Page 89 of Reckless Love

“The perfume is actually a cologne,” I say, “and it’s testing very well.”

“It smells like me?” He searches my face, and I can’t read what emotion is there.

“It does. Quite a coincidence, huh?”

“Hmm,” Stephen agrees, piling rice onto his plate. “I saw the doctor made a house call today too.”

“You and your secret spy doorbell camera.”

“Not exactly a secret if you know about it,” Stephen says. “Helps keep you honest.”

I bristle. “I’ve never been dishonest with you.” One of my greatest points of pride is how real Stephen and I were with each other.

“No, I suppose going against my suggestion was more defiant than dishonest,” he says, and although his comment is pointed, his tone is light.

“‘Suggestion’ being the operative word there,” I say. “You didn’t say I couldn’t have people here. You suggested that I shouldn’t go to the office.” I pass Landon the rice. “And you were right about that, so I’ll give you your flowers. Two meetings knocked me out for about two hours afterwards.”

“We had a good nap,” Landon concurs.

“Is this Pakistani food?” Stephen asks after he takes a bite. “Korma?”

“Our chef, Ahmed’s, family was originally from Pakistan a couple generations ago. These dishes are a favorite for him and us. Comfort food.”

“Korma is my favorite,” Landon agrees, taking a big scoop of the rice and sauce.

“What did the doctor say?” Stephen asks between bites.

“Landon is cleared to go back to school half days starting next week. No gym class. Has to have some additional precautions at recess. So I’ll need to go in with him the first day and make sure those are understood by everyone. I can return to work in whatever length of time I can tolerate. But today proved I’m probably not quite ready yet.”

“I can take him,” Stephen offers. “I can take both of you if you want.”

I stir my food around my plate and give a little shrug. “I’ll talk to Landon about it later. I was thinking I might just drive him on my own.”

“Because he’d be more comfortable or you would?” he asks.

“I want Mom to come,” Landon says. “When I go back to school, I want Mom there.”

“We can talk about it at bedtime,” I tell Landon. He’s at his most honest just before he falls asleep, and I don’t want him to say yes to Stephen coming for the wrong reasons. Stephen has a job and a life. Staying in the apartment was the agreement, not looking after us. He’s already doing so much that I’m reluctant to lean too heavily on him.

Especially because I don’t know what’s going to happen when Raul wakes up.

“Can we play Jenga or Kerplunk after dinner?” Landon asks Stephen. “Mom thinks they are both too noisy, but I like them.”

“Sure,” Stephen says. “Your mom probably has a book on the go. I saw your Aunt Ember stopped by yesterday with a bag.”

“You’re such a stalker,” I tease. “Do you just sit and stare at the camera?”

“No,” Stephen says with a chuckle. “When the camera detects motion, it takes a picture. I get an alert that includes the picture, so I know if your best friend is dropping off a load of romance books or if something more sinister is happening.”

“Raul had the maids throw all mine out at the house,” I say, remembering when I came home to find them gone.

“He did what?” Stephen says.

“Unrealistic expectations.”

“Sounds like a man who doesn’t know how to rise to them. I never fucking cared. Usually benefitted me in the end.” His lips tip into a hint of a smile.

“What does that mean?” Landon asks. “What does benefitted mean?”