“You’re stuck with me. Friends for life.” Frankie grinned. “Come on. We have a lot of work to do. We want to make sure that these outfits are the hottest thing this country has ever seen.”
****
Eli
After Billie and Luis left, Eli took a hot shower and made some lunch. Then he opened the bag that Dax had sent him. Inside were several bundles of yarn and a pattern. He pulled out his phone and texted Dax.
Eli:Is the blanket for you or a gift for someone else?
Dax:It’s for Mason. A surprise. I spied one of his baby pictures and he had one just like it. I want to give it to him on our anniversary.
Eli:that’s sweet. Happy to do so. Does this mean you’re expecting a Martin-Naylor baby soon?
Dax:??you’re one of the first to know thatwe’ve started the surrogacy process.
Eli:I’m so happy for you both! BTW I’m not fired – or suspended. Mason re-assigned me when I came clean this morning. But not until Billie got all up in his face. You missed a good showdown.
Dax:Damn.That’s some protective man you got there.
Eli:I don’t think he wants to be. Pretty sure he’s running scared about now.
Dax:Patience. God knows I needed it with Mason.
Eli:I’m falling for him. Billie’s worried about getting hurt again but I think I’m the one in danger.
Dax:Show him who you are and how you feel. That’s all you can do.
Eli:I know.Anyway, I don’t have a gig until this evening. Going to get started on your blanket. TTYL
Eli gathered the materials and his needles and started knitting. The hobby was soothing, and he got so caught up in it he didn’t realize that over two hours had passed. He’d made a good dent in the blanket and placed his materials back in the bag for later. He had to be on assignment at six PM, but he still had a couple of hours to kill and decided to take a drive.
Ten minutes later, he arrived at his mom’s house, a small brick bungalow on a tree-lined street in Flushing, Queens. Nothing had changed much on the street where he’d grown up. It was still bustling with families and loads of kids riding their bikes. He got out of his SUV and waved to the neighbors who were working on their front garden. Walking up the short steps, Eli knocked on the red door and waited.
A minute later, his mom opened the door. She was only five feet two, but she had more strength and energy than people half her age and twice her size. Her dark brown hair was swept up in a messy topknot, her brown eyes filled with surprise.
“Well, isn’t this the best day of my week! My baby is here. Come on in, honey, I was just mixing up a batch of sourdough bread.”
“How’re you doing, Mom?” Eli asked as he leaned down and gave his mom a big hug.
“Busy as usual, sweet pea. I’m back on shift tomorrow night. What about you? How’s work with all those celebrities?”
Eli entered his mom’s home, and the familiar scent of warm yeasty goodness filled the air. His mom baked every week and just the smell of bread brought back wonderful childhood memories. Even after his dad had left, his mom kept up family traditions. She still worked full time as a nurse at a long-term care home but always made sure Eli and his sister, Kelly, had at least one weekly family meal together.
“I’ve been busy. I have a job at six tonight, but I wanted to stop by and visit for a while.”
“Sit down, I made a batch of cinnamon rolls earlier that are still warm. With a glass of milk or do you want tea?”
“Tea would be great. I can help you,” Eli said as he followed her to the kitchen at the rear of the house. A pan of cinnamon rolls sat on the counter cooling. She put the kettle on and he grabbed plates, giving them each a big, gooey bun.
“Normally, you call before you drop by. Everything all right?” his mom asked as she prepped the teapot and got milk from the fridge.
“Yeah. I’ve just got something on my mind, and I wanted your opinion.” Eli sat down at the table in the corner of the kitchen. He paused as he took a big bite of the warm, sweet roll. “I met a guy and I’m falling pretty quickly. He’s a client. Well, he was a client, but I got reassigned. That’s another story. Anyway, he’s not into relationships. He’s had his heart broken one too many times. I don’t want to scare him off, but at the same time, you know me. I can’t do the casual thing.”
“And would this be the fashion designer, Billie? Oliver’s cousin?”
Eli stopped chewing and nodded. “That’s right. How’d you know?”
“You talked about him the last time you were here. I could tell you were smitten.” She smiled as she poured hot water into the teapot and set it down on the table.