I shake my head again and sink into my seat, grabbing a throw pillow and covering my face. “There’s nothing to tell, really.”
“Then why are you blushing?” Nellie asks.
I shrug. “Because I’m human, and he’s kinda handsome?”
“He’s hot,” Allie adds, and half of them squeal.
“Allie…”
“What? I'm a happily married girl, but I can say a man is hot when I see one. He is.”
She’s right.
More like holy hot.
Strong muscles visible even under his clothes. A chiseled jaw covered in a shadow of a beard with a mustache. The prettiest deep whiskey eyes, longer brown hair, he tucked behind his ear in the sexiest movement, and glasses. The man wears glasses.
I for sure noticed. I didn’t want to, but damn, it took me by surprise.
“Just tell him you’re interested and let the man take you out,” Cara says.
“I’m not,” I reply. “And I saw him once. One time.”
The front door creaks open, and I freeze.
“Mom!” Bella shouts from the entryway. As many reasons as there are for me not to date the guy, or anyone for that matter, my girls are the main ones.
I look at all the girls and whisper between gritted teeth, “Not another word about this. Promise me.” They all nod. They’re so respectful of my rules and my boundaries with my children, and I love them for it.
Bella walks in with a big smile on her face and her phone in her hands. “Oh, hi, everyone. Goodbye, everyone.” She walks past us into her room.
I greet Nick’s mom by the door and grab a sleeping Vero from her hands. “Hey, Danny. Thank you for watching the girls tonight.”
“Anytime. I’m sorry I’m dropping them off early, but Vero wouldn’t stop crying. I think she was tired.”
“It’s okay. We were done either way. See you next month?”
“See you next month.”
I lay Vero in bed, giving her a forehead kiss that lasts too long. She’s such a good sleeper, but she hates falling asleep outside of this house. I don’t blame her, though. I struggle sleeping anywhere else too.
I walk back to the living room. “Sorry, this was so chaotic.”
“Stop apologizing for being a mom, Natalie. We all get it.” Allie’s smile is always reassuring, so I take it.
“So…if he comes back, would you like to go out with him?” Roe asks, her blue eyes both piercing and grounding me. They don’t mean to pry. They want to know, so I sit and start talking.
“I saw him once, girls. Once. And really? He looked so sad, and I just wanted to help. That’s it. Besides, it’s not like I could flirt or anything if he were to come back.”
They look at me puzzled. This entire conversation has gone off the hinges at this point. “Why not?” Allie asks.
“Other than that, he looks like he wants steak and veggies, and all I am is a happy meal.”
“What does that even mean?” Cara asks.
“Well… all I have to offer are kids, toys, and some fatty meat,” I reply.
“Absolutely not.” Cara stands, taking the spot next to me and switching to her teacher voice we all know too well. “We’re not doing this. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
