Over the last few weeks, Jameson has been spending less time in the office, allowing me a little freedom to make progress with the, well, the lack of organization. It’s a wonder he has managed to keep his head above water all these months. I get it, being a small business, there was no way to know it would take off like it has and that he’d double his crew size. As much as Owen is a pompous jerk and shameless flirt, he seems to do a good job helping Jameson keep things running.
If I wasn’t so damn tired all the time I might actually flirt back with the guy. Owen Butler is hot as … well, I don’t know who or what. He’s about six-feet-tall, athletic build, short brown hair that is a little longer on top than the sides, and his bone structure would have any artist thrilled to have him as a model. In a word, it’s perfection.
Everything about Owen exudes “zero fucks given.” His hair is styled in that “I just rolled out of bed” kind of way, his deep green eyes with brown flecks around the irises dance each time I catch him staring at my ass, and his voice … let’s just say, he could make a killing as one of those guys who reads romance novels for a living. He has just enough of a gravelly undertone that if I allow myself to think of him in the bedroom, I imagine it’s kind of voice that makes a good girl turn naughty.
He stops by the office every day to meet with Jameson and if Jameson isn’t here, I have to deal with him. I try to keep the conversation short and on task but I don’t think Owen is capable of a conversation that isn’t laced with flirtations. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem except for the simple fact that he’s a bit of a dick. He’s arrogant and cocky. I’m sure that works on some women, but not me.
Then, yesterday he was in the office, standing in my space, and I swear it was like someone had put an electric shock system under my feet. The electricity and tension were high and my heart was beating out of my chest. Thankfully, he mistook my reaction, and attraction, for apprehension and stepped back with a wink.
Unfortunately for me, my opinions of Owen’s attitude and how much I dislike men like him did nothing to prevent him from starring in my dreams last night. It wasn’t that I could see Owen in my dreams, it was more that I could feel him. I recognized his gravelly voice, I could feel his heat radiating, and I woke with the same feeling he leaves me with after he’s been in the office. Turned on and confused.
Owen Butler is not good for me. There is nothing about him that makes sense for a woman like me. He’s aggressive, cocky, flirtatious, and if his reputation is accurate, not without female companionship. He is almost thirty years old and lives in an apartment with his friend, Landon. He isn’t on the same life plan as me and that alone is enough reason for me to avoid him. But, when he talks to me I feel like the awkward thirteen-year-old I was. I get turned in knots and my defense mechanism of class A bitch comes through instead.
I’m not even sure why Owen is on my mind right now. I’m using my lunch hour to run errands. I have already grabbed a sandwich that I ate in the car wash and am now at the grocery store attempting to finish this week’s shopping without the girls. I’d prefer sitting in the warm sunshine reading a book but found if I handle my errands on my lunch, the evenings are a little less chaotic. Plus, tonight is our Skype call with Dakota. Ari is thrilled to see her mommy even if her attention span is only three minutes long.
One of the benefits of small-town living is the fact that in an hour’s time, I’m able to finish shopping and drop the groceries at the house before returning to the office. I’m almost to the stairs of the office when my phone rings. It’s Mrs. Larson, the girls’ babysitter. She had taken the girls to the park while I unpacked the groceries to allow me enough time to get in and out of the house quickly. I hope I remembered to lock up the house when I left. I’ve had a little “mommy brain” the last week with Cali teething.
“Hello?”
“Minnie, I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“It’s okay, Mrs. Larson. Is everything okay?” She doesn’t sound upset but I can hear Cali fussing in the background.
“Yes, dear. It’s just that Cali is running a little bit of a fever and it seems she has a bit of diarrhea. I’m sure it’s the teething but I wanted to let you know I’m going to go ahead and give her a little medicine.”
“Oh no. I’m just getting back to work but I’ll just tell Jameson I have to leave. I can be home in a few minutes.”
“Oh my, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m sure it’s just teething. My kids always ran a little fever when they were teething. We’ll be just fine, dear, but I wanted you to know.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Still, I’d feel better coming home to check on her.”
“Okay, if you think you need to. I’ll see you soon.”
Great. A fever. And, diarrhea? That doesn’t sound fun for any of us. I hope it’s just the teething and not a bug. What do you do with a baby if they start vomiting? Hold them over the toilet? That can’t be right.
I toss my phone in my purse and open the door to the office to find Jameson and Owen at the conference table eating. I hear my name and know they’re talking about me. My hackles rise and I’m ready to put them in their place when I hear Owen ask what my name is short for. I’m so not in the mood for this and, frankly, don’t have the time to deal with it so I answer for Jameson.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s short for Minnesota. Jameson, I know we’re swamped this afternoon and making progress, but I just got a call. I need to go home really quick but I’ll come right back.”
“Take the afternoon. No worries. Text me if you need tomorrow off also,” he replies with a smile.
“Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ll let you know but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Cali has been asleep for a while and I know that means she’ll be up later than usual tonight. Ari and I enjoyed a nice dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches on the back deck. She regaled me with her tales of the park and I enjoyed every minute of it. And my glass of wine. Bath time is moved up a little so she’s ready to talk with Dakota on Skype.
