Main dish first course b.., p.1
Main Dish (First Course Book 2), page 1
MAIN DISH
Episode Two of the First Course Series
J.A. Armstrong
© Copyright 2017 J.A. Armstrong Books
All Rights Reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced without permission.
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER ONE
Devon rolled over and smiled. She wrapped her arm around Carrie and pulled her closer. Carrie mumbled in her sleep, and Devon chuckled. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The last six months had been the happiest Devon could remember in her life. She had more than work to look forward to; she had Carrie. There still were too many evenings for Devon’s liking that she slept apart from the woman in her arms. Many nights, Devon worked late. Carrie usually left early in the morning for her office. Devon often opted to head home rather than take the chance that she might wake Carrie up those evenings. She could hardly believe it, but as time continued to pass, nights without Carrie tended to be sleepless for Devon. She missed feeling Carrie next to her. She missed Carrie stirring in the morning, and the gentle kiss goodbye Carrie always left on her forehead before leaving to start her day.
Carrie snuggled closer, yawned, and took hold of the hand that rested on her stomach. “Morning.”
“Go back to sleep,” Devon whispered.
“I think you might need to take your own advice.”
Devon placed a kiss between Carrie’s shoulder blades. “I’m okay,” she promised.
Carrie shifted her weight and turned in Devon’s arms.
“Hi,” Devon smiled.
Carrie kissed Devon’s lips sweetly. “You came in late last night.”
“Long story,” Devon replied.
“I was worried you might have decided to go home.”
Home. Where is that? “I would have if it hadn’t been Friday.”
“Dev, you can come here any time you want,” Carrie said. “That’s why I gave you the key.”
Devon managed an unconvincing smile in reply. She kissed Carrie’s forehead. “What’s on your agenda today?”
“This,” Carrie tucked her head under Devon’s chin.
“Using me as a pillow?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Devon laughed. Carrie was not one to lounge in bed for hours, even if at times Devon thought she needed to. Carrie’s life had been chaotic the last two months. She’d been traveling at least a few days every week and had been taking care of her goddaughter for days at a time. She seldom complained, but Devon could see the evidence of strain on her girlfriend’s face.
“What about a quiet day together?” Devon suggested.
Carrie pulled out of Devon’s embrace and regarded her curiously. “I thought you were working later?”
Devon smiled. “Not today.”
“Since when?”
“Since I told Bruce that I was taking the day off.”
Carrie kissed Devon tenderly.
“What was that for?” Devon inquired.
“I missed you, Dev.”
“Me too,” Devon said. “To tell you the truth, I’d be happy if we stayed in this bed all day.”
Carrie smirked. “Really?”
“Or I could take you to a galaxy far, far away,” Devon teased.
“I love you.”
“If you really love me,” Devon began to speak.
Carrie kissed Devon’s cheek. “I will make some coffee.” Carrie pulled herself from the comfort of the bed, slipped on her robe and started for the door.
“Yep, you love me,” Devon said.
Carrie laughed.
“And, I love you too,” Devon called out.
***
“You cannot be serious,” Tom answered his front door to find his ex-wife, Dar standing with his daughter beside her.
“It can’t be helped,” Dar told him. “I didn’t ask to have an issue, Tommy. Issues just come up.”
Tom offered his daughter an encouraging smile. “CJ,” he addressed her. “Give Mommy a hug and go ahead to your room.”
CJ hugged Dar’s legs and then scurried inside the house.
“Jesus Christ, Darlene.”
“What?”
“What? What the hell do you mean—what? I have a flight at six.”
“To see your parents. So? Take CJ.”
Tom ran his hand over his head in frustration. He had no issue taking his daughter with him when he could. He had carefully planned this trip to Florida. His father’s health had been waning for months, and his mother was struggling to cope. He had enormous decisions facing him; decisions that caused tension in the family. More tension was not something he wanted to expose his four-year-old daughter to. It seemed every time Dar had CJ in her care; she came up with some reason why she needed Tom to step back in. Most times, he managed to accommodate the request without much upheaval for anyone. Worst case scenario, CJ’s godmother, Carrie would watch CJ for a few hours, or even a night or two. This time presented a larger problem. Tom had planned to leave his parents’ home Monday night for a business meeting in Brazil; not a trip he could take CJ on. He was not due back until the following Monday. He looked at Dar and shook his head.
“Darlene,” he lowered his voice. “I’m due in Brazil Tuesday for a week. I can’t take CJ, and I can’t cancel. That’s why I asked you no less than ten times if you were certain you could make the full week work.”
“Well, it’s an inconvenient time for us both. So? If you can’t reschedule, leave her with your folks until your trip is over.”
“Leave her with my parents? Darlene! My father is a step away from going into a nursing facility.”
Darlene sighed. “Then it would be good for your mother.”
“No, it would be an added stress from my mother,” he dismissed the thought.
“I don’t know what to tell you. Leigh is picking me up at five. I need to pack.”
Tom scratched his head, groaned through a sigh, and nodded. “This can’t continue.”
“What’s that? Work? You don’t seem to have a problem when it’s your life that needs accommodating,” Dar observed.
