Previously, On Concrete Shelves...
- Kirsten Thurlow Sutton found out that she was pregnant with Adrian Stone’s child. Upon telling him the news, they ended their affair and she told her husband, Charlie Sutton, that the baby was his.
- Violet Stone has spent so much time smothered by her up-tight mother, Gail Schmidt Stone, so her friendship with Tully Joplin has become air-tight. However, Violet, asked Tully to meet her later to talk about something that has been on her mind.
- Marco Maldonado made a move on Taylor Thurlow-Kern, a move that Amanda Tucker had noticed and brought up to her best friend. However, Taylor made the decision to friend zone Marco in favor of his marriage to Aidan Thurlow-Kern.
- Catalina Cortez has been the center of a tug-o-war that she didn’t see coming as multiple sides of the Sutton clan begin to set their plans in motion. When Lindy Llewellyn Yu whispered in her ear about the uncertainty of the Sutton namesake, she felt something shift from within…
Places That Don’t Feel the Same
August 30th, 2027
On Concrete Shelves | Revisited
010 - Part Three
Scene One; Stone Creek
Sage Gardens; Alice’s Haven Cafe
The cafe is in a mid afternoon rush. Which means the sound of commotion and the fluttering of waitresses causes sensory issues for the blonde. As casually as she is able to, she makes her way through the warfare of the dining area and moves beyond the counter that separates the kitchen from the patrons.
“Hi boss lady,” Aimee chimes in as she swings a drawer closed with her hip and hoists a tray up over her head, “if you’re looking for daddy Adrian he’s in the back.”
Kirsten grimaces at the word daddy. “Please,” she starts, “don’t call him daddy.” This isn’t the first time that she’s had to chastise the younger waitress and she knows it won’t be last, especially if they’re spending the evening shift together.
The younger woman flashes her a toothy smile. “Relax, it’s not that serious.”
She knows better to pick a fight with the petite brunette. Aimee may be a terrible gossip but she’s also a damned good waitress. Half the business owners in Sage Gardens have tried stealing the bubbly girl from the cafe — this month alone.
Kirsten lets it pass and decides to go looking for Adrian instead. One of the junior managers, Jude Langston nods her way and then turns back to a few patrons towards the far left of the counter. Kirsten knows that if she heads back to the office now they have a few minutes of peace while Jude wrangles the waitresses during the lunch rush.
A short walk past the kitchen she notices the office door slightly ajar.
Not the strangest thing, but she holds an open-door policy here and only keeps the office door shut if they’re counting the deposit at the end of the night. So she moves forward to investigate. What she finds, however, is just her business partner and turned lover, Adrian Stone moving around the schedule on the office computer.
“Why do you have the door shut?” Kirsten asks in curiosity.
Adrian turns around, startled, “I— Damn, I didn’t expect you to be here this early. It’s about an hour or two before you start your shift, isn’t it?”
Taking note of how he didn’t answer her questions she only spends a few seconds in the doorway before she places her Stanley on a side table and opens her locker and places her bag inside of it.
He looks between her and the door. “I’m sorry if getting caught by Laurie for a second time isn’t on my wishlist. Besides, it was never the smartest decision we’ve had meeting in a place like the Langford Willow Inn.”
“At the time I don’t think either of us was thinking with our smarts.”
Adrian looks down at her stomach, which, instinctively she covers with her hands. “I know that it is still something we both have to wrap our heads around. I didn’t exactly get a clear answer from you about that.”
“You can’t blame me, can you?”
“No.” Kirsten admits. After dropping the news on him the way that she did Kirsten knows she would have reacted the exact way. She thinks back to when she first discovered that she was pregnant. Her mind had been racing since. Kirsten had to tell someone and the only one who needed to know was Adrain. At least for now.
Kirsten looks to the door and then back to Adrian. “We do need to figure out what we are going to do about this though. I have never thought about having an abortion before. I don’t even think I could step foot in a clinic knowing that I was ending a life.”
“It’s also not that simple.” Adrian says.
“I’m not having an abortion.” Kirsten snips.
He holds out his hands. “Okay. That’s clear enough. But we also can’t be having this conversation here at the cafe. If we want to keep our affair between the two of us — and Laurie,” he begrudges.
“She has no concrete evidence.” Kirsten butts in.
