“Allison Campbell.” She finally gives me a small smile. It hits me right in the chest. I almost forget myself and her son standing next me, but I don’t.
“We just moved in next door, and the boys really hit it off this morning. Hudson is his first friend here and I really would appreciate it if you allowed them to walk in together today. I did plan on taking them for smoothies before, if that's alright with you, ma'am.” I keep a politesmile on my face. “I’ll even share my phone location with you if you’d like.”
I swear the boys are holding their breath as she looks from Hudson to Matty to me. She chews her lip. Her scrutinizing eyes look me over, as if she could see right through my forehead, into my thoughts. I straighten.
I never cared before what any woman thought of me. Save for my mom and baby sister. But this woman? Something about her makes me want to earn her trust. Her respect.
“Alright, I suppose that's okay. Just this once though, ok?”
Hudson nods furiously, surprising her with a tight hug around her trim waist and a kiss on the cheek before taking off to my car.
“Don’t forget to give those treats out to your teachers!” She calls after him. She huffs a laugh at his excitement.
My eyes are still on hers when she chances a glance up at me. They widen slightly when they land on mine.
I know I should follow him, but my feet are glued to the driveway. Why is my heart pounding like this? She’s off-limits. She’s my neighbour. My son's new friend’s mother. I’ve never had any kind of relationship and starting one up this close to home isn’t a good idea.
Stop staring, idiot.
Just as I open my mouth to say something- anything before it can get awkward, she beats me to it.
“Well, welcome to the neighbourhood. I’ll be watching that little dot the whole way.” She gives me a little finger wave. I swear there’s a little sway to her hips just for me as she walks to her Mercedes.
Later when we are sitting inside drinking our smoothies, the boys are ribbing me for not getting a peanut butter and banana one like them. I just shake my head, loving that they're getting on so well already.
I pull up my phone to answer some emails when their conversation moves towards video games again. I'm replying to the team's nutritionist's email when I hear Hudson say casually, “Yep, my mom's been happier since she can have a job now that my dad’s gone.” “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why’s your dad gone?” Matty asks after a sip of his smoothie. Hudson takes a big sip, and I can tell by his little frown he’s deciding what to share.
“I don’t think I’m supposed to say.”
That just confuses Matty more. “My mom's gone cause she died when I was a baby. Did your dad die?”
Hudson just keeps his eyes on his smoothie and shakes his head. I figure now’s the time to jump in and change the subject.
“I think you’re right boys. Tropical sucks. I’m gonna get peanut butter too from now on.” I make a show of basketball shooting my smoothie into the trash and usher them out the door. I get them to school with five minutes to go. Matty's nerves seem to have disappeared now that he has a buddy to walk into school with him.
If he can make a home here so easily then so can I.
Chapter 3 - Allison
The scanner lights up green when I scan my ID card to get through to my office located near the ice rink. I shiver as the cold seeps through my thin blazer.
I’m excited for today. This event has been in the works for three months now. Is it a little cliche? Absolutely. It’s still gonna sell like hot cakes. Half naked hockey players holding adorable little puppies for adoption? Everyone and their grandmas order one.
My heels click on the stone floor the entire way to the rink where Emalyn is waiting for me.
She’s already got her camera and equipment being set up by her dutiful intern. She grins when she sees me.
“Hey Allison! You ready?” She gives a little shimmy that makes her dark curls bounce. She doesn’t have to elaborate for me to understand she’s talking about getting paid to ogle the shirtless players.
I let a flirty grin spread across my lips and bounce my brows twice.“You know it!”
“Ladies, try not to get too friendly with the players. After last year, there’s a close eye on staff boundaries.” Andrew says, pushing hissilver rimmed glasses up his nose slightly. His words are polite but there’s a hint of warning.
I give a single nod.
