Chapter 6

Allison

Doug’s tires squealed as he turned down another street on his way home, and I looked around, hoping none of the neighbors were offended. That was when I saw him standing outside next to a large, black Jeep. I hadn’t even noticed the cars at the house when I’d come out, but then again, I’d been focused on Sierra’s return.

My cheeks burned with the sting of embarrassment when I realized what he’d saw. Doug’s tirade had surely gotten his attention.

“Allison?” He stepped out into the sunny street, and I walked over to the sidewalk to meet him.

“Hello, David.” Now my cheeks burned for a totally different reason, and the warmth spread through me in places that hadn’t had anyone’s attention but my own since the divorce.

When he’d returned from the Air Force after my graduation from high school, he’d matured so much that I barely recognized him. His body was no longer that of a teenager, but one of a man, but now, he’d matured even more. His entire frame had changed. He had broader shoulders, tighter, bulkier muscles, and tattoos peeking from beneath his shirt collar. He wore a trimmed beard now, too, but his eyes, those dark blue, soulful eyes that had always looked like they were full of wisdom and lust, they were the same. They were home.

His own eyes trailed along my body, and then he seemed to snap out of his daze when Sierra spoke.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” He looked at her like she had three heads, and then he smiled up at me. “The advances we humans are making. I had no idea you’d been cloned.” He looked back to Sierra and held out his hand, which she quickly took. “I’m David.”

“I’m Sierra.” Sierra’s smile was followed by a little giggle.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Sierra. That’s a beautiful name.” My heart was beating out of my chest, watching the two of them meet, and I was proud Sierra was so polite.

“Thank you. David’s pretty cool, too.” She let out another giggle.

“How have you been?” He finally turned his attention to me, and those lustful eyes of his seemed to undress me. Or at least I wanted them to.

“I’m doing okay. You know, doing the parent thing.” I gave a casual shrug and glanced down at Sierra.

“Yeah, well, it looks good on you. You were going to school the last I heard.”

“Mama just graduated,” Sierra said, sounding like a twenty-year-old.

“Business.” I spoke up and brushed my daughter’s hair back from her face.

His brows raised. “Oh yeah? I wondered what you’d studied. How’s that going?”

“I’m still looking for something. Right now, I’m working at Marjorie’s across town. You know, while I look for something else.” Telling him I was working in the diner was the most embarrassing moment I’d had in ages. I’d always been taught to have pride in every job I did, as long as it was honest and the money was hard-earned, but I hated that I hadn’t landed a better job for me and my daughter. “Finding a good job has been tougher than I thought.”

“Yeah, in this economy? It’s rough.” He looked down the road where Doug made his exit. “What was that all about?”

My cheeks burned even more. In fact, my entire body felt feverish, and I had tingles in all the right places, my body longing for the touch he’d once given me.

“Yeah. That was embarrassing enough when I didn’t think anyone was witnessing it.” I let out a breath and felt the tension slowly start to fade.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just me.” He shrugged it off like it was nothing. And it felt good to know he still held the same regard for me, that our past still meant something to him. “So, you’re looking for something. You know, I’m in need of a personal assistant, someone who might be interested in PR work.”

He shifted on his feet, and Sierra walked over and took his hand. It didn’t seem to faze him in the least, and he smiled at her and closed his hand around hers.

“That would be amazing. Could I get an interview?” My heart raced at the possibility of working by his side. Seeing him every day was either going to be the most amazing job or the worst. It all rode on if he were seeing anyone. The thought of him with someone else had my stomach in knots.

He gave a little chuckle and looked down at my daughter, who was smiling up at him and holding his hand like they’d known each other for years. “Of course.”

About that time, I heard someone call from across the street. “David? Where are you?” Missy stepped from around the Jeep, and her eyes widened with surprise as she saw me and Sierra.

“I’m over here, Miss,” he called to his sister.

Sierra let go of his hand, and her eyes widened as she stepped back over and held onto my arm.

“Well, no wonder you didn’t come back in.” Missy gave him a sly look and then stepped up to hug me. Then Missy focused on my kid.

“Sierra, this is David’s sister, Missy.”

“Hi, honey. Wow, she looks just like you, but look at those dark blue eyes.” She turned and look at her brother then back at Sierra.

I cleared my throat. “Her father has blue eyes.”

“Must be your thing, blue-eyed men.” She gave me a wink, and I couldn’t help but let out a giggle which made me feel twelve years old again. Back then, I’d followed him around like a lovesick puppy, and Missy, who had been my babysitter for years, was my go-to for all things David.

