“I think he will, too. He seems like a man of his word.” I smiled, recalling Alistair’s genuine interest in the book. “After that, he drove us to the ice skating rink. I was a little nervous when I saw that Javier was working, but he was really sweet to the two of us. He even played some music to set the mood. Al isn’t a very good skater, so I tried to help him as best as I could. He slipped and pulled me down with him, and it just sort of—happened.”
Tegan smiled at me dreamily with her face resting on her fists. “That is so freaking cute, Mom. It sounds like something from a holiday movie.”
“I’d like to think it was less cheesy than a holiday movie,” I said with a laugh. “Javier ruined the moment by checking to see if we were okay. Did he tell your brother?”
She grimaced and nodded her head. “Yeahhh. He did.”
“And what did Reece have to say about it?” His relationship with Don had always been complicated. I wasn’t sure how my son would feel about me entering the dating pool again—let alone kissing someone.
“He was actually really cool about everything. We just want you to be happy, Mom.”
“Thank you, sweetie. It’s nice to have that confirmation.”
“So what happened after that?” she asked with her brows raised.
“After that, we came back here, ordered Chinese food, and watched a movie.”
“Did you guys make out on the couch?”
I could feel my cheeks growing red, so I looked away. It wasn’t exactly what happened, but she didn’t need to know the details.
“Oh my gosh!” she cackled. “You’re like me in my teenage years. So I take it he’s a good kisser?”
“An excellent kisser,” I mumbled against the lid of my coffee cup.
Tegan’s expression dropped slightly. “Doesn’t he go back to Colorado today?”
I gave her a slow nod, settling into the fact that this was over for now.
“And how do you feel about that, Mom?”
“I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little sad. I really like him," I sighed. “He told me he would text me.”
“Has he?”
“Not yet.”
“See, this is what I was worried about,” she huffed. “I don’t want you to get your heart broken.”
“Honey, it was just one date and a few kisses. I knew going into this that it wasn’t going to be forever. Maybe next time he visits, we’ll go out again.” My voice was hopeful, but I was trying to convince myself of that, not Tegan.
“Well,” she said, rising from the table. “I think you should stay on the dating app. Keep your options open. And someone was telling me about a speed dating group in Rock Harbor.”
“No. No way,” I said firmly. “This little foray into dating is plenty.”
What I really meant was I liked Alistair and I wasn’t in a rush to meet anyone else.
“Righttt,” she hummed with a knowing smile and gathered up her trash. “I gotta get going, but let me know if he texts you, okay?”
“Will do, baby. Thank you for breakfast.”
She walked around to my side of the table and kissed my cheek. “And make sure you ice your hip or whatever. See the doctor if it keeps bothering you.”
I almost laughed, but I held it in. If she only knew the source of my discomfort was from getting plowed by a well-endowed minotaur…
“Hey, now. If I remember correctly, I’m the parent in this relationship,” I said, following her to the foyer.
“I’m allowed to worry, Mom. See you later!” Tegan put her coat on, gave me a little wave, and slipped out the front door.
