“Mom, I beg you to stop,” I burst out, my face nearly nuclear with heat.
Jenson raises his eyebrows at me.
“Why?” Mom asks innocently. “Whatever’s the matter?”
“I just…Jenson’s kids won’t be here full-time. This may not be the best neighborhood for a part-time situation.”
“Well, even if it’s part-time right now, eventually Jenson will remarry and have more children. And this time, it will be full-time.” A smile crosses Mom’s face as she looks at Jenson expectantly. “Won’t it, honey?”
The only way to stop my mother in these situations is to separate from her, so I spring into action. I kiss her good-bye and promise I’ll let Jenson into my backyard. I swear he almost drops his coffee.
But Mom finally relaxes and lets us go.
Jenson and I don’t touch each other at all as we walk away from her. He waits until we reach my driveway before he glances back casually.
“She’s turned the corner,” he says as he reaches for my hand.
I head quickly for the front door, feeling like my mother is still with us.
“You guys go quick, huh?” Jenson says as we reach the top step.
“We try to,” I say. “Mom needs to stay in good cardio shape.”
As we walk inside and Jenson shuts the door behind us, I know I’m not going to be able to shower with him in such close proximity. I’ll want to drag him in with me, and that’s something I’m not quite ready for. Well, my body’s more than ready; it’s my heart that’s throwing out the red warning flag.
“It’s great you guys can walk together,” he says.
I nod. “I’ve learned that being twenty-four and single gives you a lot of spare time to spend as your mother’s companion whether it be walking or taking classes through Adult Ed.”
He laughs even though he knows it’s not really funny. But my joke breaks the ice. It’s nice to have him back in town. Nobody ever understood me like he does.
“So this introduction with the school board is pretty fancy, huh? Your sexy stubble’s gone.”
“You like the stubble?” he asks me.
“You know I do.”
He grins and rubs his clean-shaven jaw. “Yeah, I shaved to hopefully give a good impression to all the board members. You know I tend to veer on the side of naughty more than nice.”
“One of the things I’ve always liked about you. So what time is the big event?”
“Not till just after lunchtime. I left the house to grab a quick coffee, and then I’m heading back to have breakfast with Kyle and Connor before Meghan picks them up right before I leave for the college.”
“You look hot.” My gaze travels the length of his body.
His face flushes, and he steps closer to me, but I back up. “I’m all sweaty.”
“I know.” His eyes darken. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I saw you. And maybe take that sexy little tank top off of you.”
I back up another step. “Not now. I’ll be late for work.”
“From one kiss?”
“I’ll want more than that right now. Trust me.”
He licks his lips and groans. “You’re killing me, Olive.” He backs up but keeps his gaze on me when he says, slowly and with purpose, “I want to date you, Olive. I just want to make that clear up front.”
I bite my lip. “I’m not sure how to do that with you. Dating like normal people. You were right last night. This has been torture.”
