He stands up, unzips the small zipper at the top of his pullover, grabs the hem of the jacket and pulls it over his head. His shirt rises, giving me the pleasure of seeing his love arrow in all its glory. His groin cleavage and happy trail are an arrow pointing south and everything in me wants to see where the road leads. Preferably with my tongue leading the way.
The shirt falls down, covering my sneak peek, leaving only Reed’s amused expression on display.
“So...” I swallow a large gulp and attempt to focus on the sheet of paper.
His large frame slides back into the booth, where he clasps both hands in front of him on the table, waiting for me to continue. Thankfully, he makes no sly comment about catching me ogling his body.
“I was thinking we do something different. Who’s paying for the tickets?”
“Darcie said it was the parents,” he says.
“Okay, I have an idea. We get a car from a junkyard, remove the fluids, and anything else that’s dangerous. Then we sell tickets to let someone have at it for a few minutes to release all their pent-up aggression.”
His smile grows as he leans back in the bench seat. “I like it. I think a few of the moms—Darcie included—could unleash a shitload of sexual frustration. Will she approve it though?”
“I didn’t plan on telling her. I was going to make it a surprise.” I look over at him with my most serene, full-of-shit smile.
“Man, I knew I always liked you.”
I roll my eyes and a second later a fry hits my forehead. “Did you just throw a fry at my head?”
He glances over his shoulder and points to the elderly woman in the next booth.
The smile won’t stop teasing my lips as I look at him. He’s so easy. Too easy. There has to be something wrong with him.
Duh, my subconscious chimes in—he was the best man at your wedding and he’s a lawyer. Double whammy!
Chapter Eight
On Monday, despite myself, I’m giddy knowing I’ll see Reed again. The fact that I bought a new outfit yesterday and dragged myself out of bed early this morning to do my hair and makeup is because I want to feel good about myself, not because I care whether Reed Warner notices me or not at school drop-off.
Jade and I are trying to avoid the cracks on the sidewalk as we make our way to St. Pats, playing that old school ‘step on a crack break your mother’s back game.’ When we’re only a block away, a car slows down next to us.
“Jade!” Henry screams out the window and Reed raises his hand in hello and then returns to the task of tying his tie, the clip between his teeth once again.
And there goes my stomach on the new rollercoaster ride it seems to be finding so much enjoyment on. Yes, he’s in the back of an Uber, but it’s an intimate portrait of the man as he readies himself for the day. Every man is different. Pete used to have to stand in front of the mirror to do his tie up in the morning and it was always a studious process. I miss that part of being a couple—knowing the intimate details no one else does.
“Hi Henry!” Jade’s voice draws me from my thoughts. She runs down the street trying to keep up with the car. “I’m gonna beat you!”
“Hit the gas!” Henry yells at the driver.
“Jade,” I warn, stepping up my pace, but she ignores me. It’s not that she’s so far ahead I can’t see her, but there are so many cars coming and going at this time of day that I worry someone won’t see her when they’re leaving the parking lot to our right.
A short sprint later and I’ve caught up with her. I’m sure all my efforts at appearing put together were wasted after the impromptu morning jog Henry and Jade forced on me. Not Reed though, the man strolls from the car like he’s a half hour early to an appointment and doesn’t have a care in the world, looking completely put together in his grey three-piece suit. He slides his wallet into the front pocket of his suit and rounds the back of the car.
“Did you hear what happened?” Georgia asks Darcie to my left.
Not really feeling like getting into the St. Pats’ gossip mill this early on a Monday morning, I set my gaze on Jade who’s now talking to a group of kids at the bottom of the stairs.
“Morning Sunshine,” Reed says when he reaches me, his voice smooth and sultry.
“Hi.” I smile nicely and then tap Jade on the shoulder.
She turns, holds up her finger and then continues telling her friends how she and Henry went to McDonald’s on the weekend. Henry offers a smile but adds nothing to the conversation. She says something about the toys and all the kids laugh. Then I see why Jade is such a perfect friend for Henry. The other kids initiate conversation with Henry about what happened and Jade steps back, letting Henry take all the credit for whatever they all find so amusing.
I choke back tears realizing that the divorce, the move, the less than involved father hasn’t screwed her up too badly because she knows how to be kind and compassionate to someone who needs it.
She turns to face me and must see some of the emotion on my face because she gives me a funny look for a second. “Bye, Mom.” Jade wraps her small arms around my neck and squeezes.
“Have a great day, okay?”
“I will.” She leaves me without another look. “Let’s go, Henry.”
Henry says goodbye to Reed with a fist bump and then the two of us stand in the middle of the concrete walk-up watching the two of them enter the school with a crowd of other kids.
“Want a ride?” Reed’s voice has me turning slowly in his direction.
“No, thank you.” I sip my coffee and step toward the sidewalk.
“So, I guess dinner is out of the question?” he asks, and I stop.
He doesn’t fidget, his cheeks don’t flush. In fact, his hands are in his pockets and he’s rocking back on his heels. You’d never guess that he just put himself out there and asked me on a date. I’m sure he must know the answer before I even say anything, yet, he’s not too intimidated to ask me anyway.
“I’m not into dating right now but thank you for the offer.”
He clasps his heart dramatically, his head falling back while he groans.
“Don’t even act like I just ruined your life.” I shake my head with a smile.
He stands upright. “You can deny me, but don’t do it so politely. Tell me the real reason you won’t go to dinner with me.”
I glance to the side finding Darcie and Georgia watching on with narrowed eyes. What do they care? They each have diamond rings on their fingers worth more than my annual salary.
“You’re a smart guy, Reed. I’m sure you can figure out why this won’t work.” I motion with my finger between us.
“I’m not friends with Pete anymore. Maybe an acquaintance, but—”
“It’s not just Pete. I mean that’s a huge part, yes. You have two strikes against you though. You’re a lawyer like my ex and you were the best man at my wedding.”
A deep intake of breath followed by a murmur has me glancing across the small courtyard.
The MM’s—Mean Moms—are gathered together, Georgia’s mouth ajar.
“Now we’re the scuttlebutt.”
He follows my gaze and then steps forward.