“Can we, Mama?” Diego’s legs began jumping in anticipation as he asked.
“Yes, baby.” I smiled, looking back at him, then turned to the other grinning male in the car.
“Thanks, Mama!” he stated, causing Diego to crack up laughing.
“Mr. Carter, she’s not your mama. She’s mine,” he laughed heartily.
“Sorry, buddy. Didn’t mean to step on your toes.” Carter got out of the car, laughing before opening the door for Diego and then circling the car to hold my door open.
“It’s so big!” Diego shouted once we entered.
“It is. You want to help me cook?”
Diego nodded.
“Come on!” In one swift movement, Carter bent down, picking Diego up and over his shoulders and the pair proceeded down the hallway, laughing together. The image both melted my heart and caused a heavy weight to settle in the pit of my stomach. I pushed the fear aside and decided I wouldn’t think about that now, although something was telling me I was headed into dangerous territory. Not only had I gone ahead and fallen head over heels for Carter, but now so had my son, and that just wasn’t good, considering the consequences it could lead to.
“You still in there?” His voice broke through my stressful thoughts, bringing me back to where I was. I peered into Carter’s concerned eyes and wanted to do everything I could to prevent that look from making its appearance.
“Yup, I’m here.” I gave him a huge smile.
“We lost you for a moment. Everything alright?”
I nodded. “Everything’s great. I just got lost in thought about a client of ours that keeps being insistent about their event. Nothing to concern yourself with.” I waved my hand dismissively in the air.
“Your concerns willalwaysbe my concerns.” The earnestness in his voice warmed me from the inside out. “Your concerns and this guy’s,” he stated, tickling Diego who stood next to him. “You ready for a taste test?”
“Yeah!” Diego shouted as he stood on a step stool to be able to see the stove.
Carter cut a piece of one of the blueberry pancakes they’d made as I watched. Diego took the forkful of the fluffy pancake and stuffed the entire bite in his mouth.
“Easy, Diego,” I called.
“It’s so good, Mama!” he mumbled around a mouthful of food.
“I’m happy you like it, but we don’t talk with our mouth full, right?”
He nodded, still chewing. “Sorry, Mama,” he said upon swallowing.
We all set the table and sat down to enjoy our breakfast for lunch. Diego began talking about the movie and then moved on to discussing a science project they’d done at school the previous week. He then went on to share with Carter his best friend, Timmy’s, strategy for playing their favorite video games. Carter soaked it all up like a sponge. I had briefly wondered if he was so attentive to Diego just to gain favor with me, but I could see he genuinely enjoyed sharing time and conversation with Diego. He gave my son the same intense gaze he gave me whenever I spoke. The look that told me he was digesting every single word, movement, inflection. All of it held his rapt attention.
Watching the two get along so well made me once again regret having Diego with the person that I did. I’d never bemoan having my son, at all. I just wished I’d done better in the father figure department.
“I think we lost you again.”
I stood, leaning against the door that held only an inflated air mattress, a lonely night stand, and a lamp on top of it. In the middle of the air mattress lay Diego’s sleeping body covered by a light blanket. He’d knocked out not too long after our lunch and I’d followed Carter down the first floor hallway and watched as he carefully laid my son on the mattress and covered his resting body with the blanket. Now I stood at the doorway of the room watching Carter moving toward me.
“Come here.” He took me by the hand and I followed him out of the room. He closed the door, softly, behind us. Not even a half of breath later my back was against the wall, my face in his hands, and his lips on mine. It was the best thing I’d tasted all day. My entire body relaxed into the kiss, relishing the feel of his hard body against my plusher frame. I moaned into his mouth, willing him to take all of me. But he pulled back, thankfully before I lost control of all my senses.
“I’ve wanted to do that all damn day.” He leaned his forehead to mine, sighing.
“I’ve wanted you to do that all damn day.” I giggled and his lips brushed against mine before he tugged my hand, urging me to follow him back down the hall.
“Where’d you go just then?” he asked, pulling me into his lap as he sat on one of the dining chairs. I swear even if this place was adequately furnished he wouldn’t let me sit anywhere but on top of him.
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and leaned into him. “I was feeling a little sorry for myself.”
“Tell me about it.”
