Chapter Twenty
Evie
It’s Friday afternoon, and my fridge is close to empty, so I make a quick stop at the supermarket to get all the ingredients I need to make Colton a nice dinner. When I’m finished at the supermarket, I pick Carter up from his afterschool program. Fridays they usually run a sports activity which is perfect for my very active ten-year-old son.
Carter helps me bring all the groceries into the house then hangs out with me in the kitchen while I prepare dinner. While I’m rinsing the shrimp, and cutting up potatoes and carrots, I can’t help but think of my conversation with Jake today. I planted suspicion in his mind about his mother. On the one hand, I feel bad, but on the other, I want to know why she’s lying to her son. My phone lights up on the counter. It’s a text from Veronica.
Can I take Carter to see the new Transformer movie tomorrow?
I smile then wash my hands so I can type back. I’m thrilled she’s in town. I’m grateful that Carter has more family to love him so close to home. Growing up the way I did makes me cherish those moments. I sure don’t want to cause trouble between Jake and his mom.
He would love that. Let me know what time.
Great! Have a good night.
You too!
I place my phone down and prepare the seasoning for the chili lime steak I’m cooking for the main course. I hope Colton will like it. Carter is a huge fan of red meat. If I fed him steak seven days a week, he’d be in heaven.
A couple of hours later I’ve showered and so has Carter. I made him put on some clean clothes for our dinner date with Colton. He didn’t give me any trouble either which tells me that Colton has won him over in the brief time he’s known him.
When the red light flashes indicating we have a guest, the butterflies begin to dance happily in my belly. I open the door to Colton holding a bunch of red long stem roses in his hand. I don’t know why but seeing the red roses makes me think of erotic or forbidden things. Or maybe it’s just Colton. He brings out a sexy side of me I didn’t know existed. There won’t be any sexy times tonight. Not with Carter home.
“Hey.” Colton’s smile is wide. His blue eyes show warmth as they briefly rake up and down my body. I put on a black slim fitting cotton dress that hits just above my knee. It’s sexy but casual. My hair is still a little wet and lays in long strands over my shoulder. He leans in to kiss me on my cheek. When he pulls back, I can only guess what he thinks because his blue eyes are smoldering. “These are for you.” He passes me the roses. “You look hot,” he winks. I turn my head to see Carter coming down the hall to greet Colton.
They give each other a high five, and I wave for Colton to come in. He and Carter seem to be chatting. So I head to the kitchen to put the roses in water and a vase. One of the thorns pricks my finger reminding me that even such a beautiful flower can cause pain too. For some reason, I look over my shoulder to watch Carter and Colton speaking animatedly. Colton is so handsome, but like the roses, I have to be aware of his thorns. He’s not only the governor. He’s a man with a lot of personal issues. Until now, our relationship has occurred behind closed doors and yet he’s a very public man. If I were to date him, I would have to be out in the public eye. I would hate it. I like my privacy. After settling the roses onto the kitchen table, I place the already basted steaks to broil in the oven and take the bottle of Merlot I picked up at the supermarket out of the fridge. I didn’t know if he liked wine or some other alcohol, but I figured Merlot would pair well with the steak. With two glasses in hand and the bottle of wine, I go to the family room where Carter has Colton playing a game on his Xbox.
I sit on the couch behind them and place the two wine glasses the bottle and bottle opener on the coffee table.
I am content to just watch them. Until it was game over and Colton turns his attention to me.
“Would you like some wine?” I ask. I don’t know why but he still makes me feel nervous even after all the sex we had. A part of me can’t believe that this moment is real. That he is here. That he broke up with his lover to be with me. That he wants to try a relationship. I need to pinch myself.
“If you’re having, I’ll have with you,” he answers with a small grin. I can’t help the way that little grin makes my stomach flip in that delicious way.
“I’m having. I usually drink wine Friday nights. I need to unwind after a long week.”
