“Can we make smashed potatoes?” Jason asks eagerly.
This right here is why kids should name everything. I know I should correct him, but he’s simply too adorable to contradict the words coming out of his mouth.
“Only if you help wash and peel them,” I counter, knowing full well the two of these guys will somehow find a way to make it a competition.
“Do you have cob corn?” Josh asks. “Momma made some last night. It was yummy!” Christ, the way he’s rubbing his stomach… There’s no way I can say no to that, either.
“I’ll tell you what. When we get home, we’ll hop in my truck and head to the store. Then we’ll come back and cook.”
“Let’s do it!” Josh shouts. Then, on his next breath, he adds, “I’ll race ya home, Jay!”
“Ready… Set… Go!” Jason shouts, and the two of them pump like crazy, pushing their boards to the limit. I have no choice but to sprint after them and do my best to ensure they stay out of trouble.
My heart zings when I turn onto my street and spot Faye outside, checking her mailbox.
How we didn’t run into one another before this week is beyond me.
I can’t help the smile that forms as I watch her long blonde hair flow in the light breeze. It’s hard not to notice her curves on full display in dark, well-fitted jeans and a loose tank as she bends to check inside the box.
Damn, she’s gorgeous.
With her back to me, memories from last night flood through me, and I revel in this small moment, since she doesn’t immediately clock my approach.
As I roll down my window and pull up beside her, the boys take notice.
“Who’s that, Papa?” Jason asks with interest.
When Faye’s eyes meet mine, a wide smile spreads across her beautiful features. “Hey there.” She chortles. “Fancy seeing you so soon, Mark.” Then she glances from me to my grandsons. “Who do we have here?”
“Papa,” Josh whisper-shouts, much louder than necessary. “Who is she?”
Yeah, he’s as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
Amused by their curiosity, I turn and face the boys sitting in the back of my crew cab in their booster seats. “Boys, this is Faye. She lives next door.” I point to her house because I’m sure that’ll fly out of their mouths next. “Faye, these are Sloane and Jax’s twins, Jason and Josh.”
“What have you all been up to?”
“Papa took us longboarding,” Josh chimes in.
At the same time, Jason says, “We went shoppin’ for smashed potatoes and corn cobs.” Then he puffs out his chest with pride and adds, “We’re making dinner.”
“Is that right?” Faye’s amused expression melts my heart. “I hope your papa feeds you more than potatoes and corn on the cob.”
“Of course,” I jump in, patting the steering wheel for good measure, wishing my hands could reach out and push that wispy runaway lock of hair behind her ear. “We’re having steak and mushrooms to go with our other vegetables.” With a hopeful glance in her direction, I quickly add, “Care to join us?”
“And s’mores for dessert,” Josh enthusiastically interjects. “Papa makes them.”
“Oh,” Faye draws out happily. “I haven’t had s’mores in years. Those sound delicious.”
I turn just in time to see Jason’s mouth drop open. “Years? That’s a long time. Papa makes the bestest ones.”
Her knowing glance my way reminds me so much of when we were kids. “I remember that. Did you know your papa and I used to go to school together?”
“Really?” flies out of both boys’ mouths at the same time.
But it’s Josh who shares, “We’re goin’ to school this year, too!”
“That’s right,” I acknowledge. “You’ll start kindergarten at the same school as your cousins and where Aunt Liz works.”
