Lucky Number Four Read online

  “Mom, is that appropriate to say to your daughters?” I say, including Julie because she is my sister in every way, but in blood.

  “Those two would make anyone go over to the dark side, I swear. I can’t believe your dad and I are so normal,” she says, opening the fridge and grabbing a soda and gulping it down like it’s a shot. “Dora, I almost forgot. Henry wants me to tell you something about Jeff. His grandmother says he needs to study more for his exams. He’s not prepared,” Mom says before belching loudly.

  “He knows, Mom. We’re going to be study buddies for the next few weeks, but I’ll tell him anyway.”

  Jeff is a guy I met the first week of school, and we hit it off. No, not that way. He’s gay, not that you’d know it unless you really got to know him. He’s been there for me through troubled times, especially when Brian and I broke up after I found the jerk in bed with that bimbo.

  Oh, and remember Henry is Mom’s spirit guide. He’s her channel to the other side. Medium stuff.

  We finally finish the dishes and join the others. The rest of the evening is fairly uneventful. Bridget got her picture, Mike stayed and hung out instead of trying to escape, and the ‘three’ captivated everyone. Even Grandmother and Grandma behaved for once.

  How frustrating! I haven’t seen Dora since the dinner with her family, and it’s driving me crazy. She must be using her private entrance to her room. How can one little bundle of energy and fire cause such chaos within me? Several times I’ve knocked on her door, a made-up excuse to why, but she isn’t there. Where is she? School is on break and, wait, the coffee shop. She works mornings. I could just happen to go by. Boy, I sound like a lovesick stalker, and maybe I am, but she brings out feelings in me I thought were dead. She makes me feel alive.

  “Yes, I want a caramel latte with soy milk, whipped cream—no, wait, I want—no, that is what I want,” the man standing before me rambles on. I wait, knowing he’ll probably change his mind again. Ben comes in every few days, and it’s always the same old indecisiveness. He’s an accountant down the street, and even if I didn’t know that, it would be my first guess, with his black old-school glasses and ultraconservative black suits and black tie. I wait patiently because I know he has a stressful job, and the line isn’t too long right now.

  “Oh my goodness, Sally, look! It’s them!” a voice from a nearby table loudly whispers, causing me to look around my customer. I immediately groan at the sight of my three roommates standing in line.

  “I’m sorry, Dora. I just had an awful meeting, and I’m mentally beat.” Ben’s voice causes me to whip my eyes back to meet his apologetic ones.

  “Oh, Ben, I wasn’t groaning at you. Take your time. It’s what’s behind you that caused it,” I reassure him. Voices are getting louder, as the majority of the female customers have recognized the trio. Darn. If I desert Ben right now, he’ll think I lied to him, but I want to know what brings the Modelteers to my coffee shop.

  Ben finally gives me his order, and I pass it to June and ask Stephen if he’ll take over for me. He does and I make my way to the side of the shop and watch as Larry, Curly, and Moe—yes, I watched The Three Stooges with my dad as a kid—get out of line and move across the room to me. I roll my eyes at the looks on the faces of the female audience. Colin’s eyes meet mine, and my heart squeezes. I get a warmth that is so unnatural to me I don’t think a thousand fans could cool me off. I drag my eyes away from his and meet Drew’s laughing ones, but there’s also a strange warmth in them.

  “Hi, angel,” he says. “So this is where you spend your mornings.” His voice is smooth, too smooth for me to fall for.

  “Apparently, since I’m here and wearing the shops’ apron. Such a good guesser you are,” I say, my smile more a grimace. I wish he’d at least look surprised at my comeback, but that infernal grin stays on his face. I glance at Liam and his bored look is replaced by a smidge of a smile. I skip over Colin and move back to Drew. “So, what brings you guys in today?” I say sweetly, knowing the glare my eyes are giving him is anything but sweet.

  “We came to escort you home and invite you to come out with us tonight. Right, guys?” Drew looks to his two cohorts and seems satisfied when they nod in agreement.

  I hear a sigh from the table behind them and two young girls whisper loudly that they are available, which Drew ignores.

  “I’m confused why you guys would want to spend time with boring old me when any girl or woman would jump at the chance to do so. Do you guys feel sorry for me? Because I’m happy with my life, and I do have one.” I take a deep breath and wonder at the puzzled look on their faces.

