Billionairess's Dilemma: Reclaiming His Heart

Chapter 4: Ice Cream

Polly

"Brad, how many more tarts do you need to make?" Uncle Goose's exasperated voice asks.

"About fifty. Grab the extra pie crust Henry."

I listen to Uncle Brad barking orders at his grumbling spouse. I chuckle a little and continue cutting up cherries and apricots for the tarts. Uncle Goose sticks his tongue out at me. Sawyer and Chase, their twin boys are playing in pie crust making their own mini pies while we work seriously. Usually there are a lot more colorful words flying around this kitchen, but since the twins are here, Uncle Brad is tempering his vocabulary.

"We're here. What do we need to do?" Aunt Relly steps in with Abbie and Uncle Goose moves to kiss them both on the temple.

"Thank goodness Cinderelly. I was about to turn into a pumpkin and go gourd." Uncle Goose says with a wicked smirk.

Uncle Brad shakes his head muttering. "He will never change. No matter how many years go by. Relly can you start rolling out the cream cheese icing over the red velvet cake? I'll help you roll it once it's completely creamed."

"You got it, boss. Abbie, you want to go make pies with Sawyer and Chase?" Abbie nods at her mom and moves to sit right next to Sawyer grabbing the mini pie plates and her bowls. We do this often enough even the littles know what to do.

Uncle Brad steps to the foyer to answer the door. He had to order some more ingredients to complete this baking event.

Uncle Goose steps up whispering to Aunt Relly. "You will always be my favorite woman in this world. Don't tell my mother that though." She laughs and he grins at her. "Where is Ellis?"

"Hockey practice with Klein. They had to rearrange the times this weekend. Hunter and Carter have theirs today along with Tyrese."

Sawyer and Chase are on a different team so their practice is later today.

"Hey Polly." Aunt Relly comes by and gives me a quick one arm hug careful to keep her icing hand away from me.

"Hey Aunt Relly." I continue my thin slicing of the fruit.

"Did Kevin call you? He got back in late last night." She drops that bomb and I shake my head a little hurt that he hasn't. "Oh well it was at like two in the morning. He might be sleeping right now. I know because I talked to my brother earlier. You should text him. He's leaving for Stanford in a few days."

"Thanks I will. I missed him this summer. Things won't be the same without him here." I felt so bad about him missing our Australia trip. I texted him a lot the first week we were there. He told me I didn't have to update him if I was busy. I still sent a picture or two every now and then.

Once we finish all our baking community service, I take my phone out to text him.

"Hey Kevin! I heard you were in town for a day or two before you are leaving for Stanford. Maybe we could meet up this weekend before you go. Missed you this summer."

"Missed you too. I could do dinner tonight if you're free."

I groan but think fast. "I can't do dinner, already have plans with friends. We could meet for ice cream after though."

"Sounds great. I can't wait to see you Pol."

"Can't wait to see you either, Sir Kevin."

I sit on the patio at our favorite ice cream place waiting for him. The familiar black Jeep parks and I see him loping my way holding a pink box. I do a double take. He's wearing a tight fitting athletic shirt and a pair of shorts. He's taller and very tan. Also his muscles look even more defined than they did before. I stand up and move toward him to greet him with a hug. His face lights up in a big smile. He's gotten more handsome too.....

"Did you grow or something?" I ask as I have to crane my neck more to look up at him.

"Three inches. How have you been Polly?" His smile is happier than when I last saw him.

"Good. Australia was amazing and I've been busy swimming most of the summer and hanging out with some new friends." I gush.

"I'll go order and join you." I study him through the glass as he waits in line. Kevin has always been good looking but he seems older since he left two months ago. Like he shed his last bit of boyishness and became a hot guy.

"What did you get?" He asks me as he dips his spoon into his.

"It's the cookies and cream with caramel. My new favorite." I tell him as I take big bite. "How was London?"

"Same. I saw a few neat things like a Renaissance fair and we did go over to Paris for a day or two to see the sights there. Otherwise nothing we didn't see on that big trip we took there. How was..." Before he can finish, I see Archer bounding up the stairs of the patio. My eyes widen at him.

"Hey babe, thought I'd come join you before I head to the airport to pick up Dorian." Archer says as he sits next to me. Kevin is staring at us silently. I squirm uncomfortably before I give Archer an irritated frown. He shrugs uncaring.

