“Eek,” I say.
“Well, he’s not supposed to eat popcorn, but it’s his favorite thing in the world.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’m glad it’s nothing major,” I say.
“I’m sorry I didn’t text you. I was scrambling and thought I could get one of the two sitters I use in this complex, but they’re both busy. I was really looking forward to having a little freedom,” she says with a light laugh.
She looks beautiful right now, in a natural, girl-next-door, Jennifer Anniston circaFriendskind of way.
“It’s not a big deal, Kate. We can reschedule.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see a little boy peeking his head through the banister at the top of the stairs.
“Hi.” He waves.
“I think someone escaped,” I say with a smirk.
“Tristan, go back inside,” Kate says in an authoritative voice I’ve never heard. She turns to me. “I’m sorry—”
“Mom, I’m hungry. Is the man taking us to dinner?”
I arch my eyebrows. I want to ask her if lots of strange men take them to dinner. “Tristan, no! Go back inside!” She turns back toward me. “I’m so embarrassed. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you embarrassed? That’s how kids are. Remember, I have two?”
“Yeah, I know. I just…I’m…”
“Mom, I want to go to Applebee’s.” Tristan starts coming down the stairs. He’s a cute kid. He’s not really being obnoxious…yet. He’s just curious.
“Hi, I’m Alex, you must be Tristan? I’ve heard a lot about you,” I say and then shoot Kate a teasing look, since I literally just learned of his existence this morning.
“Yeah, I’m Tristan. Are we going to Applebee’s?”
Kate is mortified. Her face is beet red. I smile at the kid and look up. “This begs the question, Kate…”
“What?”
“Do lots of men take you and Tristan to Applebee’s?” As soon as I say it, I realize it’s none of my business. Even though I’m teasing, I’m still being rude.
She laughs, thank god. “No, never.” Tristan comes all the way down and stands next to her. I realize he’s actually looking out for her in his own six-year-old way. He’s a little too old to not be following directions, but it’s clear that he wants to know why I’m talking to Kate.
“So, did your mom tell you she and I work together?”
“Yeah,” he says. He’s not smiling.
Kate looks at Tristan. “Listen to me, go upstairs before you’rein major trouble. Grams will take you to Applebee’s next time, okay? I’m just gonna talk to this man I work with for five more minutes and then I’ll be inside.” He follows her orders but doesn’t seem happy about it. She waits for him to go back up the stairs and inside before she says, “Sorry about that. The story goes more like this, I have never been on a date before. At least not since I’ve had Tristan. Apparently, my mother decided without my permission to tell Tristan that ‘Mom might start going on dates now and kissing boyfriends.’ ” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “I’m pretty irritated with the situation.”
She takes a breath in and out and then smiles. She’s charming and sweet and I feel for her.
“Do you normally get along with your mom?” I can’t stop thinking about Irene.
Kate squints. “Yes, my mother is an angel, truly! She meant well. I shouldn’t be mad at her. Tristan kept asking her where I was going and she didn’t want to lie, so…I get it.” She laughs, looks up at the apartment door and then back at me. “I just didn’t expect to have to answer his questions before there was even the possibility of a kiss…you know?” She chuckles.
I lean in, brace the back of her neck, and kiss her. It just feels like the right thing to do, and I must be right, because she’s basically melting in my arms.
When we pull apart, it takes her a second to fully open her eyes. “Oh, wow,” she says, breathy.
I’m smiling, and it’s not forced. “That’s an encouraging response,” I say.
“I didn’t mean I expected to kiss you—”
