That’s why he was vacuuming.
When I look back to Hudson he gives me a sheepish smile.
“So….I'm just... gonna show Matty my other game… Upstairs...” He backs away and pulls Matty with him.
“Dinner is in ten minutes!” I call after him. They’re already out of sight upstairs.
“I’m so sorry about this.” I say gesturing to the window. “I’ll pay you back the cost of the window.”
“What?” His head rears back like I slapped him. “Matty’s the one who broke it. Not to mention, I was glad to help. I won’t accept any money from you, Allison.” The stern way he says my name sends a shiver through me.
He notices.
I want to argue more but the way his sapphire eyes bore into me keeps my voice trapped.Instead,I nod absently.
My eyes fall to his lips. He’s standing close enough that I can smell his cologne and faint undertone of smoke. He leans in, only slightly.
Like my body is compelled by some outside source, it mimics his movement, nearly meeting him in the middle.
When my gaze meets his again, the hunger there makes me take a sharp inhale.
The oven timer beeps, shattering the moment.
“Oh.” I feel my cheeks burn bright. I press my palms to them to try and cool them as I brush past Tate.
“Alli.”
My hands are shaking, making me struggle to put the poinsettia covered oven mitts on. A large hand covers both of mine.
“Alli. Look at me.” His voice is low and soft.
I glance to my right, toward the stairs. He doesn’t look. “They’re upstairs. Is that what’s wrong?”
I still don’t answer, not trusting my voice. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a man. Since I've beenkissed.For my neighbour to be the first? My heart rate spikes all over again. A niggle of self-doubt wiggles in. He probably wasn’t even trying to kiss me.
A finger under my chin tips my face up to his and I’m met with concerned sapphire eyes.
“Tate, I—“I cut myself off because i’m not even sure what to say. Iwanthim. I know I'm not in any position to lower my defences right now though.
“I’m listening.” He says it gently. It seems like it means so much more than that.
My eyes bounce between his, looking for something, though I’m not sure what. My breath stutters under the intensity of his gaze. Somehow, he makes it both hard to breathe and… easier.
When that finger still under my chin turns to a light grip that brings me closer to him, my eyes flutter close of their own accord. I feel his minty breath fan over my parted lips. Warmth coils low in my belly in anticipation. Just an inch away… all I would have to do is…
Loud thuds sound overhead as there are two sets of footsteps racing down the stairs.
My eyes flutter open at the loss of his warmth. His hooded gaze stays on me as he calmly takes two large steps away from me.
He’s making it hard to remember why I need to stay away.
The boys come downstairs and fly into the kitchen to wash their hands before dinner. Tate serves up slices of pizza, and chats with them easily. He even gets Matty and Hudson involved in the clean-up process. And the whole time, I’m thinking of that almost kiss.
Hudson and I walk them to the door and wish them goodnight. I’m hovering by the doorway as if Tate would or even could give me a kiss goodbye. Especially not in front of the boys, who are also saying goodbye just to say something else. They hug again like they also don’t want topart. When they walk into their home next door and I shut ours, it feels a little emptier.
I sigh but kiss Hudson’s head. He grins up at me. He goes on and on about Matty.
“Thanks for not being mad at us, mom.” He smiles up at me after I’ve gone through the bedtime routine and tucked him into bed.
