Wellesley Wives (New England Trilogy) (28 page)

“Gotcha!” he would shout, and they’d all think it was funny.

But that hadn’t happened, and slowly she was beginning to accept the incredible magnitude of the situation.

She would never ever see her father again. Jack didn’t understand how much that hurt her. She’d always been the apple of her father’s eye, and now he was gone, but worst of all, it was very possible that she’d caused his death. How could she ever learn to live with that?

By mid-morning she got up the energy to take a shower. Her hair felt gross, so she stood under the steaming water for a good twenty minutes and cried again. By the time she got out, it was almost lunchtime, but there was still no sign of Jack.

Good, she thought. She really needed a little space from him. His affection was starting to suffocate her, and it wasn’t helping to get her out of the doldrums. His advice wasn’t much better. How in the heck could she go out for a walk if she’d told the office she was sick? What if she bumped into somebody? Dumb idea.

She’d managed to stay home for the fifth consecutive day, but the price was that she was housebound. That didn’t really bother her. February in Boston was a cold time. Snow blizzards were common, and there’d been a big one the night before. Lily knew her mother was due to fly out to Ireland. She wondered if the plane had made it out before the snow came down. It broke her heart that they still weren’t talking. Three times she’d called the house since the funeral, and all three times Sandra answered. That had been awkward, but they rose above it.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” she’d say each time, “your mom just isn’t ready to talk to you.”

What could she do? It felt like Sandra had moved in with her mom and taken over. There was no room for Lily. Had she lost her mother, too?

Feeling dejected, she threw on the first thing she found in her closet. It was an old jogging suit in faded gray. She didn’t care what she looked like today. Nobody was going to see her except, of course, Jack. And if she looked like hell, he would just have to put up with it. She was letting him stay rent-free, darn it. The only thing that looked more forlorn than her was the inside of the fridge. It was empty of food, which was bad because all her crying had unexpectedly given her an appetite.

She found a family-sized bag of potato chips on top of the fridge. That’ll do, she thought, and grabbed the last can of Coke from the fridge. She headed into the living room to watch television. That’s when her intercom bell rang.

The last person Lily expected to see at her door was Matt Hamilton. What in the heck was he doing here? Perhaps the company was checking up on her. But they wouldn’t do that, would they?

She checked herself in the mirror. She looked terrible. For anybody else from the office and she would have been happy to look like hell in front of them, but Matt? No. She’d stall him. That would be the smart thing to do. After all, she’d said she was probably contagious, so it would be silly to expose him to the germs.

She tried to sound sick as she hit the button on the intercom and said, “Hello.”

“Lily. Hi, it’s Matt.” He smiled into the camera. “I heard you were feeling bad, and I haven’t seen you since—well, in months—so I brought a peace offering.” He raised a bouquet of flowers in front of his face so the camera could see them.

“Oh, Matt, that’s so sweet. Thanks a million. You really didn’t need to. But why are you bringing peace offerings?”

“Ah, come on. I know I annoyed you in the restaurant way back then. I shouldn’t have tried to steal you thunder. It’s just that I can’t stop myself. I’m a competitive guy.” He looked awkward.

Lily laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I’d forgotten all about that,” she said, even though it was a lie. “But, Matt, I really am sick. I don’t want to expose you to whatever it is I’ve got. Maybe it’s better if you just leave the flowers there. I’ll pick them up later.”

He nodded. “I was thinking it just might have been a touch of the Asian flu. Jeez, it’s crazy in the office. Have you been watching the markets?”

“Not really. Is it bad?”

“Not for you. Stocks fell through the floor early in the week and a lot of people took a real hammering. But they’ve rebounded since then. Ironic that being out of the office for so long and leaving your shares alone might mean you’re better off than most.”

Lily forgot for a moment that she was supposed to be sick. “Hey, that’s great! That’s this month’s bonus.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re okay.” He stopped for a moment as if he was thinking. “Ya know, I’m tougher than I look. I really think I can handle whatever bug you’ve got, unless it’s the plague. Why don’t you let me in for just a few minutes? I promise I won’t get too close to you.”

Lily wavered. He was being really nice, and he’d given her the only bit of good news she’d heard in ages. Maybe it was rude to send him away after he’d gone to so much trouble with the flowers.

