She pressed her lips together to keep from crying. This was awful, worse than divorcing Jeff. The divorce had been a lot of work and stress, but after it was done, it was freeing and wonderful. This was like a noose around her neck. “I promised my ex I wouldn’t date anyone for a year if he wouldn’t use his visitation and would only come see Krew while I was there.”
Caleb’s mouth turned down and his fists clenched. He looked away across the dark field as the lights in the now dusky park illuminated some of the grass, trees, and sidewalks. Emily feared he’d tell her she was being stupid or that Jeff would never know if they kissed or she was too protective of Krew.
Instead, he said, “You’re an amazing mom, Emily.” His eyes were warm on her face.
“Thank you,” she rasped through her dry throat. She wanted to kiss him more than ever.
“You know one thing I’ve never been?” He gave her a longing smile.
“What’s that?”
“Patient.”
Emily’s breath constricted. Of course he wouldn’t be patient for her. He had no reason to be. He hardly knew her. He had women chasing him nonstop. Why would he want to wait four months to date an older lady, and a mama at that? She would rip anyone apart who called Krew baggage, but she could understand how a single man, even one as great as Caleb, could view her situation as heavy with baggage.
Caleb eased in closer again. He gently trailed his fingers along her jawline and then cupped it. “But for you, I think it’ll be a good trait for me to learn.”
Emily’s eyes widened. What was he saying? She barely restrained herself from flinging her arms around his neck. “Are you joking with me? Because if you’re getting my hopes up like that to just slam me down to this grass, I might punch you in the gut.”
Caleb chuckled and shook his head. His eyes had a mischievous twinkle, but they sobered as he said, “I’m not joking. I want to wait for you, Em.”
She felt weak from his touch and his words and his smile, and had he just used her nickname? My, oh my, Caleb Jewel was perfect.
“So if we can’t date, can we continue practices?” he asked.
“I think that would be okay.”
“Would a kiss be considered dating?”
Emily panted for air as he leaned closer. She wanted to scream no, a kiss was a wonderful idea. Caleb Jewel. How could she possibly resist this man when he stared at her as if she lit up his world?
Her stomach rolled as sadness encompassed her. She couldn’t lie to herself. A kiss would definitely be considered dating. “I’m afraid so,” she said, hating herself.
Caleb stopped coming closer. He studied her for a few beats and then straightened and released her face. “The patience is already being tested, but that’s okay.” His gaze swept over her face, warm as his fingers had been on her jaw. “You’re worth the wait, Emily Housley.”
Emily blinked quickly. Caleb Jewel thought she was worth the wait. He wasn’t just some ultra-good-looking superstar to her anymore, though she imagined she’d still blow kisses at his poster every time Krew wasn’t looking; he was her Caleb, and he wanted to date her. Even better, he wanted to learn patience for her, wait for her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded solemnly, still studying her like he was having a hard time not wrapping her up and making her regret her decision to wait for that kiss.
She backed away. “I’d better go. See you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
She turned and speed-walked away. Glancing once over her shoulder before she entered the path to the neighborhood, she could see he hadn’t moved. He was watching her. She put a hand to her heart. Caleb would wait for her.