Adrian shrugs. “That still doesn’t make me feel good about the situation. If we want to keep this between us then we have to start speaking in code around here. Aimee has hawk-ears and a mouth that gives the church ladies a run for their money.”
“Fine.”
There’s a silence between the two of them before Adrian speaks up. “If we’re not going to be discussing a new vegetable supplier,” he says, which Kirsten catches onto pretty quickly, “I think we should talk about sprucing up the recipe.”
“Potatoes and tomatoes.” Kirsten rebuttals, she folds her arms. She then looks down at her stomach and back at Adrian. Kirsten points and mouths the following “this is not a potato.”
Adrian cracks a smile. “Probably as small as a pea right now, anyways.”
“I should probably have a conversation with Charlie if we are going to go through with this. Especially since it’s been a few weeks since we’ve actually had… a salad together.” Reluctantly she agrees to code words. “I think it’s best if we treat this as our own situation and keep you out of the equation.”
Kirsten now see’s the hurt in his honey brown eyes.
The room suddenly feels heavy. “Okay.”
Kirsten turns to leave, but decides to turn back to him once more. “I just want to let you know that whatever Charlie and I decide to do with the salad date,” she rolls her eyes at her own stupid reference, “I just want you to know that you will always be a part of the decisions. In some way. I will try to keep you updated on that.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kirsten. I have my own family to look out for right now. I don’t think that spreading myself thin interfering with yours — especially if that’s what we are pretending that this is — I don’t think it’s healthy to keep me involved.”
“But…”
He nods. “Gail would be suspicious. She wouldn’t let it go if she caught on.”
Kirsten understands. “Well, then. I’m sorry that things had to happen this way. I really am, Adrian. I guess I just wish that we had a second chance at the kissing bridge when we were teenagers. Maybe that would’ve changed things?”
Adrian shakes his head. “I don’t think the kissing bridge would’ve changed anything.”
The two of them lock eyes. Knowing that this is a defining moment in their lives. From here on out they must bury the feelings that they’ve had for one another in order to salvage their own marriages. The baby growing in Kirsten’s belly was now Charlie’s child. There was no going back from this.
Kirsten turns away from him.
Scene Two; Stone Creek
Granger Grove Gated Community; Thurlow Residence
“What?” Iris asks.
He shakes his head. “I just can’t help but admire you.”
“You better get as much of that in as possible because after the twins are born these looks are only going to go downhill.” She scoffs, a slight chuckle accompanies, “I’m serious, Emm, if you think I’m going to be getting up every morning to put on makeup just to deal with our two little gremlins and then to deal with the children at school… you’ve got another thing coming!”
Emmet moves closer to his wife. “You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“You didn’t say stunning.”
Iris breaks into a smile. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“I do want to talk to you about something, actually,” Emmet starts, he moves away from Iris and towards their fridge. They had spent the majority of their day in bed trying to get some sleep, by the time they emerged from their bedroom he didn’t realize how hungry he was.
“What is it?”
Emmet spins to look at his wife. “Chicken Salad or Watermelon?”
“We still have watermelon left over?” Iris lifts herself up from her stool.
“Sit down.” Emmet commands. “You’re going to hurt yourself. Yes, we still have half a watermelon. I can make us a salad and maybe throw in some pomegranates if you’d like? Or we can go chicken and add cheese.”
“Cheese.” Iris groans.
He makes a clicking sounds with his tongue and winks at his wife. “A woman after my own heart. I was hoping you’d say that. Let me get everything prepared here in the kitchen if you’d like to meet me in the living room?”
“No dining room today?”
“Nah,” he shakes his head and leans against the counter. “We are going to be the cool parents from here on out. Find us a good movie, yeah?”
Iris perks up in her seat. “I will, sure. But I don’t think the question you had in mind was just about salad. What else is on your mind, dear husband of mine?”
It takes him a minute to gather his thoughts. He knows that he has to approach Iris in a serious tone and with all the facts if he wants her to take him seriously. So Emmet thinks about his plan and sucks in air.
“I was thinking, now that we know we are having twins and our due date is approaching quicker than either of us could imagine.” He treads lightly. “Maybe it would be better if you took maternity leave earlier than we originally thought you would?”
“I don’t understand why?”
