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“I think when people get to know you, you’ll get their respect,” I said.
“Thankfully, my job won’t hinge on their opinions of me. I’m employed by a large company that doesn’t care where we work as long as it gets done.”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me. People did care about the businesses they chose to support. I’d had some people refuse to use me because I was a single mother. Like it was something I chose or could do anything about.
The waitress placed the pizzas in front of us, and Ben passed around the slices. Cammie, Brody, and Hunter returned to the table, and we dug in.
Our conversation was a good reminder that Nick and I wouldn’t work. We didn’t have a future. We were only meant to have one night together.
When we finished eating and drinking, the kids returned to the arcade while the adults relaxed in our chairs.
When the waitress cleared our dishes, Nick asked, “You want to play a game?”
“I’m not that into arcade games.” At least I hadn’t been since I was a kid.
Nick stood and held his hand out to me. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
His body language was so relaxed compared to before. His smile was eager, and his gaze was imploring. I couldn’t say no, and Brooke arched a brow at me when I took his hand and followed him to the game section.
“How about …” He scanned the area for a suitable game while I enjoyed the feel of my hand in his.
I felt like a teenager on a date. There was a warm sensation in my chest and a twinging of my heart that you only got when the object of your crush held your hand. I wanted to bottle up the feeling and keep it forever.
It was rare for me to feel that carefree on a date. And with Nick holding my hand and leading me to a game, it sure felt like one.
I ignored the sensation of Brooke’s and Ben’s gaze on our backs as Nick finally selected Pac-Man.
“I figured you knew this one.” Nick’s expression was uncertain as if he didn’t want to choose the wrong thing.
I sat on the stool while he moved behind me, blocking us from Brooke and Ben’s view. “Everyone knows Pac-Man.”
I sucked in a breath when he leaned over my shoulder to toggle the lever. His chest was pressed to my back, and if I moved my head, I’d be resting on his shoulder. It felt good. He was surrounding me with his presence, and I felt protected, cared for. It was a dangerous feeling because it was just friendship. My son’s coach being nice. It wasn’t a seduction, even if it felt like one.
I breathed in his comforting scent.
“You want to go first?” he asked, his breath coasting over the shell of my ear.
I nodded. My words stuck in my throat.
I grasped the toggle as he whispered the directions in my ear. I remembered how to play, but I liked how he guided me, his hand resting on my hip and the other bracing on the console, blocking us from prying eyes.
I couldn’t help but imagine what it would feel like if we were alone and he bent me over the stool. Desperate to get the image out of my head, I asked, “Do you have games like this at home?”
He looked at me. “How did you know?”
I smiled. “I just guessed.”
“I have a newer one that holds thousands of games. Brody loves it. You probably think I’m spoiling him, but I just wanted living with me to be a good thing for him.”
Ignoring the game, I rested my hand over his. “You’re not spoiling him. You’re an amazing uncle.”
I didn’t add that Brody could probably use a little spoiling.
“Thank you.” He swallowed, and I watched with fascination as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
He was sexy even in his athletic pants and t-shirt stretched taut over his chest. He was the same guy I saw at the wedding in his tux. He was attractive in whatever he chose to wear. And combined with his kind heart, it was getting harder to resist the attraction.
I forced myself to focus on the screen and gobbling up the dots, getting into the game. Everything fell away until it was just me encircled by Nick and the game in front of us.
