His statement brings me out of my surprisingly sensual musings, and I meet his gaze, doing my best not to blush. I hope.
As he describes the town, I am drawn by the rasp of his husky voice. “You turned down the wrong street the first time,” he says, an amused tilt to his lips.
Clearing my throat, I nod. “Picking the wrong street would explain things. I’ve also been a little distracted.”
And I’m not just talking about being preoccupied right now with thoughts of him. And my vibrator.Oh, good God, I think to myself.Just stop! Focus.
Forcing my mind back to the mundane, I go on to explain. “The movers just dropped the boxes off that need to be unpacked, and my son left to spend a few weeks with his grandparents. I’m not used to being without him.” Glancing up at him, I meet his curious gaze.
“You have a son?” He blinks, and I realize he has long, thick lashes, the kind I have to use mascara to obtain.
“I do.” Maybe I’m testing him, tossing this bit of information out when we are just having a friendly dinner. But I’d rather know than find myself interested in the man only to discover he is just like every guy I’ve dated before him. Not that I am dating him. Oh, my God, this man has me so internally flustered.
Still, my son not only comes first, he is everything in my world, and any man in my orbit needs to know it. “He’s ten, and he’s a great kid,” I can’t help but add with a grin.
“Are you married?” Shane asks bluntly, his gaze scanning my fingers, no doubt in search of a wedding ring or telltale tan line.
I shake my head.
“Divorced, then?”
I don’t mind the questions. I opened the door, and of course he is curious, but people do tend to judge me. There were the moms at the preschool, where I was the youngest one dropping off my little boy, which happens when you get pregnant at the age of twenty. They stared and whispered as if I did something wrong.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, catching the way I nearly succumbed to awkwardness at the truth of my life. Instead I square my shoulders and own who I am. “No. I’m a single mom.”
His eyes open wide. “Kudos to you. My mom raised me alone, and I know how hard it must be for you. Forgive me for saying so, but you must have had him when you were young.”
“I did,” I murmur and take a bite of my burger instead of explaining further. My life is complicated, my past painful, and I’m not going to elaborate with a stranger.
He leans in closer, and I catch a hint of delicious-smelling aftershave. “I didn’t mean to strike a nerve.”
“You didn’t.” I begin to shake my head and decide to tell the truth. “Well, maybe you did. People can be judgmental. But clearly, you’re not, so we’re good. Now can you tell me more about the shopping around here?”
His gaze settles on mine for a long moment before acknowledging my subject change with a nod of his head. “There’s an Acme on the west side of campus, and if you go farther into town, there’s a Stop & Shop. For the rush things you might need, there’s a store on campus that sells everything from college gear to quick snacks and basic toiletries. And for real shopping, you get on 95 and head south to the mall.” He follows up that summary by picking up his drink and taking a long sip.
I grab my cell and type shorthand information about everything he said into my note app. “Well, that helps. A lot. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
We eat, finishing up the remainder of our meals in companionable silence until my phone buzzes, and I glance down.
Carrie’s text shows on my screen.Shower time. L.J. will FaceTime you in about thirty minutes.
I glance at Shane. “I need to get going. My son is going to FaceTime with me soon, and I don’t want to miss the call.”
“I get it. You’re a good mom.” He smiles at me, the beauty in his expression taking my breath away.
“Thank you. I try to be.”
Because we ordered and brought our trays outside, I start to gather things together.
“I’ve got it,” he insists.
“Okay… well, thank you for getting me to the right place. And for dinner.” He paid despite my protests.
“You’re welcome.”
A pause ensues, the first truly awkward silent moment since we met. I don’t know what to say, and he seems equally uncertain. Will he ask to see me again? Take my number? I realize we haven’t even exchanged last names.
