Marc Nassar

"How did everything go with your cook? Is she getting fired?" Vivian whispers from across the table during our brief lull in conversation, but still loud enough for the twins and Celeste to hear. I hear a faint noise that almost sounds like a quiet snort coming from Celeste's direction. 

God, this is so uncomfortable. The reason why I brought Vivian here tonight has disappeared from my brain, somewhere in the fog.

But I've made my bed. And now I have to lie in it.

"Everything's fine," I respond swiftly and grab another chip that's smothered in cheese and guac. 

Who am I kidding though? Things aren't fine. I'm currently lying in this metaphorically made bed, my mind getting foggier than a case with tampered evidence, and my body still heating with the memory of what just happened. And then there's also the thoughtfulness Celeste put into the meal tonight, which creates a different kind of warmth that's like a river of energy straight into my heart.

Every time Celeste passes by our table, the willpower to not look at her, to not study every inch of her body, is akin to Nina and Laila turning off the TV.

In other words, impossible without force.

I turn my attention to Laila who is now poking my shoulder, begging to tell me a story. Thankfully, she and Nina don't seem to understand what Vivian just asked. "Dad! We went swimming today and we saw a huge bee come by the pool! It looked like he was scared of the water and then he flew away. It was so cute!" Laila says animatedly.

"He was a big bee. And I don't think he could swim, that's why he was scared," Nina adds.

"Which pool did you girls go to?" Vivian asks the girls as Celeste places a bowl of what looks like iceberg lettuce on the table. There are no fixings on it or any dressing. Just plain, crunchy-looking iceberg lettuce. But Vivian doesn't even look at the bowl. She just keeps her eyes fixed on my daughters.

I try to hold back my smirk. Celeste is young and is making her sentiments toward Vivian clear. I shouldn't find it cute, but here we are.

I thank her for the extra "meal" and she gives me a deviously amused look with eyes slightly squinted. It causes a range of activity in my body. God, I want more of her. Even though we said we would leave things where they were, my willpower is shrinking. When we were outside I told her something I've never shared with anyone before, and she didn't immediately spit in my face. She genuinely looked at me like she understood exactly what I was saying. I want to say and do more things to her—more things that are categorically irresponsible and that I have no business saying or doing. 

"Our pool. We have one," Nina responds to Vivian.

"Oh, how lovely," Vivian says. "Marc, you've been hiding this home from the community all this time! From what I've seen so far it's so beautiful! You should host an event here."

"Yeah," I respond absentmindedly, still trying to reconcile how to move forward with Celeste. I'm already in deep waters as it is. But what is she thinking? She could easily squeeze money out of me with a sexual harassment charge if she wanted to. Is that what she wants? To sleep with me for my money? It wouldn't be the first time someone has tried.

But then again, women who try to seduce me don't typically yell at me for how I am as a dad before doing so.

"Yeah? Oh, that's wonderful! I can help plan it," Vivian says.

"Plan what?" I ask.

"We could do a party next weekend! I'll take care of everything." Her eyes shine and I gulp. What did I just agree to?

"Do what next weekend?" I ask.

"A party? I like parties!" Laila chimes in. "Can it be a pool party?"

"That's what I was thinking, Nina!" Vivian responds.

"I'm not Nina! I'm Laila!"

"I'm Nina!" Nina crosses her arms like she's offended.

"Oh, so sorry. You girls look so much alike. It'll take some getting used to, but I'll get there." Vivian smiles at my daughters.

Unlike Laila and now apparently Vivian, I find the community parties to be very exhausting. And now I'll be hosting one? Also, I'm so confused on whether or not I want to continue pursuing Vivian. After what happened with Celeste, I just need time to process. "Uh, wait. I don't know about that. Isn't next weekend too soon?"

"Not at all! We'll keep it very casual, and I can handle everything from the invites, to the food, to the you name it!"

"Oh please, Baba, can we have a party?" Laila pulls my face toward her. Her eyes are wide and her bottom lip is out. How can I say no to her?

I surprise myself when I turn to Celeste, who is rearranging something in the fridge, and say, "What do you think, Celeste? What are your thoughts on a party here next weekend?"

She visibly tenses and looks back. "What?"

"A party, Ms. Celeste! You have to swim with us!" Laila launches across the room toward her.

"Oh, I was thinking just the community would attend," Vivian adds but I keep my eyes trained on Celeste who opens her arms for Laila to jump into.

The river of energy connected to my heart is surging. My daughter wraps her arms around Celeste who picks her up and locks her eyes on mine. My stomach turns in delight. 

"Celeste and the staff that live here are a part of the community." I tear my gaze away from Celeste. "If you'll be handling the food and everything else, then I think it's only fair that my staff get to enjoy the festivities."

