The side door into the kitchen opens just as I step out into the hallway. The voices of Holly and my sister instantly fill the emptiness in my home. I miss the laughter that used to be here. The warmth of what having a wife felt like. When Heather found out she was sick, it was too late to do anything except make her comfortable. Overnight, everything changed. I had to be present. I had to make sure Holly made it to school, Heather made it to her appointments, and I had work. My life became about schedules, grocery shopping, paying bills. All things Heather had done for us. It took her getting sick for me to realize how much I took her for granted.
I clear my thoughts as soon as my eyes land on Holly. She looks tired as she staggers toward me. “Rough day?” I ask as she falls into me.
“You have no idea. The playground can be torture.”
Meredith and I both laugh at her over exaggeration. “Well, I’m sure a nice long bath will ease all that tension away.” I wish I were joking, but Holly has a penchant for bubble baths, much like her mother. If I don’t set the timer, Holly will stay in until her skin rivals that of a ninety-year-old woman. “Why don’t you go get your toys ready, and I’ll be there in a few minutes to start the water.”
“You got it. Bye Auntie Mere.”
“Bye, sweetie. See you tomorrow.”
As soon as Holly is down the hall, Meredith and I move into the kitchen. “Productive day?” she asks.
I nod and try to keep the smile off my face. The truth is, despite everything, I had a great time with Laney.
“No need to fill me in, I already heard you saved the day.” My eyes go wide, and she shakes her head. “It’s Delaney Du Luca, Aiden. She’s one of the biggest stars out there and you, my brother, just happened to be her knight in shining armor.” Meredith pokes me in the chest for emphasis. I drop my head to hide my smile, but I can’t get anything past her. “Spill the details because th
e stuff I read all over the web is very outlandish.”
“What’d you read?”
Instead of answering me, Meredith turns her attention to my refrigerator. I cringe as she opens it up. I half expect her to complain about the lack of food, but she doesn’t. She hands me two beers before closing the door. I pop the tops of both and give one back to her. “Let’s see, you were angry and told people to back off. A few comments said you showed your badge and pushed people out of the way.”
I let those words stew for a bit while I take a long drink of my beer. Meredith does the same, but it’s the way her eyes stay focused on me that I know I have no choice but to answer her. “Some of what you say could be true, but let me preface by saying, they were harassing her, and I was intervening long before I knew it was Delaney.”
“She was just the prize behind the mob.”
“Is that some intellectual metaphor I should know the meaning of?”
Meredith laughs. “Not at all. So, when are you taking Delaney out?”
The mouthful of beer I have sputters out of my mouth. My sister’s eyebrow rises, making her look increasingly like our mother. “Never? She’s Delaney Du Luca. She can have any man she wants, and I guarantee you I’m not on her radar.”
“But she’s on yours. Good night, brother.” Meredith places her bottle down on the counter. I’m not sure she’s even finished it, which bodes well in my favor. “Don’t forget about my niece or Shelby.”
“Shelby?” I ask.
“You’re definitely on her radar.” Meredith is out the door before I can even come close to giving a response. I lift the bottle of beer to my lips and replay the last bit of our conversation over in my head. I’m not in a position to be on anyone’s mind, although dating wouldn’t be a bad thing.
“Daddy!” Holly screeches, which causes me to go running. I burst into the bathroom to find her standing there in her bathrobe with her dolls lined up on the edge of the tub.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
She looks at me oddly and shakes her head. “You told me to get ready for my bath.”
“Right. I’m sorry, I forgot.” I did because my mind was elsewhere, places it shouldn’t be. Holly’s my only priority in life right now. I kneel over and start the water, pouring the right amount of bubbles into the tub. I swear, whoever is lucky enough to marry my daughter better do this for her every night because she deserves it.
“I heard you saw my most favoritist person today.”
“Favoritist isn’t a word, Holly.”
She shrugs and does nothing to correct herself, but continues to look at me as if I owe her something. “Who would that be?” I hedge. In my world, I should be her most favorite, but something tells me I’m not even on the list.
“Delaney,” she says.
Right, of course. I nod and turn away from Holly so I can shut off the water. “There ya go. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
“Wait,” she says, grabbing hold of my arm. “I’m dying to know.”