Page 20 of The Homemaker (The Chain of Lakes #1)

Chapter Twenty

Murphy

Doing the right thing can be wrong.

You’re going to fuck things up. That’s life.

“What are you doing?” Alice asks as I wash the dishes.

“What does it look like?”

“It looks like you’re doing my job.” She buttons her dress as I glance over at her.

I guess I don’t get cleavage for doing the dishes.

“You gave me a piece of pie. The least I can do is clean up.”

“Go to your room. I’ve got this.” She nudges me aside and dons the pink latex gloves while I dry my hands.

“But, Mom, it’s not my bedtime yet.”

Alice keeps her chin tucked to hide her grin. “You’re trying to get me fired. Then I’ll have to work for Rupert Rawlings for twice the money. ”

“You’re kidding. He offered you a job?”

She takes over washing the dishes. “Don’t act so surprised. I’m a rare commodity. Not a lot of women my age, or any age for that matter, would do what I do.”

I take the glass bowl from her and dry it. We’ve washed a lot of dishes together.

Flirty glances.

Playful nudges.

Stolen kisses that led to losing our clothes.

I doubt that will happen tonight.

“No one else does dishes?”

Alice elbows me. I guess we are playfully nudging tonight.

“Oh, you must be talking about the sexy fifties dresses. Or do you mean reading stories to old men while they nap?”

She eyes me, and I get to check “flirty glance” off the list. That just leaves stolen kisses and losing our clothes. My mind doesn’t care that I have a fiancée, but I wish it did because it needs to get really fucking serious about these unresolved feelings.

“Does Blair know you’re this obnoxious with other women who you don’t know that well?”

“I feel like I know you.” I inspect her while drying the measuring cup, looking for a hint of recognition. Eventually, she’ll crack. “Do you feel like you know me?”

She shrugs a shoulder, keeping her gaze on the sink of sudsy water. “I feel like I know guys like you.”

“Guys like me? Dang. And here I thought I was an original. Please elaborate on what you mean by guys like me.”

“Homemakers are peacemakers. I’m not here to critique you. I’m here to make you feel at home.”

“In that case, stop what you’re doing. When I lived at home, my mom worked nights, and my dad fell asleep in his recliner by seven.

So the dinner dishes didn’t get washed until the following morning because my sister and I snuck out of the house as soon as our dad’s eyes closed.

And you’ll need to empty most of the clothes onto the floor by the washing machine.

The fridge is entirely too organized. And don’t get me started on the perfectly made beds with no chip crumbs in them. ”

“Sounds like a normal house.” She shoots me a quick smile.

Everything hurts inside. What if I put an end to this charade? Tell her I know she knows me. Then what?

Will she tell me everything?

Will it change anything?

Standing this close to her, just the two of us, it feels like we're cleaning up after dinner in the little rental, like I could kiss her and it would feel normal, maybe even expected.

“What was your childhood home like?” I ask.

“My dad did all the cooking because he was a stay-at-home dad. That’s where my love of cooking started. Later I consumed every YouTube video I could find that would refine my cooking skills. And I had to wash the dishes every night. No waiting until morning at my house.”

“So your dad stayed home. What did your mom do?” I don’t know if she’s telling me the truth. This is all new information.

“She’s a biomedical engineer.”

“So you’ve taken after your dad. A homemaker.”

Alice laughs. “I get paid, he didn’t. That’s one reason they’re divorced now.” She hands me the last dish.

“I’m sorry to hear that. ”

“Actually,” she drains the water and pauses, “I took after my mom.”

“What do you mean?”

“I went to college to be a civil engineer, but after my third year, I dropped out.”

The Alice I knew didn’t go to college. Who’s the liar? Old Alice or new Alice?

“Why did you drop out?”

She dries her hands. “My friend died, and I lost focus. The only reason I was studying engineering was because my mom supported it and my friend was studying it as well.”

I pause. Did her friend really die? When? Was it the same friend who convinced her to be a synchronized swimmer? “I’m sorry,” I murmur.

After hanging the towel to dry, she puts away the clean dishes. “Stop apologizing for the miserable things in my life. Look at me now. I’m living the dream.”

“Dream bigger.” I laugh.

She closes the cabinet and leans against it. “Are you living your dream?”

Nightmare is more like it.

“What do you think?” I ask with a little laugh, as if the answer is obvious.

“I think you’re just along for the ride in someone else’s dream.”

“Is that not what you’re doing?”

Her gaze slips along with her smile, and she stares at the floor between us.

“Can I tell you a secret?” I ask.

Alice returns her attention to me.

“I met a woman eight?—”

“Ugh! Traffic is insane,” Blair interrupts, tossing her keys onto the counter and dropping her bag on the floor before draping her arms around me.

I hug her waist as she practically hangs from my neck like she’s too tired to stand on her own.

Alice and I stare at each other. I was going to tell her. Did Blair just save me from making an epic mistake?

“I need a shower before dinner. Want to join me?” Blair kisses my neck.

“Thanks for your help,” Alice murmurs, untying her apron and pivoting to walk to the back door.

Blair shoots a quick glance in her direction before turning back to me. “What did you help her do?”

“The dishes,” I murmur, with my gaze still glued to the cabinet as if Alice were still there.

Blair’s nose wrinkles. “Why?”

I shrug. “Seemed like the nice thing to do.”

“Babe, that’s her job. She doesn’t help you do your job.”

I peel her hands from my neck. “What does it matter?”

“It’s just weird.” Blair pinches my chin, forcing me to look at her. “Did you hear me? I asked if you want to shower with me.”

“I already showered.”

She frowns. “Hello? I’m basically asking if you want to have sex. Is that a no?”

“Your parents should be back soon.”

“Murphy, they know we have sex.” She takes my hand and leads me toward the bathroom. “I’m feeling generous, if you know what I mean.”