I get it, believe me. I get it, Gabby.
A pregnant pause settles between us, and then another, and one more before Reid (who doesn’t know I know his name) asks, “Twins?”
What the hell is wrong with this man? Why can’t he let me be on my way?
I can’t help but be confused. In fact, I don’t even know where I am. I’m struggling to remember to take both girls and find my car.
Reid’s looks alone are intoxicating, especially when appreciated by a single mom who’s been solo for a long, long time. Let alone he’s standing next to my daughter and her friend, and my eggs are playing dodgeball inside my ovaries. They want out; they want to mingle with Reid and what I imagine to be his super-sperm.
“No.” Gabby giggles, saving me. “Friends, but Lizzie’s mom couldn’t take her tonight, so my mom said yes.”
“A real Wonder Woman. You have to take a treat then. I insist.”
I’m blushing. The warmth creeps up my neck and over my cheeks, probably dusting a pink layer everywhere. No one in seven years has ever paid me a compliment of that magnitude.
“Thank you, but there’s no extra work involved in one more girl. I’ve barely burned off the candy I ate walking here. We should be going, though. Thanks for your hospitality.”
I sound like a medical transcriptionist, which is about the least sexy thing in the world. I guess that’s why it’s the life I’ve painted for myself.
“Okay. Want me to toss that for you?”
“Excuse me?”
“The cup you’re doing a number on.” He points toward my hand, where I’m wringing the cup into an early death.
“Oh, that. I’d thought I’d keep it as a souvenir.” Ugh, more snark. I clearly forget how to act normal around the opposite sex. I’m waving the cup around, and Reid is looking at me like I’m not playing with a full deck.
I’m absolutely not.
“Trick, it’s a trick.” I repeat his earlier words. “That’d be great.”
I go to hand him the cup and our fingers mingle.Yes, they mingle and tingle.You know ... how you read about that in lovey-dovey romance books? Love at first sight? The electric current between two soon-to-be lovers? And you call bullshit on it, every single time.
It literally happens to me. My whole body rides the wave of brushing fingers with Reid, and I swear, he smiles. A small knowing smirk turns up each corner of his mouth as he takes the mutilated cup.
I want to hand him my vagina.
No, no, no. I can’t do that.
This guy, he’s all wrong. Single, hot, pure, and he grills, and is so, so, so cute with the girls.
Good thing I’m wearing my exercise clothes, because I need to run.
Wait! Is that what the smirk is about? My ungodly appearance and probable smell?
Just like that, I’m an idiot schoolgirl who falls for the unattainable boy. I may as well have pigtails and pimples.
“Okay, well, thanks. Let’s go, girls.” I grumble my words and stumble over my feet.
“By the way, I’m Reid. Thanks for visiting, ladies,” he says to Gabby and Lizzie, I presume. They each spout off their names, and I’m ready to dash when he says, “And you?”
Oh, please don’t ask that.
I like to be anonymous. I’m better alone, in the shadows.
Right?
“Mom.” Gabby pokes my hip. “He asked your name.”
