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I settle in the soft velvety chair by the crib to watch them. It’s truly a beautiful sight. Todd is a natural with my son, despite the initial shyness and awkwardness, and Elliot is surprisingly responsive and pleased with my boss. My gorgeous, super-smart and passionate boss.
“Barnaby didn’t want to go into the woods with Charles and the Pretty Triceratops Sisters,” he reads from the book while Elliot clings to his every word, fingers fiddling with his sweater like he would with his favorite blankie. “Barnaby thought it would be a better idea if he went looking for the forbidden berries instead.”
“The loofa berries,” Elliot says, remembering the name from a previous page.
“That’s right, the loofa berries that were so sweet and juicy, every dinosaur around the Blue Mountain would’ve done anything to reach the bushes at the very top,” Todd continues. I find myself hypnotized by his voice as he reads to my son. By the time he’s done, I’m half-asleep and sated with all sorts of fuzzy feelings. Elliot is so deep inside dreamland, he doesn’t even sense when Todd sets the book aside and carries him over to the crib. I watch as he gingerly sets him down and covers him with his favorite blankie, finding myself in awe and thinking things I maybe shouldn’t about this man. “And thus ends the loofa berry saga. I’m expecting a Hollywood studio to turn this into a heavy summer blockbuster someday.”
We both hold back our laughs as we leave the bedroom and Elliot to his sleep. Once we’re back in the living room, Todd smiles at me and heads for the foyer, where his sneakers, wallet, and car keys await in a blue-and-white porcelain catchall. I’m out of words for the evening, molten on the inside and astonished by the depths still hiding within him.
“Thank you for tonight,” he says, now headed for the door. “It’s been a pleasure and an informative experience. Hands down the easiest kid ever.”
“Yeah, you got lucky.”
“We should do this more often.”
I stare at him for a hot second, trying and failing to read his expression. “We should… yeah.”
“At least until I get a proper grip on the fatherly stuff,” he says, a grin slitting his face. “If I’m to impress John with my wicked-cool family, that is. Again, thank you, Becky. This is fantastic. I really think we’ll pull this off in the end. I’m sure of it.”
“You’re a quick study,” I reply, trying to keep my cool.
Once he’s out the door, however, I find my heart in sheer turmoil. There’s some leftover wine in the fridge from the other night. I’ll need it. I’ll need all of it, because I had no idea how difficult this playdate would turn out to be for my soul.
I loved every second of it.
I loved it too much, and therein lies the problem. But the plan is in motion, and I’ve made a commitment. More importantly, I need the cash. I cannot back down. Damn, though… I can already see the disaster ahead.
CHAPTER11
TODD
The more time I spend with Becky and Elliot, the harder it is to imagine what it would be like if I didn’t get to know them at all. I’ve never really paid much attention to children in general, or the thought of having my own. My career and my projects were always at the forefront of my consciousness, and as the years went by, the idea of settling down and having kids of my own sort of dissolved into the background—something maybe I might get to do someday.
It's a simple business transaction, yet I can’t help but notice that there’s a lesson to be learned in all of this, too. No lie can last. Whatever I’m doing here will only serve to buy me time. It’s what I need, anyway. For the sale to go through. For the company to move on without me. For me to be free to do something else in peace and at my own leisure.
Traveling seemed like a great idea. But I’ve been getting different ideas lately.
Ideas involving intimacy, affection, and the prospect of perhaps holding a child in my arms. The thought shimmers away as I reach the rose park near Becky’s apartment building. It’s a small green space a couple of blocks south, with a wrought-iron fence and towering birch trees that give precious shade in the summer. The rose bushes are neatly manicured and regularly maintained by several residents, I’m told, and they’re beautiful to look at.
To my surprise, Becky and Elliot didn’t come on their own. They’re joined by a young woman who looks a lot like Becky. Almost identical, in fact, but for the short black hair and plethora of tattoos. They’re different in personality, too. What nature gave them to match they chose to develop down different paths.
“Hey there,” I say, greeting the three with a broad smile. “You must be Laura. Easily recognizable, just like Becky said!”
“Yeah, and you’re Todd Connors, entrepreneur extraordinaire, huh?”
We shake hands under Becky’s watchful eye. Laura is wearing a pair of ragged mom jeans and a simple black top with spaghetti straps, Doc Martens and brilliantly colored gemstone jewelry around her neck and wrists. Her eyelids are loaded with a smokey shade of dark gray, and her skin carries a familiar, natural sheen—like Becky’s, who’s got cream slacks and a white preppy shirt on, matched with sparkling sneakers and a beige shoulder bag.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, giving Becky a sideways glance. I love how her hair tumbles over one shoulder. I’ve been thinking about it lately. About running my hands through it.
“I don’t like you,” Laura replies bluntly.
Becky frowns. “Come on… What did I just say, not five minutes ago?”
“You said to be civil. You didn’t say anything about me being dishonest. I can’t lie to the guy,” Laura grumbles, then looks at me. “I don’t like you.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Mind if I ask why?” I reply.
Elliot has his arms up, asking to be held. “Todd! Todd!Ilike you, Todd!”
