Chapter 11
Simone
I stood under the showerhead letting the hot water pound on my back. What had I done? I let my silly schoolgirl crush on Kyle get way out of hand, that’s what. I had done a lot of stupid, impulsive things in my past when it came to sex, but this had to be close to the top of the list.
Sex was always the way I tried to find acceptance. Now that I knew better, it sounded stupid, but growing up feeling like I didn’t belong to anybody really did a number on me. Then being married to Brad didn’t help matters; instead, he’d made me feel even worse about my past.
I hadn’t had sex with anyone since the last time with my ex. He’d turned me off it and I hadn’t had much of a desire until Kyle waltzed into my life. Six months of meetings and phone calls, giving so much of his time to help me with my divorce had meant so much to me. He’d shown his attentiveness and kindness toward me and Stella, but had always maintained a level of professionalism so I never thought he saw me in that way. Sure, he kissed me a couple months ago, and then he had pulled away quickly and we never talked about it again.
For all I knew, he still didn’t see me as anything more than a one-night stand, which was why I wanted to savor that perfect moment and not spoil it by wanting more than he was willing to give. I knew enough to know Kyle got any girl he wanted, but he wasn’t a relationship kind of guy. It wasn’t like I was looking for anything serious either, but I liked him. A lot, too much. Even though I didn’t want to ruin things with him on a friendship level, I wondered what dating someone like Kyle would be like. He was so different from other guys I’d known.
But I finally had perspective, and I felt a little wiser coming out of this process. That was partly due to seeing my therapist. A therapist Kyle had dated and probably slept with. Man, I was an idiot. Still, she made me realize I was strong and resilient. I wouldn’t always get it right, and I’d screw up but I’d learn, and keep growing. I also had a great support system to catch my fall.
It was why I felt that being with Kyle tonight was like taking ten steps backwards. Resorting to old behaviors in an effort to feel wanted. I hadn’t realized that I’d been lonely, missing having a man in my life. And once again, I’d slept with somebody who didn’t have any real feelings for me. I was just a hookup, someone convenient. It wasn’t that Kyle was a bad guy; in fact, everything I knew of him proved he was actually pretty great, but I just couldn’t imagine for a second he’d want to be in a relationship with someone like me. I was a twenty-two-year-old divorcée with a child, and if that wasn’t enough of a reason, he was an educated, successful lawyer and I was just a waitress with only a high school diploma. We really had nothing in common.
When he’d kissed me on the dance floor, I knew what I was getting myself into, but I didn’t want to stop it. Even knowing it was going to be a one-night stand, I felt an inexplicable need to keep going. And he definitely didn’t disappoint.
I had been with my fair share of guys, but none of them had ever made me feel the way Kyle had tonight. Sex with Brad had never seemed so intimate. On his best nights, Brad preferred to get off as quickly as possible and never showed much concern for my needs. On his worst nights, he seemed to enjoy degrading me with his words and not caring if he caused me physical pain.
Kyle was so different. He kissed me passionately; he looked into my eyes, said kind words to me, and most importantly, made me come. Twice! I had been so tempted to take him up on his offer to continue things, but figured it would be even harder for me to leave his room afterward. This way, it was a clean break and we could both move on with a great memory.
*****
The next morning I woke up a little after nine feeling refreshed. I was a little leery of making my way downstairs, but told myself that I wasn’t going to make this awkward. I was an adult and I was going to approach the situation like one.
I stepped into the kitchen, stifling back a laugh at the three zombies barely sitting upright in their seats. The kitchen had windows all around, so there was no way for them to hide from the bright morning sun. Seeing how miserable they all looked, I was glad that I hadn’t had much to drink.
“Good morning,” I said in a sing-song voice.
I was met with three groans coming from my fellow partiers as they passed around a bottle of aspirin and guzzled down water.
“Morning,” Kyle said. He was the only other person who appeared to be fully functional this morning. The fact that he didn’t seem hung-over made me feel better about last night. At least he couldn’t write me off as a drunken mistake.
