Wellesley Wives (New England Trilogy) (41 page)

Chapter 32 

Matt’s Move

“Stupid, stupid, stupid! What did you think you were doing?” Jack thundered. Lily had never seen him so angry.

    “Can you at least keep your voice down?” she whispered and glanced to the sofa where Natasha was sitting and watching television. “I don’t want her to hear you. And anyway, what should I have done? My mom and Sandra are stranded in Ireland. Rosie is on her first vacation since forever, and Matilda’s back is out. Natasha is my niece, and I’m the only family she has in town.”

“You can’t just go around adopting any little waifs you see.”

Jack wouldn’t listen to reason. “She’s not a waif. She’s my only sister’s only child. In fact, now that I think of it, she’s your goddaughter’s daughter. I figured you might have shown a little more understanding.” Lily felt her blood begin to boil. “And another thing, I can do whatever I like. This is my house. I have a spare room, which by the way, I see you have totally taken over with your files and Lord knows what else. Well, you can darn well clear them out now or I will, because I want it for my niece.”

“You know what, Lily? If it means that much to you, do what you like.” He sighed.

Lily thought the fight was over, and she’d won. He’d caved to her wishes. So she went into the second bedroom to prepare it for their little houseguest. Natasha was watching
Sponge Bob
, apparently oblivious to the adults’ disagreement. She was piling up Jack’s files in a neat stack on the bedside table when she heard the front door bang shut.

“Natasha,” she called in a panicked voice and rushed back out to the living room. She hadn’t told anybody about her Toys“R”Us experience, but she was a lot more nervous now. Had she wandered off again? But no, Natasha was still glued to the sofa. Lily knew she’d heard the front door.

“He’s gone,” Natasha said.

“What? Jack’s gone out?”

“I told you he didn’t like me,” Natasha said, not taking her eyes off
Sponge Bob
, but what she said broke Lily’s heart. She rushed over to cuddle her niece. “Oh, it’s not you, kiddo. It’s Uncle Jack. He’s just a grumpy old man.”

“Yeah, and he doesn’t like kids,” Natasha added.

How could one so young understand so much? Lily wondered.

It was Tuesday morning and Lily was hopeful he’d come home less angry. She’d tried to call him, but it went right to voice mail. She’d even left messages begging him to come home and swearing she would make it worth his while. But he didn’t return her calls, and he didn’t come back to the apartment.

Needless to say, she hadn’t slept a wink. Why was he being so unreasonable? Did he really hate kids that much? She knew that Jack and Sandra didn’t have children, but she’d let herself believe it had to do with Sandra not wanting them. Of course, Jack had grumbled that he was “done with having kids,” but she hadn’t really believed that. Surely she would be able to convince him to have them with her. She knew she could play him like a fiddle, and this was just another tune. She wanted kids, and when she fell in love with Jack, she’d assumed that he would give her what she wanted. Seeing how he’d reacted to Natasha worried her, but Lily had stupidly assumed she would get her way.

She couldn’t believe that he’d stayed away all night. Where had he gone? To a hotel? How sad was that? And wrong. They were together now, and they had to work through their difficulties, not run away from them.

She tried his cell again. No answer. It was almost seven a.m. when Natasha awoke. She didn’t seem too traumatized after witnessing Jack’s storming out. Last night they’d made s’mores and eaten them in front of the TV watching
Toy Story
. They’d had a great night. “What are we going to do today?” she demanded while Lily was making her toast.

With all the commotion of the evening before, Lily hadn’t really thought through her work life too much. The Toys“R”Us experience was such a big jolt. She knew now there was no way she could juggle taking care of her niece and going to work. How did Rosie make it look so easy? She’d had no idea how much pressure taking care of a little person was.

She decided that she would tell Rosie about the Toys“R”Us incident when she got home and apologize from the bottom of her heart, but she had to keep Natasha safe until then. Work and her niece just could not mix. Something had to give, and it wouldn’t be Natasha. She really had no choice. She would have to phone the office.

“Jones already knows about you disappearing early yesterday, and he’s on the warpath about your conference call last night. You have to come in,” Caryn said.

“Well, I can’t. It’s a family emergency.”

“Another one? You sure have a lot of emergencies for one family,” came the curt reply.