“Will you promise not to inhale my nasty germs?” she asked playfully.

“I promise.”

She buzzed him in.

Lily didn’t need to tell him which apartment was hers, because he’d been there before. He’d driven her home from a work party once. It was over two years ago now, but she was pretty sure he would remember. She dashed to the mirror to check how she looked. How could she spruce up fast but still look sick. She only had a few seconds.

Tearing through her cosmetics, she realized that everything she owned focused on getting her more tanned-looking. She turned in a manic rush to the little locker next to the bath. That’s where she kept old stuff she didn’t use but didn’t want to throw out. There, in the midst of everything, was a container of talcum powder. She put a little into the palm of her hand and ever-so-carefully rubbed a little on each cheek. Then she studied the effect in her bathroom mirror.

Matt knocked on the door. Wow, he was fast.

“Lily?”

“Coming,” she yelled, sounding far-too-healthy. She tried to cough as she applied the last little bit of white powder, and then took one last look at herself in the mirror. It really worked. She looked like an extra from a vampire movie. White face and dark eyes—cool. Remembering to cough as she headed to the door, she let Matt in.

“Hey,” he said, handing her the flowers. “Wow, you do look pale. Do you have a fever?” He reached out to feel her forehead, but she pulled back before he got the chance.

She coughed again. “Nah, I’ll live. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it’ll pass in the next day or two.” She smelled the flowers. “Matt, these are so pretty. Thank you. You really shouldn’t have.”

He shrugged. “I thought it would be nice to get lilies for Lily. Is that really predictable?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“I heard about your dad. Shit, Lily, I’m really sorry. All that stuff I said about you having friends in high places and getting the promotion because of him, well, I was way out-of-line.”

He seemed very sincere. It had been hurtful, and she was relieved to put it behind her.

She nodded. “Thanks for that. I swear I worked my tail off for that promotion. Most girls my age are married with kids. All I do is work. I know I’m as good as any guy, so I should be just as entitled to the promotion.”

“You’re right. I was just mad you beat me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “Come and sit down. Can I get you coffee or tea?”

“No, I should be the one getting something for you. You’re sick.” He smiled as they walked into the little kitchen together. He headed straight to the coffeemaker while she got a vase for the flowers. Matt worked around her and found two mugs without needing to ask where they were.

He sized up her super-deluxe, ultra-modern coffeemaker.

“You know how to work that thing?” she asked. She’d bought it as a gift for Jack who loved super-strong coffee, but she hadn’t yet mastered how to work it.

“How hard can it be?” he mumbled as he focused on the appliance. He was obviously a capable guy, confident in himself and undeniably good-looking.

Put it out of your mind, she commanded herself.

He smiled as the coffeemaker kicked into action, hissing and gurgling.

“Oh, well done. I can’t even use it.” She laughed. “It’s Jack’s, you see—” then she stopped. Did he know about Jack? “Jack is my boyfriend,” she said tentatively.

“Ah, yes.” Matt kept his eyes on the machine. If he was hearing something new, he hid it well. “I have to be honest, I’ve used this machine before. My brother has one,” he said, moving the conversation off Jack.

“Oh, I didn’t know you had a brother. Is he in Boston?”

“No. Peter lives in Manhattan. Great guy. He’s my twin.”

“Peter?” Lily’s voice cracked. “That was my dad’s name.”

Matt looked appalled. “Oh, crap, Lily, I’m so sorry. That was so stupid of me. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” He put his hands on her shoulders and looked like he wanted to hug her, but Lily shook her head and pulled back.

“No, it’s okay,” she said while trying to smile. “Really, I’m going to have to get used to this sort of thing.” She took a deep breath to compose herself.

“Tell me about your twin. Do you guys get along?”

Matt looked relieved. “Yes, he’s my best friend. His wife just had their first baby. A daughter. I’m an uncle.”

“Oh, Matt, that’s terrific. Congratulations. A little girl?”

The machine stopped, and he was able to pour the first cup. He nodded. “Yep. Anna Hamilton. She’s gorgeous.”

“I think you’ll make a great uncle. You’ll spoil her rotten, won’t you?”