“I’m making eggs and bacon for breakfast. Hopefully the grease will help these three,” he said with a grin, while pointing at the others with his spatula. Ian was still in his pajamas, and Addie and Kayla were in same outfits they wore last night. Same as me. Kyle was in athletic shorts and a thin white T-shit. I looked at him for a second too long, remembering his body above mine. I felt my whole body flush, every sensory memory flaring, and I had this sudden urge to touch him, to remind myself of how his skin felt against mine. I hadn’t gotten to look at his body as much as I’d wanted. I remembered that he had a tattoo on his chest from when we had been swimming at Jim and Marla’s. That had been an unexpected surprise and I was disappointed I’d missed my chance to check it out a little closer last night. Everything happened so fast, the urgency and frantic pace. It was like two colliding stars going supernova. Seeing Kyle now, looking as sexy as ever, just reminded me that I’d never had a sexual experience like what we’d shared—and I likely wouldn’t again.
“Can I help with anything?” I asked, trying to distract myself.
“Sure, you want to make some toast?” He pointed around his state-of-the-art kitchen. “The bread is in the pantry and the toaster is over there.”
Kyle was talking to me as though nothing had happened between us, and while a part of me was grateful for that, another part wondered if last night had meant anything to him at all.
Ugh! I was sounding like a foolish little girl and it was making me mad. I should have been relieved that he wasn’t making things weird. It was exactly what I wanted. Or was it?
Truthfully, I’d always wanted to have a man desire me and want a relationship with me. The idea that someone would actually pick me for who I was… it was something I never thought would happen for me. It didn’t need to be Kyle, but I wanted somebody to want me like he had last night. I wanted that every night, for the rest of my life. In the past, guys wanted me for sex, and once they got it they were gone. Brad was only with me because of Stella. I longed for a man to choose me because he wanted me, to be friends as well as lovers, one who cared about me and could come to love Stella.
Deep down, however, I feared making the same bad mistakes. Another thing Dr. Hamilton had taught me was that I needed to stop thinking that I didn’t deserve things. That underlying belief that I had no right to a good and decent life had fueled my early behaviors, and what had convinced me to marry Brad despite my misgivings. Brad had been a huge mistake—but he’d given me Stella, Trent and his parents, as my new family. And indirectly, Addie and Kyle. He was still a jerk, but I couldn’t say I got totally screwed over.
I was feeling all these emotions from my one night with Kyle so I concentrated way more than I needed to on the task at hand. I placed the bread in the toaster and went to grab the butter and jelly. As I passed him, he looked up at me and smiled. The look he gave me was sweet with a hint of concern. I wasn’t entirely sure what that look meant so I smiled back at him, hoping to convey that I was okay even though I wasn’t.
We continued to move around each other, getting breakfast ready for everyone. Then I heard a text notification from Kyle’s phone go off. He picked his phone up off the counter and read the message.
“Looks like we need to make another plate. Trent will be here in five minutes,” he noted, setting his phone back down.
I had forgotten that Trent had gone home with Ashley. She was one of Kayla’s friends from college, studying to be a nurse as well. To cheer me up one night, Kayla had organized a painting and wine event with a bunch of her school friends. Ashley and I had hit it off and she was now a regular participant in our girls’ nights out.
On schedule, the doorbell rang five minutes later. Not waiting for anyone to answer, Trent walked into the house. Our three semi-conscious friends were finally waking up but still complaining about headaches and the bright sun. Trent didn’t look worse for wear as he took a seat next to Ian. He must have stopped by his apartment, because he looked freshly showered and ready to start the day. He was also in cargo shorts and a red T-shirt, which he had not worn last night. His hair was still wet and he clearly wasn’t suffering from a hangover.
“So this is where everyone ended up,” Trent said with a smile. He nudged Ian with his elbow to which Ian scowled and pushed Trent back, harder than necessary, nearly unseating his friend. Kyle laughed. I shook my head. Boys. “Guess I’m the only one who got lucky last night.”
I hoped no one could see the blush that crept up along my cheeks when I made eye contact with Kyle. He smirked at me. In turn, I giggled and then quickly covered it up with a cough while getting plates and silverware out.
“Are you going to be seeing this one again?” Kyle asked Trent. The way he asked that question was another reminder of how casual the two of them treated their hookups.
“Nah, man, not looking for anything serious, and the way she kicked me out this morning, Ashley isn’t either,” Trent said, good-naturedly.
“So what are we doing today?” Ian asked, finally able to speak in more than just grunts since we got some coffee in him.
“We should try to catch some waves, the surf is supposed to be pretty good today,” Trent commented, looking behind him and eyeing the horizon.
“Sounds good to me,” Kyle said. “What are you girls up to?”
