This man, who once scoffed at school functions and politely nodded as I talked about my work, is now gently helping a child make a pipe cleaner insect, and is letting children paste bumblebee stickers onto his expensive shirt.
“Of course, it’s okay,” I murmur, because it seems catty to say, “It’s a free world. Be wherever you want to be.”
He grins. “Good! I was hoping it would be. I haven’t broken anything…yet.”
A kid tugs his sleeve. “Aiden, can you help me staple this butterfly wing?”
He winks at me. “Duty calls.”
I watch him, confused, emotional, and completely unmoored.
I take a picture surreptitiously, because he looks so good playing with children, and send it to Katya.
Me:He’s here. At the fundraiser.
Katya:Damn!
Me:What’s he doing?
Katya:Trying to impress you with his crafting skills?
Me:He does have very nice hands.
Katya:Geez! Are you horny?
Me:For him? Always. You know that.
Katya:Remember the kiss.
Me:
Katya:But also…maybe forget it?
Me:Hell no!
Katya:
Later, after the last glitter-covered child has been picked up, and the cookies are gone, he walks me to the nearby café, Kru Coffee, on Pine Street.
It’s cool inside, filled with the smell of espresso. We find a table at the back.
He doesn’t ask if he can join me. He just settles in and sets our coffees in between us.
“Is this one of the eight dates?” I demand.
“Did I ask you out?”
“No.”
“Then it’s not a date. We’re saving that for Saturday.”
I stick my tongue out at him. It’s a childish gesture and came out of nowhere.
He chuckles. “You’re adorable, you know that?”
I flush and then take a deep breath. “You’re good with kids.”
He waits, his eyebrows lifted.
