Chapter 20: Game of Cat and Mouse
. . .
''Luuuucy!'' Lily squealed in happiness as soon as Ellie opened the door. ''Hiiii!'' She pulled Lucy towards her room, not wanting to wait anymore to start playing.
Amy laughed aloud at her reaction. She placed a small bag on the floor and leaned a inflatable mattress against the wall.
''Is that for Luce?'' Ellie asked, pointing at the mattress with her chin.
''Yeah... I couldn't open the valve, so I just took it like this.'' Amy explained.
''You went by subway with it?'' Ellie asked, opening her eyes wide with amazement.
''Yup.'' Amy confirmed and Ellie started to laugh hysterically upon hearing her.
''And nobody looked at you like you're crazy?'' Ellie asked breathlessly.
''Not really.'' Amy admitted with laughter. ''I guess it's not weird enough for this city...''
''I guess you're right.'' Ellie agreed.
''What's going on?'' Tyler asked, entering the living room. He glanced at Amy, who seemed to be rather surprised at his presence. ''Hi.'' He told her and she smiled at him in response, blushing at the same time.
''Amy traveled all the way here from Lucy's place with this.'' Ellie said and showed him the mattress.
''Huh?'' Tyler asked with a frown and looked at Amy like she was crazy. She was staring right at him, but didn't react at first.
''Oh! Something's wrong with the valve, I couldn't open it.'' She explained again.
''Oh, there is?'' Tyler asked and checked the valve. He pulled it lightly and indeed, it didn't open. But with the next try, when he used a little more force, it did. ''Nah, it's fine.'' He said with a proud smile and showed Amy the open valve.
''Very smart, bro.'' Ellie told him and patted his back. ''You know that now you'll have to inflate it?'' She asked him with a smirk and Amy chuckled lightly.
''Remind me again how much you want to go to this party?'' Tyler asked in a serious tone.
''Ohhh! Sooo, sooo, soooooo muuuch!'' Ellie whined. ''Come on, don't be like that! I was just kidding with you.'' She added with a sweet smile.
''OK, OK.'' He said and rolled his eyes. ''It's almost 6 p.m., shouldn't you start to get ready?'' He asked and Ellie rushed to her room.
''Umm... are you sure it's a good idea?'' Amy asked shyly. ''I mean... I promised your mom that I'd take care of Ellie as well.''
''Don't worry, she'll be fine.'' Tyler assured her. ''She's responsible and she promised to call me if anything happens.''
''OK.'' Amy nodded. She kicked off her sneakers and picked up the bag from the floor.
''Do you need some help?'' Tyler asked.
''No, thanks. I brought some stuff. 'Ice Age'.'' She said and pulled the DVD box out of the bag. ''It's Lucy's favorite movie.'' She added with smile. ''Some books... Crayons... Oh and Mitsy Moo.'' She said and showed Tyler a big, black and white cow stuffed toy that was missing one ear.
''Mitsy Moo?'' Tyler asked and made a face.
''Yeah.'' Amy laughed. She took a look at the toy and said, ''The dirtier and more damaged it is, the more loved it is.''
''Right...'' Tyler said.
''So... Have you been doing fine with the kids?'' She asked.
''To be honest I'm glad you're here.'' Tyler admitted. ''I mean, even though I helped take care of Ellie when she was little, it's completely different with three kids. Rick is rather easy to babysit, all he needs is a book or a game. But Lily...''
''Yeah, I know!'' Amy laughed. ''She's a challenge even for me. She seems to never get tired.''
''Exactly!'' Tyler exclaimed. ''And she's quite demanding when it comes to playing.'' He joked. ''But you're great with her.'' He added in a quiet voice.
''I have three little sisters.'' Amy told him with a smile. ''The youngest just turned 6 last week.''
''Wow, three sisters?'' Tyler shook his head. ''And I thought that one is enough...''
''To be honest I can't imagine being an only child. It has to be so boring.'' Amy admitted, sitting down next to him on the couch.
''So you're the oldest one?'' Tyler asked.
''Nope, I have two older brothers.'' Amy told him.
''Quite a family, huh?'' He said. ''Six kids.''
''Yeah. I miss them all so much.'' She sighed.
''They don't live in New York?'' Tyler asked.
''No, I'm from Madison. My parents live there with my little sisters. One of my brothers works in Alaska and the other one got married two years ago and he lives in Oklahoma.'' Amy explained. ''With me studying here, we all meet only once a year, for Christmas.'' She added sadly.
''Well, at least then you have a lot to talk about.'' Tyler said softly.