His eyes drop to my legs then his gaze returns to my eyes. The heat in his stare is unsettling, it is intense, like an inferno waiting to singe every part of me. I need to cool things down. Especially with my son here.
“Let me.” He takes the bottle and the opener and I watch as the veins in his strong hands pop as he works to uncork it. He goes to pour the liquid in one of the glasses and passes it to me. Then he pours some for himself. “To new beginnings,” he smiles before taking a small sip. My mouth is watering and the wine hasn’t even touched my lips yet. I want to pinch myself because this level of attraction is something you read about in a romance novel. It isn’t something experienced by a single mom and teacher. My life is, well, boring.
Colton takes a seat beside me on the couch, his hand lightly brushing up against mine as we quietly watch my son finish up his Xbox game.
When Carter finishes his game, we all go to the kitchen. I had already set up the Thai red curry shrimp on the table.
“Carter, you like shrimp?” Colton asks, and I register the surprised look on his face.
“My dad is a foodie. He likes me to try a lot of different foods. It isn’t my favorite, but it’s okay.” Carter shrugs as he pops a shrimp in his mouth.
“A foodie, huh?” Colton repeats with a wry smile following my son’s motion of popping a shrimp in his mouth. “Good.” Colton nods as he chews.
“Wait until you taste Mom’s steak. She makes the best steaks. By the time you leave here you’ll be a foodie too,” Carter says and Colton gives me a warm look before tilting his head back laughing.
“I think all sons like their mom’s cooking. I don’t think there is anything special about my steaks,” I answer Carter by speaking but also by signing. I notice how Colton watches us intently.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Colton winks down to Carter.
I get up from the table and pull the steak and roasted vegetables out of the oven. Then I place a steak on each of our plates followed by the potatoes and carrots.
“It looks delicious.” Colton grins while looking up at me to make sure I see what he said. I wonder if he feels odd having to make sure I understand him speaking all the time.
We all eat quietly since signing and eating don’t go hand in hand, literally. Colton is talking to Carter, but I don’t entirely follow the conversation because I’m partially looking down at my plate when I take a new bite. It seems they’re talking baseball.
“Mom,” Carter signs. Then he asks me if Colton can take him to a baseball game tomorrow afternoon. I nearly choke on my bite of steak. I don’t know that I’m ready for Carter to spend so much time with Colton.
“I told Grandma she could take you to the new Transformer movie. She’ll be disappointed.”
“Mom! Seriously. Colton has front row seats for the White Sox vs Cubs. That’s like epic. Who cares about a silly transformer movie.”
Colton looks at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, I should have asked you first before offering,” he says between bites. “And since I have your attention this steak is delicious. I’m walking out of here a foodie. In fact, I may be addicted to your cooking.” He winks placing another bite in his mouth.
“Thank you, and it’s fine, I mean you wouldn’t have known that I made plans for him already.” I brush it off. “Let me speak to Jake’s mom and see if we can switch Carter’s plans for Sunday.” Great. Veronica is giving me a hard time about Colton as it is. How am I going to explain that Carter wants to spend time with him too? And I can only imagine Jake’s response as well.
“I want you to join us at the ball game too,” Colton says looking directly at me. I know he can’t control the color of his eyes but at this moment, they are a piercing blue, and as he looks directly at me it feels like his penetrating gaze causes my heart to skip a beat. Damn him and his good looks. It makes it hard to deny him, but I have to.
“Oh…I…” My nerves bubbled to the surface. I’d be seen in public with the governor. I couldn’t help but think of all the headlines speculating numerous short-term relationships. I didn’t want to be another notch on his belt. What would the reporters write about the fact that I was a single mom? I wasn’t ready for that kind of exposure.
Carter places his fork on his plate. He polished off his steak. “May I be excused? I told Andrew I’d text him about my new Lego set.”
I nod. “Yes, go ahead.”
Carter walks away, and I wait for Colton to comment on the fearful look that came over me when he mentioned the ball game.