  “What makes you say that?” Liam asks.

  “Because I’m probably your pet project to show poor little, plain Dora how the beautiful people live, and frankly, I’m really not interested,” I say, trying not to burst into tears at the possible truth in my statement. Okay so it’s that time of the month and I’m a little grouchy, crampy, and bloated.

  “That’s bollocks!” Colin’s loud voice makes the room quiet down, and I realize everyone is hanging onto our every word.

  Great. By tomorrow I might be front-page news: “Short, unruly red-haired barista adopted by generous star models, their way of making her life more bearable.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spy my boss pointing to his watch and mouthing “quitting time,” which makes me relieved that I can escape this nightmare. Without a word, I grab my backpack from behind the counter and push by the trio, avoiding eye contact. Once outside, I take a deep breath and jog down the street. The tension I’m feeling is slowly replaced by the rhythmic pounding of my feet on the pavement. I absolutely love running, and I try to run whenever I can.

  I hear quick and steady footsteps behind me, like the sound of men’s dress shoes clicking along on the pavement, but I push ahead and reach the subway platform seconds before the train doors shut. I turn and watch as my followers reach the platform, looking a little out of breath. I wave as the train shoots past them, and then I’m lost in the tunnel.

  I don’t want to go back to the apartment and face the music. What if I’m wrong? What if they really want to hang out with me? No! They’re just rich little boys with a new toy, and I wish I had my old life back. My feet eventually lead me back to the loft. Thank goodness Brad isn’t on duty, so I make it to the elevator unnoticed. I use my key to enter my own door.

  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I was intending to go home in the morning, but I begin throwing clothes in my overnight bag. I take the stairs instead of the elevator to my car in the underground garage. It’s kind of spooky—one of the fluorescent lights is blinking and then softly explodes, plunging my car into darkness. Drew’s parking spot is still empty as I pass by, quickly unlocking my doors. I shiver, but I don’t think it’s because of the cold. I think it’s the creepy feeling I’m being watched. I hold my breath until I’m clear of the garage and on my way home.

  Home sweet home … my safe refuge from this crazy world, well, kind of. Walking into the house, my sense of smell is ensnared by deliciousness and I follow the trail to the kitchen. My dad is standing at the sink, apparently dancing to something only he can hear. I hesitate, not wanting to scare him, and then I notice the ear buds. I wait patiently, giggling at his ungraceful moves. I sense a presence behind me and my mom puts an arm around my shoulders and gives me a side hug.

  “I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow, but I’m so glad you’re here. He’s adorable, huh? That’s why I married him.”

  “You married Dad because he can’t dance?”

  “Well, there’s that too, but his all-around charisma. I mean, look at him. Any woman on the planet would just love to eat him up.”

  “Ewww. Mom, that’s so wrong on several levels.”

  She laughs. My dad hasn’t noticed us as he continues to awkwardly gyrate. The sun is shining through the window, highlighting the red in his hair.

  “So?” my mom asks as she gently guides me away from the kitchen doo
r and into the living room. Pulling me down beside her on the couch, she waits.

  “So, I came home early.” I watch her eyebrows go up and I know she’s intuiting again. “Okay, my life is a mess. It used to be so normal. I worked, went to school, came home for dysfunctional Sunday dinners, and listened to my best friends have sex every night. Now I live with three famous male models, and one of them makes my stomach hurt. I know they just feel sorry for me. They want to take this pitiful, short, red-haired, average-looking dork under their wings,” I groan while gesturing to myself.

  “Oh, is that all? I thought something was really wrong. Honey, those guys really like you. You’re funny, loving, and beautiful all wrapped up in a petite package. I know for a fact you make men drool.”

  “Yeah, right. Zombies maybe. And you’re my mom. You have to say I’m awesome because it’s in the parental contract.”

  “Let’s get back to the one who makes your stomach hurt. It’s Colin, right? Tell me I’m right. I so hate that I can’t read family.”

  “Yes, it’s Colin, but he’s been hurt, and by a beautiful model at that. So what chance would I have?” I look at her, feeling so inadequate. Even when I caught that SOB ex of mine with his slut, I still didn’t feel this way. Why does there have to be such perfect specimens in the world?