Emmet tilts his head. “You’re not getting much sleep at night my love.”
“You’re an amazing woman.” Emmet replies. “I would feel more at ease if you would at least think about it? You said it yourself, the school year has just begun. It may be easier for them to adjust to a more full-time temp — at least until you go back after the babies are born.”
There’s a distance in her eyes he cannot place.
So Emmet moves towards her. “My love, I have never seen you more exhausted in my life. I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself and make it through until you take leave. But you’ve already proven how resilient you are. Isn’t it time to allow yourself to rest?”
Iris opens her mouth to speak but they’re interrupted by the doorbell. Both stare at each other bewildered as neither had invited any one over. “I don’t know, Emm.”
He kisses her on the forehead. “Just think about it. I’m going to go see who is at the door and then we can pig out while watching some trashy reality tv, how does that sound?”
“Now you’re speaking my language.” Iris smiles. Though there’s a heaviness there.
Emmet was already having trouble trying to convince his wife to take some time off for herself but now with a potential third party entering into the conversation he feels he won’t win. A short jog to the front door, he opens it with surprise.
“Dad? Caitlyn?” Emmet says. The older man stands tall, next to his wife in the doorway. “What brings the two of you by? Did Marina get herself arrested again?” He says with a smirk. A memory that lives in his mind rent free. Especially since his younger sister has always been a daddy’s girl.
James shoots Emmet a ‘tread lightly’ look, before hugging his son. At his side, Caitlyn speaks first. “We just though we would stop by. Your father told me that Iris has been having trouble sleeping lately.”
“Yeah, she has.” Emmet admits. “I made her a chamomile tea this morning to help remedy that and she was able to get a few hours today.”
“That’s good.” Caitlyn replies, she kisses Emmet’s cheek and then looks around the room. “I’m sure it was much needed. I’m glad that she has you to keep an eye on her, Emmet. Where is she?”
He motions towards the hallway behind them. “I left her in the kitchen. We were going to make a chicken salad.”
“Oh, yum!” Caitlyn exclaims, “I can help with that if you’d like? Of course, only if you’d have us stay over for a few hours?”
He eyes the two of them with caution. “What is going on here?”
“We just want to help.” James replies. “It would actually help me keep my mind off of the meeting this morning as well.”
“I am sorry about not showing up.”
James waves it off. “It’s fine. We managed. But right now Caitlyn and I would like to lend our services and help the two of you. Let us hang around and maybe we can figure out how to help Iris with her restlessness.”
Defeated, Emmet slumps his shoulders. “Sure. I think Iris would like that.”
Our Love. Our Fights. Our Friendships.
On Concrete Shelves.
Forever, They Shall Be Remembered.
Scene Three; Stone Creek
Sage Gardens; Alice's Haven Cafe
The conversation she had earlier with her best friend floats around in her head. It’s enough to nearly stop her in her tracks as she maneuvers the large heavy glass door at the entrance of the cafe and loads herself into the sitting area.
Tully looks up to see Aimee behind the counter. “Hey, Aimee, sorry that I’m late.”
Aimee shrugs. “Girl, I’m not your mother.”
“Right.”
“Get your shit to the break room and then come back out here and help me with these tables before we get the last rush of the night, yeah?” Aimee asks. Before Tully can form a response she’s making her way to the dining area and away from her.
“Tully.” Jude Langston calls out. “You’re late.”
She nods. “Noted.”
“I’ll pretend I don’t have my glasses on right now.” Jude teases.
Tully turns to the older man. “You don’t have your glasses on.”
The green eyed man smirks. “Then you’ve got about three minutes to appear in your buser apron before I do have my glasses on.”
“Double noted.” Tully remarks and then leaves the area and past the cafe kitchen. Thinking about how close she could’ve been to getting her ass handed to her by either of them she moves towards the break area — she takes note of the office door being closed and slowly walks up to the door. Then decides against the thought.
Quickly making her way to her locker she almost instinctively moves around the room; places her book bag on a chair, opens her locker and removes her apron from it only to replace it with her book bag on one of the old sturdy hooks.
Tully ties her apron on as fast as she can and goes to clock in using the electronic device nearest the entrance to the break room. The door to the main office creaks open and draws her attention. So she moves back over to it and is almost barreled over by Adrian Stone.
