The Promise That's Made
"How about that sleepover, huh? Huh?" I playfully nudge Josephine with my elbow as she yawns into her cereal.
"You've been asking me that for two days," she complains tiredly, "It was still fun." I smile softly sip some of my tea.
"So, anyways," I said, changing the subject, "You and Ashley seem close. Ya'll could be best friends." Josie's face crinkles at my words and my mood sort of dampers. It's the 'I really like her, but I'm scared to get close in case she leaves me' look. Ever since Kia passed, Josie has taken it upon herself to never get too close. Even with our family. She's afraid it'll hurt too much to say goodbye when the time comes around. I can't really blame her though. Being part of three funerals before you're five years old can do that to anybody.
"She's really nice," Josie comments, "And pretty."
"She gets it from her mother," I blurt out. I glance down into my mug before I meet Josie's gaze again. Her eyebrow's arched and she's searching my eyes for something unknown.
"Do you like her?" she asked softly.
"Ashley?" I asked dumbly. Josie gives me a look.
"Her mom."
"I. . ." I look downward and furrow my brows in thought. Melanie was kind and beautiful, but I don't know her well enough to like like her. We talked a little though about parenthood and we shared some laughs over memorable moments during our daughters' lives, but as far as her personal self, I'm in the dark.
"Dad?"
"Oh," I said, snapping out of my daze, "She's. . . nice."
"Nice enough to date?" she questioned. Damn, whatever happened to beating around the bush? Josie wasted no time.
"I don't know her well enough to answer that," I said smartly.
"Isn't getting to know somebody the whole point to dating?" Yes. . .
"Well, yeah. . ." I mumble.
"Then answer my question." She leans back and looks at me with a blank expression. I feel like I'm being interrogated or something.
"I don't know," I answer honestly, "Why? Would you like me to date her?" A look of disgust crosses over her face and she shakes her head.
"No!" she said quickly, "She's Ashley's mom." I don't really see what's so wrong with that.
"So?"
"Dad, if you don't call her back, Ashley won't ever talk to me again." Her words hit me hard. Was I really that bad when it came to rejecting women?
"I'm not-"
"You don't know that," Josephine interrupts.
"Neither do you," I countered, "But you know what? It's not important. Melanie and I are barely friends, okay? I'm not going to date her." Oh goodness, why did I just say that?
"Really?" I look at my daughter and see her how hopeful she is.
"Yeah," I assure, reaching out and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "If you don't want me with her, then I won't be." Giving me one more look of uncertainty, her face softens as she smiles.
"Promise?"
"I promise." I place my hand over my heart.
"Okay," she said, letting out a sigh of relief, "Then I can hangout with Ashley today?"
"When and where?" I asked.
"Her mom's taking her shopping then they're getting ice cream," Josie explained, "I have to call her before four so that she can tell her mom."
"Alright," I told her, "You can give her a call after breakfast." She nods and begins to anxiously stuff her face with Fruity Pebbles. I chuckle lightly and start on my own bowl. So, shopping and ice cream? Sounds like fun. I need to pick up a few things for the house anyway.
There's no harm in me tagging along.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
"So, Stephanie walks up to this guy and pushes him overboard. Then she threatens to sail off unless he apologized for calling me out of my name," Melanie gushes. Her hair is up in a ponytail today, loose strands hanging around her face.
"Well, damn," I commented, "She was a great friend before you even knew her name."
"I know," Melanie agreed, "I never had someone stand up for me before," she takes a sip of her Sprite, "So, do you have a best friend?" She looks up at me expectantly, proping her elbow up on the table and placing her chin in her hand.
"Actually, I do," I told her, "His name is Trace. I've known him since before I was born." I smile as she raises a brow at me.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah," I continued, "Our moms were friends from high school and always kept in touch, so we ended up growing up together."
"That's amazing," Melanie said with genuine awe, "I'm surprised Steph and I have been friends since college." I laughed and nodded.
"Well, I grew up in a small town," I informed her, "Not many friends to choose from." She chuckled and smiled at me. Damn she's beautiful.
"What town?"
"Millington," I answer quickly, "It's a little place outside of Memphis."
"A southern gentleman," she smiled, "I kind of figured that because of the 'ya'll's and the twang in your voice."
"I have a twang?" I asked. She nods her blonde head.