  “Have you given him a chance?”

  I shake my head.

  “Well then, you don’t know, do you? I have a couple of things to tell you about Drew and Liam. Henry had a long discussion with me the other night and made me miss my favorite show, Rizzoli & Isles. And your dad forgot to tape it or DVD it, or whatever it’s called nowadays. Anyway, they both need your help. He said if you hadn’t blocked them with your negative thoughts, you would see that. Honey, did you hear what I just said? No, of course you didn’t. Now pay attention. Liam and Drew need you. So you need to tune into them and figure out what they need.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, is Henry sure? They’re perfect. Perfect faces, perfect bodies, perfect life—”

  “Those are facades. Look below the surface and you’ll see.”

  “How long have you been here, Sweet Pea?” My dad’s voice makes us turn our heads to see him grinning at us.

  “Long enough to see your smooth moves, Daddy Dear,” I say as we all break out into laughter.

  “It’s good to have you here early. Your job, as usual, is to keep your mother out of my kitchen,” he says, taking my mom by the hand and pulling her into his arms and planting a kiss on her giggling lips. I swear, if I ever find a man like my dad, I will definitely marry him. Though in my short life experience, I know they are hard to find.

  So far, Thanksgiving dinner has had no surprises. Altogether, there are twenty-five of us—cousins, aunts, uncles and the grandparents all gathered at several tables placed throughout downstairs. As usual, Dad’s dinner is amazing, though he only cooks on Turkey Day and Christmas. I’m sitting at the kiddie table with Mike, Bridget, and several other young ones. Being the good cousin that I am, I’m keeping them entertained, even my one-year-old cousin Sally. She has hair like mine, poor kid, and the cutest dimples you’ve ever seen. She’s wearing more of her dinner than ingesting it, but she’s happy and that’s all that matters.

  After most of the house guests leaves, those that remain sit around talking about the day and the gossip we may have missed while sitting at separate tables. The grandmothers had been on their best behavior, which isn’t saying much, but was a relief to my mom.

  We’re watching a Christmas movie when the doorbell rings and Mom says, “It’s for you, Dora.”

  Everyone looks at me and I jump up, nervous because Mom would have told me if it was Julie. My palms start sweating as I reach the front door and dread sits heavy in my stomach at who might be on the other side.

  “Dora, it’s a little cold to keep them waiting,” Mom’s voice prompts me to grab the door handle and open it. It’s the roommates, sans smiles…normal for Liam, but for the other two, not so much. They all look like someone just died.

  “Hey, guys. Happy Thanksgiving.” My greeting sounds so lame.

  “Hello, Dora. May we speak with you?” Colin’s proper statement and his adorable English accent send my stomach and heart into their crazy antics again.

  “Sure, come on in.” I open the door wide and turn to see my whole family staring at us. Bridget grabs her phone and her fingers move so fast it’s mesmerizing.

  “We’re going into the family room, okay?” I say, not waiting for an answer but leading the way to the back of the house. The family room has a door so I can be sure that we won’t be disturbed.

  The guys eye the leather couch and they all plop down and wait for me to sit in an overstuffed recliner opposite them. Gawd, they’re so beautiful. Such a shame. It’s times like this I wish I wasn’t an average person in an average body.

  “Dora, we want to apologize for disrupting your place of business yesterday.” Colin’s proper English makes me weak in the knees—and yes, a stomach and heart flip happens, as well. The memory of his kiss makes me blush. “Sometimes we don’t think things through before we do them. We made you uncomfortable, and we realize we caused you undue stress. Can you forgive us?”

  “What he said,” Drew quipped, and he sends me a slight smile. “Look, Dora, our lives are crazy, and most of the time, not in a good way. You might think it’s all glamorous, but it’s not. No, don’t roll your eyes. We’re surrounded by phony people who smile in our faces and talk behind our backs. When we met you, you were—”

  “A breath of fresh air,” Colin interrupts. “You’re so grounded and we work in a shark pool. If we make one mistake, there is always someone else to take our place. So you are like a—” Colin stops as if trying to find the right words.

