guilt in her belly. But now that she’d kept the secret so long, she was having a hard time forming the words.

The sound of water running echoed through the qui
et apartment. He must be getting in the shower. Pushing her bowl away, she called Tom back.

“Hey,” he answered.

“Hi. Sorry I didn’t get to the phone.”

“Don’t apologize. How is it going?”

“I slept wonderful last night.”

“Good. Your bed will be there mid-week. So only a few more days.”

Sleeping in Matt’s bed a few more nights sounded just fine to her. “Great. Will you be coming with the bed?”

“Oh yeah, me in a truck with some hot delivery men. Sounds like a fantasy to me.”

“Don’t get too carried away.” She set the spoon down.

“But now, I won’t be coming. Sorry. I think I’ll stay away for a bit and give you and Matt time to mend. I’m sure he doesn’t want me around. But we’ll talk.”

“Good. I couldn’t handle if you weren’t calling me.”

“Don’t worry
; you’ll still be my last call before bed.”

She sighed. The day Tom moved on and met someone new, she was going be jealous. Right now she was his world and she loved it—even though it was selfish. “So tell me, have you met anyone since I’ve been gone and you’ve had all this free time?”

* * *

Matt pulled up his jeans
then tugged on a clean T-shirt. Diane’s laughter echoed through the apartment.

He liked having her here. Just the scent of her alone made his heart pitter
-patter. Though he didn’t care for the fact she was in his dining room talking with another man, there wasn’t much he could do about that…yet. Deep down he hoped that once their son arrived, she’d let Tom go.

The place was now quiet. He assumed she was off the phone. Leaving his bedroom, he glanced back at the messy bed where she’d slept. Without even pressing the pillow to his face, he knew her scent
now lingered in the fibers.

“Hey,” she said as he entered the li
ving room. “I’m gonna shower, but while I’m in there, take a look at this.” She handed him a catalogue. “I’ve dog-eared a few pages of furniture I like. I want your opinion.”

She wasn’t even here forty-eight hours and she already wanted to redecorate. She’d never change.

“Sure. Yeah.”

“Great.” She moved past him and toward her bedroom. A moment later the door closed.

He tossed the booklet onto the table and headed for coffee first. He didn’t want to worry about redecorating right now. But he’d take a look at her ideas anyway. Starting off this new friendship on the wrong foot was not a good idea.

Once
he had his coffee in hand, he pulled out a chair and sat. After his first sip, he set the mug down and pulled the catalogue to him. Flipping it open, he realized it wasn’t a furniture booklet, or not one he was used to her giving him. Instead, he stared at images of nursery furniture. Dark woods, light woods, and white. Changing tables, cribs, rockers. She wanted his help with their child’s furniture.

His eyes grew moist and he cursed under his breath. Men didn’t cry. Especially over baby furniture. With his finger, he flicked the tear drop away.
Get yourself together
.

He looked at the p
ages she’d chosen and noticed she either liked the off-white furniture or the dark cherry woods. Considering most of his décor was more contemporary—a black leather couch, glass and chrome tables, and the walls a bare brick—he was leaning toward the darker furniture. Maybe with navy blue-and-red-checkered-patterned theme would work too, especially against the stark-white walls in what would be the baby’s room.

He closed the
catalogue. This was getting more real than he’d imagined. He was going to be a father. And soon.

Matt finished his coffee
just as he heard the water shut off to Diane’s shower. He had to make this work with her. Somehow he needed to get rid of Tom so they could be a family.

*
* *

“I want to grab a book at Alyssa’s shop then we can eat. Sound good?” Diane asked.

“Perfect.” Matt smiled.

The Reading Corner was coming into view. Diane loved a good smutty romance and her favorite author just happened to have a new release today. Hopefully her sister had been nice enough to put a copy aside for
her.

She pushed the door open and entered the book shop. Connor
, with his boyish grin the ladies loved, greeted her from behind the counter, “Alyssa told me you’d be by here today.”

Diane giggled. “Us women need our romance.”

“Have you read one of these books the women are craving now days?” Connor asked Matt.

“No. You?”

Connor chuckled. “Yeah, by a bet. When Alyssa and I were dating, I bet her to read a sci-fi and she bet me to read an erotic historical. I couldn’t finish it.”

“
You poor guy,” Diane said. “I’m sure if they made it an on-screen presentation, you’d watch it.”

He shrugged. “L
et me go find Alyssa.”

Matt put a hand on Diane’s shoulder. “I’m gonna grab a coffee from the back. Want anything?”

“Nope. I’m good.” She leaned against the counter.

Alyssa appeared a second later and Diane expected her to come her way, but instead
, she darted toward Matt, a distressed look on her face. Diane walked slowly toward them, watching as her sister leaned close to Matt and appeared to be giving him a stern talk.

“What’s going on?” Diane asked, wondering if those two would ever
get along or if this was how it would always be.

“Nothing. A misunderstanding.” Matt’s gaze was hot on Alyssa.
Alyssa glanced in Diane’s direction, appearing both frustrated and contrite. What was going on?

“Everyone okay?” Connor put his arm around Alyssa.

“Apparently not. What’s the misunderstanding?”  Diane said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Matt and Alyssa were quiet, as though they were
arguing with their eyes.

“Is this about Matt being at the
prostitute bar?” Connor asked.