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I should say no. This could get complicated. Granted, I am sure I’m the one who would make it difficult. He’s a young guy, so fooling around with the next-door neighbor probably isn’t a big deal. We do have chemistry together.
“Okay, but I’m not promising anything.”
“Understood.”
He stands and holds out his hand. I hesitate before taking it. I love how much bigger it is than mine, the way the calluses on his hand feel against my skin.
“Thank you for dinner, Livvy. I will get that recipe out of you one of these days.”
“Is that the only reason you’re trying to romance me?” I ask. My voice is lighter than it’s been in years. This zing, this flirting, makes me feel alive.
“Naw.” He tugs me closer, slipping one hand around my waist, then uses his free hand to cup my jaw. “That’s not what I really want a taste of.”
I can’t say anything before he lowers his head and brushes his mouth over mine. It’s not a wildly over-the-top kiss, but it’s enough to leave my knees weak. He moves away before either of us is ready, but we both know better. The heat between us is combustible, and if we don’t pace ourselves, we’ll lose control.
“Good night, Livvy. Thanks for dinner.”
He steps away and then turns to leave. Houdini panics and charges after him, which makes me laugh. Stupid dog.
“Houdini, he’s just going to be next door. You can see him tomorrow.”
After giving Houdini a scratch behind the ears, Mason says, “Go on, boy. Your mama needs you to stay here.”
Houdini, the bastard, does just as he asks. Mason gives us a salute once my dog sits beside me and steps out of my yard, closing the gate behind him.
“So, he’s gone,” Avery says, coming out of the house with a bowl of cereal in her hands.
“Yeah.”
“I take it he’s going to come over for a…what was it you called it…oh, yeah, a booty call?”
I sigh. “Don’t go getting all excited about it. Nothing can come of it.”
“First of all, why not? Second of all, who cares?”
“I’m not like you, Avery. I have two people who depend on me.”
“No reason to get all bitchy, Liv. I’m just saying it’s time for you to at least think about having a man in your life. And, just in case you were wondering, Mason fits right in here with you guys.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she’s already left me alone on the back porch.
I would love to have a partner. It would be wonderful to have someone I could depend on to be beside me. Someone to help shoulder the burden. My sister and the rest of my family don’t understand that I want that more than anything.
But one thing my marriage taught me is that it doesn’t always happen, even after the vows, and being alone isn’t that bad once you get used to it.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun, especially with the kids out of town this weekend. And maybe one day, I’ll be able to take that step. Right now, I have Mason, and I know all he wants is a little fun, and that is something I desperately need in my life.
ChapterNineteen
MASON
After dinner on Wednesday night, things go downhill at work. I don’t get home until after midnight on Friday night, thanks to issues with our lock on the back door. Then Saturday is one disaster after another. It’s the way of things in the restaurant business. Two of my servers called in sick with the flu, which will probably wipe us out next week. We got hit up by a massive bus of retirees on their way to San Antonio. I’m always happy for the business, but this tour bus must have catered to every jerk known to man. I’m okay if they’re assholes to me, but I won’t let them take it out on my waitresses. After I took care of them, we had someone have an allergic reaction that required us to call 911. I’m thankful he had his own EpiPen, but it was a bad reaction.
By the time I usher out the last of my customers, I’m exhausted. I’ve been at the restaurant for over ten hours, and I just hope I don’t get called in tomorrow. Usually, I’m ecstatic about all the business, but I have someone waiting at home.
That thought has me stopping in my tracks. Damn. That’s it. I wasn’t sure what was getting to me the other night after dinner, but it was that I wanted to bethatguy. The one who goes home to Liv and the kids.
Fuck me. I’m in love with her, or falling in love with her. Either way, it’s insane to think I fell for her this fast. But that’s what it is. I see the way she is with the kids. Not perfect at all, but you can see the love every moment she’s with them. And I want that. I want her to look at me with love.
