“Stay in the car while I grab Bebe,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.
He nodded, already nose-deep in his iPad. I rang the doorbell.
Will opened the door with a big grin. “Hello, you.”
“Hey,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the way my pulse kicked up a notch at the sight of him in a faded T-shirt and jeans. Completely relaxed. Completely unguarded.
“Is Bebe ready?”
“Well,” he said, leaning against the doorframe, “I just ordered In-N-Out, and it’s going to be here soon. Apparently, Bebe’s favorite.”
“It is,” I admitted, smiling despite myself. “She’s a sucker for a cheeseburger.”
“I ordered extras, hoping you and James might stay.”
I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head. “And how do you know I’m alone tonight?”
“I don’t,” he replied with a shrug. His smile was soft. “Just offering.”
There was something about the way he said it, light yet hopeful, that made me relent.
“All right,” I agreed, feeling the familiar pull toward him.
I headed back to the car and said, “Change of plans. Come inside, kiddo.”
“Why?”
“In-N-Out,” I said, as if that explained everything.
His eyes lit up. “Okay!”
Inside, Will led us to the kitchen, where we sat around the island. Before long, bags of burgers, fries, and shakes arrived, and we all dug in like a big, messy, imperfect family. It was the kind of dinner you see in movies, laughter echoing off the walls, ketchup stains, and kids – mine and Will’s - trying to outdo each other with ridiculous stories. It was hard not to picture us as one big family.
James perched next to Bebe and Will’s son Chase, halfway through his burger when Chase leaned in. “Wanna play Mario Kart after?”
James’s eyes darted to me. “Can I?”
“Go for it,” I said, realizing I didn’t really want to leave yet.
After dinner, the girls sprawled out in the theater room, and wrapping up in blankets, they started watchingMinions. James and the boys disappeared upstairs with controllers in hand, their shouts and laughter drifting down faintly.
Will handed me a glass of wine and nodded toward the kitchen table. “Sit?”
I took the glass, feeling his eyes linger on me just a beat longer than necessary.
We sat across from each other, talking about everything and nothing, our kids, their quirks, and the strange world of school pickup.
“Have you noticed the moms who always stand in a little huddle, whispering and watching everyone else?” Will asked.
“Oh, you mean the gossip moms?” I replied, rolling my eyes. “I’ve seen them. I’m sure they know everyone’s business, definitely yours.”
Will laughed lightly. “Should I be worried?”
I teased. “They’re without a doubt talking about the hot divorced dad. They’re probably wondering if you’ll bring a date to the school gala.”
He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Hot divorced dad, huh?”
I shrugged, pretending to brush that off. “Don’t act so surprised. You know they’re talking about you.”