Matt beamed. “I have every intention. I can’t wait to play with her. Of course, she’s only a couple of weeks old, but when she’s older I want to take her for weekends and teach her all the cool stuff like how to burp and use bad words like ‘shit’ and ‘crap’ just to mess with my brother’s head.”

Lily pretended to look shocked. “You wouldn’t.” Then she laughed and walked out to the drawing room. The flowers looked pretty when she put them in the center of the table, but all of Jack’s stuff was scattered everywhere. She scooped up everything and put it in a neat pile. Matt followed her in.

She turned and took one of the mugs. For a moment, their eyes met. There was still a spark. Lily pulled away fast.

“Sorry the place is such a mess. Jack only just moved in, and we’re still trying to squeeze everything together.”

Matt sat down on the other sofa—as far away from her as he could get while still sitting in the same room.

“I have to say, I’m kinda sorry to hear you’re settling down, Lily. You see, I was wondering if you wanted to give us—you and me—a chance,” he said looking her in the eyes.

“Oh, Matt. Jack and I—” She looked around as if seeing the place would explain her domestic situation. “We’ve been together for over a year now. I’m very much committed to him,” she whispered. “You’re a really nice guy, but, well, we nearly got together once and then you seemed to lose interest.”

Matt laughed and studied his coffee. “Oh yeah? Is that how you think it went down? Lily, you gave me the cold shoulder so many times I eventually decided to throw in the towel. What can I say?” He shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin. “I guess a tiny part of me hadn’t given up completely, but now I think I’m too late.”

“Oh, Matt . . .” She hated to let him down. He was being so nice and so honest.

Then he shook his head, still smiling. “Don’t sweat it. I just enjoyed our time at Feng Shui. I love that we have so much in common and damn it, you’re hot. But if you love this guy, I guess I’ll have to accept defeat.” He said it without any embarrassment.

She’d never discussed a possible relationship this candidly and calmly before. It was a bit weird but nice at the same time. “You’ll find someone perfect for you.”

He lifted the cup to his mouth and drained the rest in one gulp. He didn’t look like he wanted to hang around now that he’d been given the thumbs-down.

“That’s the problem,” he said, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I thought I’d found someone perfect for me.” He looked straight at her. Their eyes locked and Lily could feel herself being drawn to him.

The spell was broken by the sound of a key in the door. Jack walked in. He would have had to be unbelievably stupid not to pick up on the vibe in the room. There was an electric current running between Lily and Matt even though they were sitting far apart. Jack came right in and reached to shake Matt’s hand. Matt shot to his feet. “Mr. Hoffman! Hey, good to meet you. Lily was just talking about you.”

“Oh?” he looked over his shoulder at Lily. “What has she been saying?”

Matt shot her a
yikes
look. “She was just saying how great you’ve been during this difficult time for her, and for you, too, of course, Mr. Hoffman. I know Mr. Power was your business partner and lifelong friend. Can I offer you my condolences, sir?”

Lily had to stifle a giggle. Matt was playing Jack. Surely he would see straight through it. She interrupted them before it got too comical. “Matt brought us these flowers, darling. Wasn’t that nice?” Jack gave the bouquet a quick glance.

“Yes, very thoughtful.” Then he took Lily in his arms. “Now, have you given any more thought to where you want to dine tonight, honey?”

“Okay, I think that’s my cue to go,” Matt said, smiling at Lily. Then he looked at Jack. “Good to meet you, Mr. Hoffman. Get better soon, Lily.”

“I’ll walk you to the elevator,” she offered. Jack didn’t stop them.

Outside, Matt took Lily’s hand. “I had no idea you were living with
him
,” he whispered urgently.

Lily shrugged awkwardly.

“Jesus, Lily, he’s old enough to be your—” Then he stopped before he said something really tactless, but it was too late. Lily moved into defense mode.

“We love each other, and we’re very committed to making this work.”

Matt shrugged. “Whatever turns you on,” he said.

“About what you said earlier,” Lily started, wanting to clear the air between them, but he put his hands up, then smiled, kissed her cheek, and said, “Hey, you smell like Anna. Is that talcum powder?” He smirked.

She pulled away. “I took a bath just before you came.”

“Damn, I guess I really did arrive too late.” He laughed. “Look, Lily, forget about what I said. You’re obviously off the market.” He shrugged. “
Youdeyoushi
,” he added just as the elevator door pinged.