  “Ray of sunshine,” Liam says in a monotone voice, sans smile. I can’t help myself. I start laughing. “Ray of sunshine” from Mister Warmth himself. They all look startled and then join in. Even Liam chuckles—yeah, he actually has the ability to laugh.

  “Thanks, guys,” I say, wiping tears from my eyes. My side hurts, but I feel they’re telling me the truth.

  “No, thank you, Dora. That night at Papa’s was the best night we have had in … well, in a long time. We want you to give us a chance to show you that we are fun, good guys who just want to hang out with a wonderful, normal girl.” Drew says.

  “Okay, stop there. It’s getting a little deep now. And if you think I’m normal, I may have to remind you of Sunday’s dinner. Yeah, normal.” I roll my eyes and more laughter erupts from all.

  My mom opens the door and peers in at us with a huge smile. “Would anyone like anything to drink?”

  “Yes,” I say. “We’ll get you guys a beer or something, and then if you want to spend time with a normal family, you can stay and watch a movie with us.”

  Three heads nod vigorously. Oh, boy … I’m totally going to pick a really good chick flick.

  “Bye, guys. I’ll be home tomorrow,” I say as they all get into Drew’s car.

  Home. After tonight, it just might feel like home.

  “Dora, I need to speak with you for a moment in private,” my mom’s voice drifts from the kitchen. She’s frowning when I enter, and I know it’s serious. “I just talked to Henry and he’s being very evasive, which isn’t like him. Normally, I can’t shut him up. It has to do with you, but of course the pain in the butt won’t tell me.”

  “Mom, do you think you should talk about a spirit like that?”

  “Yes, when it’s warranted. He tells me you’re to help Liam and Drew and do it soon. He won’t tell me why. He said you will know. I hate this ‘I can’t read for my family’ crap. It’s just not fair.”

  “I think it’s great you can’t read us. Just think how our lives would be, knowing our mom can see everything about us. Don’t worry. It’s probably not that bad. Henry loves to be a drama queen, right?”

  “I hope that’s all it is, sweetie. Really, I do.”

&nbs
p; As I’m lying in bed in my old room in my parents’ house, I’m wondering what I could possibly help Liam and Drew with and why Colin isn’t involved. Just thinking his name is enough for me to feel warm all over. I’m usually levelheaded. Even my last boyfriend, aka The Jackass, never had me feeling this way. In the beginning, we had some chemistry. We’d have to, right? Or maybe I was tired of doing school and work and needed a little extracurricular activity in my life. The sex wasn’t too bad, and yet it wasn’t all that great either. I wasn’t a virgin. I lost that to Mark Stephens the night of homecoming my senior year. Yeah, that was memorable…not. But when I see Colin or hear his voice, I melt in my nether regions.

  Stop it, Dora. Don’t go there. Concentrate on Liam and Drew’s so-called problem. Colin is out of my league—way out of my league—so just block those thoughts.

  I know, I know. I talk to myself, but who doesn’t? Now, when I start answering my own questions out loud, then I know I have a problem.

  My eyes are getting heavy and I snuggle underneath the warm down comforter, planning to dream about anything but my roommates … yeah right, like that’s being realistic.

  She forgave us. How can she not see how beautiful she is? I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and I have no idea what movie we watched. I finally told the others of my feelings, and they told me if I hurt her, I’ll regret it. They assume she’ll want to go out with me, but I’m not so sure. I think she still feels we’re these carefree, jet-setting guys who don’t really feel. Boy, is she wrong. God, I sound like a woman. Now to get up the nerve to approach her. Maybe I’ll wait until her exams are over. Yeah, if I can wait that long. Those lips are calling me again …

  Black Friday. It should be called Pushing, Shoving and Forget That Yesterday was Thanksgiving and We Should Still Love Each Other Friday, Right? No, it’s a complete madhouse.

  I didn’t have to be at work until ten, as a few of my co-workers wanted the early shift, and I gladly switched to have a few more hours to sleep in. My mom is all smiles as I leave the house. She’s going shopping today. She follows me in her car until we reach the local mall entrance and then I wave at her and watch from my rearview mirror as she turns. I have decided that this year, Cyber Monday is my day to shop. Yep, going to get everything online. I have great insurance, but I’m not willing to waste it on tending to battle wounds from insane shoppers.