His little body settles into me, and I smile into his hair. Wyatt is as mercurial as they come.
When his mother gets home at five, she looks as exhausted as I feel.
“Three more hours until bedtime,” she says with a laugh, handing me some cash. I don’t count it. Her Saturday lunch shift at the restaurant around the corner isn’t a big money maker, and sometimes she can’t afford to pay me my hourly rate. I come back every Saturday because she needs the help, and Wyatt is good birth control. Not that I need any, because that’s what someone who actually has sex would need, but it’s a joke I make to Sky.
On the short walk back to my apartment, a text message pops up on my screen from an unknown number.
Can I pick you up at six?
A grin stretches my cheeks. I write my address and pause, wondering if I should say something else. Something cute. I can’t think of anything and, thanks to the three dots, now he knows I’m over-thinking my response. I shake my head and hit send.
Noah arrives at exactly six o’clock. He’s wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and an expensive looking hoodie that’s zipped up halfway. I know because I watched from my bedroom window as he got out of his car.
My mom is on my heels as I go to the door. I frown and swat at her. She jumps backs and laughs nervously. I think she’s more excited for my date than I am.
I open the door, and there he is. “Noah. Hi.”
He grins at me but doesn't say anything. We stare at each other for a few moments before my mom’s hand snakes past me. Herhellois loud in my ear.
“Mrs. Dane, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Call me Maddie. Would you like to come in?” She steps back, pulling my hand so I’m forced to step back too.
“Noah and I have a movie to get to, Mom.” I incline my head to the world outside our door. “We should probably get going.”
“The movie doesn't start for a while,” Noah chimes in, his gaze on me. “I was going to take you to grab some dinner first, but we can visit for a few minutes.”
I back up all the way, and Noah steps in. My mom leads him to the couch and offers him a glass of water.
I’m not embarrassed about what little we have. Not at all. I love that my mom works hard to provide for us. I don’t waste one second of my life wishing for more. I have everything I need to be happy. The rest is material. But I do wonder what Noah is seeing. I know what his eyes are taking in, but how is he processing it?
I sit beside him as my mom places a glass of water on a coaster on the table. It’s hard not to laugh, considering the coaster is right beside a place where the wood is swollen from a spill from some unknown time, maybe even from a previous owner.
“Thank you, Maddie.”
Mom sits in the butter yellow recliner adjacent to the sofa. “Noah, tell me a little about yourself.”
Noah wipes his palms on his denim-covered thighs. “I’m a senior, like Ember.” He glances quickly at me. “I play on the soccer team. I’d like to get on a college team, but…” He pauses, shakes his head, and one side of his lips curl up. It’s not a smile though. Just disappointment. “I’m not sure that will happen.”
Mom nods. “Are you good?”
“At soccer?” Noah ducks his head. “Yes,” he answers in a quiet voice, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
Mom smiles. “Don’t be embarrassed to say you’re good at something. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Noah casts his gaze on me. The look of disappointment is gone, and now a smile pulls at his lips.
“Is there something funny I’m not aware of?” I ask.
“Nope. Just thinking of something.”
“Well,” my mom says, rising. “I’ll let you two get on with your night. It was nice to meet you, Noah.”
“You as well.” Noah stands and reaches out for a second handshake, but my mom takes him by surprise with a hug.
“I’m a hugger.” She steps back and shrugs. “It’s a disease for which there is no cure.”
Noah grins at her. I get up as he walks around the coffee table. Mom grabs my elbow from behind and leans into my ear. “Last name?” she asks in a whisper.
