Yep, the dinner was off to a great start. “I haven’t found anyone I want to marry. As for kids, I would like to be married first.”
“That goes without saying.”
She stuffed a mouthful of meatloaf into her mouth. Maybe his mother would get the hint and leave the twenty-one questions for later.
When I’m not here.
GUY FELT LIKE HE WAS at a Wimbledon match. His mother volleyed a hit, but Michelle was ready and lobbed a reply right back. He tried to interject, but his mother threw him a withering look and Michelle gave him an I-don’t-need-your-help look.
He took a bite of his food thankful the girls were oblivious to the under currents at the table. When he had told Michelle about dinner, he thought she would balk and leave at the first hint of trouble. He hadn’t expected her to handle his mother so well.
Charlene had never liked his mother but was too nice to say anything. Instead, she was always cordial and respectful. His mother complained about her until the day they got married. Afterward, she said nothing, but he caught the look of disdain quite often.
But now...now there was a strange glint in his mother’s eye. He thought it looked like admiration, but that didn’t make any sense. Michelle was the opposite of every woman his mother had ever raved about.
“You have done a lot since you graduated from high school,” his mother said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.”
He stared in shock at the simple proclamation. A flash of what looked like relief passed over Michelle’s face. She stared at her food and then began eating again. His mother continued eating like nothing significant had just happened.
Dinner passed by swiftly and soon his mother began cleaning up, waving off their offers of help. Guy followed Michelle and the girls into the living room. He watched as she brushed Rachel’s hair. She’d had the girls pick a number between one and ten to decide who got to go first. They seemed happy with the arrangement. He was going to have to remember that for the next time the girls argued over who got to go first.
“Are you going to Bible study?” Michelle looked at him, waiting for his reply.
“I am. You want to ride with me?”
Her lips curved up. “I wish I could, but I’m carpooling with Jo and my new secretary.”
“New secretary?” He leaned back into the couch.
“Yes. I really needed one.”
“I didn’t even know you had hired one.”
Michelle nodded her head as she began to braid the front of Rachel’s hair.
How did she know to do that?
“Yes, it was a win-win situation. She doesn’t have the money for attorney fees, so she’s working for me and a percentage of her check is paying my fees.”
Guy watched her. Why was this the first time he was hearing about her new employee? Then again, they’d only been on one date and the conversation had centered on the past and a brief part of the present. But still, didn’t you share things like this with someone you were dating? Are we dating? He hadn’t put a label to their relationship. He’d just been happy to see where it was going.
“Anyway. I invited her to Bible study so she’s riding with me and Jo. That is assuming Jo won’t be at Evan’s already.”
“How come you didn’t tell me you hired a secretary?”
She glanced at him, her eyes widening in surprise, a perfectly sculpted eyebrow arching as well. “Come again?”
“Why didn’t you share that bit of information?”
“Probably because I didn’t think you’d care. You never talk about your work.”
“That’s because you don’t ask.”
“Likewise.” She paused, her hands holding the half-braided hair. “Are you really upset about this?”
“A little. It seems like something you would tell a person you’re dating.”
She glanced at the kids and he froze. Should he have not said that within their hearing? They probably didn’t even know what dating meant.
“I didn’t realize that’s what we were doing.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Really?”
“Okay, you’re right I did.” She looked at him again. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. However, I’m not going to discuss her case with you because of attorney-client privileged.”
“Fine.” Maybe he was being a little ridiculous. Guy rolled his head, easing the tension out. This was definitely not something to get bent out of shape over.
Her eyes softened and she sighed. “Are we good?”
“Yeah, we’re good, Chelle Belle.”
Michelle grinned and returned to braiding Rachel’s hair.
“Do you think your secretary...wait, what’s her name?”
“Tanya.”
“Is she going to feel like a sixth wheel?”
She chuckled. “Sixth wheel, huh? You know Chloe and Darryl aren’t paired up.”
He snorted. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“Too much time.”
“Everyone has their own time table. Regardless, won’t she feel left out?”
“I have no idea. I hope not.”
“How about I invite my secretary?” The minute the words left his lips, he wished he could recall them. Wasn’t work already awkward with her?
“Sure, then we can keep the study even numbered. Of course, you men will be outnumbered.”
“We’ll survive.” He winked at her, loving the way her cheeks reddened.
“Then it sounds like a plan.”
AS MICHELLE LAID IN bed, she replayed her earlier conversation with Guy. He’d looked so disgruntled when he found out she had hired a secretary. She didn’t think it was something she needed to inform him of, but he had.
Were you really supposed to tell a person every little thing that happened during the day just because you were in a relationship? Her stomach knotted as she thought about that summer of 2003. Would she ever feel healing instead of the ball of dread that filled her stomach? Maybe Jo was right. Maybe she had to tell Guy what she did. But if he could get upset about her hiring a secretary, what would he say about the abortion?
She curled up on her side. It would not be pretty. Oh, the fury that would probably darken his eyes. The easy camaraderie between them would fly out the window. No more sweet kisses.
