His eyes widen, and he grabs both my hands, holding them to his chest. He’s lit up like a marquee, and I can’t help but smile at him.
“Really? You’ll do it?”
I glance around at the attention we’d so carefully avoided that’s now directed at us curiously. I pull my hands back and turn toward the cart, fighting a grin.
“Yes.” I laugh. “I’ll let you know when. Now why don’t you skedaddle and let me finish my shopping?”
He puts his hands on the cart handle, flanking mine, and leans in close against my back. My breath catches as he lingers there, so close I can feel his body heat searing me right through our clothes. My heart starts pounding as he runs his nose along my cheek to my ear, and I can feel his hot breath on my skin,sending sensations and goose bumps to the farthest reaches of my arms and legs.
I shudder, closing my eyes in the futile hope that no one is watching and trying not to whimper in what is suddenly a difficult struggle.
“I can’t wait,” he murmurs in my ear, sending a shot of liquid heat straight to my core.
Abruptly, he shifts away, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before he turns and dashes toward the door. As he rounds the corner, I hear him shout, “Let’s go!” and all around me, heads turn.
Breathless and shaky, my cheeks flaming, I stare down into my cart.
Oh boy. What am I getting myself into?
Chapter
Five
After my talkwith Julian at the store, I shift from agonizing indecision to crushing anxiety.
It’s Sunday, and Gage is leaving in three days. His father will be coming over early that day to drive with him up to UC Davis. I should have taken the week off work, but I felt guilty and ended up going in yesterday, leaving me with very little time to prepare for tonight. I’m pretty much an emotional wreck, hanging by a thread as Claudia helps me decorate for Gage’s going-away party.
Add to this the fact that Julian is leaving the following Monday and that we have a quasi-planned hookup next weekend, and I’m about one breath from falling apart.
“I’ve already cried twice today, Claudia,” I say, placing another platter of food on one of the folding tables set up near the pool.
She gives me a sympathetic look, opening her arms for a hug. “Aww, sweetie. It’s so hard when it’s your youngest.”
“Thanks, friend.” I sigh, hugging her back then pulling away. I squeeze her shoulder and then turn toward the house. I have a lot more to do before people start arriving.
Gage seems slightly subdued when he comes out to help with the finishing touches a short while later. I can tell he’s feeling all the feels about leaving home. I go to him and grasp his upper arm.
“Hey, kiddo.”
He smiles down at me. It’s still so strange that he’s taller than me. “Hey, Mom, thanks for setting all this up.”
“It’s my pleasure. You are my favorite son, after all.” I trot out our most overused joke, and he rolls his eyes. Bright-green eyes, just like mine.
He’s such a great son, and I am so lucky to have him. He is responsible and hardworking, and he’s really stepped up since his father left and his sisters graduated. It’s just been him and me for two years now, and I can hardly believe this phase of our lives is almost at an end.
“I’m so proud of you, Gage. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are, and it’s been a joy watching the man you’ve become. You deserve all the good things headed your way.” My voice wavers only a little bit.
His smile is sad as he pulls me in for a hug. “Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.” Make that three times I’ve cried today.
He holds me away from him, studying my weepy eyes. “You’re gonna be okay, right?”
I brush my cheeks with my fingers, putting on a brave face. “Yeah, of course. Don’t worry about me.”
His forehead creases. “I hope you’re not gonna be too lonely. Maybe you should consider…”
I raise my eyebrows when he trails off.
