Ch 7

Mark sat on the deck rail drinking his beer while waiting for the grill to heat up. He had invited Stacy to have dinner with him since they were both alone for the evening. His mind was going one way than other. Mostly he was preoccupied with Stacy and how she made him feel. He was on the verge of divorcing his wife and all he could think about was the feelings he had when he was around Stacy. Things were just so easy with her he didn't have to think about what he was going to say or do around her. She understood him like no other woman had before and it was starting to worry him. He didn't know how long he could hold back the feelings building inside of him.

"Damn it, this is so wrong she is my wife's sister," he ran a hand through his hair trying to think straight. "I have to get control," he went into the kitchen getting another beer along with some burgers for the grill. He had just shut the lid when he heard rustling and looked towards Stacy's house seeing her coming out on the porch. He felt the warm tingling sensation overtaking him as she came his way with a smile on her pretty face.

"I have something for you to make you smile," she said making him swallow hard as the thought of kissing her flashed in his mind.

"Um what?"

"You should read this," she handed him a big manila envelope.

"What is it?"

"Just read it, I'll take over the cooking. You don't mind your burgers very well done right?" she winked at him trying to move past him to the grill. She was taken by surprise when he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist stopping her. Her warmth and the scent of her perfume calmed his troubled mind. He hesitated seeing if she would try to move away from him. Stacy tried to will her feet to go and sit on one of the deck chairs but her body refused to budge.

"I can handle both," he softly spoke keeping her against him as he opened the envelope seeing the prenuptial agreement he signed when he married Stephanie. "Stacy, I already know about this. I already know she can't touch anything I had before the marriage."

"Did you read the whole thing?"

"What was the point? I never intended to divorce your sister," he just signed the paper to make Vince happy he never thought he would see it again.

"This was," her fingers glided over his as she turned the page pointing to a paragraph. He read the paragraph feeling like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

"Stacy, you just made my day. I wish I would have read this when I first signed it," he picked her up in a big hug kissing her cheek.

"I thought finding out my father and Stephanie can not fire or treat your unjustly at work because of a divorce would cheer you up. Your career was well established before you married my sister and it will stay that way if you decide to leave her."

"I was never a fan of prenups till now. How did you get this?"

"My Mom gave it to me after I asked if Stephanie had said anything to them about your marriage problems," Stacy stepped away from Mark leaning against the rail.

"Has she?"

"No, she isn't getting along with Mom at the moment."

"I wondered why Linda hasn't been calling," Mark headed into the kitchen putting the papers into his laptop bag. He would read over them more completely later after his evening with Stacy. He turned surprised to see Stacy had taken over were he had left off slicing the tomatoes.

"What are you doing? You're my guest you shouldn't be helping," he came behind her resting his hand on hers stopping her. Silence filled the room for a moment as they both tried to ignore their heartbeats race at the slightest touch.

"Mark, I don't mind helping," she said feeling him tighten his grip on her hand gently tugging it.

"I know you don't but you helped enough lately. The least I can do is make you dinner," he said his fingers running slowly along to her wrist turning her to face him. "Please let me do this for you. You have done so much for me," he looked down into her blue eyes.

"Ok Mark," she softly said touched by his kindness. Mark grinned leading her back onto the deck grabbing a beer on their way.

"Just sit and relax," he motioned towards the lounge chair.

"I'll try," she smirked making him smile even more. He opened the beer handing it to her as she sat down. They shared another long stare before he went back to grilling while she leaned her head back thinking about everything going on. She deeply sighed wishing she knew what was going on with her marriage to Adam.

"You ok?" Mark asked glancing over at her.

"I hate the thoughts I'm having about Adam. I should be able to trust my husband without any doubts," she glanced down at her watch checking the time. "Do you mind if I call my Dad? I want to catch him before he gets busy with his dinner meeting."

"No go ahead," Mark said on his way in to grab the other things he needed.

"Thanks," Stacy smiled at him reaching in the pocket of her jeans for her cell. She dialed her Dad hoping he would answer.

"Hello my darling daughter, how are you?" Vince answered right away sounding happy to hear from her which took her slightly by surprise.

"I'm ok. How about you?"

"I'm running late. Could I call you later?"

"Sure, but can I ask you something first?" she asked hoping he would agree.

"Go ahead Stacy."

"Dad, did you and Adam talk about having your grandchildren this morning?"

"No, I stopped asking Adam about grandchildren after the last conversation where he blew up at your mother and I about it not being the time. Is everything ok with you and Adam?" Vince's voice filled with fatherly concern.

"Yeah, I'm just confused why he brought up having a baby," Stacy sighed wishing her father would have given her a clue.

"Do you want me to talk with him? I can give him a call after my meeting."

"No Dad, its ok I'll deal with this," Stacy looked up at Mark swallowing hard as she asked the next question. "Have you heard from Stephanie?"

"No, why?"

"She and I had a disagreement this morning. I was just wondering if she called you to complain."

"Your sister must be quite busy lately. I barely hear from her anymore. I have to go I'll call you later. Bye Stacy."

"My Dad doesn't seem to know about your marriage problems," Stacy said to Mark as she put her phone away.

"That's good won't have to worry about his bullshit at the next shows just have to deal with Stephanie and her lover," his voice filled with bitterness and anger. "Let's just forgot all the issues and just enjoy dinner," he took the burgers off the grill motioning towards the table. He watched her nod in agreement then head to the table. He went into the kitchen grabbing another beer. He paused for a moment in the doorway watching Stacy sitting quietly staring into the night.

"It's easy to forget about Stephanie when she's around," Mark thought hoping his growing feelings for Stacy wouldn't drive a wedge in their friendship.

While Mark and Stacy were enjoying dinner in California, Adam was pacing like a caged animal waiting for a knock to come on his hotel door.

"She has forced me to do this. I have to get her pregnant and this is the only way," he spoke rapidly trying to battle his guilt about the decision he was about to make. "We need to have a baby. She wants a kid badly, she is just afraid. Once the kids are here she'll go right into Mommy mode and no more worries. Our future will be set and I can just enjoy the ride," a crazed look overtook his face as he took his wedding photo out of his bag running his fingers over Stacy's photo. "Why couldn't you just be a good wife and have my kid with no problems," he deeply sighed as the knocking started on the door. His hand lightly shook as he placed it on the door knob. He hesitated for a moment wondering if he should just stop his plan. "I could lose Stacy if she finds out," Adam softly said thinking what he would do if she left him. His face suddenly filled with evil as the thought of all the power he would have. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her," Adam grinned opening the door handing an envelope of cash to a man. The man checked the envelope quickly then handed Adam a box wrapped in manila paper then hurried down the hall. Adam held the box tightly as he shut his door knowing the contents were the key to his happy wealthy future.