She shakes her head and put her hands up. “Uh. No. My head was in the clouds. Clumsy me. I wasn’t paying attention. You’re good.”
He eyes her suspiciously. Which she tries not to notice, trying to keep her cool. “I should be getting to work.”
“I should be leaving.” Adrian says.
He moves past Tully and towards the dining area. Leaving her alone in the hallway with the office door open. She peers inside the room only to notice her boss — Kirsten Thurlow Sutton looking back at her.
“Tallulah.” Kirsten says coldly.
“Mrs. Sutton.” Tully replies.
Kirsten walks up to her. “Shouldn’t you be out in the dining area cleaning tables already?” She looks down at her watch and Tully does the same thing. “You should have at least cleared two tables by now.”
“Clocked it.” Tully says nervously. “I’ll go find Aimee.”
“You go do that.” Kirsten replies. Then before Tully makes it down the hallway she speaks once again. “Tully… is everything alright with you?”
This stops the high schooler in her tracks. If there was anything that Tully would love to avoid, it would be being stuck in the hallway with Kirsten. She can feel the tension building between the two of them. Tully turns around. “From what my doctor says I’m just a boring growing girl.”
“That couldn’t be me.” Tully responds. “That’s not my M.O.”
She then turns hoping for that to be the end of their conversation until she hears her name once again from Kirsten’s mouth. “I’m going to be late.”
“You’re already late.”
“Every second counts.” Tully weasels.
They stand in silence for longer than Tully would like. There’s an utter awkwardness that she cannot explain between the two of them.
“Your apron is crooked.” Kirsten replies, she turns on her heel and heads back into the office leaving the teenager in the hallway to ponder the meaning behind the encounter that they just had.
Scene Four; Stone Creek
Granger Grove Gated Community; Thurlow Residence
“Of course they are.” He shakes his head. “I am all for growth in Stone Creek. I mean, I am my father’s son and I know how much money this will bring back into the community. But, sometimes I feel like we are building and expanding just to build and expand.”
“I hear you.” Caitlyn’s words are soft and encouraging.
“I take it that the council has approved this endeavor.”
“Caitlyn!” Emmet teases.
She turns to look at him and he knows the look all too well, Caitlyn isn’t sorry for choice of words or tone either. He is still honored to see glimpses of this side of Caitlyn, as she seems to save it for Emmet the most.
“I just think that some people in this town should know better. What has built Stone Creek from the foundation has always been the people. I don’t like that a select few are shoe-honing their own agenda and not thinking about the community as a whole.”
“You can always go on a killing spree.” He shrugs while holding the knife he’s been using on the veggies. “Start slashing up the members of the Founders Council. It could do a lot of good for the community. You’d be like a twisted version of Batman.”
Caitlyn nudges his shoulder. “We won’t be doing that.”
“Your loss.” Emmet replies. “Have you spoke to my sister about joining the council? Dad said something about you having a seat available for Marina.”
“She turned me down.”
He nods. “That sounds about right.”
In the living room, Iris Galloway is leaning against the arm rest of their loveseat with her feet up on the second cushion. Her father-in-law, is sitting on the three seater couch with his hands clasped together.
“How has the merger been on you?” Iris inquires, she only knows what Emmet has told her — which is very surface level. She also knows that Emmet tends to swing one of two ways; a little more theatrical with information or very little at all. So getting anything out of his father, James, would be more factual.
Iris frowns. “Are we talking about this morning?”
“Of course we are.” James replies. “Emmet explained that you’ve had trouble sleeping the last few nights. He didn’t say much more other than it’s been causing you to lose focus and he was worried about your health and that of your child.”
She notes that he uses the singular form for child, which means Emmet has yet to tell his father that they were having multiple. “The baby and I are doing fine. I haven’t been sleeping, that much is true, but I think it’s just been a mixture of things.”
“How so?”
“Well,” Iris starts, she figures if there’s anyone she could talk to about this it would be the mighty James Thurlow. He may even have some advice for her. “As you know I was adopted out from the Joplin family in a closed adoption. Diem was able to find out some information about my family but nothing more than speculation from things she heard herself.”
He nods. “Diem would know more about your parents than any other investigator would be able to find out, so you’ve chosen the best source for that information.”
