“Need another top up?”
“Hmm?” I asked, tearing my eyes away from the tendons working in Alaric’s forearms.
Barb sent me an insightful smile, nodding to my now empty glass. “Do you need another top up?”
“No, thank you. I think I’m going to switch to water now.” I flushed, setting the glass on the counter. I was already feeling a buzz. Alaric opened the refrigerator and handed me a bottle of water, the pads of his fingers connecting with mine.
* * *
By the endof the night, I’d completely relaxed around Alaric’s mom and had even let her talk me into another glass of wine when Alaric went upstairs to tuck Sawyer in.
We’d moved our little party to the living room, and Barb was happily regaling me with stories of Alaric’s childhood.
“He’s been welding since he was old enough to hold a stinger.” She grinned, pausing to take a sip of wine. “He used to hang out in his dad’s shop all the time.”
“I can see that.” I laughed, setting my glass on the end table beside me, one that I knew Alaric had made himself. “He even welds in his spare time.”
“He’s a lot like his father was, in that respect,” Barb remarked, her eyes a little wistful. “Idle hands drove that man crazy. He could never sit still, always had to be doing something.”
“I’ve noticed that about him.” I nodded solemnly. There was a certain way people spoke when they talked about a loved one who had passed on, and I heard that in Barb’s voice. The love was still there, the sadness, but also…a fondness, as if the memory brought comfort instead of pain.
“I’m delighted you came into my son’s life. You’ve awakened him, breathed essence back into his existence.” She smiled at me with warmth.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said, feeling a little wobbly.
“Since Sawyer’s birth, Alaric has lived for her. She’s his light, and when Cheryl left him, the thing that wounded him most was losing time with his little girl. His light dimmed, save for those precious weekends with her. For the last several years, he’s thrown himself into work and projects and kept everyone elsebutthat little girl at a distance. You’ve opened him up again, given him a reason to take a chance. Thank you for that.”
I swallowed, my eyes misting from Barb’s poignant words. “Well, he woke me up, too,” I admitted, biting down on my bottom lip.
Barb’s hand reached over to take mine, her fingers squeezing gently before she released. “Love wakes us all up,” she said wisely, capping her words with a wink.
“It does,” I laughed lightly, turning when Alaric walked into the room.
“Is Sawyer asleep?” Barb asked. He nodded, and she smiled. “Why don’t you two head out for a bit. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“I should really get going,” I replied, standing. I felt emotional following the raw conversation with his mom, and I knew from experience he’d want to stay close to Sawyer.
“How many glasses of wine have you had?” Alaric asked, tilting his head with a subtle smile.
I glanced down at my empty glass. “Oh, um. Probably more than the legal limit, but you can thank your mom for that. She’s really good at topping up the glass without drawing attention to the fact that she’s topping up the glass.”
Alaric chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t I know it. All right, I’ll give you a lift home.”
“On your motorcycle?” I asked, perking right up. I was tipsier than I originally thought.
“Sure.” Alaric smiled, and I grinned in response.
“It was really nice meeting you,” I said, turning to Barb and shaking her hand. “Thank you for all the wine—and for not being terrifyingly mean.”
Barb laughed with delight. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon. Take your time, Alaric. Sawyer’s safe with me.”
“I know. Thanks, Mom,” Alaric said, pausing to kiss her briefly on the cheek. “See you in the morning.”
He took my hand and led me out of the living room. I waved at Barb over my shoulder before following him to the garage. He released my hand long enough to open the garage door and grab a helmet, tugging it onto my head.
Brushing my hair out of my face, he gave me a look loaded with significance before he reached around to slap my ass playfully. “Ready?”
“Ready!” I couldn’t help feeling giddy. It was due to the mixture of wine, good feelings,andthe prospect of a motorcycle ride.