Vivian smiles and I can't tell if she's pleased or annoyed. But why would she be annoyed? "Of course, all would be welcome," she says and I look back at Celeste who's putting Laila down.

"I'd love to attend the pool party. Thank you," Celeste says. My dick subtly nods its approval when I picture her in a swimsuit. I guess I'm a party person after all.

"Lovely," Vivian says. She still hasn't looked at her lettuce, and I'm itching to be alone so I can think clearly. When Nina yawns, I use that as my opportunity.

"Looks like you girls need to get to bed soon. I'll drop Vivian back home and can tuck you in when I get back."

I half expect complaints, but the girls agree with nods.

"Oh so soon? I thought you and I could hang out for a bit, Marc," Vivian says. Immediately I feel like such a dick. I need to be a gentleman but also Celeste is standing right there, capturing every piece of my attention. What I need is to be alone.

"Sorry, Viv. I'm feeling beat from work. Maybe some other time?"

She stands up. "Of course. No problem."

After hugging the twins goodbye and thanking Celeste again for the meal, I head out to the car, with Vivian following closely behind me.

"You know I can just call an Uber if you don't want to drive me home," Vivian says as soon as we step outside.

"What? Of course I'm driving you home."

"Good." She smiles widely and opens the passenger door of my car. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to and I want you to."

We both file into the car and I'm feeling relieved that this night will be over soon. Vivian's apartment is about eight minutes away so I'll be back with the twins in no time. The promise I made to Celeste is now resurfacing in my head. I need to think about how I'm going to try and deliver.

"So, I'm so curious. What happened with your cook?" Vivian asks as I pull out of the property. "I couldn't believe how rude she was when we walked in, but it looked like everything was fine when you came back. What did she say?" She drums her nails against the center console while facing me.

"It was nothing. We had a misunderstanding about timing and we just talked about it."

"Yeah, but how can you let your staff talk to you like how she talked to you?"

My jaw stiffens. "That's my business, Vivian, and I suggest you mind your own," I say curtly. She remains quiet and I feel like an even bigger dick. "Sorry. Forgive me, that was rude. Celeste is...she means no harm. Don't worry about it."

"No, no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pry. You have every right to say that. It's none of my business how you handle your staff." She's smiling like she's taken no offense at all when I glance over. If I had used the same tone or said the same thing to Celeste, I'd bet all of my money that she would've roasted me. Vivian is letting me off the hook way too easily. "Anyway, I had fun getting to know your girls," she says a little too happily. "They're adorable! And I love how Laila was excited about the party. I have a feeling she and I are going to be best friends."

"Yeah I don't know how she's my daughter. She is  a social butterfly."

"You mean tall, handsome, and mysterious Marc isn't?" she responds flirtatiously.

I let out a huff of air through my nostrils. Sprinkles of warmness cover me at the compliment, but I don't respond to it. I can't continue to entertain Vivian without first sifting through this mess I made with Celeste. "Listen Viv, it's been a nice time hanging out but I think we should cool things down for a little bit."

She's quiet for a moment and her smile is dim when I turn to her. "What do you mean?" she asks.

"We're moving a little fast for my liking—having you over tonight and introducing you to the girls. I'd like to take things slower, if that's alright with you?"

For a moment, I expect an outpouring of anger, or a barrage of questions, but she simply smiles and says, "Not a problem at all, Marc! I know these things can be tricky with your daughters involved, but not to worry. I am chill."

"You're not mad?"

"No, of course not! You need to do what's best for your daughters and I am very cognizant of that. I'm happy to go at whatever pace you need."

"Thank you, Viv. I appreciate that." And I truly mean it. Viv is kind and very understanding, a type of woman my daughters need as a mother. I can't rule her out completely over what could just be a lust-filled infatuation.

The rest of the drive is spent in silence. I pull up to Vivian's sky-high apartment building and cut the engine. She makes no move to leave and fiddles with the silver clutch in her hand. "Thank you, Marc. It's been a pleasure getting to know you more, and I'm happy that I got to meet your daughters."

I smile and nod, not sure what else to say. She's looking at me like she's expecting something. My phone buzzes in the center console and I lean down to grab it, yet as soon as I do, Vivian's lips meet mine. I'm stunned frozen as her lips move against me. All I feel is a lather of glossiness. A floral perfume starts to overpower my senses. She backs away as quickly as she moved in before I even have a chance to react. Her bright, white teeth are on full display through her smile as she opens her door. "Bye, Marc. Thanks again for a lovely evening. I'll be in touch about the party soon."

I'm still in shock as she walks away and disappears through the glass entrance of the building. I'd thought about kissing her before tonight. During our second date, I contemplated it briefly to see if there could be more of a connection between us that I was missing. But now I'm certain after that kiss–there is absolutely zero spark between Vivian and I.

And I want another set of lips on mine, so fucking bad.