A man has never made me this way before…
“Is everything okay, darling?” he instantly asks, and I melt slightly at the ‘darling’, something he has taken to calling me, and I quickly clear my throat as Caleb's giggles get me back to the here and now as I tell myself to act professional.
“I uh, well, it’s late and well, the kids are getting hungry,” I stutter again and instantly want to smack my forehead.
So much for professional. I’m a teacher for Christ’s sake! I should be able to speak normally.
“Ah, I haven’t been grocery shopping yet, my card details are on the fridge. Why don’t you call for takeout? I’ll be back soon. I’m nearly done,” he says, and I swallow again.
“Do you uh, have macaroni and some cheese?” I ask, and he hums, “I don't know why?”
I clear my throat and mutter, “Well, I uh, can I cook it if I find the ingredients?”
He’s quiet for a moment before he replies softly, “Yeah, darling, you can, I’ll be home by the time you’ve dished. See you soon.”
I swear I could hear the awe in his voice before he hung up, making me look at my phone, and I can’t seem to swallow the lump that is forming bigger and bigger.
The man reduces me to a stuttering mess, and yet as soon as he hangs up, I’m disappointed.
Damn.
Shaking my head, I call, “Come on, kids, I’m going to make mac and cheese,” and they instantly cheer, because hello, a kids favorite meal and all that, and I stand as I smile, watching them run my way before going past me, and I follow while trying to give myself a pep talk to not go mute when Alex gets here.
“He’s just a parent,” I mutter and head into the kitchen, keeping the words on repeat while promising myself to keep things strictly professional between us.
“Famous last thoughts.”
***
“Hi, Mr. Dirty!” Lyra squeals in delight as I dish up the food half an hour later, and my body instantly lights up, humming with electricity and I suck in a breath.
Crap, he’s here.
“Hey, cutie, you had a good afternoon?” Alex asks and his deep voice goes through me as Lyra hums in confirmation before I feel his body next to mine as I scoop a spoonful of mac and cheese onto Caleb's plate trying to psyche myself up to be professional before looking to my left, my eyes yet again instantly locked in with his deep, intense blue ones.
“Mac and cheese, huh?” he confirms, tilting his lips into a smile, and I smile slightly back as Lyra adds, “With extra cheese, just how we like it!”
Alex chuckles as he raises a brow at me, and I admit, “It’s perfect comfort food, and you are just in time.”
He hums as his eyes take me in, making me want to fidget under his intense stare, but I try to hold off on it.
“Why the comfort food?” he asks with a husk, and I swallow.
“Bracing myself for bad news,” I mutter, and he smirks.
“Well, you won’t be getting any from me, your shit box is fixed,” he states, and my mouth parts as I turn my whole body towards him in shock, and he grins wide as he grabs the kids' plates, winks at me then takes them to the dark grey breakfast bar and I watch in awe.
Did he, I mean, my car, I mean, huh?
“Be careful, it is hot,” he warns the kids, and they both nod before he returns to me, leans against the counter, picks up a fork, and grabs some of the food. Blowing on it, he puts it in his mouth and groans, “Fuck, this is good,” and I mutter, “It’s the extra cheese,” before shaking my head and confirming, “You fixed the shit box?”
“Is that the new name for it?” he asks, dodging my question, and I reply, “It’s always been the name for it,” before I press, “Alex…” needing to know if he managed the unmanageable, or that is how I thought of it earlier.
He chuckles, takes another bite, and says, "I did. The head gasket was a goner—that’s why I took so long."
My mouth parts in shock, giving him a chance to gently place some food into my mouth and I blink and quickly bite down so food doesn’t fall because that would be embarrassing before he gently removes the fork from my mouth.
I chew as I assess the man, professionalism completely gone before I furrow my brow as the taste finally hits me andI mumble, “Too much mac and not enough cheese,” and he grumbles, “Bite your tongue, it’s perfect,” making me bite down a smile.