Kayla and Addie had finally woken up as well, but that was probably because of the loaded plates of food being passed around. “What time do you need to pick up Stella today?” Addie asked me.
“Not until this evening,” I said, standing across from the rest of them. “Jim and Marla are taking her to the zoo and then I’m supposed to have dinner with them.”
“Let’s have a girls’ day then,” Addie suggested, brightening.
I grinned, liking that idea a lot. “Sure.”
“Pedicures and shopping it is,” Kayla added.
I smiled and nodded, jabbing at my eggs. In my peripheral, I watched Kyle. I could feel him even before he walked toward me. He was the last to plate his food and he went to move in right next to me. So close that there was barely even an inch of space between us. Too close for it to not be on purpose. His closeness made it difficult to finish my breakfast. I just hoped no one could tell how much I enjoyed having his body next to mine.
*****
Trent was nice enough to drop all of us off at home since none of us had driven last night. Once I was ready, I picked up Addie and Kayla and we headed downtown. We spent a couple hours at the salon, walking out with fresh manicures and pedicures. After that we headed to the Gaslamp Quarter for some shopping. There was a distinct chill coming off the water, but walking around and the sun overhead helped keep us warm. Since it was Saturday, it was a little crowded but not as bad as it was in the summer. During tourist season, this area of San Diego felt like an international city, with visitors coming from all over the world.
I very rarely treated myself, usually spending what little extra money I had on Stella and the necessities. And with Brad not disclosing where he was working, I didn’t get anything from him in the way of child support, but his parents, once again, came to my rescue. I truly appreciated their help, but at some point, I wanted to be able to pay for the rent and other things, and just be more independent. Most of my clothes were years old, but I took care of the things I had. Being that it was my birthday weekend, I treated myself to a matching bra and panty set. It was an impulse buy and I had a particular guy in mind when I’d bought it, which I knew was silly. Dating was still a scary thought since I had a daughter to think about. I couldn’t date just any guy.
Just before one, we headed to Seaport Village for lunch. The restaurant we chose was right on the water and provided a beautiful view of the harbor. It didn’t take us long after placing our order to get our food.
“So that Ian guy is pretty hot, huh?” Kayla asked, between bites of her turkey club.
Addie started choking on her water, causing us both to whip our heads around in her direction. She cleared her throat. “Sorry, wrong pipe,” she said catching her breath.
Kayla arched an eyebrow. “Sounds like there’s a story there,” she pushed.
“No story,” Addie said, shaking her head. “We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t seen him in a while, that’s all. So, Simone, did you have fun last night?”
I felt my cheeks blush and for a moment I thought she was talking about me hooking up with her brother. I then quickly realized she was simply asking about our time at the club and trying to get the attention off of Kayla’s question about Ian.
“Last night was great,” I answered, keeping it general and focusing on my pasta. “Thank you so much for planning a night out.”
“Too bad the boys had to show up,” Addie returned dryly. “Trying to find a guy with all of them sticking to us like glue was useless. They wouldn’t have let anyone get within ten feet of us.”
“Yeah but you’re Kyle’s sister and his friends have known you forever,” Kayla pointed out. “I’m sure Simone or I could have hooked up with someone last night if the opportunity arose.”
Addie poked at her salad, mulling something over before speaking. “I don’t know. Trent sees Simone as a sister and would protect her probably more fiercely than he would protect me,” she said. “That means Kyle would do the same. Whomever is important to one of them becomes important to all of them.”
I didn’t know how that made me feel. On one hand, I felt honored knowing that Trent felt so strongly about me. On the other hand, I didn’t want Kyle seeing me as someone who needed protecting. And while I was sure our night together was a one-time thing, I didn’t want him to think I was too fragile to pursue.
We continued to make small talk throughout the rest of our lunch. Once we were done, I dropped Addie off at her apartment, and then drove to Kayla’s place.
“Thanks again for last night, I really had a great time,” I told her as she exited my car.
“It was good to see you letting loose. You should do it more often,” she said with a smile as she closed the door.
It did feel good to let go last night. I felt free and at peace for the first time in a while. Until Kyle, that is. Now that my divorce was finalized, we’d have no reason to purposely see each other at all. Right? The thought of that saddened me a little. He’d sort of become a staple in my life and he got along with Stella well. In some ways, our night together signaled an end. I didn’t like that thought at all, though.
