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“She makes it easy.”
“Easy and Reese are not words I always associate with each other,” she said with a smile. “When we told her someone bought the Cranston house, she hoped some children her age would move in. She gets lonely sometimes, and we can’t always drive her over to a friend’s house.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint her.”
“After your promise tonight to let her teach you soccer, I think she’s glad you moved in next door.” Her niece wasn’t the only one pleased he’d moved in, either.
Some emotion passed across his eyes, and he shifted in his seat. “I’ll make sure she gets her first lesson in soon.”
***
No matter how many five-star reviews a restaurant received, there was always a chance the food wouldn’t live up. Tonight, though, the reviews he’d read about Pellegrino proved accurate. The tagliata had been authentic and the service superb. The desserts and after-dinner drinks set in front of them now looked just as fabulous.
He watched Taylor’s lips close around her fork, the sight oddly erotic. He had no plans for them after dinner, but he liked the idea of taking her back to his house. Usually Curt could read the women he took out and know if they expected an invite back to his place. Some even made it easy and did the inviting themselves. Taylor wasn’t as easy to read. Sometimes she looked at him as if she wanted to tear his clothes off and have sex on the table. Other times her expression said she was enjoying herself, but not looking for anything extra tonight.
“Mmm, this is so good. Wait until you try it,” Taylor said, and he forced his eyes away from her mouth.
They’d both ordered tiramisu for dessert, but while he’d gone for an espresso, she’d chosen a latte. “Better than the mixed berry pie last weekend?” He hadn’t touched his yet.
“Not better, just different.”
He picked up his fork and her eyes followed his movements as he took a taste.
“Well?” Taylor asked.
“It’s good, but I think I’ll need to try the pie again before I give you a definitive answer on which is better.”
“How about I bring one over tomorrow after I drop Reese off at her friend’s birthday party?”
They’d spent a fair part of dinner discussing his plans for his k
itchen. She’d shared some personal information about herself, too, but she hadn’t mentioned the how and why of Reese living with her and Priscilla. He’d kept his mouth closed on the matter. The more personal questions he asked, the more likely she’d do the same. Vague answers like he came from a big family and had two siblings would only fly for so long, especially with Taylor. Eventually she’d expect more specifics. If and when he did share his full identity, he didn’t want to do it in a crowded restaurant.
She didn’t give him a chance to answer her question about bringing over pie. “What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, setting down her fork.
He parted his lips, an answer prepared, but she spoke again.
“And please do not say nothing. I read people’s facial expressions all the time, so I’m pretty good at it. If you don’t want me to come by, you can say it. I won’t be offended.”
So much for his intended response. “You can come by anytime. Pie or no pie.” He reached over and entwined his fingers with hers. “When you mentioned Reese, I wondered if asking why she lived with you and not her parents would be appropriate or not.”
She pressed her lips together. “You can ask me anything.” She sounded weary. “And the reason Reese lives with me and Mom is no big secret.”
Chapter Six
“Eliza, my older sister, is Reese’s mom. I think I told you we’ve always been opposites.” Taylor pushed her dessert away, even though much of it remained. Since she’d raved about how tasty it was, Curt took that as a sign this was a difficult topic for her. “I never understood how we could be so different. We have the same parents. And they gave us the same opportunities.”
Considering how different he and his older brother, Brett, were, this was a topic he could understand. “I’ve thought the same thing about me and my older brother. Personalities play a big role in the choices we make.”
“My dad was a cop in town, but that didn’t stop Eliza from getting into the drug scene in high school. At least that’s when she said it started. I know she started drinking alcohol in middle school. She went to UNH for a year, but after freshman year she dropped out. She’d failed every course anyway. She bounced from job to job and guy to guy for a few years. Whenever she needed money, she’d show up at our parents’ house. They always gave it to her.”
Considering the story so far, Curt wondered if her sister had passed away. Drugs claimed a lot of lives, and it would explain why Reese lived with them and not her mother.
“When Eliza got pregnant, we hoped she’d finally get clean. Mom and Dad got her into rehab. When she got out, she moved in with them until Reese was born. We all thought she was finally on the right path. That she’d stay off drugs for her daughter. Get her life together.”
He heard the bitterness in her voice.
“About two months after Reese was born, Eliza moved out. She took Reese with her but she’d drop Reese off with Mom several days a week, and often with me on the weekends. She always claimed she had to work. I didn’t believe her, and deep down I don’t think Mom did either.” Taylor paused and took a sip of her latte. “When Reese was seven months old, Eliza’s boyfriend at the time and one of his friends decided to hold up a convenience store. Eliza didn’t go into the store, but she drove the car. She was arrested and sent to prison, too. Thankfully, no one was hurt. She would’ve gotten a much longer sentence if they’d shot the clerk working that night.”