“Exactly. Which still worries me. I mean. I have an extended family here in Stone Creek and the only ones who will give me any time of day are Diem, Olivia and uncle Jeremy. I’ve been completely shut out of an entire family tree.”
A silence falls between the two of them. Iris can tell that James is trying to find the words to respond. He does this thing with his hands when he’s thinking of how to phrase something — it is the same habit that Emmet does when approaching this topic. James rubs his index finger and thumb together and then stops. “Maybe it is for the best? Sometimes your chosen family has a lot more to offer you as opposed to your actual family.”
“You do have Diem to help you with that if it ever comes to anything serious.” James reminds her. Though, it doesn’t give her much comfort. “It might not be the most ethical, but Jeremy Joplin is Chief of Staff and he is a really good man. He may be able to help ease your nerves a little if you’d ask him.”
Iris thinks about this information. “I barely know the man other than a few dinners with Diem. Do you think he would help me find out more about my birth parents?”
“You would have to ask Jeremy about that yourself.”
Iris groans at the thought. “I figured you’d say that.”
“I know that you said growing up with your adoptive parents was not the easiest in the world. I don’t know how well things are now, but, you have so many people in your corner here in Stone Creek. I would advise you to start opening those doors for help. Who knows, maybe down the road you can be there to help them back if they’re struggling.”
“Ah!” James announces as both Emmet and Caitlyn come back into the living room; Emmet has a bowl of chicken salad in his arms, and Caitlyn follows behind him with silverware and a few bowls for the group. “There the two of you are. I was beginning to get worried.”
“No need to do that!” Caitlyn replies, she kisses James on his cheek. “We are here now.”
“I think now is the perfect time to tell them.” Iris pipes up. She turns to her husband, Emmet and smiles back to his father and step-mother. “They should probably know exactly why we’ve been so on edge lately.”
“Why is that?”
“Yeah… someone needs to explain that to us.” Caitlyn says.
Emmet takes a deep breath and then joins Iris’ side. “Well, if you’re sure… then we would like to tell you that not only is Iris caring my child… she is carrying two of my children.”
“Twins!” Iris says in excitement.
They wait for a second before James and Caitlyn light up at the information. “Twins?”
“Are you ready for that?”
Caitlyn turns to James in excitement. “That what they have us for!”
.:On Concrete Shelves:.
Scene Five; Stone Creek
Now Town; Candle Light City Park
Megan immediately pulls away. “I will not be doing a spin for anybody.”
He clicks his tongue and winks. “I’m not just anybody.”
“Tell that to your cousin, she saw you today and was just as stunned as I was when she did so. Lark said you were supposed to be in Chicago.”
Megan can sense there’s more to his story, which, given their past she knows there is definitely more that he isn’t telling her. “Why would a tech start-up be sniffing around Stone Creek though, I just don’t get it.”
“Sometimes it’s just like that.” Reid says.
“Like what?”
He throws his hands in the air and then spreads them out mimicking some sort of explosion. “Things get a little heated and they explode into something more rapid and fire. You have to catch it when it starts though. Especially in tech. That or you end up missing the money.”
“Big stacks.” They say in unison.
Reid chuckles. “So tell me why someone as smart as Megan Sutton is back in Stone Creek? Lark had told me you were back and I couldn’t believe her. But what? You’re modeling now? That just doesn’t seem up your alley.”
He goes to touch her chin but Megan moves back knowingly. “Ah, don’t be like that.”
“I’m not one of your girls, Reid, you can’t layer-up the charm and get me to swoon over you.” Megan reminds him.
He smiles, a twinkle in his eye. “I know, I know.”
“I was modeling for a few years but now I am in-charge of the models for HEAT.”
“That’s what’s up.” Reid smiles. “Actually, you should make a business out of that. I am sure you could figure something out. You were always good at making money move when we were in Prep School.”
Megan rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Until I got kicked out, don’t you remember that part?”
“That wasn’t your fault. Some trust fund baby turned full snitch.”
She tilts her head. “Reid. The two of us are trust fund babies.”
“But we’re no snitches.” He waves his finger and then pulls it to his lips and taps it twice. “We could get up to something, the two of us, you know? Like old times… maybe a side hustle while I’m here in town.”
“They’re treating you right?”
Megan nods. “I’m good, Reid.”