Tom was on the precipice of losing his temper.
“Daddy?!” CJ called for him.
“Saved again,” he muttered. “I guess we both have to do what we have to do,” he said evenly.
“I knew you’d understand once you calmed down. I’ll call you this week,” Dar said. “Bye, CJ,” she waved to her daughter.
Tom turned and watched as CJ offered her mother a tiny wave, never meeting Dar’s eyes. Dar nodded to him and left.
“Daddy? Can I cawl Auntie?” CJ asked Tom as he closed the door behind her mother.
Tom smiled wanly. “Sure, sweetie.” It looks like I am going to have to anyway. Shit, I am sorry, Carrie.
***
Carrie watched Devon from the doorway, a smile edging its way onto her lips. Devon was standing in front of the mirror entertaining herself by impersonating different celebrities. One thing that Carrie had learned, Devon had a silly side to her personality. When Devon was relaxed, she let her goofiness show with little restraint. Watching Devon as she attempted to emulate Gilbert Godfrey’s voice sent Carrie into a fit of laughter.
“Something funny?” Devon caught Carrie’s reflection in the mirror.
“I didn’t realize I was living with Iago.”
Devon shrugged. Would you want to live with Iago?
Carrie took a few steps forward and wrapped her arms around Devon. They had spent a wonderful morning together making love, showering, watching cooking shows in bed, and sipping coffee. “You want to try Genie next?” Carrie teased.
“Why? Do you have a wish you want granted?” Devon asked.
Carrie’s lips took possession of Devon’s passionately. She had more than three wishes she was positive Devon could grant. Her hands strayed to Devon’s backside, and she instantly pictured a few wishes Devon could bequeath. Carrie pulled back slightly and licked her lips, ready to make her wish known when the ringing of her cell phone blared through the room.
“Fuck me,” Carrie grumbled.
“I’m game,” Devon laughed.
Carrie swatted her girlfriend and went to grab the phone. “Hello?”
“Auntie?”
“CJ?”
“Hi, Auntie!”
“Hi, honey. How’s your weekend with Mommy?”
“She had to go.”
Carrie felt her cheeks flush with anger instantly. “She had to go? Where did she have to go? Where are you, honey?”
“Daddy’s.”
Carrie had to mentally slap herself to keep from screaming out a stream of expletives. “Are you having fun at Daddy’s?”
“Yeah, but can you come?”
“Can I come where?”
“To Daddy’s?”
“Oh, CJ, I’m sure Daddy wants to spend some time with you.”
“Later?” CJ pleaded.
Devon watched as Carrie flopped onto the bed in defeat and sighed. She didn’t need to hear the other side of the conversation to know what was happening. Dar had bailed—again. Lately, whenever Dar bailed, CJ wanted Carrie. Devon shook her head in disgust and made her way to Carrie’s side.
“We’ll see, sweetie. Is Daddy there?”
“Yep. He wants to talk to you.”
“Okay. Le
“Kay.”
“Carrie?” Tom’s voice sounded so small it nearly broke Carrie’s heart.
“I don’t need to guess,” Carrie said. “Leigh again?”
“Something about an issue in Las Vegas.”
Carrie could feel her body trembling with anger. “I’m sure that I don’t want to know.”
“I guess she didn’t tell you,” Tom said.
“No. She doesn’t tell me much these days.”
“I was hoping…”
“You need me to take the Padawan?” Carrie guessed.
“The thing is, I’m supposed to be away this week.”
“Yeah, I know.” Carrie remembered Tom’s travel schedule, unlike Dar. “It’s okay. I’ll make it work.”
“It’s not fair to you.”
“It’s not fair to CJ,” Carrie replied.
“I was hoping maybe we could talk before I go.”
“Sure.”
“I just don’t want CJ to…”
Devon watched as Carrie’s eyes closed in defeat. She had little use for Carrie’s best friend. I hate that woman. “What is it?” she whispered.
“Tommy wants to talk to me without little ears,” Carrie explained.
“Oh, shit. Carrie, is Devon with you?” Tom asked.
“Yeah, Dev is here,” she said. “Hold on.” She put the phone on speaker.
“Hi, Tom,” Dev greeted their friend.
“Shit. I’m fucking up your time together,” Tom apologized.
Devon smiled at Carrie. “Not at all,” she replied.
“Yes, I am,” he disagreed. “I could call…”
“Stop,” Carrie put his thoughts to an end. “Just come over in an hour.”
“I don’t want to…”
Devon interrupted Tom’s thought. “See you in an hour. I’ll take the wee one out to pick up pizza while you two talk.”
“Devon,” Tom began.
Carrie laughed. “Oh, let it be,” she said. “Now, she gets her pizza.”
Tom sighed heavily on the other end of the call. “I owe you.”
“See you in a bit,” Carrie said. She turned to Devon. “I’m sorry, Dev.”
“Good thing we showered, huh?”
Carrie laughed. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Devon kissed Carrie on the cheek. “You don’t have anything to make up for.” She pulled herself back off the bed. “But, if you insist, I have a few ideas.”
“I’ll bet,” Carrie smirked. “Well, for starters you get pizza for dinner.”
