“I wish I’d had a mother like you,” Jason said, his words soft. “You’re quite good at it.”
“I don’t know about that, but theyarethe most important things in my life.”
“How did your late husband feel about your children coming first?”
“They didn’t then. Oh, don’t get me wrong. They’ve always been a priority, but he was too.”
“And when you marry again?”
Rae shook her head. That was getting a little too close to her heartache. “It’s getting late, and I still need to put them to bed.”
“All right.” Jason signaled for the check. “I’ve enjoyed tonight in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I won’t push if you’re not interested in going out again, but I’d like to see you. You challenge me, and I find I enjoy it. It’s novel not to have my date fawning all over me.”
As he paid, Rae considered his offer. He looked at her and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Yes. And I think if you act like this, I’d enjoy going out with you again.”
“Excellent.” Jason looked like he’d accomplished some great thing. “Now, let’s get you back so you can be with your children.”
9
Dylan stared at the house, trying to get up the courage to approach the door. Even though he’d been messaging with Debbie, or Debs, he hated this kind of cold introduction. Except for the double date with Rae, this would be his first step into the dating scene after nearly two years.
If she hadn’t made a second date with Jason for tonight, Dylan doubted he’d have accepted Debs’ invitation. It still bugged him to no end that Rae had gone out with Jason—and had enjoyed herself enough to go out with him a second time. How could she not see through his gimmick? Dylan shook his head. He had to stop thinking about it.
He considered the home. From its newer style but mature landscape, he thought it must be about ten years old. Having sprayed yards in some of the city’s affluent neighborhoods for so many years now, many even more expensive than his father’s house, Dylan realized his date had money. Not so much she lived in a gated community, but still money.
And really bad taste in yard art. The addition of gnomes that looked like the kind of stuff his grandmother would have bought gave the house the oddest look he’d ever seen. If the decorations were a reflection of Debs’ personality—something that hadn’t come out in their messaged conversations—he was in for aninterestingevening. Dylan heaved out a breath. If he hadn’t agreed to do this, he could be home with the kids, doing something fun with them.
As he was about to take a step toward the house, the front door opened. A tall, ultra-thin woman of about fifty wearing leopard-print leggings paused. She arched what looked like a tattooed eyebrow, giving emphasis to the heavy amount of makeup she wore. After scanning him from head to foot, she grinned like she appreciated what she saw. Her glittery, tight-fitting and low-cut top revealed a lot of her obviously enhanced bosom. She suffered from what Rae would have called the “grapefruit syndrome.”
Please let the woman be Debs’mother. Dylan swallowed.
“I’m here for Debs?” He couldn’t keep the uncertainty from his voice. It made him feel like a little kid.
“Oh, sugar, that’sme. You’ll do just fine.” She reached inside and grabbed a purse before locking the door. She turned around and clicked a key fob. The sound of unlocking doors came from the Lincoln sitting in the driveway. She sashayed toward him.
“I, uh . . .” Dylan struggled for some polite way out of the date. “I’m looking to date somebody closer to my age.” He took a step back.
By then, Debs had reached him. She took hold of his sleeve and started towing him to her car. “Don’t you worry about a thing, sugar. I’m young at heart. Get in the car like a good boy.”
During their required online chats, she’d been a lot of fun. Upon reflection, a couple of the comments she’d made that he’d taken as old-fashioned would fit a woman her age. He didn’t want to be rude, but he couldn’t think of any way out that wasn’t. He got in the car.
“I’m going to show you agoodtime tonight.” Debs pulled out of the driveway. “I must tell you I’m excited to get to spend the evening with a cute thing like you.” She continued to prattle all the way to the restaurant.
When she pulled into the parking lot of La Cuisine, Dylan gaped. It was one of the best rated—and most expensive—places to eat in Sacramento. Debs leaned over, giving an excellent view of her cleavage, and squeezed his knee.
“I can’t wait.” She winked and puckered her bright red lips like she meant to kiss him. When he leaned away from her, she laughed and patted his knee. She got out of the car. The valet parking guy approached, and she gave him her keys.
Dylan suddenly understood the way Rae said some guys made her feel. Politeness aside, there was no way he was staying. What had he been thinking not to take his own car?
He pulled out his phone. For a second he considered his options. He couldn’t bring himself to call any of the guys at work. Instead, he sent Rae a text message. Maybe she could get Jason not to say anything.
Help!
He listed the name of the restaurant.
On our way.
