Reed: Raegan said she’s on board to work pro bono for the foundation. Said she thinks it’ll be pretty easy to get these people off Hannah’s back. They have no case.
Me: Thank you! Hannah will be thrilled.
Reed: You can thank me properly on Friday.
Me: If you’re expecting a blow job, you should know I bite.
Reed: I scoffed, did you hear me? What kind of guy do you think I am?
Me: I think you’re exactly that—a guy!
Reed: I’ll settle for a kiss.
Me: On the cheek.
Reed: How come when I’m making deals with you I feel like I got a shit poor education at law school?
Me: I’m a woman, Reed, negotiations are what we do best.
Reed: Wanna know what I do best? ;)
My fingers stop moving and then start texting, only to delete. I have a few guesses as to what he does best and the fact that my man-deprived body wants him to show me, is making me squirm. But I can’t let that reflect in my response.
Me: Typical man, can only master one tool.
Reed: One tool, huh? I have multiple tools—two hands, ten fingers, one tongue, one mouth, and one big long stick that finishes the job all the others start.
Me: Time for bed now. Good night, Reed.
Reed: Imagine me tonight? God knows, I’ll be imagining you.
I flush crimson red. I thought we were taking it slow, and now he’s admitting to masturbating to thoughts of me?
“MOM!” Jade yells.
I stuff the phone in my pocket and head down the hall. It dings one last time.
Reed: Just remember, you moved the conversation into sexting territory. :P
Clicking my screen off, I walk into Jade’s bedroom, praying the ache between my legs will dissipate enough that I don’t actually need to do what he suggested before I can get to sleep.
Chapter Eighteen
Friday comes with a bang and I don’t know if that’s good or bad. If the week would’ve dragged by, it would’ve been because I was anticipating my date. A good sign for sure. The fact that it was Monday and then, blink, Friday? What does that say?
I’m in the bathroom brushing my teeth one more time when the doorbell rings. A mixture of nausea and butterflies battle in my stomach. Not only do I have first date jitters, but I also had to sit Jade down last night and explain that Reed and I would be going out tonight on an adult-only outing.
“Reed!” Jade exclaims. “This is my grandma, Diane.”
“Nice to meet you,” my mom says and I’m sure she’s shaking his hand. “What beautiful flowers.”
Oh jeez, he brought me flowers. Roses I’m sure. Standard first date material. I watch the pinkness flush my cheeks and I spit into the sink. Turning on the faucet prohibits me from hearing anything further in their conversation. Which is probably a blessing.
Examining myself one more time in the mirror, I take a deep breath. I don’t look like a single mom, right? Another spray of perfume and I step through the fragrance and out the bathroom door. What’s the worst that can happen? He doesn’t like me and well, it will save a lot of time and energy.
“This is Moe,” Jade says.
I round the corner to find Jade’s hand in Reed’s, sitting on the couch with Moe climbing over Jade to get to Reed. He snuggles into his thigh, leaving Reed’s slacks covered with a thick layer of black fur. He hesitantly pets the animal.
“Mommy.” Jade’s soft voice announces my entry and Reed’s attention shifts from the loving cat at his side to me in the doorway.
“Hey.” He moves to stand and Jade releases his hand.
How does he keep getting more handsome? He’s wearing a pair of charcoal grey slacks, a blue button-down shirt and a pair of black loafers that aren’t shiny like the ones he wore Monday morning. His hair is gelled a tad differently, wilder but still put together.
“Hi.” I lean my shoulder on the doorway and catch his gaze raking me over.
I worry my dress is too short, but from his heated gaze, I’m guessing he likes it. Long gone are the days I can wear anything tight and form fitting, but I show off my best asset that wasn’t altered due to childbearing—my legs. My heels give the impression they’re longer than they are which is great considering my petite stature.
“You’re beautiful.” This is why Reed won a date. I’ve never believed someone more in my life. That cocky persona he puts on has disappeared and when he says I’m beautiful, his voice shakes slightly, like that scares him a little.
“Thank you.”
“Here.” Jade holds up the flowers to him. “He brought flowers.” She stands between us, smiling back and forth.
Reed takes the bouquet of tulips and holds them out for me.
“Thank you.” Our fingers brush when we exchange them and a current blasts down to my toes and back up. “I’ll put them in water.”
I turn to head to the kitchen, but my mom is there. “I got it. You two go.” She takes the flowers from my hands and I smile down at her since my heels have me towering over her.
“Thanks for watching Jade.”
“Yes, Ms. Clarke, thank you for watching her so I can take out your daughter.” Reed pokes his head into the kitchen.
My mom puts the flowers into the vase she already prepared. “I’m happy to do it. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Reed. Maybe you can come by for dinner sometime.”
I crinkle my forehead at my mom who effectively ignores me.
“I’d love to.” Reed side glances me and I shift my stance.
“Great, I’ll talk with Vic and we’ll let you know. Now, you two, go. Jade and I have a night of movies and popcorn.”
Jade runs in, hugging my mom around her waist.
Reed holds out his fist to her. “Henry said this is unfair, so next time you guys come.” He winks. Jade fist bumps him and then stops in front of me.
I bend down so I’m at her eye level. “Be good for Grandma. Go to bed on time. Don’t fuss, okay?”
She peeks up at Reed and I shift her face back to me with a nudge of my finger on her chin.
“Promise.”
I kiss her cheek and squeeze her to me. Once we’re apart, she pushes me lightly, but since I’m mid crouch, I lose my footing and fall right into Reed’s arms. I eye Reed like he planned it, but he shakes his head.
“Not my doing, but you smell amazing,” he whispers, and I straighten, pretending he doesn’t affect me.
“Sorry, Mommy.” Jade has her am-I-in-trouble expression on.
“Let’s go.” I wave over to my mom who’s leaning over the counter in front of a bowl of popcorn with a kernel between her fingers.
“After you.” Reed steps back, allowing me to go first.
The chill of the spring night air settles around me. Reed shuts the door, walking in line with me down the walkway until we reach the sidewalk. I had expected to see Abe’s blue sedan, but there’s a sleek sports car parked along the curb. Its lights flash and it beeps when we approach.
I stop. “Is this yours?”
He opens the passenger door. “I hope so, or this date is going to get interesting when the police chase starts.”