Amazing Love Story (NG1)

28 - Yummy cake

A week had passed since Victoria cooked for Matthew and Brady. She and Matthew had walked the beach. One evening, she was ready to go out the door for work, after only having been home from The Point long enough to eat something. Bear started barking. He only barked when he was excited or in a protective mode. Hairs raised on her arms, fearing it was the latter. Looking out the window, Garrett's truck was an unwelcome sight. Before she decided what to do, her father walked outside. Through her open windows, it was easy to hear their conversation. John sounded friendly but wasn't.

Garrett demanded, "I just want to talk to her."

Because Victoria had to leave if she didn't want to be late, she stepped outside. Annoyance controlled her movements. Garrett never scared her, but her father would stay.

She tried to sound casual. "Hey. I'm on my way to work."

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Make it quick." Could he hear her unease?

He looked from her to her father to her again. In a harsh whisper, he said, "Who's the guy? Are you..." His voice lowered. "... Fucking him?"

"He's a friend. But it's not your business. Who I see and don't see has nothing to do with you!"

She walked past him to her car. He called after her. "Tori, don't be one of those girls!"

"Too late. I was one with you, but the good news is I'm not anymore. Goodbye."

Thankfully, he hadn't blocked her in. She calmed down on her drive to work, but she was angry and also embarrassed because he acted like that in front of her father.

The episode made her think about Garrett more than she wanted and not in a good way. As she rounded a corner out of the staff lounge headed for the bank of elevators. She stopped. Ahead of her, Lily stood talking to Danny. His back was to Victoria, but he stood in a stance closer to Lily than typical social norms. Lily looked up at him twirling her hair. Victoria felt stupid when she saw Lily, who she recognized as flirting. How many times had she absent-mindedly played with her hair when she was with Matthew.

Too engrossed with Danny, Lily didn't notice Victoria. A part of her wanted to disturb them, but another part wanted to see how far Danny would go. He was a known womanizer, and although it was risky, he might send Lily running back to Brady.

Danny leaned in and whispered into Lily's ear. Then, like a cocky son of a something, he slithered away. Lily came to and saw Victoria.

Victoria walked past Lily with purpose. "Come on. We'll be late if we don't get upstairs."

Lily studied her in the elevator. "Are you mad at me?"

"No. Why should I be? I know you've had a crush on him for a long time. Looks like he might have noticed." Lily's face turned pink. "So what's going on with you two?" Lily shrugged. "Just be careful. He's... I'll just say, he's not like Brady."

"I know he's not." Lily sighed.

"It's just he has had no relationships in the time I've known him, and I'm not sure you'll be the one to change him. Remember safe sex."

Lily's mouth formed an oh. Victoria smiled. Her friend wanted the playboy, but she didn't know what she was getting into. Maybe Lily's new confidence came from her night in Boston. She had only told Victoria she had fun, but Lillian told Matthew more. Sweet little Lily was grinding and kissing a stranger on the dance floor. Victoria had no desire to get involved with the bump and grind scene. It would be so easy to give in to Matthew, but he had the ability to hurt her in a way Garrett never could.

Victoria didn't see Lily with Danny during their shift. She couldn't decide if she wanted Danny to use Lily or not. Victoria's gut told her Lily wouldn't go back to Brady without gaining some experience.