She knocked softly and pushed the door open. “Can you unzip me?”
Her mom set down her book and crossed to her. “You think he won’t call because of Will.”
“Yes.” She turned once the zipper was down.
“He might surprise you,” her mom said.
“I don’t think so. It’s okay. It was just a date.”
“You wore your grandmother’s dress. You wanted it to be more than just a date.”
“What I wanted and what it was are two different things. Good night, Mom.”
“I love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too.”
Abby hung the dress on the padded hanger and carefully zipped up the back. She ran her hands down the garment and flared the skirt.
She had wanted more. For the first time in a long time, she’d done something for herself. Something selfish.
His taste lingered on her tongue. The skin of her thigh branded from his touch. She had never felt such intense desire or need for a man. It had been consuming. He would have consumed her.
And she would have let him if they hadn’t been interrupted.
The look on Christian’s face when she said my son was probably the same face he’d make if a dismembered hand had perched on her shoulder and snapped twice.
For one moment, fire had burned through her. She remembered what it was to feel alive, to be desired, to be wanted.
She wouldn’t let go of the feeling now that she had it. It might not be with Christian, but it would be with someone who saw her and made her feel.
Better to have her heart bruised now than broken later.
Surprise Guest
“You should call him.”
Abby sighed and shifted the phone to her other ear. “It’s been an entire week. I’m not calling him.”
“Maybe he’s had a crazy week at work.”
“Naomi, I love you, but please let this go.” She’d accepted that Christian wasn’t going to call. “He doesn’t want to be involved with a single mother, and that’s fine. It’s a lot to take on. I get it.”
“I know. I’m just disappointed for you.”
She set the basket full of dirty laundry on top of the dryer and switched the phone to speaker so both her hands were free. “Well, don’t be. I have a coffee date this afternoon. If nothing else, he showed me I am ready to get back out there. But I’m being upfront about having a son, and hopefully any prospects will weed themselves out.”
“Your mom taking Will?” Naomi asked.
“Yes. They’re going to the aquarium.”
Naomi laughed. Will always wanted to go to the aquarium. If he could live there, he would.
“Want me to call during your date so you have a reason to leave if it sucks?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” She finished loading the washer and set the basket in front of the dryer.
“Okay. On another note, are you sure you don’t want to go to Colorado with me and Lizzie next week?”
