On cue, my brain rattles back, “What if you were brought together for another purpose? A purpose that’s slowly slipping away.”
What is going on?
I barely know this woman, and you are trying to tell me she could be my wife? This is absurd.
Sweat pours from my palms as panic seeds in my chest. I feel like I need to stall—to say something, anything—to give me a few more minutes until I can figure out what’s going on. “Uh, do you guys have any plans for this evening?” I ask casually, using the last clean spot on the wet napkin to wipe the edge of the table in front of Rigsby.
“Not really.” The sigh she emits is mixed with relief and exhaustion. “Just the usual. Dinner and homework for me. I assume the kids don’t have homework because of the field trip. So, maybe watch some TV. What about you? Do you have practice?”
“Uh, no. We only practice once a day. I’m usually in bed early, but Rigsby’s dad’s going to grab him later, so he can meet the new baby. We have some time though. If you’re up for one more stop, I have an idea that Bella will love.”
“You want to go somewhere else?” Her hand slides over her hair, smoothing it down. Oh, man, she’s a gift to humanity. How did I not notice that before? Maybe because she’s no longer scowling. She suddenly has this new way of looking at me with a soulful expression, complete with a pouty lip. “Is it far?” she asks.
“Not far at all.” I hang onto her gaze, as if challenging her to look more deeply into my eyes. A switch has flipped in my brain. It’s my mission to convince this woman that we’re perfect together. I’m not exactly sure how that’s going to happen, especially when we spent most of the day fighting—but whatever I do, it needs to happen soon. I will not be a fallen soldier in the friend zone, or worse yet, just a forgotten acquaintance.
Back that up. Friend zone is much worse. That’s where you hang out and must listen to all the jerks she is dating.
Nope. That will not happen.
I snap my gaze at the kids. We don’t even ask them if they want to go. Rigsby is already sliding off his chair, and Bella’s eyes lock on me with curiosity as she pipes up, “What is it?”
“It’s something you’re going to enjoy the most.” I extend my hand out, gesturing for her to go ahead, and we all meander to the door. “Okay, kids,” I call a little louder, so they follow my directions. “Zip up your coats. We’re taking a left, and then we walk two blocks.”
The kids bolt ahead, leaving Kaci and me to hang back. For the first time all day, we are alone. Sort of. “So,” I let out a long sigh. “The woman in there thought you were my wife.”
It’s a test.
I want to see what her reaction is to those words. I give her a side-eye and my best flirty smile while the top of her ears turn pink.
Not red hot like she’s mad.
More like she’s blushing.
Could she be attracted to me as I am to her?
And she’s blinking.
Like a lot.
I lose count of how many times. Too much blinking. Blinking feels bad. Until her lips slightly part, and I fix my gaze on the corners of her perfectly formed lips, waiting for a giggle or some hint of how she feels, but nothing comes out.
I smile bigger. My ego inflates a smidge since she didn’t outright laugh at the idea. Our steps fall into sync, and I stuff my hands in my jacket pockets as a cool breeze sweeps around us, carrying her scent to me. Fresh floral essence, like a winter haven.
I’ve never been shy, and since I feel like we’re on some sort of time limit, I don’t hesitate to tell her, “Has anyone ever told you that you smell amazing?”
Her lips part as she releases a sharp hiss followed by a shallow chuckle. “Not recently.”
The kids stop at the corner, and I raise my voice, projecting it forward. “Stop and wait for us before you cross.” Then I laugh light-heartedly, peering at Kaci. “This parenting thing is not for the weak.”
“You can say that again.” Her eyes stay locked on Bella up ahead. We finally catch up with the kids, and I point to the toy store on the corner. “Right in here, kids.”
“Build-A-Bear.” Kaci’s expression twists with questions, and she whispers under her breath, “I don’t think we should go in. These bears are all like forty dollars, and it’s not in my budget, not after having to fix my car today—”
“My treat.” I open the door as far as it goes and usher everyone inside. “Bella gets a new bear, and Rigsby, get whatever animal you want.”
The kids push past us, both fitting through the doorway at the same time, and they head to explore their options. Kaci hangs back with a hesitant expression. “You don’t have to buy her one of these.”
“Your daughter just lost her most prized stuffed animal.” It’s clear she’s not convinced because she’s not moving forward. I drop my hand on her lower back and give a gentle press, trying to reassure her and coax her along. Not going to lie. A whoosh zips through my gut when I touch her. “Let me do this for her.”
