“Dad. It’s burgers. Potato chips. Soda. On our deck. I’m not saying grill steaks, drink wine, and make out under the stars.”
Lucas barked out a laugh. “Kid, you’re killing me.” He put the boy in a headlock again, rubbing his knuckles against the top of his head.
They mock-fought for a minute, then Ezra worked his way free. His eyes were sparkling, his dimples showing as he put himself back together.
“Just ask her, Dad. I think she likes you too. It’s just food. What could it hurt?”
“You’re a menace.”
Ezra shrugged, the grin still on his face. “But I’m your menace. I’m gonna go talk to the girls.” With that, he turned and walked over to the curb.
As he watched his son, Lucas wondered. What could it hurt? She’d probably say no, but he could at least ask. She worked long hours, like he did. She’d just recently moved back to the area. There probably wasn’t a lot of time for friends and social gatherings. He’d ask, and if she said no, no big deal. Ezra was right. It was a meal break, nothing more.
Not that he’d be averse to more.
A few minutes later, her vehicle pulled back into the fire lane. While the next load of girls piled into the car, he waved her over.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Thanks for doing this for the girls.”
“Not a problem. I remember walking home from school events many a night. It always felt like a million miles.”
“Well, it’s outside your job description, so thank you.” He gripped her elbow loosely, warmth flooding his hand from touching her. He pulled her a few more steps away fromthe students. Voice low, he said, “Listen, I know we talked about touring the float-building sites tomorrow after school and throughout the evening. Wednesdays, I usually grill burgers for Ezra and me. I planned to take my dinner break when he got home from practice at six. You’re welcome to join us for dinner between sites.”
His hand still cupped her elbow, and he wondered if he should let go since there were kids near them, but somehow, his muscles wouldn’t do what his brain suggested.
She looked at him blankly.
Before he could really think it through, he pushed a little harder on the invite, trying to make it sound casual and probably failing dismally. “I mean, you need to eat, right? There’s always plenty of food. You’re welcome to come. We can leave here at three thirty, go visit two of the groups, meet the kid at the house, eat, then by seven we can be off to the next stop on the papier-mâché world tour.”
He could see the wheels turning behind her eyes, and she bit her bottom lip as she thought it through. Hesitantly, she replied, “Sure. I guess that would be okay. Thanks for the invite. I can only eat fast food late at night so many nights, I guess.”
It was like her acceptance of his invitation gave his hand permission to let go. As soon as he did, his fingertips felt cold.
“Great. Be safe taking the girls home.”
“You drive safe as well.”
Her return to her car was a little slower than her normal walking pace, as if she were lost in thought. By the time Ezra returned to his side from saying goodnight to the girls, he was lost himself. Did he just cross a line? It wasn’t like it was a date. Ezra would be there. It would be a fast meal since they had places to be before and after. Was having her in his home a problem?
Once the girls were inside the SUV, she flashed a last look at him over the hood and gave a tentative wave goodbye.
“She coming to dinner?”
“Said she was.”
“Sweet. You ready to go?”
“Got everything you need?”
“No homework tonight. Left my backpack in your office.”
“All right then. Let’s go.”
IT’S JUST DINNER (YEAH, RIGHT)
ELYXANDRE
