They were quiet as the pedicure went on. Mallory closed her eyes and relaxed as the lotion was massaged into her legs and feet. A little pampering was exactly what she’d needed to take the edge off. The water was warm and the firm touch on her legs caused her to sink down in her chair.
“Mallory?”
She looked up to find Alyssa standing next to her pedicure chair. “Hmm?”
“Damn, I wish I could have gotten the foot massage. You were out.” Alyssa giggled. “It’s manicure time.”
Mallory felt heat rush to her face. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep. Sleep hadn’t come easy the past few nights, so it was no wonder. She gathered her shoes and her purse, foregoing the flimsy foam sandals they provided, and followed them to the manicure chair.
“So, what’s the story with Vivian. I wasn’t going to ask but …”
Alyssa hesitated for a moment before responding. She looked up at the nail tech, who didn’t appear to be paying them any attention, before heaving a sigh. After watching Mallory closely, she finally spoke.
“There really isn’t much of a story as far as I know. Sounds like he fell hard and fast and didn’t see how they brought out the worst in each other. I’ve only met her in passing, but from all the shit I’ve heard, it sounds like she’s a self-centered bitch.”
Mallory sat on that bit of information, telling herself she didn’t need to know more. Telling herself it was none of her business … telling herself not to pry information from his best friend.
“So, they don’t get along even though there are thousands of miles separating them?” Mallory blurted before she had a chance to listen to herself.
Alyssa turned to her with a smirk. It was no surprise, since she was not being the least bit stealthy as she pried for information. “What is it you want to know? You aren’t very good at this.”
Mallory hid her face behind her arm and attempted to stifle a giggle. “Am I that obvious?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, fine! I’m trying not to let this whole situation bother me, but I’m not loving the fact that he’s staying with his ex. Orthe fact that he’s so far away.” She sighed, realizing how she sounded. “I’m pathetic. Ignore me.”
Alyssa’s gaze softened. “It’s not pathetic. If Michael was staying with an ex or even someone who he used to have a crush on, I would be losing it. But you don’t need to worry about him. He loves you. You don’t have to worry.”
Choking, she struggled to catch her breath. Those words had never been spoken. He didn’t love her. Love was a big word. The fact that she might also love him had nothing to do with anything.
She watched as her nails were painted the neutral yet sparkly color she picked out. As much as she tried to focus on her girls’ day, her mind kept wandering to what Alyssa said. He loved her? Only time would tell.
CHRISTIAN
Chris lay in bed, exhausted. He hadn’t gotten a decent night’s sleep in several days. It was getting late, and he needed to reset. He needed to catch up on sleep. There was officially no way around having a conversation with Vivian. He’d been there for three days and still had no idea what was going on with Liliana. The only thing he could do was bring her home with him and hope she either opened up or had a change of heart after spending time away.
He was just drifting off to sleep when his phone lit up with a video chat request. Recognizing the name on the screen, he hit accept.
“You’re up late,” he greeted once Mallory’s face lit up across his screen.
“Am I?” she asked. “I haven’t slept since you left. All the days and hours run together.”
Chris could tell she was in bed. The dim lighting reflected off the white comforter she kept tucked under her arms not farbelow her shoulders. Swallowing hard, he tried to decide where he wanted the conversation to go. The distance that appeared to be growing between them could be a good thing, especially if he ended up bringing his daughter home with him. His time would be for her, or it would be pointless to bring her home to New Jersey with him.
“Need some help getting to sleep?” he asked.
He didn’t miss the unmistakable spark flicker across her expression before she quickly masked it. “I wish you were here so you could help.”
“Assuming I was there, what would you have me do?”
Chris watched in amusement as she sat up, nearly dropping her blanket. She didn’t respond until she had leaned against the headboard and had the blanket safely tucked back in place. “What?”
“You heard me. Tell me what you would do with me.”
Her mouth dropped open before her cheeks turned a gorgeous shade of pink. She was nervous. And embarrassed. “I, um … I’m not sure.”
This was going to be even better than he imagined. Confident in his decision to take it there, he pushed her further. “If I was there in your bed, would you want me to touch you?”
