“I was thinking I’d call Dad,” he replied, causing my heart to stutter. He’d only recently begun calling Gabe Dad, and it always did something to my heart. It wasn’t a bad feeling, just new. “I’m supposed to go by tonight anyway to get that info for my family tree project, and it will give the guys a thrill to get a chance to meet him.”
I looked at my son’s eager face, and knew, just as he did, that there was no way I was going to deny him.
“Okay,” I began, but stopped him when he would have turned and run away. “Hey, next time give me a head’s up, okay?”
“Sure, Mom,” he agreed, then he added, “You’re the best,” before jogging up to where a group of teenage boys were waiting.
My heart was heavy as I thought about another night alone, then I remembered Reardon’s text and pulled my phone out of my purse.
What time, and what should I bring?
I heard my phone beep his reply, but didn’t pick it up until I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and stopped my car.
Dessert? Does 6:30 work for you?
Yes, and yes. See you then.
May the force be with you.
I chuckled as I walked down the aisle, wondering what I should make for dessert. I had no idea what we were having, probably pizza or something, so it I figured something simple and not too heavy would be best.
My phone dinged again and I looked down.
Sorry… I’ll see you later.
I laughed again when I realized he must have felt awkward because I didn’t reply to his Star Wars reference, but rather than saying anything back, I decid
ed to let him sweat.
Once I had the makings for bananas foster, I went back to my hotel and tried to stay busy until it was time to leave. I straightened up the already neat space, checked my hair and makeup, then pulled out my laptop and began looking at houses on different websites. I kept checking the clock, wanting to make sure I showed up on time, but not so early that it looked like I was eager to get there.
Which, I could admit to myself, I was…
There was something about Reardon that I liked. Whether it was the easygoing manner he’d shown me since I’d moved to town, his geeky side, or the fact that he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy, I wasn’t sure … Then, there was also the way he made me feel, like I was simmering at a low boil.
Even though I knew nothing would happen between us romantically, I really enjoyed that feeling. It’d been way too long since anyone had made my body heat in any way.
Once I deemed the time was right, I grabbed my things and rushed back to the car. No one was around, so I smiled hugely in anticipation of seeing Reardon again, even as I batted back those feelings and told myself we were just going to be friends.
He’d left my name at the gate, so the guard let me right in, even pointing me toward Reardon’s street.
I’m not sure if he was as anxious as I was, or he’d happened to hear my car pull up, but his front door was opened before I’d even taken my key out of the ignition.
“Hey,” Reardon called, his face alight with a handsome smile. He stood up on his covered porch, holding the screen door open and standing in the doorway with his feet bare. He still had on his suit pants and button-up shirt, but his jacket and tie had been removed.
He looked freaking amazing.
“Hi, how are you?” I replied as I sauntered up the steps, quelling the need to bound toward him like an excited puppy.
“It was a busy day, but I got done what I needed to and still had time to stop by the market and get fresh veggies,” he said as I walked past him into the house. “I was worried there for a bit that you were going to turn me down. I’m happy you didn’t.”
Pleasure suffused me at his words, but I bit my lip to hold back a happy smile. I continued into the kitchen, which I could see as soon as I walked in thanks to the open floor plan, and set my bags on the counter.
“I wasn’t sure until I talked to Christopher what my plans were, so that’s why I didn’t answer right away.”
“He was more than welcome to come with you,” Reardon said. “I’m sorry, I should have mentioned that.”
“Oh, that’s okay, he was going to the diner with some friends from school, then to Gabe’s.”