I stood and put a few steps between us as I pulled outmy phone and dialed Georgia’s number. It only rang twice before she answered. “Hello?” The sounds of kids yelling in the background made me laugh.
“I see your kids take after their mother.”
“Liam? Is it reallyyou?”
Smiling, I said, “It’s really me. I’m in Chicago, but only for this evening.”
“Shut up! Do you have plans for tonight? It’s date night for us, and I’d love to see you!”
“No real plans, but I’m with someone.”
“Oh really? Do tell.”
“It’s a long story.”
Huffing, she asked, “Tell me one thing, have you kissed her?”
“Yes. More than once, and I hope things keep progressing.Butwe’re taking it slow. There are a lot of complications.”
She laughed. “That’s all I need to know. Listen, I’m trying to feed the kids. Where are you staying? The Drake?”
I glanced back at Mallory. “Am I that predictable?”
She laughed. “Yes, you are. Would you like to meet up for drinks at the hotel?”
“That sounds great. What time works for you guys?”
Georgia muffled her voice briefly. “I’m sorry. I had to tell the kids to stop throwing food at each other. How does eight sound?”
“Perfect,” I replied. “See you at Coq d’Or at eight.”
I hung up and turned to see Mallory talking to two little kids. She laughed, and a strange sensation filled my chest. I lifted my hand and rubbed around the vicinity of my heart as I watched her interact with the children.
“Oh man,” I whispered, realizing I was falling hard for Mallory.
Making my way back to the steps, I smiled at the kids and Mallory as I sat down. “What’s going on?”
“Just making new friends,” she said as she winked at the two littles.
I laughed. “One can never have too many friends, that’s for sure.”
“This is Peter, my brother, and I’m June. That’s our mom right there.”
Following the direction of where June was pointing, I saw her mother sitting not far from us. She smiled warmly at me.
“It’s very nice to meet you, June and Peter.”
“Are you tourists? Mom said they’re everywhere down here.”
“June!” the mother protested as Mallory and I both laughed. “That isn’t very nice. And don’t repeat what I say!”
Mallory leaned forward to see the other woman. “Your kids are very charming.”
The mother rolled her eyes but grinned. “That’s one word to describe them.” She stood. “Come on, kids, let’s get going.”
June and Peter said their goodbyes and followed their mother dutifully.
“I wonder if I wanted kids?” Mallory said, breaking the silence between us.
