“He said you don’t let him eat hot dogs or candy. Nachos was the only thing left,” Alex said with a smile. He figured chips and pseudo cheese probably didn’t make her approved eating list either, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
“Every now and then won’t hurt,” she said. “Just don’t tell my viewers.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Alex pulled a box of Red Vines out of his back pocket. “These aren’t technically candy either,” he said, and she laughed.
At half-time, a bug-eyed Calvin stared with his mouth hanging open as the cheerleaders did a routine so provocative even Alex was blushing.
Sometime during the third quarter, the Kiss Cam music started, and images of couples smooching filled the big screen.
“Why’s everybody kissin’?” Calvin asked his mom.
“It’s called the Kiss Cam. When you get on the big TV, you have to kiss the person you’re with.”
“Gross,” Calvin said.
All of a sudden, they were staring at themselves. On the Jumbotron, Alex watched Julia’s smile fall. When they didn’t move, the crowd around them started chanting, “Kiss her, kiss her.”
Alex looked at Julia, who seemed as reluctant as he was, but after a second, she shrugged, smiled, threw her arms around his neck, and planted one on him. He snaked an arm around her waist and returned the kiss with fervor. She’d gone in for a simple peck, but once her lips touched his, he was a goner. They were warm and inviting. She tasted like the red licorice she’d indulged in. He dipped her backward without breaking the kiss, and the stadium went wild. He heard Calvin giggle.
Alex righted Julia and pulled back to look into her eyes. They were glossed over with surprise and—if he wasn’t mistaken—excitement. He couldn’t resist one more, and she didn’t turn away when he leaned in again. And damn if she didn’t open to him right there in front of twenty thousand people. Heat shot through him and landed in his groin.
“Get a room,” someone behind them yelled.
She pulled away, laughing. It was the first time he’d seen her laugh, and the simple sound of it made him smile too. They sat back down and pretended nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Which was tough, because though he’d kissed a lot of women, this one had just shocked and awed him.
By the time the game ended, Calvin was asleep on his feet. When he couldn’t keep up, Alex picked him up and carried him out of the arena. He conked out on the cab ride home, so Alex hauled him up to the condo too.
In the elevator, Julia had a strange look on her face that he couldn’t read. She unlocked her door and quietly led Alex to Calvin’s bedroom, where she stripped off his jeans and tucked him into bed with a kiss on the forehead.
She walked him to the door. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s been a long time since we got out and had some fun.”
“I’m glad you had a good time,” Alex said. “Calvin seemed to like it too.” He was reluctant to go but knew he should. It hadn’t been an actual date, but damned if he didn’t want to kiss her good night.
The longing in her eyes said maybe she wanted that too. “Calvin hasn’t had a man around since his dad died,” she blurted. “I won’t bring anyone home unless I’m very serious, and that hasn’t happened yet.”
He nodded. “That’s probably wise.”
“He needs a man in his life. I’m looking for a dad for him.”
“I grew up without a dad, and I turned out okay.”
“But didn’t you miss him?”
Alex paused. “Yes. I guess I did.”
“The other day, you never saidwhyyou blamed yourself for your dad’s death.”
Alex sighed. “I was twelve. And selfish. The night before he died, I wanted to stay up late to watch the Knicks play. When he wouldn’t let me, I said some not-so-nice things. It’s haunted me ever since.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Death is tough on anyone, but kids especially. I really want Cal to grow up with a father. I just haven’t found the right guy yet.”
Was she fishing to find out whether he was the right man? Since he wasn’t, he changed the subject rather than comment.
“You date a lot then?” he asked.
“Every week, my mom watches Calvin for a night, and I go out with someone new. I can’t remember the last time I’ve even had a second date.”
“How do you know you’re in love after only one date?” Alex asked.