"Especially when you talk to Josephine." She motions over to the two girls sitting across from each other as we speak. They're so engrossed in their secret conversation of giggles that they don't notice us staring. I finally turn back around and stuff a fry into my mouth. We decided to dine at a secluded diner near Melanie's house. It's paparazzi and fanatic free, so we haven't been disturbed.
"What about you?" I asked suddenly.
"What about me?"
"Where are you from?" I clarified.
"Right here in LA," she told me, "Born and raised."
"So, you've never been outside of California?" She turns her gaze heavenward and pouts. She seems to be in thought, but her comical facial expression is oozing with sarcasm.
"Nope," she smiled, "What's the point? They have everything here."
"What about snow?" I challenged. She shrugged.
"Okay, so not everything, but the essentials," Melanie said, "Beaches, great weather. . ."
"Beautiful women," I inserted, gesturing toward her. Seeing the blush creep up her cheeks was a sight to behold.
"Dad," Josie interrupted, "I can't get out." She scoots over and slide out of the booth.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Bathroom," she said quickly.
"I might as well go too," Melanie announced before turning to Ashley, "Do you have to go?" Ashley's curly hair bounced as she shook her head.
"I went in Macy's," she reminded, "I'm fine." Melanie nodded and glanced over at me.
"Be nice to Mr. Timberlake while I'm gone," she said before walking off with Josie along her side. I turned my attention to Ashley and was surprised to see her sitting in her mother's spot, directly in front of me. She smiled innocently and it only rose my suspicious. She was really creeping me out.
"Hi," she greeted suddenly. I plastered a smile on my face to hide my confusion.
"Hi?" I said with uncertainty. She giggled and snickered with her hands over her mouth. I think she's two eggs short of a dozen, if you know what I mean. She doesn't act like this when her mom's around.
"Do you still sing?" she asked. Ah, my music. I can talk about that forever.
"Yes," I told her proudly, "I'm actually thinking about-"
"What's your favorite color?" she interrupted. I took a breath and shrugged my shoulders.
"It's still baby blue." She laughed. I get the feeling it was at me.
"Do you play sports?" What the hell? Did I step into a Details interview without knowing?
"Yes," I paused, waiting for an interruption, "Golf and basketball."
"Golf isn't a sport, silly," Ashley giggled. I usually argue statements like that, but what's the point?
"I think it is."
"Mommy hates golf," Ashley informed me, "Are you married?"
"I was," I answered vaguely.
"What happened?"
"My wife passed away."
"Away where?"
"Heaven."
"That's so sad," Ashley pouts, "Everybody should have a mommy."
"Dads are cool too," I said, semi-defensively.
"For boys," Ashley snorts, "Do you know any girl stuff?"
"Like what?"
"Make up and stuff." I stared at her and shrugged.
"I know enough," I told her smoothly. She looked me up and down and shrugged.
"Do you have a daddy?" she asked. I smiled and nodded.
"I have two, actually," I said, "Paul and Randy. They're really cool."
"That's no fair," Ashley whined, "You have two and I don't even have one." Hmm. . . how do you respond to that? She looked really hurt while saying that too.
"All families are different," I assured, "Some have just a mommy, some just a daddy. There are even families with no mommies or daddies."
"David lives with his Aunt Louise."
"See?" I questioned, "Everybody's different."
"I want a daddy though," Ashley told me, "Someone nice." I smiled at her softly.
"Well, you'll have to wait and see what happens, okay?" She nods and leans back in her seat.
"You're nice," she commented. At first, I was flattered. Then I remembered she wanted a nice daddy.
"Um. . . thanks."
"You're welcome," she said politely. Her smile spread across her face again and I smiled back. After five seconds of eerie silence, Josie and Melanie turned a corner of the small dining area.
"Here they come," I announced. Ashley turned in her seat to watch them walk over.
"Sorry it took so long," Melanie apologized, "This woman was hogging up the second stall." I looked over at Josie in time to see her pinch her nose and make a sour face. I chuckled and turned back to Melanie.
"I don't know how people do that," I told her with a disgusted look. She nodded and crinkled up her nose, making her look ten times cuter.
"I know," she breathed, "She wasn't even. . . quiet about it." I snorted a short laugh as Melanie smiled to herself. I found myself examining her features as she leaned over to clean up Ashley. Her dark brown eyes were surrounded by long lashes. The perfectly rounded tip of her nose made me slightly envious and her full pink lips. . . Don't even get me started on those.
