“If it makes you happy, Denham.” Dana relents with a roll of her eyes, and an affectionate smile. It’s very clear that Denham feels the need to look over everyone like the head of the family. It’s endearing but also a little heartbreaking that he doesn’t stillhave his dad around to do that. It’s a heavy weight to carry on his shoulders.
I stand to say goodbye to Dana, and she pulls me in for a hug.
“Now, you make sure you rest up and I’ll be in to see you and the latest delivery at the boutique sometime this week.”
She hugs Lottie and tells her to call if she needs her. I feel like there’s a mother/daughter friendship going on between those them, and knowing that Lottie’s not very close to her own mother, I’m pleased that she has someone in her life that can be a mother figure and a friend to her.
“We need to go, too,” Spike says. He drops his bottle on to the coffee table and takes Lottie’s hand. “Ready?”
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Home to my place. Would you rather go to yours instead?”
“No, I’d rather stay here. Arianna has nicer Prosecco than us, and I am enjoying her company,” she says indignantly with a deep frown on her face and I swear I saw her foot twitch, getting ready to stomp it with a tantrum. I glance at Denham, who’s smirking at them. They are like a comedy duo act, and actually if they do stay, I could watch them all night.
“Well, that wasn’t an option. Your place or mine.” Spike sighs. He’s bossy tonight proving to Lottie that he can, and will, take care of her. And as much as she protests and argues back, I think she secretly likes it when he takes control.
I catch Lottie’s lips curl upwards just a fraction, and it reaches her eyes making her look mischievous. “I want to stay here.”
“Don’t make me spell it out for you…Your place…” He pauses and looks to me with a wink. “Or mine?”
Lottie pouts and drops her shoulders like a teenager that can’t get her own way. “Can’t we go out for—”
Lottie doesn’t get to finish her sentence before Spike picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift. She squeals and he slaps her ass. She continues to shriek as Spikemarches with her slung over his shoulder all the way to the door. He opens it skillfully one handed “Say goodbye, Lottie,” he instructs.
“BYE!” she shouts through her laughter.
Dana grabs up Lottie’s purse and shoes before pulling the door shut behind them all, and I can still hear Lottie laughing and screaming until the elevator descends.
I turn and curl myself into Denham. His warm body envelops me and somehow makes me relax and feel sleepy. I sigh a contented breath and nuzzle into his chest.
“You must be tired, huh?”
“Yeah,” I answer. He strokes my hair and rests his chin carefully on the top of my head avoiding the bump that’s still there from where I fell. “You going to tell me what happened with Lottie’s boss?”
“Nope.” He stiffens momentarily then changes the subject. “How much did you drink today?”
“I don’t know. Two, maybe three glasses…”
“No more for you.”
“Yes, dad. Why won’t you tell me?” I ask. I know it’s pushing him and I don’t know why I even want to know, but the fact that he won’t tell me makes me more curious.
“Because you don’t need to know,” he answers with finality. “You need to eat. Then rest. You’ve had some pretty strong painkillers and a real nasty concussion over the last twenty four hours, and I don’t think it would help to add more alcohol into the mix.”
I can’t help but grin at him. I don’t actually want any more to drink today anyway. It’s been a long, tiring day. I’m drained emotionally and physically, and now my limbs are starting to protest. I give up on questioning him about Lottie’s asshole boss. He’s right, I don’t need to know. It’s over and done with.
“Is it time for bed yet?” I ask.
“Arianna. If you want to go to bed, you can go to bed. I might be looking after you, but I am not your parent, and you don’t need to ask if you can go to bed.”
“I know, but I don’t want to sleep on my own.”
“What makes you think I’ll let you sleep on your own?”
“I was hoping you would say that. Can we stay here?” I look up at him with my arms still wrapped around his waist and catch a sparkle in his eyes.
“We can stay wherever you want, Ari.”