''Yeah, that's true.'' She agreed with a smile. He was watching her carefully, until she raised her eyes and looked at him.
''Umm... so...'' He stammered. Much to his relief Lily entered the room.
''Amy! Can you help us find a glue stick?'' She asked. ''We want to put some glitter on the picture we made.''
''Sure...'' Amy said and slowly rose to her feet.
''Come!'' Lily told her and grabbed her hand.
''I'll be right back.'' Amy told Tyler, looking at him over her shoulder.
''Don't be so sure about it.'' Tyler joked and she laughed. He watched how she left the room and he saw how she turned and looked at him once more before disappearing into Lily's room.
. . .
''Whoa!'' Don exclaimed as Jo came back to the table and placed her plate, with a huge pile of food, down. ''There's no chance you're gonna eat all that!''
''Darlin', that's only an appetizer.'' Jo told him with a smirk.
''But seriously, I still can't wrap my head around the fact you're able to stuff yourself with so much food.'' Don continued. ''I mean, come on, where does it go?'' He asked, pointing at Jo.
''Believe me, I ask myself this question every day.'' Mac told him with a smile.
''I'm so hungry my belly thinks my throat's been cut.'' Jo told them between bites, in a perfect Southern accent. They froze for a moment in complete amazement and then they're starting to laugh.
''Oh my God, Jo!'' Lindsay squealed.
''Where'd that come from?'' Danny asked with laughter.
''The more booze, the better it gets.'' Jo said and winked at Danny.
''Speaking of booze... Do you want me to bring you something?'' Mac asked, standing up.
''Oh yes, please. Champagne with Cassis de Dijon.'' Jo told him with a sweet smile and he made a face.
''Fancy. They do have it here, right? I don't have to go to another state to get it?'' He joked and Jo smiled at him.
''Yes, they do.'' She confirmed. ''And it's absolutely amazing.''
''Linds? Anything for you?'' Danny asked.
''Well...'' Lindsay looked into her glass, which was almost empty. ''Some cocktail. Pick something I like.'' She said.
''No sooner said than done.'' Danny said and playfully touched her nose before getting up.
''Jamie?'' Don asked. ''Jack and Coke?''
''Yeah.'' She answered with a smile.
''How about you, love-muffin? Do you want something?'' Adam asked Michelle.
''Only you, sugar-pea.'' She answered and kissed him.
The three guys simultaneously rolled their eyes and left the table.
''Are you sure?'' Adam asked again.
''Mhm.'' She murmured, kissing him again.
''Positive?'' He asked with a smile in between her kisses.
''Mhm.''
''Don't you think they should have their own table?'' Lindsay asked, stealing glances at Adam and Michelle.
''I agree.'' Jo nodded, staring openly at them. ''They're making me jealous. Nobody has called me 'love-muffin' in ages.'' She added with a sigh.
''Oh Mac doesn't do that?'' Lindsay asked with a giggle.
''Have you lost your mind?'' Jo asked seriously. ''Can you even imagine him saying something like this?''
''Not really.'' Lindsay said and giggled again.
''Exactly.'' Jo nodded. ''The best you can get from him is 'princess'... when he's addressing Lily.'' She added and the two women laughed. ''But honestly, don't you wish you were in this sweet state when the whole world doesn't matter?'' She asked, looking at Adam and Michelle, who were rubbing their noses together, continuing their flirtatious banter.
''Oh yeah...'' Lindsay sighed.
''I'm not asking you.'' Jo told Jamie. ''As I'm pretty sure it is like this with you two. Minus the ridiculous terms of endearment.'' She added and Jamie didn't deny it, only smiled.
''What ridiculous terms of endearment?'' Danny asked, coming back to the table.
''Sugar-pea.'' Lindsay told him.
''And love-muffin.'' Jo added.
''I've always hated those.'' Danny admitted, sitting down at the table. ''I think it's better when they are personalized and have a special meaning.''
''Oh, do you have one of those?'' Jo asked. They looked at each other and exchanged smiles.
''Here, your kir royal.'' Mac said and placed a glass in front of Jo.
''Thank you.'' She told him, but then she brought her attention back to Danny and Lindsay. ''So? Do you? Come on, share with us! I'm dying to know.'' Jo begged. She glanced at Mac and noticed how he was smiling lightly. ''You know it?''
''Yeah, I do.'' He admitted.
''Oh cooome on...'' She moaned.
''OK, OK.'' Danny gave up. ''When Lindsay joined our team I was calling her 'Montana'.'' He told Jo.
''You don't call me that anymore.'' Lindsay noted.
''You got mad every time I did!''
''That's not true, I actually liked it.'' She sighed.
