“Well, Brian called and said he was taking your mommy out on a date and I thought I could sneak you two some ice cream. That is unless Aunt Kenna’s still mad at me for making her pitch today.”
He looked at me and gave a smirk I couldn’t help but return.
“I can be bribed to forgiveness if you have the right kind of ice cream,” I flirted then remembered my parents and niece were in the room and stopped smiling.
“Ahh, well, let’s see how well I did. I have chocolate, strawberry, or cheesecake.” Trip wiggled the bag in front of me.
“Aunt Kenna loves cheesecake,” Norah offered and I shot her the evil eye.
“Enough that you think she’ll forgive me?” Trip asked, digging in the bag and handing me a pint of cheesecake ice cream.
“She’ll forgive you. Aunt Kenna can’t stay mad at anyone.”
Damn kid is giving away all my secrets.
“And what flavor would you like?” Trip held the bag out to Norah.
“Strawberry, please.”
Trip gave her the strawberry and pulled out the chocolate for himself.
“Would you like some?” he asked when he noticed my parents were watching our exchange.
“We’ll just share with, Norah,” my mom answered, her head moving back and forth between me and Trip.
“I’ll go get the spoons.” Norah ran into the kitchen. The drawer opened and slammed shut.
“Would you like to stay and watch the movie with us?” my mom asked and my dad looked startled at the possibility.
“I would love to.” Trip took the spoon from Norah and heading for the couch.
Norah climbed on top of my parents and they dug into the ice cream as I pressed play.
Trip sat next to me and I tried to pay attention to what was going on, but his closeness was making it difficult. When he’d laugh or adjust himself on the couch I was completely aware of him.
Norah fell asleep in the middle of the movie and my parents put her to bed and claimed exhaustion.
When I hugged my dad goodbye he whispered that he’d call me in the morning for an explanation on what Trip Butler was doing in my living room bringing me and his granddaughter ice cream.
When they left I sat where I had been, Trip next to me. I grabbed the remote and realized we didn’t have to really finish the movie at all. I also wondered if maybe he needed an excuse to leave himself.
“Do you want to finish the movie?” Shyness taking over.
“Sure.” Trip leaned back on the couch and propped his feet on the coffee table.
When I didn’t start it right away he moved his head to see what was going on. I stared at him as I tried to comprehend how surreal this whole thing was. Trip Butler was in my house, with his feet on my coffee table, watching a movie with me on Saturday night.
“What is it, Raine?” He turned so I had his full attention.
“Don’t you have something better to do?” I blurted out.
Trip’s face fell and his feet hit the floor with a thud as he stood up.
“Wait, that wasn’t what I meant. I just mean, you’re still Trip fucking Butler. I know you have a lot more fun things to do than to sit in my living room and watch fantastic movies.”
Trip laughed, his features relaxing.
“I want to be here, Raine. I told you I want to change. I don’t want to go back to being who I was. If you want to know the truth I went out tonight to a new club in town, but it didn’t hold any appeal.
