When did I turn into a high school girl, doodling someone’s name on my notebook?

Today, apparently, as I look down at my desk and notice Andy’s name written all over my pad of paper that I had pulled out to make inventory notes on. It seems as though I wanted to order a whole lot of Andy.

The fact that I’m over forty and shouldn’t be having these girly crush feelings doesn’t escape me in the least. Nor does the fact that he’s almost a decade my junior. Though, to be fair, he’s not like most thirty-five year olds. And it’s not really almost a decade. He’s wise beyond his years and one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever known.

And strong. Don’t get me started on the muscles that man seems to build more of daily. Once he figured out it wasn’t safe for him to take out his anger on himself, or his boys, he took it out on the gym equipment he has in his basement. Bri’s boyfriend, Grady, helped him get it set up, to figure out what he wanted, and what worked for him. If Grady didn’t plan on going to school to become a vet, he would do well with personal training. It comes natural to him, and even though it’s one of his passions, he says it’s not what he wants to do for the rest of his life.

A knock on the door startles me out of my musings, my imagination conjuring up images of Andy working out in his basement, sweat dripping down his chest and incredible abs that I happened to get a glimpse of one night when he lifted his shirt to wipe his forehead. The same movement he made two weeks ago when he had been helping James work at Balance.

And that night I spent dreaming of Andy, and his boys, and Bri, and what it would look like to be a family of five. And in my dreams? It was beautiful.

“Christine? You okay?” Aidan’s voice breaks into my thoughts.

“Huh?”

Reece laughs at me. “You were staring off into space. Didn’t even acknowledge us when we came in!”

I look around my office to see all three of the Simpson men staring back at me, amused expressions covering the younger two and a heated look in the older, sexy one I was just daydreaming about.

I lick my lips and divert my gaze, clear my throat. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Boys wanted to ask you something,” Andy says.

They both nod. Reece nudges Aidan in the side with his elbow.

“So, this might seem weird, but we’re going to the cabin for spring break in a few weeks.”

“The cabin?”

“Yeah, the one I told you about that’s been in my family for years?” Andy reminds me.

“Oh! Yeah. Yeah, of course! That sounds like fun! You want me to get your mail or something?”

Reece looks at Andy who nods his head in encouragement. “Actually, we wanted you to come with us.”

“You what?” I look to Andy, who simply smiles over at Aidan, who looks just as nervous as Reece.

“Yeah. We want you there with us. It’s a lot of fun. We can fish and hike. The water by the pond will be too cold to swim, but there’s a big hammock on the front porch so you can relax and read or whatever. And you can bring along Bri if it makes you feel better,” Aidan rushes out the words.

My heart is racing. “Are you boys sure you want me to come along on your spring break vacation? Wouldn’t I be in the way?”

“Are you kidding? No way! We want you there!”

I turn to Andy. “Is this okay with you?”

His smile drops a little bit but his eyes soften. “Give us a quick minute, boys?”

“But…”

“Why don’t you go find Emma? She’s trying a new triple chocolate muffin recipe I think you both need to taste test.”

They both hesitate a moment before they agree and walk out the door.

As soon as they’re gone, Andy takes three steps until he’s behind the desk, spins my chair around so I’m facing him with his hands gripping my shoulders, and looks me in the eye.

“Christine. We want you with us whenever we can get you.” He lowers to crouch in front of me and lowers his voice. “And, sweetheart, it would mean a lot to me. And the boys. They need this. They need you. She’s… well, she’s taking the cabin.”

“What? Why?”

“Don’t know. She just is. I get the boys.” He shrugs as if he’s not bothered, but I see it written all over his face. And it breaks my heart. “She’s taking something that doesn’t mean shit to her, but she knows how much it means to us. The boys want to show it to you before they lose the chance. After the divorce is final…” He trails off, not needing to finish his sentence.

Well crap. What’s a girl supposed to say to that?