I clear my throat. “I can assure you I have the best intentions and don’t have any plans to hurt your mom in any way. I do appreciate your fire,” I say, grinning. Kendall’s straight face stays in place. “I mean it. You received bad information from the Bronze Bay rumor mill.”
Kendall nods and sighs, long and hard. I reassure her once more. “I can’t stay for a movie tonight. I have stuff to do at home and an early alarm. Rain check for sure, though.”
Magnolia looks disappointed, but I know I’m making the right decision. I shovel the last scoop of ice cream in my mouth, wash my bowl, and bid my farewells as effortlessly as I can make them seem. Kendall grunts and waves, and Magnolia walks me out to the mudroom. Her eyes are wide and beautiful. I blink a couple of times to erase my stymie.
“Thanks for tonight, Aidan. That could have gone awry, and you reined it back in. Sorry for Kendall. The gossip around here really is something.” Magnolia shakes her head. “You’re so good. I can’t believe my luck. Thank you.” She goes on her tiptoesand kisses me quickly on the cheek. We’re far enough from the dining table that Kendall can’t hear us, but she would be able to see our heads above the swinging doors that separate the kitchen and mudroom.
“Hey,” I say. “I was honest. I think that’s the best course of action for me. I caution you that I have no idea what I’m doing. This is all fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, but I’ll always try. Okay? Know that.”
“I know,” Magnolia replies.
Kendall flies past us both, hitting the screen door at a bolt. “Riding my bike down to the beach. I have my cell. I’ll be home in an hour, Mom. Nice meeting you, Aidan. Remember, I’m watching you!”
“Be careful,” Magnolia yells at her back.
“Sure thing, Mom!”
“Don’t talk to strangers,” Magnolia adds.
“Strangers shouldn’t be your worry,” I whisper. “Boys she knows already are the problem.” I grin.
Magnolia swats me on the shoulder. “Do I need to remind you that I was younger than she is when I got pregnant with her? I have every right to worry about every boy in the world. Strangers or not.”
“I’ve never been more acutely aware of that fact now that I’ve met her. She is a carbon copy of you. I’m sorry. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders. Don’t worry. Too much,” I add. Magnolia turns to watch Kendall pedal her bike away. “That must have been hard. Giving up your childhood like that. So quickly.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Magnolia says. “But I’d do it again if given the chance. She’s everything to me.”
“I know,” I say. “You are doing a good job, Magnolia. In case no one has told you that lately. She went to bat for you against me because she cares about you.”
She turns. “Thank you for saying that. Sometimes I think I can’t do anything right by her.”
Taking her waist, I bring her closer. “Don’t think that for a second. I’d be happy to call you ‘Mom.’”
“Aidan, that’s weird as hell.”
I chuckle. “I know. But you smiled, and that made it worth it.”
“I read these articles that say once you divorce that the child should be the only focus, that parents having other relationships just ruins the kids even more. That was my worry, you know? That her seeing me with another man might trigger something and make her even more miserable.”
“I’m not Paul, Magnolia. Kendall knows that. Do you?”
Her glassy eyes pool, and a tear slips. “I’ve never been more acutely aware of a fact in my life,” she says, using my words. “I didn’t expect happiness ever again. Especially by using a dating app. It feels like a dream.”
I kiss her lips. She tastes like vanilla. My dick responds, but I pull away before I get too carried away. “Dream about me tonight.”
“Banging me up against a wall?” Magnolia adds, pecking my lips with hers once more.
I press my lips into a firm line. “I meant something more sweet and romantic, but you went ahead and took it there, so yes. My lips on your neck. You moaning into my ear. My body filling yours. An orgasm or two that makes your legs tingle. Me coming inside you. It dripping down your legs and onto the floor. Me kissing you. Putting you to bed. Dream of that.”
“Well, that sure gives me a vivid visual,” she says, breathing heavily.
“I should go before it’s a reality instead of a dream.”
Magnolia nods. “Did you mean what you said about the best part?”
I lay both hands on the sides of her cheeks. “You are my best part, Magnolia.”
She smiles, and another tear falls.