He taps his fingers against his temple and then up to the sky. “Hey! Actually, I ran into a friend of yours… I was at your dad’s Inn and she was hanging around Care. I think her name is Cree? Summers?”
“We aren’t friends.”
Reid frowns. “I could’ve sworn she had said the two of you knew each other.”
“That does’t mean we are friends.” Megan grits.
He nods. “That’s fine. She seems like a social climber anyhow.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’s been in my bed most nights, for one.” Reid says.
Megan can feel her blood boil. Hoping that her face hasn’t changed a hue redder, she hopes to change the subject before he notices. “Maybe you need to keep out of trouble while you’re in the city, Reid. I’m sure your aunt Victoria wouldn’t want to have to bail you out again.”
“That’s cold, even for you.”
“Trouble is your middle name.” Megan chuckles.
He nods through a wide smile. “You know it.”
There’s a radiance between the two of them. Megan notices it right away and does her best not to feed into its flame. From her time in Prep School alongside Reid she has seen what feeding the flame has done to his past lovers. From what he says about Cree it seems the same thing is happening to her.
Megan steps back on her heel. “I should head out.”
“No.” Reid shakes his head, not breaking eye contact.
Megan breaks it first, looking back towards the direction of Jane’s apartment. “I really should head home, I told my parents I would spend some time with them.” The little white lie isn’t much, but it holds invisible weight for her.
Scene Six; Stone Creek
Now Town; Sutton Enterprises
His phone pings; reservations confirmed. Peter smirks cockily, he still has access to the family table after all.
Peter looks at his rolodex and then begins to collect himself and his things. The last few years living in Stone Creek have been a culture shock to say the least. He had spent his teenage years lifting bales of hay and riding tractors on his father’s cattle ranch — he knew immediately he didn’t want to break his back in the way his father had. So he set things up with his aunt Kimberly to get back into the fold at Sutton Enterprises.
This was, obviously, against his father’s wishes for Peter, Jr.
But his father was never on the same level as him. When things got complicated in Stone Creek his father ran away and let Patrick push him out of the family business. It was Peter’s turn to take the crown back, rightfully so.
“Ah. There you are!” Kimberly Sutton steamrolls Peter.
Her heels, taller than the last pair she wore ‘clink’ against the concrete floor. “I was hoping that I didn’t miss you. Nephew. I haven’t seen you since this morning. You’re not avoiding me, are you?” She asks, tittering at the thought.
“How could I avoid you aunt Kimberly,” Peter brittles, “I’m pretty sure you had a tracker installed on my phone.”
Kimberly waves a finger. “I would never deny or admit to that.”
Her response seems fitting. Growing up on the ranch Peter had never interacted with any of the Sutton clan. His cousins were forbidden to visit him and eventually as he grew older his aunt Patsy stopped sneaking her daughter, Candace, over for riding lessons.
Aunt Kimberly started making appearances when Peter had already graduated High School. She would show up with grand gestures and stories of glory days revisited. His father, Peter, Sr., would laugh them off. He wanted nothing to do with Patrick or Sutton Enterprises.
Kimberly wormed her way into her nephew’s ear. She promised to help him take his rightful place at the top of the family company — where he belonged.
“Were you on your way out?” Kimberly asks. “Actually, that’s a good thing! Let me have my driver bring my car around and we can discuss what I wanted to talk to you about. I have been thinking about what you said the other day about Lindy.”
Peter puts his hands up. “I’m going to stop you there Aunt Kimberly.”
“What’s the matter?”
He looks around, and then pulls her around the corner from his office. “Well, for starters I thought you’d be smarter by now. We’ve already established that she has eyes and ears everywhere in this building. Discussing anything to do with her outside of mundane work shit is probably a bad idea. Especially here.”
“So then let’s go somewhere else.” Kimberly suggests.
He has half the nerve to agree to her wishes, but Peter stops himself. “I can’t, I’m busy.”
“Doing what?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Describing Kimberly Sutton as intense is an understatement. Instead of protesting, however, he tries to divert the conversation. “Can we have this conversation tomorrow morning at that cafe you like off 6th Avenue.”
