Chapter Twenty-Two – NOW

 

The next four weeks pass quickly.  We see Kyle most nights when he stops by the house before Matilda goes to bed.  He doesn’t stay late though, because he knows Matilda and I need to be up early for school and work.  Next week we won’t see him at all because he has a training week at the academy.  We haven’t told Matilda about the new direction our relationship is taking, so our life has become stolen kisses in the kitchen when my daughter isn’t paying attention, and sneaky finger touches as we pass each other by.

Tonight, Celia is watching Matilda because Kyle is taking me by his place and then we’re going out for dinner with his Army buddy, Zeek.  By the time I collect Matilda from afterschool care and arrive home, it’s just after five-thirty.  Celia is in the kitchen, pottering around the stove, making something that smells delicious. 

“Hey, Cel,” I greet.

“Aunt Silly!” Matilda shouts cheerfully in the way she always greets the people she loves.

“Hi, girls.”

Even though it’s been over a month since her heart attack, she’s still living with us.  She’s mentioned going home a few times, but to be honest, I really like having her stay.  I’ll be happy if she never wants to go home.

I pack Matilda’s school bag away and jump in the shower while Matilda helps Celia in the kitchen.  The black dress I decide to wear is a halter neck that stops just above my knees.  It’s basic, but it fits me just right.  I pull my hair back into a low bun then slide on some silver bangles and earrings.  I don’t overdo it with the makeup – just some bronzer, mascara, and lipstick.  My pumps are black as well, but they’ve got a pop of red on the heel.  I grab a clutch and then walk out into the kitchen.

“Woohoo, Momma!” Matilda sings, her eyes wide.

“You look stunning,” Celia says, nodding her head.

“Thank you.  I feel very pretty.”

“Momma, you look like a princess.”

The door swings open and Kyle steps inside.  His eyes instantly find me and they sweep from my head to my shoes and back up again, slowly.  A lazy grin appears on his lips.

“Liv,” he murmurs.

I swallow hard as the heat in his eyes steals my words.

I watch as he greets Matilda and Celia with hugs and kisses.  He’s wearing black jeans with a fitted red and navy shirt.  He walks to me and leans down to kiss my cheek.  His cologne instantly intoxicates me.

“You look fucking beautiful,” he whispers in my ear.

“Thank you,” I croak back.

We say goodbye to the girls and then head out to Kyle’s truck.

“Sorry I was running late,” he mentions as he pulls out on to the road.

“You were?” I glance at his dash clock and see it is seven-thirty.  We were supposed to leave my house at seven.  “Oh.  I didn’t realize.” I laugh.  “Thank god you were because we were running behind as well.  I hadn’t been ready long before you arrived.”

“We’ll meet Zeek for dinner first, then I’ll show you my place, if it’s not too late.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

The drive to the restaurant doesn’t take long and Kyle manages to find a parking spot relatively close to the entrance.  His fingers effortlessly tangle with mine as he helps me down from his truck and we walk the short distance to Ronaldo’s.  Kyle gives the lady at the front desk his name and she ushers us to a table toward the back.

“Zeek’s already here,” Kyle says.

I look around his shoulder as we approach the table to see a very attractive guy.  He stands up and Kyle releases my hand so he can clasp hands and give a one-armed hug to his buddy.

“Liv, this is my brother, Zeek.  Zeek, meet my woman, Liv.”

His woman!  I grin like a lunatic.

He steps forward and wraps his arms around me.

“Hey, Zeek,” I mutter shyly into his shoulder.

“Liv.  Good to finally meet you.”

“I see you got yourself a beer already,” Kyle mentions.

“Yep.”

Zeek is tall and fit, just like Kyle.  His hair is slightly longer, though, and black.  His jaw is strong and chiseled, and his green eyes have a cheeky sparkle to them.

Kyle orders me a wine and a beer for himself, then I sit quietly and listen to the boys catch up.  Some people might find that boring, but for me, it’s the exact opposite.  They bring me into the conversation occasionally, but for the most part, I’m content to watch and listen to them interact. Not only is there an obvious underlying comradery between them, but also a deep respect and loyalty that is plain to see.  They are easy around each other, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and above all else, they are confident in the bonds that tie them.

We order our food, and when it’s delivered, Zeek looks across the table to me.

“So, Liv, tell me about yourself,” he says before shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

“There’s not much to tell, really,” I say through a light laugh.  “I’ve got a daughter named Matilda, and I work for a company dealing with customer complaints.  That’s about it.”

“Ah, I’m sure you’re way more interesting than you’re letting on.”  He tosses me a wink.

“What about you, Zeek?  Kyle told me you guys met in basic training and went on deployments together, but what are you up to now?”

“I work with the police department tracking skips and bail bonds.”

“That sounds interesting,” I say.  He definitely looks capable of taking on bad guys.  He’s fit, muscular, and looks intimidating.  Plus, his military training would definitely come in handy.

“It is.  But, I’m hoping Westwood will consider a plan I have, though,” he says, turning his attention from me to Kyle.

“Oh, yeah?” Kyle asks before taking a sip of his beer.

“Yeah.  I think we should offer a decompression retreat for returned soldiers.  You’ve got your lake cabin, and I’ve got mine.  We know how much it helped us when we came back from deployment, so why not offer it to others?”

I watch as Kyle ponders Zeek’s statement in silence.  He pops a fry into his mouth, chews and swallows, then finally speaks.

“Could help with the rising numbers of depression, PTSD, and mental health issues among soldiers.”

“I think it’ll work, brother.  We need to get together and crunch numbers and ideas, but I’m pumped about it.”

“Text me a time this week, and we’ll make it happen.”

The conversation continues to flow easily and I’m really enjoying listening to the banter back and forth between the boys.  They may not be blood related, but as Kyle says they’re definitely brothers by choice.