I tried not to dwell on it and instead thought about positive things on the rest of the drive to my apartment. I’d just turned twenty-two. My daughter was healthy and happy. I had wonderful friends and a family that had stuck by my side. I was free of all kinds of baggage and I could do whatever I wanted. My life was pretty great and I had to remember that.
My phone beeped just as I’d entered my apartment and locked the door behind me. I’d managed to not think about Kyle for a whole fifteen minutes and now he was texting me. But I was smiling. I dropped my purse on the side table and read his message.
Kyle: Hi. I wanted to make sure you were good.
I read the text a couple times trying to figure out exactly what Kyle meant. Was he concerned that I was freaking out about what happened? Was he worried I was upset with him for some reason? I didn’t want him to worry so I sent a reply.
Me: I’m good. Thanks for checking. And thanks for letting us all stay at your place last night.
I spent entirely too much time second-guessing and over analyzing what I had just sent. His text had been vague and so had mine. Finally, he texted a reply, which I had to read a few times.
Kyle: Any time. : )
Any time?
What in the world did he mean by that? Was that an invitation to spend more time with him? Did he want that?
Confused, I set my phone down and headed to my bathroom, deciding a nice soak in the tub would help me relax before I headed over to Marla and Jim’s for dinner. I couldn’t spend any more time thinking about Kyle. All it was going to do was cause me to start fantasizing about things that could never be. Instead, I sank down into my tub, closed my eyes, and tried to think of anything other than the tall, handsome man who had rocked my world last night.
*****
Around six, I knocked on the front door and Jim answered, greeting me warmly with a hug. “Hey, kiddo,” he said with affection in his voice.
I hugged him back without hesitation, feeling like he was the dad I’d always wanted. “Hi, Jim,” I replied, smiling big. As I walked into their home, I could immediately smell the fried chicken and mashed potatoes we were having for dinner. “How was Stella today?” I looked around but didn’t see her in the living room. But I followed Jim toward the kitchen.
“She was wonderful as always,” he said over his left shoulder. The twinkle in his eyes made me happy, because he truly loved his role as grandpa. “She seemed to enjoy the zoo, especially the monkeys.”
When I walked into the kitchen, I laughed. Stella was sitting on the island watching Marla put together a salad while holding a brand new stuffed monkey.
Jim and I shared a grin.
“Okay, she really, really liked the monkeys,” he said, and chuckled. Jim and Marla didn’t go overboard spoiling Stella. They were already helping me out enough as it was, but I did appreciate that they could give her things that would be difficult for me to do.
“That’s an awfully big salad,” I commented, looking at the bowl in front of Marla. “Is Brad joining us?”
Technically it was his visitation day but I couldn’t remember the last time he saw Stella. I had no desire to see him, but I would deal with it if he showed up.
“No, honey, he’s not coming,” she answered with a sad look in her eyes. I knew how disappointed she was in Brad. I did think she continued to hold out hope that he would eventually change his ways. “But Trent and Kyle are coming over for dinner.”
“Oh, really?” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. I wasn’t ready to come face to face with Kyle. My thoughts had been all over the place since I left his house this morning. Now I was going to have to pretend that he didn’t affect me and I was going to have to do it with the Thompsons in the same room.
As if on cue, the front door burst open and in walked the two guys I had just seen a few hours ago.
“Where’s my favorite niece?” I heard Trent yell from the doorway. When Stella was around, no one else existed in Trent’s mind. In every way that mattered, Jim and Trent completely filled the father role in Stella’s life. For me, it made the sting of Brad’s continued apathy toward his daughter just barely tolerable.
“Unky Trent!” Stella squealed.
“There she is,” he said as he rounded the corner, scooping her off the island and moving over to kiss his mother on the cheek. Then he moved to me and repeated the gesture.
Kyle greeted Trent’s parents and then turned his gaze on me. “Hello, Simone,” he said, a bit formally. He didn’t give me a hug or a kiss like Trent had but the look he gave me was smoldering.
I quickly averted my gaze. Last night was all that had been playing in my head. I had to stop those thoughts, though, or I’d be blushing all through dinner. “How was surfing?” I asked, focusing on generic conversation.
“Cold,” Trent said, giving a mock shiver. We all smiled when it made Stella giggle. “I was thinking of doing a bonfire out on the beach, but Kyle wanted to come over and crash your little party here instead.”