“There is that,” Devon agreed. “What do I get for dessert?”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “Depends on what you get on that pizza,” she deadpanned.
Devon started for the hallway.
“Where are you going?” Carrie asked.
“To look at the menus. I want to make sure I get the right toppings.”
Carrie shook her head and laughed as Devon left the room. I will make it up to you, Dev. I will.
***
Devon enjoyed watching Carrie with CJ. Her heart ached for the little girl. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Dar’s actions hurt her daughter. Over the last few months, CJ seemed to begin to ease into a new normal. That new normal equated to splitting her time with her father and Carrie. Dar had fallen into the role of the aunt that swept in and took CJ out to the park or the movies. Anything beyond that seemed to overwhelm Dar. Devon couldn’t pretend to understand that mentality. She missed her nieces and nephews when she didn’t get to see them for extended periods of time. Now, it seemed strange when CJ wasn’t with Carrie. Devon was certain that Carrie missed her goddaughter when a few days passed without CJ’s presence. And, while Devon had not shared her feelings with Carrie, she felt the same way.
“Auntie,” CJ looked up at Carrie. Carrie raised an eyebrow and smiled at the youngster. “Me and Dev’s gonna get pizza wif perrpwoni.”
“With pepperoni, huh?” Carrie asked.
“Yep,” CJ declared. “And wif egg for you.”
Carrie looked over at Devon and winked. CJ meant eggplant. “Thank you. That makes it much better,” she told CJ.
“Come on, monkey,” Devon called to CJ.
CJ ran to her father and hugged him. “Bye, Daddy.”
“You have fun with Carrie and Dev; okay?” he told her.
“Yep!” she replied. CJ ran over to Carrie and whispered in her ear. “I’ll get you da eggs, Auntie. I pwomise.”
“Thank you,” Carrie said. She kissed CJ’s cheek. “You make sure Dev behaves.”
“I will!” CJ declared.
Devon laughed. “We’ll see you in a bit,” she told Carrie.
Carrie waited until she heard the front door close to turn her attention to Tom. “I’m sorry she is making things so hard for you,” Carrie told her friend.
“You’re sorry? I’m the one who’s sorry, Carrie. I keep dropping my kid off on you. It’s not fair to you, or to Devon for that matter.”
Carrie smiled. “CJ always has a place here,” she said without hesitation. “Devon knows that. Devon loves CJ too. Don’t worry about that.”
“I know,” Tom said. “But, Carrie… You and Devon are just starting out. Having a kid around all the time—one that isn’t yours—that’s a lot to ask of anyone.”
“Dev isn’t just anyone,” Carrie said. “Neither is CJ.”
Tom nodded.
“So? What is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Carrie asked. “Or should I guess?”
“I’m going to try and get full custody.”
Carrie nodded.
“I don’t have a choice,” he said regretfully.
“I agree.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I do,” Carrie told him. “CJ needs structure. She needs to know where she is going to be and when, and for how long. You can’t rely on Dar, and neither can CJ.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Carrie, Dar is your best friend. I hate to ask you this, but my attorney thinks that you will play a pivotal role in…”
Carrie held up her hand. “You have my full support, whatever you need.”
“I hate this.”
“So do I,” Carrie agreed. “This isn’t about us. It’s about CJ.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What about work? I mean, Dar is your partner.”
Carrie groaned. “It will complicate things further.”
“She’s causing issues there too,” Tom guessed.
“I don’t even know who she is most days,” Carrie confessed. “That’s when I do see her. All she cares about is the Matthews account.”
“All she cares about is Leigh,” Tom muttered.
Carrie reached out and put her hand on Tom’s knee. “I don’t believe that,” she said. “I’m not sure what is going on with her the last few months.”
“It’s been longer than that,” he observed.
Carrie sighed. Dar’s behavior had been on a downward slide for over a year. The last seven or eight months it had steadily declined. Her behavior was erratic. No one seemed to know what she would do next, except that Dar was unlikely to show up when she was meant to and even less likely to stick around for any amount of time. CJ had borne the brunt of her mother’s irresponsible behavior. Dar’s actions had adversely impacted everyone close to her. That included Tom Willis. Even after their divorce, Tom and Dar had remained friends. Now, that friendship was crumbling.
Work was not immune from Dar’s foibles either. While Dar had a flair for the dramatic, she had always been attentive to the needs of the company she owned with Carrie. It wasn’t unusual for her to fixate on a project or a person. Carrie had never thought that her best friend could be so dismissive of everyone in her life. For Carrie, the festering emotions and frustrations of the last few months were finally coming to a head.
“I guess it has,” Carrie agreed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
Tom nodded.
“I only know that it can’t continue, at least, not for CJ.”
“Are you sure that you are okay with CJ spending the week here? I don’t even know if it will be that long. Who knows when Dar will show up?”
“CJ can stay as long as you need her to,” Carrie said. “As for Dar, I have no idea. I’m not guessing she’s going to make any attempt to come home. I tried to call her after you called me. She didn’t answer.”
“Carrie, I…”
“Stop apologizing,” Carrie said. “And, don’t worry about CJ being here.”
