“You come in for dessert.”
“Oh baby, that isn’t a promise. It’s a fact.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Zemia
The quiet,cozy restaurant was the perfect spot for our first date. It wasn’t busy, despite the food being delicious, and the Christmas decorations gave off a peaceful, seasonal vibe, relaxing and seducing all at the same time.
We talked about everything from our childhoods to what we wanted for our future. We learned about the other and laughed over our common interests or the things we didn’t have in common.
“People are always so shocked to learn I love eighties music.” Foster revealed as we packed the portions of dinner we didn’t eat in to-go boxes.
“I do too!”
“Isn’t it the best?”
Foster described how he loved to garden and grow things. He enjoyed sharing the hobby with his girls, showing them how to grow their own veggies, even in the cold weather. He liked to fish and even baked a lot with the girls, as they loved to spend time in the kitchen.
“I suck at growing things. You need to show me your tricks.” I told him as we walked outside to his truck, my arm wrapped around his.
“I will. By chance, do you need to get any Christmas shopping done?”
I looked at him in surprise. “You want to go shopping?”
“Only if you want to. I could use some advice on a few things.”
“Okay. I need a few things. Let’s do it.”
A couple of hours and two hot chocolates later, and we had successfully shopped for a few people on our list. “That worked out great, thank you.” I shoved a cookie in my mouth as Foster drove back to my place.
There was no way I wasn’t inviting him inside. I already sent Alana a thousand texts since he showed up on my doorstep unexpectedly. She said she would’ve fucked without dinner. I would’ve too.
But a gentleman was even better.
“Are your girls with your mom tonight?”
“Yes. My dad is home from his work trip, so he’s there, too. I’m grateful for all their help. It’s hard doing it on my own.”
“I bet it is.” I wanted to ask more about their mom and how he became a single dad, but I didn’t want to pry, so instead I reached across the seat and placed my hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“They haven’t slept over in a while. Hopefully, they will do okay. I don’t really get out much lately. Haven’t been on a date in forever.”
“The most eligible bachelor hasn’t had a date?” I teased.
“Nope. No one was good enough for me and my girls. Until now.”
I flushed. “You’re a good dad, Foster.”
“Thank you. I wouldn’t change a thing, or I wouldn’t have my girls, but it’s a lot. Most days I’m stressed or exhausted, but in the end, it’s worth it. Just like you said.”
“It is. I understand that and I haven’t had my own yet.”
“You’d be a great mother, Zemia.” Foster smiled at me as he pulled his truck into my driveway and threw it into park. “That’s what my girls need. Their mother…let’s just say, she isn’t good for them. She was a one-night stand that turned into two strangers having a baby together. Livvie came, and she left. When Livvie was two, she came crawling back. Why I trusted her again I’ll never understand, but I made a one-night mistake and bam, there was Joanie. Like I said, I’d chose my girls again and again but I didn’t love their mother. And I always expected to love the one I had kids with, you know?”
I nodded while digesting everything he said. I knew exactly what he meant. “It didn’t happen the way you thought it would, or the way you wanted, but in the end, life blessed you with two beautiful girls and that’s winning at life in my book.”
Foster looked at me, his eyes dark and intense, and the air shifted. “How are you so amazing?” He whispered.
