Page 55 of Cross My Heart
“Dexter letting his girly side out again and going after love.” They both laugh but good-naturedly.
“I’m really nervous she is going to be spooked. What do I do?” I ask, turning to them for advice.
“Day 2 of MLM? I’d say you have to tone it way the fuck down tonight.” Preston says.
“Thanks, Pres, any advice to go with that, or are you just stating the obvious?” Trevor has always been able to pull Preston’s strings; it’s their kind of relationship.
“You have to go for humor. Humor and a movie with minimal talking. Let her relax tonight, just be in each other's presence. Does that make sense?” Preston asks me.
Smiling like the Cheshire cat, I look to him, “It does, thanks. It really does. Who knew the manwhore had a sensitive side?”
“Hey, I let him out everyone once in a while. What do you need from us?” Preston asks, pretending to be taking notes.
“T-shirts. I need to have a couple of t-shirts made today and some matching pajama pants.” Trevor and Preston appear adequately confused, and I laugh, picking up my phone.
“Good morning, Mr. Cross, what can I do for you?” Molly asks.
“Hello, Molly. I have a rather odd request. I need a couple of t-shirts made and some matching lounge pants in the next few hours. Can you take care of that for me?”
Clearing her throat but not hiding her humor, “Yes, sir. Send me an email with details and I’ll have them delivered by 2 pm.”
“Thanks, Molly,” I say, thankful as always to have her.
Since returning from London, I’ve tried to go easy on her, even insisting she take a vacation that I paid for personally. She is a great assistant, probably the best I’ve ever had, I can’t lose her.
Turning back to the guys, I inform them day two of MLM is in full swing.
Lanie
Chapter 24
I’ve been out of sorts all day. I’m not sure if I’m happy my past is out in the open for Dex, pissed that he dug so deep into such sensitive information, or a mix of both. Sitting in the car pick-up line at Tate’s school, I realize I have a full half-hour before he comes out. Instead of waiting, allowing myself time to have an internal war, I call Jules.
“Lanes! I’ve missed you.” She answers by way of greeting like we didn’t speak at seven o'clock this morning.
“Hi, Jules. Where are you? Is that Mimi in the background?”
“Sure is,” I hear Mimi say. “Let me see my girl.”
“Oh, Lanie, don’t you look good. I miss you, my sweet girl. How are those beautiful charges of yours? Julia showed me pictures of you with them this morning, and they are just precious. I haven’t seen you looking that happy in a long, long time. It made this old woman's heart jump for joy.”
“Hi, Mimi. I miss you so much.” She doesn’t miss the tear that falls down my cheek.
“Now, you listen to me, young lady,” Mimi scolds. “You deserve to be happy. Don’t you dare be your own worst enemy. Pawpaw and I really liked that young man when he came up here, you know.That’s a big gesture on his part. I’m not going to force your hand at anything, but if Pawpaw approves, I think you ought to at least think about unlocking a little piece of that big heart you have.”
“Thanks, Mimi,” I sniffle. “It's just terrifying. I already love those kids so much. What happens when things don’t work out? I’ll never see them again.”
“Give me that phone,” I hear Pawpaw say. “Honey, did you listen to what you just said? If you spend the rest of your life expecting things to end, you’ll miss all the beginnings, all the good. I know you haven’t experienced much of that goodness yet, but I think your luck is changing. I think you can finally experience all the love this world has to offer if you just open your heart to it.”
“What if I get hurt again?” I whisper.
“There are no guarantees in this life, Lanie. You of all people know that, but if you don’t try to embrace the good after all the bad you’ve endured, are you really even living?” Pawpaw asks. “Locking your heart away will ensure you don’t get hurt, but that’s not the life you deserve. That’s not the kind of life we want for you. Just think about that, okay, honey? Think about what you and you alone want out of this life, then make it happen. If you get hurt, you’ll do what you always do.You’ll come home to your family. Then you’ll pick yourself back up like the strong, independent beautiful young woman we have watched you become. We couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetie. We love you, and we’ll talk to you again soon, but think about what I said.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to argue, so I only say, “I love you too, Pawpaw. Tell Julia I’ll call her later.”
“Will do kiddo. Be safe,” his signature end to any phone call.
I end the call and peek into the back seat. Both girls are still sleeping, so I have a few moments to collect myself before Tate comes running out.