''Gosh, women. You never know what makes them tick.'' Danny groaned and everybody laughed. ''Montana...'' He added quietly, looking tenderly at Lindsay. She leaned forward towards him and pecked his lips in response.
''Care to dance with me?'' She asked.
''With you? Always.'' He answered and they both left the table.
Jamie looked at Mac, then at Jo. Finally she cleared her throat.
''I think I'm gonna look for Don.'' She murmured and stood up as well.
Mac glanced at Adam and Michelle, who were still busy with each other. He turned his chair a little in order to face Jo.
''Are you OK?'' Mac asked.
''Yup, I'm good.'' Jo answered and turned slightly as well. She crossed her legs and rested them against the side of his chair and his leg. He moved slightly and only then she felt that her leg was touching his. ''Oh, sorry.'' She said quickly and attempted to change her position, but he stopped her.
''I don't mind.'' He told her and at the same time he placed his hand on her leg, just above her ankle. ''You know what I think?'' He asked.
''No.'' She shook her head.
''I should come up with some term of endearment for you.'' He said and the corners of his mouth curled up in a barely noticeable smile.
''Oh? And what would it be?'' Jo asked, tilting her head left, as always when she was getting curious.
''I can't quite decide.'' Mac admitted slowly. ''Either... Southern Belle... or Bottomless Pit.'' He told her.
''You're terrible!'' She told him with laughter and smacked his arm.
''Why? Both are equally true.'' He said, looking her in the eye. She tried to focus on his words and interpret them right, but his touch was making it almost impossible. She wasn't sure if he was aware how his fingers were brushing against her calf constantly. She averted her gaze and looked at the dance floor, but it wasn't really helping. She picked up her glass without looking and took a sip, still feeling his eyes on her.
''I liked the wedding.'' She said in order to change the topic. ''It was very... intimate, if I might say so. Almost like there was nobody there, only the bride and the groom.''
''Yes, I noticed that, too.'' Mac nodded. ''Usually it's quite chaotic.'' He kept silent for a moment and then he added, ''I remember that Claire was very nervous about everything being just perfect. Of course it wasn't.'' He added with a smile.
''A perfect wedding is only a perfect wedding. It doesn't mean that the marriage will be perfect as well.'' Jo said. She was looking across the room, her gaze fixed on some random point in space. Mac's hand moved higher, to her knee as he wanted to catch her attention and make her look at him. But she didn't seem to notice. He thought that he would give quite a lot to find out what she was thinking in that moment.
''Jo...'' He started and she finally looked at him.
''I'll be right back.'' She said suddenly and stood up. ''I want to call the kids.'' She added.
She left the room and went out to the garden. She pulled her cell phone out of her purse, but before she called home she leaned against a tree and closed her eyes for a brief moment.
The way Mac was acting tonight... He was clearly flirting with her. In that subtle, slightly shy way of his own, but the signals he had been sending were completely clear. Yet, she couldn't force herself to respond in the same way. Usually she was the flirtatious one. She was very much aware of her charm and she knew how to use it. So she did, almost constantly. It was nothing but pure fun. It was completely innocent, without any agenda. But with Mac it was something different. He showed his feelings so very rarely, but when he did, it couldn't possibly be mistaken for anything else – it was always honest and serious.
''My God... Don...'' A hoarse whisper coming from behind the nearby tree cut into Jo's thoughts.
''You like it?'' Don asked.
''Yeah, but... umm... we have to stop.'' Jamie whispered again.
''Let's go back to our room.'' Don offered. ''I'm sure nobody will notice we're gone.'' He encouraged.
''Too far away...'' Jamie groaned.
''Garden house?'' Don asked, sounding rather breathless.
''Mmm...'' Jamie murmured in response.
''Come on!'' Don hurried her up and then Jo heard Jamie's giggle when they rushed away towards the garden house.
Jo shook her head slightly and briefly wondered if any other couple had already come up with the same idea. Then she sighed and looked in the direction of the ballroom's entrance. She saw Mac standing at the stairs. He was looking around, but he couldn't see her, as she was hidden in a shadow. After a minute or so he turned around and disappeared inside the building, with Jo following him with her eyes. Then she dialed the number and lifted the phone to her ear.
. . .
''I'm going to make more popcorn.'' Amy said and grabbed the empty bowl from the coffee table. Tyler glanced at the movie, then at the two little girls who were watching it, completely mesmerized.
''I'll help you.'' He offered and followed Amy to the kitchen.
''She hit him with the frying pan, because he broke into her tower, right?'' Lily asked.
''Yeah...'' Rick answered, looking at the screen from behind his comic book.