"I didn't know you were bringing someone else." Kevin says with a searching look.

"Polly and I were on a dinner double date and I dropped her off. I needed to go pick up my brother at the airport but his flight is delayed now. Thought I’d come have ice cream with you." I give Archer a perturbed look. He smiles at me and winks which irritates me more. I look back at Kevin who says nothing.

"You could have told me you had a date tonight, Polly so I didn't intrude on your life." He adds watching me before nodding to Archer. "Nice to see you again."

"You too man. You look like you got a good tan this summer." Archer wraps his arm around my shoulders. Kevin watches the action but says nothing.

"I did. We were outside most of the time the last few weeks." He pauses. "What did you do in Australia?"

"We went horseback riding, surfing, scuba diving and some wildlife safaris. I have a bunch of pictures on my phone to show you."

Archer squeezes my shoulders. "Don't forget our first date to the opera house. That was the best part of the trip."

Kevin's spoon stays in his mouth as he swallows slowly. "You went to Australia too?"

Archer nods as he looks down at me. "Yep. Best trip and I came back with a great souvenir." He winks at me again and I hurry to look back at Kevin. His face is that blank mask he started showing before he left. He was always so expressive and now it's like he's practicing his courtroom lawyer look. His eyes are bright though as they search my face. I hadn't intended to mention that to him yet.

"Archer and his family were there when we were. I spent a lot of time with Mom mostly. The fashion gala was so much fun." I feel a pang of guilt I didn't tell him about my first date. We've always shared everything. But I didn't want to interrupt his trip and I felt it might be a little awkward. I shrug Archer’s arm off my shoulders not liking how he’s acting in front of Kevin.

"Mom showed me photos of it. The trip was a success." He sits looking at the table. Archer begins rambling on about all the famous people we saw at it. Kevin nods here and there but doesn't say anything or look at us.

“You don’t like that flavor, Kev?” I ask, seeing that he’s only taken one bite.

“Not really. It's bitter.” He answers softly.

“Bitter ice cream sounds worse than regular ice cream. I don’t know how you eat it babe.” Archer says with a smile.

I grin at Kevin. “Well, in our family we were raised that ice cream is serious business. Aunt Relly’s favorite dessert saying right Kevin? I mean she used to take you three days a week to get a cone.” And he's never turned down ice cream. Maybe he's not that hungry.

“Yeah, she always spoiled me.” He looks away. “Before I forget, this is your birthday present. I won’t be here to celebrate it this year so I thought I’d bring it early.”

He pushes the pink wrapped box my way and I take it happily. As I begin ripping the paper, Archer stops me. "Wait, it's not your birthday yet!"

"So. He gave it to me. I want to open it in front of him." Kevin smiles a little.

I peek inside the box and gasp. As I pull the two items out, I am touched. The first is a Limoges trinket box of Cinderella's carriage with the second one being her glass slipper resting atop a pillow. I collect the boxes and the slipper was an elusive one that I saw long ago and wanted. "Where did you find it?"

"In London at a little antique shop. Is it the right one?" He asks quietly.

"Yes. Kevin thank you!" I rush to my feet and go to hug him. "You are the best friend ever." I exclaim before sitting back down to check out my gift.

"Doubt that. Glad you like it. I should get going. Need to order Ashley's ice cream before they close." He stands up and chunks his uneaten ice cream in the trash. "Hope you enjoy your junior year Polly. Bye."

I stand up and move toward him. "You are leaving now? I thought we could look at each other's pictures once Archer leaves and then you could give me a ride home. I've missed you a lot Kevin. Haven't talked to my best friend in a long time."

"No, I need to get home. I didn't get much sleep last night. I can give you a ride if he can't. Didn’t know you had a boyfriend.” He’s hurt.

I shake my head. “We’re just casually dating. Not my boyfriend.”

He stares for a minute. “I'll call you tomorrow and we can catch up then. If you want to.”

“I do Kev.”

He walks inside to order more ice cream and climbs into his Jeep. Archer leans over kissing my cheek and I tell him to back off. As I turn my head back to watch Kevin, I catch him staring right back at me. His face is a blank mask and then he drives away. A shiver passes through me and I feel like something big just happened. Like a huge shift in my life.