Ethan: Ok. Do you wanna do it in person? Or is this something you feel comfortable texting or talking on the phone about.
It should be in person, right? I guess it doesn’t have to be. But I also wouldn’t mind seeing him again.
Me: In person would be good.
Ethan: Okay. I am dropping Author off at a sleepover right now. I can come over afterwards.
I pause and look at the disaster my apartment has become. Baking stuff, fabric and clutter everywhere. I won’t have time to clean all this before he gets here.
Me: Actually, can I come to your house?
Ethan: Sure. I’m leaving now and will be home in twenty minutes.
Me: Perfect. See you soon.
Ethan texts me his address. I change out of the clothes I had been wearing all day for the event and slip on a pretty blue floral sundress. I spritz myself with my favorite perfume that makes me smell like a baked good, slip some sandals on and head out. Should I grab a bottle of wine? Maybe that’s saying too much. I debate this in my head until I pull into the parking lot of the grocery store. I’ll just leave it in the car and see how it goes first.
I see his truck in the driveway when I pull up and my stomach flutters about a little.It’s ok Lily, this is a whole grown ass man. He isn’t going to think anything you say is stupid.
I slowly walk to the door while debating every life choice I have made that has brought me to this point. I lift my hand to knock, and the door opens. Ethan stands there in black sweatpants, a grey t-shirt, his feet are bare, and his smile is mesmerizing as always.
“Hi, Lily. Come on in,” he says, as he gestures to me with his hand.
I smile at him as I walk into his house.
“Are you hungry? I just heated up some leftover lasagna.”
“I am actually. Lasagna sounds great.”
I follow him into the kitchen, and he serves up two plates of food while I sit at the island counter. Then he hands me a plate and takes the seat next to me.
“So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” he asks.
I take a bite of my food, giving myself a few minutes to make sure I know exactly what I want to ask and say.
“It’s about us,” I tell him.
I see his brows pinch together as he looks at his plate, scooping up another bite.
“Okay.”
I set my fork down and that’s when I feel it bubbling up. Word vomit.
“It’s just that, one I’ve never dated a guy who’s more than two years older than me. Let alone a man that has a child. I’ve never really been around kids. It was mainly just my sister and I growing up. Then as I got older, I thought I didn’t want to have kids. I feel kind of awkward around them. I don’t know what to do. And your son, he’s older. He knows things. Won’t he know we are dating? How should I act around him if we are together? How long before you introduce me as your girlfriend? Do we even tell him anything about...”
“My girlfriend?” Ethan says, interrupting me.
I pause, my eyes grow wide as I stare at my food while pushing it around the plate, not even realizing I said that. His hand lands on top of mine. I drop my fork and look up at him.
“I can see that you have a lot of worries. I want to answer every question you have. Dating as a single dad is definitely different and I wouldn’t expect you to just know. I will and have always taken my time before bringing a woman into Arthur’s life. So, what is most important for you to know right now?”
“Have there been other women in his life, besides his mom?”
“His mom left when he was a baby. And I have only introduced him to one woman who I thought was going to be a part of our lives. That didn’t work out, obviously.”
“If we go on dates, will he know that’s what you are doing?”
“No. I will tell him I am going out with a friend. It’s not a complete lie.”