I hear the telltale sign of the Skype call as I’m pouring my second glass. I swore I’d never have more than one when I was caring for the girls, but this has been a shit of a day. Literally, who knew a little girl could go through so many diapers.
“Arizona, you can answer that, it’s your mommy. Touch the green phone button,” I instruct as I walk into the room.
“Mommy! Look! I have princess jam jams!”
I can hear Dakota snicker as I walk around to the couch where Arizona is sitting with my iPad. I smile and wave at Dakota while Ari begins telling her mom the same stories I heard at dinner. As usual, her attention span is short-lived and she’s losing interest in the call within minutes.
“Ari, why don’t you go play for a little while before bed?” I ask her, taking the iPad from her little hands.
“K, love you, Momma. You coming to our new house soon? Auntie says your owies are better.”
I run my hand over Arizona’s hair as she looks at her mom, hopeful.
“I’m doing my very best. I love you, sweet girl. Will you give your sissy a big kiss from me?” I hear the quiver in Dakota’s voice and know tears are imminent.
“Uh no way, Jose! Cali is pooping all over the place! I’ll tell her ‘morrow! Love you, Momma, gotta go!”
Before I have a chance to remind her to be quiet for her sister, Ari is gone and down the hall to her room. It’s probably best she wakes up Cali so I can give her a bath.
“Hey,” I say, smiling at Dakota, who is letting the tears fall.
“I hate this, Min.”
“I know, but you’re doing great. You’ve got what, just a couple more weeks there before you transition? How’s the rehab going?”
“It’s all rehab, Min.” The eyeroll and sarcasm are but a small glimmer to the version of my sister that’s been missing for months.
“I know that, smart ass. I meant the physical rehab. Give me a break, I’ve been elbows deep in shit all day. You failed to tell me Cali gets explosive diarrhea when she’s teething.”
“Oh, yeah and a low-grade fever. Sorry. Probably her molars.”
“That’s what Mom and Mrs. Larson said. I took the afternoon off and although I promised one glass of wine, this is glass two. I’ve earned it.”
Dakota agrees with me and spends a few minutes catching up before she goes a little silent on me.
“What’s wrong? You got quiet all of the sudden.”
“Have you heard from Kent?”
“Uh, no. That asshole has probably moved on to some new girl that is mesmerized by his love of all things beige. Why?”
“I hate that you’ve given up everything in your life to help me. Your relationship, your friends, your job.”
I snort in response. “Please, I had like two friends and if they were really friends they’d be here, wouldn’t they? My relationship wasn’t meant to be if the asshole wasn’t even willing to step up when we needed him most.” Bravado for the win. Truthfully, I miss my relationship. Well, I miss the companionship and having someone in my life. “As for my job, I love my job here. Jameson is a great guy and I basically have run of the office. I’m able to implement my own ideas and he listens. Do you know what it’s like to have a boss listen to you and then say, ‘Sounds good, Min. Have at it’? I sure as shit didn’t. Not before.”
“So, tell me about this Jameson. Is he hot? Are you going to bang him?”
“What? Bang him? Since when do you say things like ‘bang’?” I ask, taking a drink of my wine before settling into the corner of the couch, balancing the tablet on my knees.
“I don’t know, but I know you and Kent didn’t exactly have a porno-style sex life and since you’ve basically been living the life of a nun I figured maybe this guy would be the one to break up the monotony.”
“Nah, he’s a nice guy, but there’s no vibe there. Besides, who has time? Seriously, how do single moms do it? Between the kids, constantly cleaning the house, and work, I barely have time to shave my legs let alone date!”
“Wow, you’ve found time to shave your legs? You’re really kicking ass!”
“Do not mock me, Dakota Michelle,” I admonish my sister. I’ve missed this. Seeing her smile, even at my expense, only confirms this is what she needed to do.
“Seriously, Min, you need to get out there. The best thing Kent ever did was let you go. It’s time you found your person.”
I laugh and take another drink of my wine. Yeah, I’m not finding anything any time soon except maybe some root touch up at the store because I’m not sure when I’ll fit in time for an actual salon appointment. This blonde isn’t as natural as it used to be.
“I did agree to let Mom and Dad take the girls for their Nana and Papa time. Maybe I’ll go out or something.” I shrug.
“That’s great, you should totally do that. Make friends, Minnie. Maybe find a yoga studio or something. Don’t be a recluse. That’s not you.”
“We’ll see.”
“No, promise me. I want you to promise that by this time next month, you’ll have gone out. You’ll try. Please. I can’t stand the thought of you giving up your life for me.”
I hear the hiccup in her voice and know she’s fighting more tears. My sister has never asked me for anything and the least I can do for her is make her one little promise. This is Lexington, it’s not like I’m going to find my true love here.
“I promise. I think your time is about up. We’ll talk tomorrow night, okay?”
“Okay. Have a great day tomorrow and just make sure Cali has enough fluids so she doesn’t get dehydrated. Love you!”
“Love you back.”
I wave goodbye to my sister as she ends the video chat. I hear Cali stirring and Arizona talking to her. On my way to the girls’ room I drop my wine glass in the sink. I’ll try to do something social over the next few weeks. She’s right, I can’t stay holed up in the house forever.