"Dad!" Josie whispered harshly. I tore my eyes away from Melanie to look down at her. She narrowed her green eyes at me and pouted.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"You promised," she whispered back, "You promised." I pretend like I don't know what she's talking about, freigning a look of confusion. But she narrows her little eyes again and I roll my own.
"I didn't even do anything," I whined, "I'm not allowed to look at her now?"
"Nope," Josie replied. I decide not to argue with her. I didn't want Melanie to catch on. That would be terribly awkward.
"So, anyway," I said, turning away from my daughter's piercing eyes, "Is everybody ready?" I get a couple of 'yeah's and we pile up our plates. A waitress comes over and hands me the bill. I look over at Melanie like she was crazy the moment she begins rummaging through her purse.
"What?" she asked as she pulled out some bills.
"I've got it covered," I told her, "Even the tip." I see the waitress smirk when a tip is mentioned. I hope she isn't expecting a blank check.
"No, that's okay," Melanie argued, "You payed for half my stuff and the ice cream earlier. This is the least I could do." Before I even get a word in, she hurriedly hands the money to the waitress and waves her off.
"Come on, Mel." She raised a brow at the new nickname and I back down, "Can I call you that?" She shrugs her shoulders and slides out of the booth, Ashley climbing out after her.
"Sure," she said absentmindedly, "And I appreciate the whole gentlemen thing, but I can afford burgers and fries." She seems a bit offended and I'm scared a feminist rant is coming.
"I know, I just. . ." I just what? God, I can't think when I'm nervous. I feel Josie pushing me and I finally get the hint and stand, allowing her to climb out of the booth.
"It's okay," Melanie cooed, "I'm just letting you know." I pout as we pass the money hungry waitress and grab onto Josie's hand. We walked down the block to my Suburban and I unlock the doors with my remote. Everybody climbs in and we all engage in small talk, mostly stuff about our shopping trip, before we pull up to Melanie's house.
I unlock the back door and grab some bags, following Melanie up the stairs. I take a brief look at her ass before I heard Josie and Ashley behind me. Mel finally gets the door unlocked and we all drop the bags into her neutral colored living room.
"Okay, that's it," Melanie says after checking to make sure all her things were in the house. The phone rings suddenly and Melanie excuses herself.
"I have to pee," Josie said. She stands and heads upstairs without a second thought. Ashley untied her shoes and I quickly dug through my wallet. I pulled out fourty dollars and called to her.
"Hey, Ash?" She looked up at me with light eyes.
"Yes?" I handed her the bills and she took them with uncertainty.
"Give it to your mom when we leave, okay?"
"Why?"
"Because I owe her for dinner."
"She said she had it," Ashley informed me.
"I know, I just feel bad," I told her, "I wouldn't be a gentleman if I don't at least pay her back."
"I-"
"Please?" I said, "Just give it to her and let her know what it's for, okay?" She nodded slowly and tucked it into her jean pockets. Just then, Melanie came into the room and Josie bobbed down the stairs.
"So, I guess it's goodnight," Melanie said.
"Yeah it is," I agreed, "We all had fun, right?" The girls enthusiastically said yes and Mel and I laughed.
"I'm tired," Josie told me, nuzzling her face into my side. I petted her hair.
"Alright, let's go home." She peeled herself off of me and hugged Ashley and Melanie.
"Thank you for dinner," she said to Melanie before walking over to the side. I didn't know whether I should hug Melanie or not, so I simply waved to both of them and smiled. I turned and opened the door for Josie. She ran down the stairs and I jogged behind.
"'Night!" Melanie called from the door. Josie and I both looked up at her as I unlocked the car.
"Goodnight," we said in unison. I opened the back door for Josie. She jumped in and buckled up. I closed the door when she settled and went to get inside, but then Mel's voice caught my attention.
"Justin?" I turned around and her door swung open. She made her way down the steps, and stopped in front of me.
"What's up?" I asked, trying not seem to sound too excited about her being close to me. But then I lost my cool the moment her slender fingers slipped into my side pocket. If a million things didn't just run through my mind. . .
"When I said I had the check," she whispered, "I meant it." She pulled her fingers out after pushing the money down at far as it would go. She patted my thigh for the hell of it, turned around and smiled at me over her shoulder. I smiled like I won the lottery as she switched hips up the stairs and through the door. When she closed it, the sound seemed to echo in my ears. I was feeling all warm inside and my heart was fluttering in my chest. I felt high.
And I was. On her perfume. On her touch. On her magnetic smile. . . I was high on her.
And loving every minute of it.
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