Colton places his hand on mine. “Don’t shut down on me. I think after last night we should be able to talk about anything.” His eyes are filled with concern. He has every right to worry because he wants to date a woman who becomes panicky at the thought of going into public with him. It was probably a first for him.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. If we go out in public together, I become a media target. I’ve read the gossip columns, Colton. The people of Illinois are very interested in your private life. I don’t want mine and Carter’s life to be on public display.” Colton takes my hand and pushes his chair back then pats his lap for me to take a seat on him. I stand and slide into his lap.
Our faces are close. “I get it. I do.” He smiles, but I sense his worry. “Most women I’ve dated liked the attention. This is new to me. Forgive me if my reaction is off. I guess I’m used to the media following me. It’s my normal. Even though I don’t like it much either.” With his hand wrapped around my waist, I feel heated being this close to him.
I rest my arm on his shoulder and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. I love spending time with you. I truly do. I just…” my voice trails off. This issue has been eating away at me for some time now.
Colton’s eyes crease at the corners. “I don’t want to push you. This is new for both of us. My situation can be overwhelming. Don’t come to the game tomorrow. Let’s keep things private for now. Behind closed doors. Let’s navigate us. Don’t give up. Just please let me take Carter tomorrow. I don’t want to disappoint him.” The way he asks to take my son has me undone. This thoughtful, painfully handsome man who so happens to also be the governor of freaking Illinois is asking me to have a secret relationship with him. He doesn’t want to disappoint my son. I can only imagine he is thinking about the many times he was disappointed in his childhood. It warms my heart that he cares this much. It makes me feel all kinds of things that are scaring the wits out of me. I sure as hell can’t deny him, not now, not ever with those gorgeous blue eyes of his pleading with me.
“Carter will be ecstatic to go with you,” I respond, feeling like I’m holding my breath getting ready to dive into the deep end of a pool unsure if I know how to swim.
“Good.” He leans in to give me a chaste kiss on the lips. “And don’t worry, I have security with me in public places at all times. As long as a particular cream pie throwing bandit isn’t around, we’re safe.” He bursts into laughter. It’s infectious.
I throw my napkin at him. “I’m feeling great about us,” he says, and his eyes drop to my lips then lower to my breasts. “Carter is with his dad tomorrow night. Right?” he asks, looking back up at me and I can only imagine what dirty thoughts he’s having about tomorrow night because I bet my thoughts are just as dirty.
“Yes,” I answer a little breathless. The wicked gleam he has in his eyes has me curious.
“Good. I want to take you somewhere…for the night. If you aren’t willing to be seen with me in public then I at least want to spend some time with you outside this apartment,” he says, waiting for my response. By his mischievous glare, I can only imagine that he’s planning something big.
“Well, now I’m curious.” I scrunch my lips together.
“Good. Is that a yes?” he asks. I try to stay focused on his lips which at times is hard especially when his light blue eyes are electrified like they are now.
“That’s a yes.” I press my lips to his briefly then pull away worried about Carter coming back into the kitchen. I wouldn’t hear him if he were approaching.
I slide off Colton’s lap and begin to clear the table, my head fuzzy and my heart warm. I don’t remember having this feeling about anyone I’ve dated before, though at times I wished to have had those feelings for Jake because it would have made my son’s life a lot easier if both his parents lived together.
Colton taps my shoulder. “Mind if I hang out with you guys tonight?”
I’m smiling like a schoolgirl. “We’d love that.”
“Maybe you and Carter can start teaching me to sign,” he suggests, and I want to hate him right now for making me fall so hard for him. Why had I thought we wouldn’t be right for each other? I can’t even remember my original list.
“That sounds like a plan.” I continued to clean up the dishes. Colton was right beside me, drying dishes and asking where everything went. In between, he swatted my ass, and I couldn’t help the heat or the promise that his hand connecting to my behind did to my body.
The rest of the evening, the three of us hung out on the couch while Carter taught Colton some of the basics of ASL. Everything was as perfect as perfect could be. Too bad life was filled with ups and downs.