Finding a spot at one of the lounge sets, we take a seat. She’s studying me, that’s for sure.
“Help me out here, what have I done? I thought we had a good time the other night.”
She looks away then back at me and a knowing smile forms. “Lucas, we did have a good time, and I hope there is another time. I just didn’t think the next time that I saw you was going to be at the celebration of your divorce being finalized. Feels kind of weird since you will hopefully blow my mind with a kiss soon.”
Ah, I get it. It’s logical. How did I not connect those dots?
But I get side-tracked. “I’ll blow your mind?” I have a cocky grin now.
She laughs slightly. “Maybe.”
I begin to lean in to prove a point. “Let me see if I can.”
Her hand goes up between us. “Not tonight, Lucas. It doesn’t feel right. Tonight, you should celebrate with the guys or close one chapter with them. It’s called full closure. But for the record, I’m rain checking that kiss,” she assures me with her mouth slanting.
“I’m curious. If my divorce was already finalized the other day… would you have invited me in after dinner?”
Her brows arch. “Whoa, someone is blunt tonight. Uhm, I didn’t think about it. Who said I would have invited you in?” She gives me a quick furrowed look. “But I guess yes. Even though you were separated, I guess that legal finalization is even better to my ears.” Her look is coy.
“It was a hypothetical, and I get what you’re saying.”
“I don’t know what we’re doing. I’m not sure if we are the potential rebounds we both may need or if it’s something else. But I do like whatever it is.” She’s candid, and I admire that a lot. Most women I know struggle to be open and honest without needing encouragement.
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know either. But I’m hoping I haven’t ruined my chances for date number two.”
She touches my arm. “You haven’t. But for tonight, I am going to go. You should head back in there and have another round with the guys. Then go home and revel in the fact that you are no longer officially someone’s husband. Tomorrow you officially have that new chapter you’ve been waiting for.”
This woman is something magical. The way she explains it.
“Tomorrow night, Abby. I want to see you tomorrow night,” I confirm and warn her.
She smiles and nods. “Looking forward to it, Lucas.”
Chapter Eight
Abby
I cradle my phone, FaceTiming with my cousin Avery as I sit on my sofa with knees tucked under me. We’d gone on vacation together a few weeks ago, and we catch up as much as we can via text. She is busy in California working in marketing.
“So, is tonight the big date?” Avery flashes her eyes as she stirs a bowl with a wooden spoon.
“It is. Now he is officially divorced.” I almost beam, and I’m questioning if that’s wrong.
“What do you think will happen? First base, or are you going full World Series?” Avery looks at the screen with a grin.
I laugh. “Uhm, probably not World Series. I mean, I want to, but don’t want to rush it. Plus, I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. I mean, it’s not like I have skill.”
“Stop that! You may not have had sexual chemistry with your ex, that’s all. And I kind of assumed that Lucas was just some fun anyways. Thought maybe you would pounce him like a rabbit in spring.” Avery seems almost surprised.
My shoulders shrug. “I don’t know what this is. But I can’t see myself having just a one-night stand with him, plus that isn’t my style. And I run into Lucas all the time. His friends are my friends, small town, the list goes on. I can’t do something to screw that up. No matter what happens, we need to be okay around each other.”
Romeo comes to lay on the sofa, and he rests his head in my lap. I stroke his furry ears as I listen to my cousin.
“Okay. A chaste kiss it is then.”
“Whoa whoa whoa. I don’t expect a simple kiss. I’m hoping for a ‘knock me into Mars’ kind of kiss,” I clarify.
Avery laughs.
“When are you going to open a bakery? No clue what you’re making, but that bag of coconut you just poured into the bowl looks delish,” I comment.
She smiles proudly. “Thanks. Coconut chocolate ranger cookies, and maybe one day I’ll have a bakery. Maybe even near you.”
“That would be great.”
“But back to you. Enjoy this, Abby. The beginning of something is always the best part. So much excitement. It could go anywhere you want it to. The possibilities are endless,” Avery encourages me.
“True. Possibilities are endless.” I smile to myself.
“Why are we here again?” I wonder with a curious smile as our spoons dive into the crème brulée at La Muse for the second time in ten days.
He shrugs a shoulder. “Because this time we can end the night the way it should end.” His look is sexy, and he confidently drinks some wine as he leans back in his chair.
We skipped dinner and only came for dessert and wine, which is not an easy task to arrange as it’s hard to get a table in this place.
“So, tell me, who was your oddest patient today?” I ask.
Lucas looks at me excited and resettles in his chair. “Oh, you will love this. Trust me. A teenage kid said he is allergic to pets. After looking at his bloodwork, it was all negative. His mother confessed on the spot that she had been lying to her son his whole life, so he doesn’t get a dog. That’s a little twisted.”
My hand finds my chest. “That’s a little insane. I could not imagine lying to a kid like that for his whole life. But it is a little funny, can I say that?” My face must have wrinkles of doubt.
Lucas touches my hand. “Totally. And you? A crazy racoon or cat?”
“Easy day today, check-ups and a few cats going blind. The usual.”
There’s a pause, but one we don’t mind. Our eyes are having their own conversation anyhow.
“Do you feel different today?” I ask, as I’m curious.
“Truthfully? No. I felt divorced already months ago. But I guess I now feel I am officially back in open waters again.” He plays with a fork lying on the table as he reflects on his words.
“Lucas Kade. A very single eligible bachelor, you mean?” I poke his arm.
His mouth twitches slightly. “True. But I also mean in general. I can do whatever I want now. Design my house, go play golf—”
“Whoa whoa whoa.” I hold my hand out. “You golf?”
Lucas gives me a sheepish grin.
“Oh no. You want to be like your dad and my dad. This is a game changer. I need to leave.” I’m sarcastic and pretend to begin to get out of my chair, but it makes him laugh.
“Trust me. I can do a lot to prove to you that I am not your dad,” he challenges.
“Eww, can we stop going down this rabbit hole of a conversation? I don’t like where it’s heading.” I grin concerned and grab my wine glass.
“Agreed. Want to head out?” he suggests, and I nod as the waiter comes to clear our plates.