She waved down the waiter. “Because we have a movie to see in half an hour, and I have better things to do with my time then moon over some man when we’ve got a new superhero movie to drool over.”I’m not mooning over you, Becca,Mitch had said.“Now if you still want me to date, I’ll date Thor for you. How’s that for a new daddy?”
He grinned. “Well, okay. But you do realize he’s a god? That would make me a demigod by marriage. I can handle that.”
“Of course you can.” She paid their bill, then walked out of the restaurant with her son, who wasn’t so little anymore.
******
Sunday afternoon, Becca sat with Mitch at his kitchen island, holding two cards.
“You know, when you said we’d play some games together, I hadn’t thought you meant actual games. Like Uno.” She had expected they’d head right for the bedroom. After the previous day’s discussion with Simon, she wanted nothing more than some uncomplicated sex with a handsome man to take her mind off her new relationship troubles.
Mitch grinned, and that look reminded her of Simon for some reason. “What’s wrong, Becca? Can’t wait to have this fine body?” He laid down three cards in succession and went out, winning the game. “Ah, the taste of victory is sweet.”
“I think you meant the taste of your beer is sweet.”
“Not sweet, but it’s good. Want another?”
She sat nursing her first, one of his brother’s special holiday brews. “Deacon’s brewery made this, huh? It’s good.”
“Yeah. Who knew he had such talent?” Mitch smiled, but she sensed something else behind the expression.
“What about you?”
He took a large sip then gathered the cards. “Me?”
“What’s your talent? Besides catching a ball for millions.”
“Technically, it was catching and scoring, but since you’re a novice, I’ll let it go.”
“Thanks so much.”
He winked. Said nothing.
She sighed. “So pretty, but not much between your ears, huh?” She ignored his laughter. “What are you going to do now that football’s over? Will you stay in Hope’s Turn?” The thought of him leaving hurt, so she refused to consider it. Instead, she wondered what he did all day when not helping coach the football team. Did he ski? Busy himself with his new home? Think about the good old days when he rolled in fame and the ladies?
The thought of Mitch being sought-after bothered her. Becca didn’t have much going for her, really. She wasn’t a model, actress, or mega successful businesswoman. She had a great life, but a teenager and bills to pay couldn’t be any man’s idea of the perfect woman.
“Why are you with me?” she asked when he continued to sit in silence, staring at her.
“Huh?”
“Of all the women after you, why me? I mean, not that I was after you. But you get what I’m saying.”
He finished his beer then set it aside. “Why not you?”
“You know, you’re not answering any of my questions today.” Mitch seemed to be in an odd mood. Kind of broody, which only added to his sex appeal. She wished she could tune out the sensual aspect of the man, but it was a part of him, and just breathing, he attracted her. But his smiles…they slayed her.
“How about you answer some of my questions instead?” he asked.
“Fine. Fire away.”
“What do you do when you’re not at the tea shop or coming over here to have sex with me? Is this thing between us just casual, or is it something more? And what do you want from me?”
“That’s a lot of questions.”
He frowned. “I have nothing else to do but think them up.”
She hadn’t been mistaken. He sounded unlike himself, down. “Um, well, I work hard at the tea shop. I love it, but make no mistake, it’s time consuming. And it’s just me and Simon. Well, me, Simon, Nora, and my aunt and uncle. I love my family.”