“I suppose so.” I rocked on my feet a bit, and Sierra laid her head on my arm.

“We’re going to have to catch up one day,” Missy said. “Where are you working?”

David cut me off. “Allison’s actually just finished school and is going to interview with me. We were just making arrangements when you showed up.” He was all business now when it came to me, and then, as he looked down at Sierra and winked, I heard a little giggle bubble from her chest. Maybe I’d mistaken his kindness toward my daughter and sympathy for my situation as flirting.

“That would be great,” Missy said. A little voice called from across the road, and Missy let out a sigh. “Well, I’ll leave you three alone. I’ll be in touch. We should get the girls together for a playdate or something.”

“That would be fun, thanks.” Sierra squeezed my hand, and I wasn’t sure what she thought of the idea. I wouldn’t ask in front of David.

As soon as Missy was gone, Sierra turned her attention back to David. “Is that your big black car?” She pointed across the street, and his eyes followed.

“Yes, that’s my Jeep. The top comes off and everything.”

“You mean it comes apart?” She looked at him with the most incredible look, like he was pulling her leg.

“Yes, and as a matter of fact, the entire thing comes apart. The doors, the top. I can even pull the seats out if I want.”

“You’re teasing.” She walked over and took his hand again, swinging his arm as she looked up at him. I’d never seen her interact with anyone like that, not even her own father, who hadn’t given her that much conversation in ages.

“I’m not. I’ll have to take you for a ride sometime and show you.”

“Can we for real?” Sierra turned and jumped up and down, giving me a pleading look.

“We’ll see.” I brushed my fingers through her hair again, but she stepped away and hugged David who was a bit taken by surprise but knelt down to her level.

“If we get to go, I’ll even let you help me take the Jeep apart. It’s really like a big toy. You’ll see.”

Sierra put her arm around his neck. “I believe you, David.”

That brought a chuckle from him as he looked up at me.

I cleared my throat. “Would you mind if we exchanged numbers?” I felt like an idiot asking, and I wished it wasn’t such an awkward question. We’d known each other our entire lives, but time and distance had changed things some, even if we still respected and treasured our past.

“Of course. Call the office on Monday, and I’ll let you know when I can see you about that interview.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an embossed business card.

“I’d appreciate the opportunity. I’ve not had any luck.” I didn’t want to sound too desperate, but my mind reeled at the possibility of working for him and how much it would change mine and Sierra’s lives.

With the larger salary, we could do things and have things that I couldn’t provide for her on my minimum wage and tips that I was getting from Marjorie’s. I’d be able to send her to college one day, without the help of her sorry-ass father.

“Now, you get to do me the honor.” He gave me a seductive look as he stepped closer and held out his phone.

I typed in my number. His nose turned toward my hair, and he breathed in deeply. “You still smell the same.” I looked up, and he’d closed his eyes, a soft smile spreading his lips.

“I hope that’s a good thing.” Our eyes met, and he seemed too full of emotion for a moment, like he was lost for what to say or maybe choosing the right words.

“It’s a good thing, Allison. It’s like all the good memories of my life are in your scent. You know, they say our sense of smell is the strongest for bringing us back. I guess it’s true.” He was close enough to kiss, and an aching desire to do so burned through me. I could have sworn my lips swelled with desire and anticipation, but then he stepped back, the magic of the moment ebbing with him.

“I feel that, too. Just seeing you and Missy brings me back. Life’s gotten so complicated. I missed the simpler times when all we had was school and our friends to worry about.”

He patted Sierra’s head and stroked her long blonde locks. “These little ones don’t know how easy they have it, do they?” He let loose a breath and looked back to his childhood home. “I guess I should get back to work before Missy wrings my neck.”

“I’m glad I got to see you. Call me. You know, about the job.” I wished I could take the words back and redo them. I probably sounded like an idiot.

“I will.” He took Sierra’s hand and kissed it. “It was a pleasure meeting you, young lady. You take care of your mom, okay?”

Sierra, the little charmer, giggled. “Okay. See you later, David.”

“I have a feeling you will.” He flashed me a wink and walked away.

I stood there a moment, just watching him go. His ass looked so amazing in his jeans, and I’d noticed his package in the front as well. I let out a breath and turned to go inside, fanning myself.

“Are you hot, Mama?” Sierra gave me a worried look.

“Yeah, it must be all this sunshine.” The unseasonably warm day had not only been beautiful, but magical.

Sierra stopped, and we both looked across the lawn toward his house. “I like him, Mama.”

I breathed a shallow sigh. “Me too, baby. Me too.”