I tilt my head, sensing there’s more to what she’s getting at. “Is everything okay?”
She worries her bottom lip before giving me a small smile. “Yes. He’s just struggling in school right now. His counselor is getting him evaluated to see if he qualifies for an accommodation program. She also suggested extracurricular activities.”
My chest squeezes. I’m not a parent, but I can’t imagine having to go through a divorce while also having to be responsible for the emotional and physical well-being of another human. I don’t know how she does it.
“You know, we have programs like that here. Brayden is more than welcome to join in.”
Violet nods. “Yeah, actually, Patrice mentioned that, and I want to check it out.”
I tilt my head, unsure of who Patrice is. Violet must catch my confusion because she smiles. “We went to school with her. Her husband is Jim Webner.”
That name immediately rings all sorts of bells. “No way. Jimmy? Our old goalie?”
Violet’s smile widens. “Yup. He’s teaching accounting and coaching your old high school soccer team now. Patrice even mentioned that he’d love for you to stop by sometime and talk to his team. Their season is over, but you remember how close that team is all year-round.”
Do I remember? Soccer was my life for such a long time. I don’t know what I would have done without those guys all through high school and then college.
“I’d love to do that. You’ll need to come with me. Maybe you can wear your old cheerleading uniform.”
Violet bursts into laughter at that idea, but I don’t find it as funny. Not when I can picture very vividly the tight vest, short pleated skirt, long shimmering legs, and high kick that always guided my eyes to the most inappropriate places on my best friend.
“I think those days are long gone.”
“But you still have the uniform, don’t you?”
Violet’s face colors. “Well, yes, but I would never try to squeeze into that thing now.”
How can a simple conversation make me so hard? “You won’t even try? For me?” I tilt my head and pout, unable to help the flirtation pouring out of me. I have a brand-new mission, one that involves a certain reenactment of a certain time in our lives. Specifically, a memory of something that never happened, but I would very much like it to happen now.
Violet slaps my knee. “No way, Bexley.”
I grab her hand and place it back on my knee. “Why not? I’ll wear my soccer uniform. It will be like old times.”
“Except I never cheered at your soccer games.”
I bite down on my smile. “True. But I saw you wear it plenty of times.”
“True.” Her gaze slips down, and her free hand reaches out to hold my tie. “I think I’d prefer to see you in this. Pink tie and all.”
Did Violet Hart admit to finding my business suit sexy for the second time? “Funny. I happen to think this tie would look much better around your pretty neck.” My eyes slip down to her breasts where I happily imagine my tie settling.
She laughs. “My eyes are up here, Bexley. You seem to always forget that.”
My gaze moves back up to hers, and I slowly shake my head. “I didn’t forget.”
The stunned look in her eyes, her fingers still gripping my tie, and the fact that she’s been flirting right back gives me all the fuel in the world to kiss her sweet lips. I start to lean in, the charge between us more intense than ever before, and I know the feeling is mutual when she starts to lean in toward me too.
“Mommy, look!”
Violet jumps in her seat, her head swiveling to face the door that leads to the kitchen. Out walks a grinning Brayden with his oversized chef hat. When I look back at Violet, her entire body lights up in reaction to her son. I can’t stop staring at her as she gets up from the bench and scoops Brayden into her arms. She lands a sloppy kiss on his cheek. “You’re a chef now?”
He nods with his entire head and points back at Anderson, who’s carrying two bowls of mac ’n’ cheese. “Yup. I made lunch.”
Anderson sets the food down at the table and gives Brayden a high five. “Awesome job, Bray. Let me know if you want a part-time job in the kitchen. I think we can work something out.”
Violet laughs and sets Brayden down. “If kindergarten doesn’t work out, he’ll let you know. Thanks for showing him the ropes back there.”
Anderson winks before settling his gaze on me. “What’s this? You forget your way back to the office?”
I slap my arms to my sides and shake my head. “I’ll be working here remotely until I tell you otherwise.”
I can tell Anderson is trying not to show excitement over the fact that I finally reached the decision that he’s been begging me to come to for years. “Suit yourself.” He winks, all the words he’s not saying perfectly clear. “I’m going to check on Cayson, and then I’m taking Hope to a nice dinner. So I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Anderson and Brayden fist-bump one more time, and then he’s jogging toward the door.
“Want to join us for some mac ’n’ cheese?” Violet looks hopeful while Brayden plops himself down across from us.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
I watch as they both dig into their food. Brayden’s eyes get big, and he stares up at his mom. “I’m a good chef!”
Violet exaggerates her nod. “I agree, Bray. This is really good.”
A spoon loaded with pasta and cheese gets placed in front of my face. “Try it, Jami.”
Violet laughs and pushes the spoon back to Brayden’s mouth. “That’s your spoon, Bray. Here, Jami can share Mommy’s.” Violet scoops up some pasta and holds it to my mouth with a grin. “Open up.”
I do as she says, taking the entire scoop from the spoon. I give an exaggerated roll of my eyes at the first taste. “That is delicious,” I say after swallowing. “You made that?”
Brayden’s nod is filled with pride. “Yup.”
“Well then, compliments to the chef. Who knows? Maybe you just found your future career. How would you like to work here one day, Brayden?”
He looks like he’s thinking about it for a minute and then shrugs. “I’ll take it under consideration.”
The way he says it, so seriously, so matter-of-fact, I have to laugh. Violet laughs, too, and then she leans in. “Brayden has wanted to be an architect since he was two. I think it was all those houses Trevor used to drag us to every time he had a new listing.”
“That sounds like a great job,” I tell Brayden. “Maybe you can design restaurant buildings. Combine your love for cooking and architecture.”
“Oooh!” Brayden’s mouth shapes into an o, revealing his unfinished bite of food. Violet clamps a hand over his mouth. “Excuse my son. He’s still learning how to chew his food before he talks.
Brayden giggles and shovels another bite into his mouth before he finishes chewing the last one. “Sorry,” he mumbles through that bite, only making him laugh harder.
Violet rolls her eyes and tilts her head apologetically at me. “Maybe I should get takeout from the saloon tonight.”
“Don’t you dare. I’ll have a table ready for you.” I wink and stand. “See you tonight.”