“How can I help?” I asked as I stepped in.
They all looked genuinely pleased to see me and bombarded me with,
“How was Vegas?”
“What have you two been hiding out or something?”
“We have to get on with planning this wedding.”
I helped Lisa with the salad and then helped Tessa set the table. We (except Luc) drank a bottle and a half of wine together before Tommy and Dario arrived, which I was thinking was a good idea since I was in need of some liquid courage being around Tom. Tom, James, and Eddy sat in the family room with all four kids. There was a debate over what they’d all watch. Disney movie or some rugby game.
Luc’s girls were adorable, Katrina and Serena (Luc joked that when she wanted them to come she’d just holler “Rina!”) and they were dressed exactly the same in little white with red polka dot sundresses with their dark curly ringlets up in pigtails. They sat on the floor playing with the boys’ toy cars. They were so cute. Tessa’s boys, Antonio and Lucas, were cute, too. Both of them sat on James’ lap like angels. Finally Tom settled the “big kids” down by putting the Disney video on the big screen and giving the Dads a tablet to watch together for their game.
Tommy and Dario turned up together, just as the food was being put out. Tommy swept me into his arms and gave me a very amorous hello with an old Hollywood style dip and a long wet kiss in front of his whole family. They all looked a bit gob smacked so I guessed they hadn’t seen this type of behavior out of him before. Truthfully, I was, too. Last night he didn’t want to even touch me as we went to sleep.
He was sweet, attentive, and affectionate with me during the meal. The meal was nice. Everything was light and happy, and it was a nice meal. Tommy didn’t seem at all awkward with his father. I felt awkward but tried to push it away.
When dessert was served, Tessa, Lisa, and Eddy were all going on and on about my cake. When Tommy’s father was served a piece he stared at it for a long time before taking a bite. I tried not to look at him while he tasted it. I tried. But
I couldn’t help it. His eyes, as he chewed, went far away for a second. Then he caught me looking and our eyes locked and fuck but I think he knew. I think he knew right then and there that I’d made that cake knowing something about their past. I saw something dark and sinister pass over his expression and I knew I had to switch gears pretty darn quick to make sure I didn’t give myself away, “Do you like it?” I asked, giving him a big smile.
He licked his lips, “It’s very good.” He said this softly. He was assessing me, trying to see through my act. I wasn’t about to let him; I couldn’t mess this up. I nonchalantly leaned over and put a forkful up to Tommy’s mouth. Tommy had been talking to Eddy across the table about a restaurant Eddy managed for the family. He stopped mid-sentence and made eye contact with me and then accepted the bite and then I kissed him on the mouth and totally ignored his father. My heart hammered in my chest; I prayed he bought it. I didn’t look back to him for a good 20-30 seconds, just fixed my eyes on Tommy’s eyes and Tommy seemed to totally get that I needed to keep eyes locked with him for as long as possible. When I did, Tommy’s father was talking to Lisa animatedly with his hands and paying no attention to me.
I settled down and Tommy must’ve read me. Tommy’s lips brushed mine and then he whispered in my ear, “What is it?”
I whispered, “Can we go soon? I can’t get into it now but I’m having trouble keeping it together.”
“We’ll finish the coffee and then I’ll get us out of here,” he whispered back and kissed me on the lips again and pulled me closer.
“Fuck, you two; get a room!” That was Luc.
“Oh, jealous bitch,” Tessa told her, then explained, “She’s got placenta praevia so orders of no sex from her doc. She’s getting a bit bitchy.”
Eddy started to laugh, “Yeah, and she’s like a big horny cat in heat walking around clawing at everyone who’s getting any. The only thing I can do to calm her down is keep feeding her.”
Everyone started to laugh, including Luciana, and then Luc swatted her husband, “Watch out or this cat’ll act like a praying mantis and gnaw your head off after the next time you get lucky, especially if this isn’t a boy!”
“Notice she said ‘after’ the next time I get lucky? Hey, at least she wants it one more time before she whacks me,” Eddy laughed and that got the room roaring with laugher.
A few minutes later, Tommy looked at his phone and then put his napkin on the table and took my hand and stood, “Sorry kids, but something’s come up. We gotta fly.”
“Oh, I wanted to help clean up,” I said innocently. Tommy winked at me, “Sorry, baby girl. Duty calls.”
Lisa waved her hand, “Don’t worry. It’s covered. You were a great help setting up. But when can we talk about your wedding?”
“We’re postponing it a bit,” Tommy said nonchalantly, swiping his phone as he pulled me along, “Plenty of time for that.” He started to make his way around the table, kissing all the girls on their cheeks and shaking hands with back slaps or fist bumping with each of the guys.
I tried not to show my surprise. Everyone else seemed surprised, too, especially Tommy’s father.
“Thank you guys so much for dinner and the great company,” I said cheerily.
One by one I got kisses and hugs as we got out of there. Tommy’s father whispered to Tommy for a second before letting go of him. Tommy seemed like he was trying to wave whatever the discussion was off as if it was no big deal. I accepted an awkward hug from him and then when Tommy grabbed my hand I was happy to be getting out of there.
When we got in his jeep I tried to explain the Bundt cake snafu. Tommy was a little pissed, told me I had to be careful not to tip our hand while he figured things out, but seemed like he understood.
“Why are we postponing the wedding?” I asked.
He smiled at me, “I’d have thought you’d be relieved at that.”