''And she hid him in the wardrobe, because she didn't want her mom to see him, right?'' Lucy asked.
''Yeah...'' Rick repeated. Watching movies with his sister was tiring itself, as he had to keep track of the plot and answer four thousands questions per minute. Having Lucy watching it with them was making it eight thousand.
Meanwhile in the kitchen Tyler watched how Amy was melting some butter in the pot.
''Do you think it's ready?'' She asked, studying the butter carefully. He leaned closer and took a look.
''Not yet.'' He stated and looked at Amy out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't wearing any make up, which rather surprised him. All the girls he knew wore it, some even so much that he joked with his friends that they probably used a putty knife to put it on. In comparison to them Amy looked so different. Her skin was very pale and he could easily spot freckles on her nose. He had never found them pretty, but suddenly they seemed very endearing to him.
''Now?'' Amy asked and looked at him.
''Not yet.'' Tyler repeated and stared into her green eyes for a longer while, until she blushed and averted her gaze.
''How about now?'' She asked again and he laughed.
''Yeah, now it's good.'' Tyler confirmed and Amy took the packet of corn kernels. ''Be careful.'' He warned her before she threw them in the pan. Then she took the lid and covered it. ''Here let me take it.'' Tyler said and she moved away. He pulled up the sleeves of his shirt, took the pot and started to shake it.
''My mom said that you study Social Pedagogy.'' He said.
''Yes. It's my second year, but I already know that I want to work with children who have been victimized by crimes.'' She told him.
''So you want to work at Social Services?'' Tyler asked. ''It's their job to deal with these kids, right?''
''Usually it is, but they can't devote as much time to them as is needed. Also, they don't take care of those children who aren't direct victims.'' She explained fervently.
''Like Lily and Rick?'' Tyler asked.
''Yes, exactly.'' Amy answered. ''I would love to establish a foundation that would take care of such children. It's amazing how much can be done to help them. With good care they can overcome the trauma completely. Otherwise, it will leave scars on their psyche forever.'' She told him and he smiled as he was listening to her. ''Sorry, I tend to talk too much about it.'' Amy added and laughed nervously. ''You shouldn't ask me about that.''
''No, no. It's very interesting.'' Tyler denied quickly. ''I wish I were so passionate about something.'' He added.
''But your mom told me that you're a collage student, too.''
''Yes, I'm in my last year of Political Science. I have to decide soon what I want to do next.'' Tyler admitted genuinely.
''You want to keep studying?'' Amy asked and sat down on the table.
''My parents want me to go to a law school. But I'm not so sure about it.''
''Why?''
''I don't want to spend all my life working as a corporate lawyer. Fighting in court for someone else.''
''Oh, but you don't have to be one!'' Amy remarked. ''You can do so many things with a degree in law. But first you have to decide what exactly you want to do.''
''What do you mean?'' Tyler asked her, for a moment forgetting about shaking the pan.
''Well, what is your goal. To make lots of money? To be someone famous?'' She asked.
''Not really. What I would like to do is...'' Tyler started, but then broke off. ''Never mind, it's stupid.'' He said and laughed nervously.
''No, no! Tell me.'' Amy asked.
''Well... I would like to make a difference. That's why I wanted to study Political Science. But now I know that it doesn't really work like I thought.'' He explained.
''I know what you mean...'' Amy sighed. ''To make it work, one has to start from small things. I mean, what's bigger – to change everyone's lives so insignificantly that they won't even notice, or to change only one person's life, but to change it completely?'' She asked.
''Yeah... I can see the point there.'' Tyler nodded. He couldn't believe how easy she made it sound. Maybe it was easy after all. He always felt like he knew what he should do with his life. It was other people's advice and opinions that were making him confused. He fixed his gaze on Amy, looking into her beautiful eyes and he smiled. ''You're quite special, Amy, you know?'' He asked. ''Your boyfriend is a lucky guy.'' He added, feeling utterly stupid, but he just needed to know.
''Oh, I don't have a boyfriend.'' Amy admitted. Then she blushed and lowered her eyes to the floor.
''How come?'' Tyler asked.
''I don't know.'' She shrugged her shoulders. ''I'm rather shy.'' She risked looking at him and he smiled at her. ''I would never start chatting with you in a bar or... I don't know... somewhere else.''
''Why not? I'm not that bad, you know.'' Tyler told her and let out a chuckle. She smiled shyly in response. Suddenly the phone started to ring.
''I'm gonna get it.'' Amy said and jumped off the table. ''You'd better watch this popcorn.'' She added before she left.
. . .
