Secret

Chloe came back into the room more composed, and said, “Love you guys. Thank you for coming to get me.” She gathered her things, then blew them kisses before heading toward the back door.

“Be safe. Call me,” Teri called out.

“Get your breakfast.” Dylan pointed to the wrapped sandwich.

“I miss you making my breakfast, Dad.” She gave a slight smile, her bottom lip quivering as she stepped back inside to take the breakfast sandwich. With the metal plate tucked close to her heart and a wave, she was gone.

“Mark’s gonna be here soon,” Teri announced as soon as he heard Chloe’s car start in the driveway. She cleaned up her things at the table and drained her coffee cup.

“Go get ready. I’ve got this.” Dylan took her cup and half-eaten piece of toast. He’d barely gotten the breakfast dishes loaded when the back doorbell rang. It was either Mark or Janie, their housekeeper.

Dylan reached for a dish cloth, dried his hands, and went for the door. Teri got there first.

“Hey, babe,” she said, and her whole demeanor changed. She had both her suitcases in her hands and a big grin on her face. Dylan was happy Teri had someone in her life that gave her a smile like the one that lit up her face when she looked at Mark.

“I waited a little while to make sure she didn’t come back.” Mark gave Teri a quick peck on the lips.

“They should all be gone.” Dylan stuck out a hand to shake Mark’s.

“I sent you an email with our itinerary. I’m going to be on and off the ship. I’ll call when I can. The kids and my parents think I’m in Chicago. If you need me, email me, and I’ll check every time we dock,” Teri said. Mark grabbed her luggage and started for his car parked in the back of their house.

“We need to go, babe.” Mark loaded her things, but looked antsy as hell. Reprimanding Chloe this morning hadn’t been factored into the already tight schedule.

“Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll hold down the fort.” Dylan chuckled as they got to the car. “Or bail whoever needs it out of jail.”

“Who went to jail?” That stopped Mark in his hurried tracks as he stood there looking confused.

“I’ll tell you on the way,” Teri said.

Mark slammed the trunk closed and rounded to open the passenger door for her. “I talked to Nanny Laura and she’s coming Friday and Saturday to stay with the kids. I think I told you that.” Teri gave Dylan a quick hug before getting inside. Mark left the shutting of the door to him and hurried to the driver’s side.

“Mark gets better and better looking the older he gets,” Dylan whispered where only Teri could hear.

“He’s not as handsome as you, but he’s a good guy,” Teri offered, glancing Mark’s way as he opened the driver’s side door, got inside, and started the car.

“You’ve got money and credit cards?” Dylan asked.

“Yes. I’m nervous. I’ve never left you guys for this long.”

“We’re gonna be fine. Go have fun!” Dylan said, standing again to shut the car door.

“Babe, you’re killing me! We’re gonna miss the flight,” Mark called out.

“Go get him, cougar!” Dylan kept the grin and shut the door, backing away with a wave. She playfully shot him the finger with a big smirk on her face. When he caught Mark’s eye, he lifted a hand to him and stood there appreciating the view as the guy turned the car around and drove down their driveway. She’d done well finding him. Mark was about seven years younger than Teri and Dylan’s exact opposite. Mark’s Italian heritage gave him dark hair, almost black eyes, and an olive complexion. He also clearly spent a lot of time in the gym—the personification of an Italian stallion. Together, he and Teri were a stunning couple. Besides Teri’s fair complexion they were equals on every level. And in her heels she was even close to his height.

Dylan forced himself to turn away when he couldn’t see the car any longer. He was happy for her. Mark and Teri had been together for a while now. She’d found someone good to be with…and he left that thought right there, not letting himself expand on what their relationship meant to the overall picture of his life. Those decisions were made a long, long time ago when he’d finally come clean to himself and Teri as to who he was as a man. It had been a tough decision to stay married for their children, but they’d decided not to divorce and stick this out together until their kids entered college. It seemed the responsible thing to do all those years ago.

They were friends, best friends, and that said a lot. Dylan had made his bed so to speak. He wouldn’t think about all the fabulous sex she was about to have or the days of playing in the sun with that hot Italian stud. Or the fact he’d done nothing to move his life forward in the relationship department, no matter how much Teri encouraged him to get out and test the waters. He wasn’t entirely certain how all of this would work out in the future, and he didn’t have time to dwell. Right now, he was going back inside the house to finish the dishes and head to work. Yay him.

The alarm on his cell phone chirped an irritating tone, pulling Tristan from his work. That ringtone always grated on his nerves. He’d chosen that particular one precisely because it was impossible to ignore. It couldn’t already be that late, could it? He scrubbed a hand over his face and looked up at the large metal clock strategically hung above the fireplace in his home office. Fuck! Where had the day gone? Tristan shoved away from the desk and stretched his arms above his head, arching his back as he made his way upstairs and padded barefoot across the tiled floors to the kitchen. He rolled his neck, then his shoulders, shrugging off the day’s worries. Boy, could he use a good massage right about now.