Lily knew she was playing with fire, but what choice did she have? She put work out of her head and focused on her niece. They had pancakes for breakfast and played coloring games on Lily’s iPad because she didn’t have any coloring books in the house. Then they got ready to visit Matilda.

“We need to bring her donuts. They’re her favorite,” Natasha said. Then the buzzer rang.

“Thank God.” Lily breathed a sigh of relief. “Jack’s back.”

Using the doorbell was a little melodramatic, she thought, but whatever works for him. They had to talk it out, and it was better to do it as soon as possible.

“Hello?” she said through the intercom, going along with his game.

“Lily, hi, it’s me, Matt. I heard from Caryn you had a family emergency.”

Despite her being upset it wasn’t Jack, Lily was grateful for a friendly voice. “Oh, Matt, hi. Yes. Come on up.”

Matt was a natural. Within minutes he and Natasha were best friends. It was obvious he loved kids, and they loved him. She filled him in on how she came to be sitting for Natasha.

“Can we take Matt to Matilda’s?”

“I’m sure Matt has to get back to work.” Then she looked at him shyly. “Sorry.”

Matt, had been on his knees on the floor with Natasha, and now he stood. “I’d like that. I was in the office most of the night, so I have a few hours off coming to me.” He smiled.

She knew she shouldn’t have accepted, but it was just so nice to have somebody helping her out. With her mother and Rosie away and barely speaking to her and Jack now angry at her, Lily had nobody. Emily was a true friend, but Matt was here and he was being so kind. He had a nice smile and Natasha liked him a lot. How could she possibly turn him down?

“We’d love your company if you wouldn’t be too bored with us. We’re going to visit my old nanny—the lady who’d been taking care of Natasha—and after that, well I don’t know. We’ll find something fun to do in town, I guess.”

~
*~

Matilda was happy to see them. She was particularly happy to see the donuts, too.

“Oh, Lilita, you remembered,” she said, and Lily winked at Natasha who already had the innate maturity to say nothing. What an amazing kid.

“What news from your mother?” Matilda asked.

“Oh, I didn’t check.”

“I’ve got it.” Matt pulled out his phone. “All flights are still grounded. I’m afraid she’s going to be in Ireland for a wee while yet.” He tried to say it with an Irish accent, and it made Lily laugh.

Matt amused Matilda and Natasha with his ability to make Tiger flick her ears, and then he played chase with Natasha around the garden.

“He is a perfect gentleman,” Matilda said when they were sitting at the kitchen window watching Matt and Natasha outside.

“Yes, he is,” Lily agreed.

“Is he married?” She was pushing, but Lily just laughed. She nudged Matilda gently, shoulder-to-shoulder, but not too hard because of her back.

“No, Tilly, he’s not married, but he’s too young for me and I am happy. That is to say—well, I’m with Jack.” She looked away and tried not to tear up.

“Is everything okay, Lilita?”

“We had a huge fight, and he stormed out. I don’t even know where he slept last night. He won’t return my calls.”

Matilda shook her head and wrapped her arm around Lily’s waist. “He is not the man for you, Lilita.
Lo siento
. I am sorry but he’s not. He’s not a good man. But that one,” she said and gestured toward the garden, “he’s a good man and I know he likes you, too.”

“How do you know that?”

Matilda laughed. “He plays with your niece like she is his own daughter. Believe me, he likes you.”

It was stupid, of course. Lily knew that. She was with Jack, and that wasn’t going to change. She’d already paid too high a price for the relationship, and so had a lot of other people: Sandra, her mom, her dad. She wasn’t going to back out now—not ever. If she had to spend the rest of her life paying for the damage she’d done, she would. Even if it meant no babies, she would give in to him. She had to stay with Jack or else breaking Sandra’s heart would have been for nothing. It was nice to think that Matt liked her, he’d more-or-less told her so, but what did it matter? She was off the market. She was committed and would honor that commitment.

By the end of their visit, Matilda was showing signs of fatigue, and Lily knew it was time to go.

“Remember what I say, Lilita. He is a good man,” she whispered.

Driving back into Boston a little while later, Matt said with his best Columbian accent, “So, Lilita, I’m a good man?”

At first she was embarrassed, but then she saw the humor in it and punched his arm gently. “You be nice about my Tilly. Just because she thinks you’re a good man doesn’t mean you are.”