As soon as Jo came back to the ballroom, she stopped dead in her tracks as there was nobody at their table apart from Adam and Michelle. She glanced at the dance floor, but there was no sign of Mac there either. For a moment she felt disappointed as it crossed her mind that he might have gone back to their room. But the thought was long forgotten when she heard a familiar low voice coming from behind her.
''So how are the kids?'' Mac asked. She turned to face him and smiled at him. He was waiting for her, standing right next to the door.
''They're OK. I told Amy that she can put the girls to bed a little later, so they won't wake up at dawn.'' She answered. She slowly walked towards their table and Mac followed her.
''Lucy will sleep in Lily's room?'' He asked.
''Yes. Amy brought an inflatable mattress for her, but then Lily didn't want to sleep in her bed, so they will both be sleeping on the floor.'' Jo said with laughter. She took her shawl off and draped it on the back of her chair.
''I thought you said that Ellie hid your shawl from you.'' Mac noted with a smirk.
''She did.'' Jo confirmed ''The black one. This one I bought here.'' She explained and put her cell phone in her purse. Then she looked at the dance floor as the DJ had just announced that the next song would be by Santana. Soon the sound of guitar filled the room. ''Oh, I love this song.'' Jo said.
''Do you want to dance?'' Mac asked hesitantly. She looked at him and frowned.
''Really?''
''Well, I did promise you one dance, didn't I?'' He reminded her and held out his hand to take hers.
''Only because you lost the bet.'' She laughed and he smiled lightly.
The song was indeed perfect for dancing, with a nice rhythm. Mac couldn't keep himself from smiling as Jo seemed to know all the lyrics. He was making her twirl endlessly, not letting go of her hand and enjoying how her body was swaying along to the music. At some point he pulled her closer to himself and at that very moment the song changed. The energetic beat faded away and the music became much calmer. Jo froze, not sure what to do. She wanted to pull away, but Mac tightened up his hold on her.
''Stay.'' He whispered. ''Please.''
She looked up at him and nodded. He felt how she relaxed again in his arms. She placed her right hand on his shoulder and he took her left hand in his. He brought it up to his lips and kissed her fingertips.
Even though the song was slow, Mac could feel how Jo's chest was moving fast with her labored breathing. He was sure her heart was thudding like crazy and for a moment he regretted he couldn't feel that. He imagined Jo lying on top of him, with his arms around her. Her breathing as fast as her heart beat, her face flushed. Her skin covered with perspiration, making it even more sexy. He imagined caressing her lovingly while she slowly came down from her heights, calming down enough to finally drift off to sleep with her usual soft sigh.
He moved his face closer to her hair and breathed in her scent. He wanted it to be all around him, to cover him. He wanted to kiss her everywhere, to slowly caress her with his lips and find out where she wanted them the most. But most of all he wanted her to wrap her arms and legs around him, to hold onto him so tightly that he could feel every single shudder coming through her body.
The song was perfect for being swayed in his arms. The melody was very atmospheric – slow and romantic. But there were also those melodies that were rousing an odd feeling – some sort of inexpressible yearning. Jo swallowed hard and placed her head down on Mac's shoulder. She hadn't even realized how much she missed being held in someone's arms. Feeling safe and protected. And most of all being allowed, for a moment, to take a break from being strong.
Mac's hand was placed on her bare back and his fingertips were drawing circles on her skin. She closed her eyes, trying to focus more on his touch. It was a caress. Gentle, almost imperceptible, like every sign of affection coming from him, but it was definitely a caress.
He was making her feel sexy and wanted. But at the same time he awoke a feeling in her she hadn't felt for a long time. She wanted to be someone's again. To be his. She knew he would take a good care of her, make her feel comfortable and give her pleasure.
Mac felt how Jo suddenly stopped and pulled away. He looked at her surprised.
''Jo?''
''Can you take me to the room?'' She asked him, looking into his eyes.
''Why? You're not feeling well?'' He asked.
''No. I feel fine.'' She told him. ''I just want you... to take me... to our room.'' She repeated slowly, still holding his gaze. He furrowed his eyebrows, not sure if he understood what she was saying. He needed to be sure.
''Jo...'' He started, but she shook her head, indicating that she didn't want him to say anything.
''Mac.'' She said his name, waiting for his response.
''OK.'' He nodded and took her hand, leading her off the dance floor.
. . .
A/N Sorry it took me so long to update, but the last week was completely crazy. I'm so glad it's already over. I hope that the next chapter will be up sooner.
Many thanks to UrbanMuse for correcting this chapter. And many thanks a lot for all the feedback and please don't hesitate to provide some this time as well :)