“Just to deliver something,” Kyle said quickly. From behind me, he placed two envelopes on the island right next to me. “Since we didn’t know we would end up seeing you last night.”
I stared at the envelopes in surprise and turned, looking at him. “You didn’t need to get me anything, but that was very sweet,” I said, ridiculously pleased at the gesture.
“Well, one of the cards is from me, y’know,” Trent said teasingly.
I grinned at him. “You’re the best,” I proclaimed, which seemed to appease his ego.
“You all ended up at the same place last night?” Jim asked, overhearing my conversation with Kyle.
“Yeah, at a club,” Trent explained.
“I hope you boys didn’t keep the girls from having a good time,” Marla admonished lightly.
“I’m pretty sure they had a good time. Didn’t you, Simone?” Kyle asked, smirking at me.
I blushed furiously and said, “Um yeah, I had a good time.” I couldn’t even look over at him afraid that I would give everything away with just one look.
“Okay, kids, the food is ready,” Marla announced as she and Jim headed to the dining room.
Trent, still holding Stella, eyed the two of us a little too long before leaving the kitchen.
Kyle looked at me and smiled, and then he held his hand out in front of him and said, “After you.”
As I passed in front of him, he placed his hand on the small of my back gently guiding me out of the kitchen. As we came into view of everyone, he removed his hand from me.
Trent had taken the seat next to Stella and was already dishing up food on her plate. That left the two seats that were next to each other for Kyle and me. He pulled out my chair for me and once I was settled, he again placed himself just inches from my left.
Dinner was quite enjoyable with everyone chatting with each other but Kyle constantly distracted me. Every time he shifted in his seat, or his leg bumped into mine, or his elbow brushed against my arm, it sent little sparks along my skin. After a few ‘accidental’ touches I looked over at him, but he never looked back at me. Instead, he stayed engaged in the conversation. I knew it was just in my head. I was putting myself on edge over nothing. Just my imagination in overdrive and it was annoying.
“Stella and I have a surprise for you,” Marla announced when we were all done eating. I was actually relieved that dinner was coming to an end. Sitting next to Kyle was becoming torturous.
“Cake!” Stella exclaimed, moving her chubby legs and arms in the air and causing all of us to laugh.
Marla stood up. “Stella helped me make a cake for your birthday. I’ll go get it.”
When Marla returned, she was carrying a double layer chocolate cake that had twenty-two candles on it. Jim quickly got up to turn off the lights and then Marla led the guys in singing to me.
“Make a wish,” Marla said.
I took a moment to look around the room before making my wish. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces made it easy for me to decide what to wish for. I wished that I would never lose this family I had come to love with every part of my heart. I smiled and then blew out my candles.
After indulging in a very large piece of chocolate goodness, I started to pack up so Stella and I could go. Leaving everyone in the living room, I ran up to the guestroom to get her favorite blanket. I found it in the crib that Jim and Marla had set up when Stella was just a newborn. When I turned to head back downstairs, I ran right into a solid brick wall. Kyle’s hands reached out and gently grasped my shoulders to steady my balance and my hands landed on his torso, gripping his shirt. It took my brain a moment to realize it was actually a person and I looked up and met his darkening gaze.
“You startled me… I-I didn’t know you were there,” I stuttered.
“I’m sorry, I just needed to have a minute with you…” he said, his voice low and urgent. His expression was intense and the same single-minded focus I’d seen last night echoed in his eyes right now. All he saw was me.
You’re gorgeous.
He’d said that. To me! And he had meant it. Two words that had made me feel like I was the most desirable woman in the world. And while I didn’t see myself that way, I trusted Kyle to tell me the truth, a trait he practiced in his business and personal life. He’d proved that to me over the past six months.
I almost took a step back, but I was rooted to the spot. I let my hands drift off his body. He released me too, excruciatingly slow, to the point where just his fingertips danced across my skin until he was no longer touching me. I exhaled the air I’d been holding, caught up in the moment. I was anticipating his next move, wanting that light touch again. It was confusing—he was confusing—but it was also exhilarating. I’d never had this kind of attraction to someone before. Kyle’s very presence was heady.
“I needed to talk to you before you left,” he said, looking over his shoulder briefly before resuming. “I was going to try and pretend like nothing happened between us since it appeared that was what you wanted—but I can’t do that. I can’t stop thinking about last night. About you.”