“I would kill for a soy latte right now.” Kimberly moves in front of Peter as he tries to walk away from her. “Though, I think it is best that we have this conversation right now. I also agree that we shouldn’t have it here, either. Why don’t we go to Sysphean’s — I’m sure I can get us the table.” Kimberly reaches for her phone and messages her contact at the restaurant.
“Oh!” Kimberly looks up. “You already reserved it.”
Peter is at a loss for words.
“Wonderful. Cancel your plans with whatever little piece of ass you were thinking of dragging there and let’s take the table for ourselves.” Kimberly beams as if she just came up with the best idea ever. “I’ll even be nicer to Karl.”
“Aunt Kimberly.” Peter protests.
But she waves a hand and taps her fist lightly against her nephew’s chest. “We need this Nephew. If we are going to get ahead of everything. We need to have this conversation. Just cancel on the girl. Make some excuse — heck tell her you found another girl. I don’t care. We need to be on the same page of how to become the ears,” she taps her own right ear, “of this operation.”
Scene Seven; Stone Creek
Boulestridge Mountains; The Lakeside Inn
A few guests are still checking into the Inn. So he knows the evening crew will have their hands full — especially with the groups that have booked the larger suites. Now that most of the teens and college students have gone back to school a slower, but more demanding crowd is about to settle in for the week.
Taylor’s phone begins to vibrate.
Hubby is displayed with a picture of himself and Aidan near the lake with the Summer’s setting sun as a backdrop. A smile engulfs his otherwise solemn face.
“I’m good.” Aidan replies. “I have been thinking a lot about you.”
“Oh yeah?” Taylor circles a large sequoia tree and stops himself on the opposite side of it facing the front of the Lakeside Inn. “How so?”
“I have the flat all to myself right now.” Aidan replies. “I could show you.”
This gets a chuckle from Taylor. “I’m not home yet.”
“That’s too bad.”
“For the both of us.” Taylor responds. “But I’m sure that’s not the only reason you’ve decided to call me this early. I have been thinking about us, a lot. If I’m being honest, I have been missing you a ton.”
There’s a quietness on the phone that Taylor doesn’t like. “I know. I’m sorry my love. I have been so swamped here with the merger. I have been meaning to give you a ring.”
“You already gave me one of those.” Taylor teases.
Aidan chuckles. “I guess I have. But I know that I need to give you more than just that. Things have been moving at a glacial pace over the past few months. Though, I think starting tomorrow they will go a lot quicker.”
“Does that mean I should be expecting my husband sometime soon?”
This gets Taylor to perk up a bit. “In those briefs that I like?”
“I still haven’t found them.”
“I have them.” Taylor admits. “I haven’t washed them yet.”
“Dirty boy.”
Taylor sighs heavily and he feels his chest begin to cave. “I miss you silly.”
“I will be home soon, I promise. Will you wait for me at the airport when I’m able to head back to Stone Creek?”
Looking up at the Inn, Taylor watches the deep blue blanket above the resort. There’s a slight breeze that has engulfed the place as soon as the sun fell out of the sky. He thinks about the last time they shared a kiss out by the docks, it had been six months now. Taylor tries to keep the tears from rolling down his cheeks.
“Je te le promets.” Taylor repeats
“Good boy,” Aidan whispers. “Things are changing really quickly over here. My grandmother messaged me this morning about some news… I’ll have to let you know how that goes. Once she explains the rest to me.”
Taylor murmurs. “I will wait by my phone until you call me again.”
“I love you.” Aidan says.
“je t'aime tellement”
On Concrete Shelves
Revisited
Next Time, On Concrete Shelves...
- Reichen Calbourne meets up with Patrick Sutton and his daughter, Gillian Sutton Crenshaw, to talk about the next moves for the company, including who will be talking with the investors. Can all three personalities mesh moving forward?
- Violet Stone asked her best friend Tully Joplin to meet up with her after her shift at the Cafe. However, Tully found Violet’s dad, and the owner of Alice’s Haven Cafe, Kirsten Thurlow Sutton, in a compromising position before starting her shift.
- Having spent the majority of her time trying to keep her lies together, Kirsten Thurlow Sutton, eventually told her husband that they were expecting a child. This brought them close together once again.
- Lark Maverick felt like she fumbled the ball on their last big client at the Agency when Corey Wilkinson swindled the building for his buyer instead of it going to Greta Wilkinson….
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