Matt gave her an exaggerated hurt look. “You still don’t think I’m a good man?”

“Oh, Matt, I think you’re great. You know that.” She tried to sound flippant.

“How about the Pru?”

“What?”

“When was the last time you were at the top of The Prudential building?” He was referring to one of Boston’s tallest buildings. “Natasha would love to run around the viewing gallery up there. We can show her the airport with all the planes coming and going, and we can point out Fenway Park. After that, I’ll treat you gals to lunch in The Hub on the top floor. What do you say?”

Lily turned around to look at Natasha. “What do you think, honey? Want to go for an adventure in town and then Matt can take us to a fancy restaurant for lunch?”

“Do they have fries?”

Matt laughed. “Yes, Natasha. They have fries, and I’m pretty sure they have ice cream, too.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” She clapped with enthusiasm.

Lily smiled. Matt really was terrific with kids. He was vibrant, full of energy. What a great shame Jack wasn’t like that. There was definitely a price to pay for falling in love with an older man.

The three of them really enjoyed the viewing gallery. Lily had forgotten how pretty the city was from a height. It was obvious that Matt was a regular because he knew the city inside out. He was able to point out all the landmarks, which was no easy thing, because the snow cover was still pretty thick.

Natasha got a thrill out of looking through the binoculars, so Matt kept pumping the machine with quarters so she could see everything. He also had to lift her up because she was too small to reach the eye pieces without him. Lily was so grateful for his help. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if he wasn’t there and told him so as they left the viewing gallery.

“Matt, thanks for all your help today. You really are a natural with kids. I can see I have a lot to learn.”

He smiled. “I love them. I told you about my new niece.”

She nodded. “Yep.”

“Lily—”

“Matt—” she started at just the same time, and they both laughed.

They got into the elevator for the rooftop restaurant and of course Natasha insisted on pressing the buttons, so she focused on her instead of Matt. It was easier.

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was clear Matt was a regular here, too, because he shook hands with the head waiter and Matt’s “reserved” table appeared.

Not surprisingly, it was the corner table, so it had one of the best views of the entire city. The enormous walls of glass were crystal clear, and they could see the cars below scoot by like Matchbox toys.

“I love this place,” Natasha said, gleeful.

“How did you make a reservation?” Matt hadn’t used his phone since suggesting they go there.

“I didn’t. It pays to have friends in high places,” he whispered.

“I’ll say. Do you come here often?” she asked, feeling a little jealous. Obviously he had a higher client entertainment budget than she did.

Matt laughed. “What? No, I’m friends with the head waiter. We worked together years ago in the North End when we were younger. We’re still buddies.” He clapped his hands together. “Now, what are we going to eat? I highly recommend the grilled sea bass.” He winked at Lily.

“And for you, little miss, may I suggest a huge plate of Hub fries with a kiddies’ burger?”

“Yeah!”

“Once a waiter, always a waiter,” he whispered to Lily.

“It’s more than that,” she said with a laugh.

Matt pretended to look hurt. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just good old-fashioned sales talk. Whether you’re convincing a five-year-old to eat her lunch, or you’re making a pitch to the CEO of some Asian bank to buy from your portfolio, it all amounts to the same thing: you’re a silver-tongued salesman, and a good one at that.”

“Well, thank you, I think.”

“Can I have a Coke?” Natasha asked.

“How about a Shirley Temple?” Matt suggested.

“I don’t know what that is.” She looked confused, but she also looked incredibly cute pushing out her bottom lip and scowling.

“Trust me, Nat. In fact, why don’t I choose the drinks for all of us?”

Ten minutes later, Natasha had a favorite new drink, and Lily was equally happy with her glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

“What a way to spend a Tuesday,” she said as she relaxed into the surroundings and enjoyed her champagne.

“It is kinda cool,” Matt agreed. “Lily, what is it you wanted to say to me earlier?”

She knew what she was going to say. She’d wanted to tell him that she really liked him as a friend, and she really appreciated his help with Natasha, but she was in a relationship—one she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, get out of—and he had to understand that. But now she couldn’t say it. This day had been too perfect. He was being so kind. It would be cruel. “I have no idea,” she said, lying. “It wasn’t important. But what about you? I think you were going to say something, too.”