I took a moment to process what he was saying. At the real possibility that Kyle wanted me, wanted to be with me and something more.
“I can’t stop thinking about it, either,” I finally said. I needed to be honest, though. “This is… complicated. I have Stella and she thinks the world of you and… it could be really confusing for her.”
He nodded, sighing. “I know that, I do…” He paused, wearing a grim expression.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Trent.”
I frowned, confused. “What?”
“Sisters are off limits. Kind of like a universal code.”
“Oh…” I said slowly. Trent was super protective. “You’ve been friends with him for over twenty years.” I bit my lower lip, all these complications multiplying. “Jim and Marla see you like another son, but I just divorced their actual son and… This could get really messy in an instant by moving too fast before everyone has gotten used to the new way of things.”
“I just thought that same thing, too,” he returned, brows furrowed.
I thought back to my conversation at lunch with Kayla and Addie. But I didn’t voice the fear that they all might think Kyle was taking advantage of me. Even though he wouldn’t be, I knew perception was just as dangerous as one’s actions. I also had no idea how Brad would react. While his opinion didn’t matter anymore, he knew how to hurt people, especially his family. And I knew he’d hate the idea of Kyle and me together. He’d lash out, just to spite us all. Why invite trouble when everything was calm and easy right now? Why risk rocking the boat, even if I wanted Kyle, and he wanted me?
Kyle was quiet for a minute and I think we were both second-guessing what he’d come in here to say. “You’re right, there are some complications but none of them are making me want to stop pursuing whatever this is between us, and I know you feel it like I do. This back and forth has been going on for months, Simone. I back off, you back off, and we tell ourselves it’s nothing or we let our fears get the better of us but last night proved our connection is real. It’s special. And it’s not going away,” he paused, cupping my jaw with his hands. “We don’t have to tell anyone right now. We could just explore things and see where they lead. I just know I want to spend more time with you and Stella. I’m hoping you want that, too.”
He gave me a whisper-soft kiss on my lips and dropped his hands from my face, waiting for my response. Everything he’d said had caught me off guard. He was right. I had spent the entire day telling myself that what we shared had been nothing more than a one-night stand. That his interest in me was purely professional, and then just as a friend. Nothing romantic, no attraction, all those quiet looks and lingering touches, his hugs and his attention, that all those signs were innocuous. Innocent. I had enjoyed the time we had spent together these last few months, but I never thought he truly felt the same. Between seeing the kind of women he dated up close and the stories I’d heard, I knew I didn’t quite meet the standards he was used to. What if I didn’t measure up? But what if everything I was afraid of risking ended up being the best decision I could ever make?
“Simone?” Kyle gently prodded and I realized I hadn’t responded to him yet.
I took a deep breath. Kyle was different from every man I’d been with, just as I was different from any woman he’d been with. “I would love that,” I said honestly. “But are you really willing to take that sort of risk on me if people find out?” I had to ask it. I wanted no regrets and I wanted us to be on the same page.
“First of all, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You are definitely worth the risk. But I think you’re worrying about something that might not even be a big deal. Jim and Marla love you. Sure, it might be weird for them to see you with someone else, it’s just because they had hoped that your relationship with Brad would have worked out. They aren’t going to be mad at you for moving on.”
He sounded so confident in the Thompsons’ reaction that I had no choice but to believe him. I smile up at him. “Okay,” I whispered, nervous and excited, so freaking happy, and really scared.
His smile lit up his whole face, like I just gave him the best present ever. “So how about having dinner with me this Wednesday?” he asked.
My mind immediately went to my daughter. “Uh, I don’t have anyone to watch Stella,” I stated, making it obvious this wasn’t going to be easy. Even without the other complications I still had Stella to think about. My priority was always going to be my daughter. I hoped Kyle could handle that and not in a theoretical way.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I like hanging out with that munchkin. She can go to dinner with us,” he said.
The smile on my face couldn’t have been any bigger. Here was a really amazing man who not only wanted to date me, but was willing to spend time with my daughter.
“That sounds great,” I responded, beaming. “I better get back downstairs. Why don’t you text me with the details?”
Just as I was about to move around him to leave, he reached out and grabbed my wrist lightly. “I can’t wait for Wednesday,” he said, his smile almost blinding me. Then he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips.
He let me go and I went back to the living room so we could say our goodbyes. I drove home with the biggest grin on my face.