“No, of course not. Why would you even think that?”
“Um…maybe because I thought we were on the same page in there and…and…it seemed like we were really enjoying ourselves and you just got up and walked away like it was no big deal. So…again, what did I do wrong?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Violet. I just felt like…I don’t know…it would have been easy to keep going.” He moved in close and put his hands on her hips. “You’re an incredibly sexy woman, and believe me, I’d like nothing more than just to take you to bed and make love to you all night long.”
Nodding, she said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought was going to happen. I thought…”
Placing one finger over her lips, he stopped her. “That’s not the right thing to do,” he said and hoped she realized how hard it was for him to admit that. “This wasn’t even like a…a real date. You’re a friend of Katie’s and…well…my life is kind of a shit show right now. I don’t think jumping into bed with you…the timing just sucks, okay?”
“Hunter,” she countered. “I get what you’re saying but…I’m only going to be here for another six weeks tops. I’m not asking for some big commitment from you. I know you’ve got your hands full with Eli and your job and…I don’t know. I just really enjoyed spending time with you–sex or no sex.”
He seriously felt himself blush.
“But for the record, I’d be totally on board with the sex.” She winked playfully at him. “But, I’m also on board with slowing things down and getting to know you a little more.” She paused. “And maybe watching some TV while we eat ice cream.” Reaching past him, she grabbed her pint and a spoon. “What do you say?”
“I said it before and I’ll say it again. You have no idea how alike we think.” Hand in hand, they went back out to the living room and watched a couple of re-runs of Friends.
Six
As far as first dates went, Violet would say with great certainty that hers and Hunter’s had topped them all. Hunter Jones was sweet and sexy and funny; he was a great conversationalist, and he kissed better than any man she’d ever kissed in her life.
However, finding time for a second date was proving to be a little more complicated than she imagined. She knew dating a single dad wasn’t going to be easy. Most of the time they would have more like family dates and do things with Eli like picnics and movie nights. Once Eli was in bed, however, she and Hunter would make out like two horny teenagers trying not to get caught. What she wouldn’t give for a full night alone with him!
“Ugh…you’re doing it again.”
Frowning, Violet looked up to find Katie grinning at her. “Doing what?”
“Thinking about Hunter.”
Her eyes went wide, but…why deny it? “How do you do that? How can you possibly know what I’m thinking when I’m sitting here pretending to work?”
“Because I’ve known you for a long time. You’ve got this sappy little smile on your face, and every once in a while, you just sigh. It’s not rocket science, just good old-fashioned observation skills.” They were out on the deck, and the kids were napping. Katie sat down beside her. “What can I do to help?”
“Believe me, I wish there was something you could do. It’s just bad timing. He’s got a fairly demanding job and his son is his top priority. There’s no way I’m going to mess with that and put any more pressure on him than he’s already dealing with. That would just be cruel.”
“Yeah, I get that. But I can see it on his face that he’s just as frustrated as you.”
That was new information.
“Really? What do you mean?”
“Vi, the two of you sneak off when he gets here and do some serious making out. You walk back in all breathless and glowy, and he’s got a look that says he’d like to sling you over his shoulder and take you home with him.”
“Well…he is a firefighter, so if anyone can sling me over their shoulder, it’s Hunter.”
“Mmm…now there’s an image.”
“Eeww. Stop it. You’re not allowed to imagine that. Like ever.” She shuddered.
“Please, I’m living vicariously through you. My husband is thousands of miles away, I haven’t seen him in over six months, and it would take a team of firefighters to haul me over their shoulder because I’m so big right now. So humor me.”
“When you put it like that…”
“Have you and Hunter talked about it? You know, going out on a real date? It’s been two weeks since you went over to his place for pizza, and you see one another almost every day, so…you’ve clearly gotten deep into the getting-to-know-you phase. Maybe talk to him when he gets here today about getting a babysitter or taking a day off so the two of you can have some alone time during the day when Eli’s here with me.”
Violet glanced over at her friend. “Are you trying to get rid of me or something? Oh, my God! Am I like Rose? Are you going to suggest I find someplace else to stay?”
Throwing her head back, Katie laughed hysterically. “Trust me, you are not like Rose! And believe me, I love her, I just don’t want to live with her.”
“Which is kind of what I think you’re trying–nicely–to say about me!”
It took Katie a moment to stop laughing, but when she did, she smiled patiently at Violet. “Sweetie, you and I spent many years living together, and I have loved having you here. But I want you to have a social life too. You don’t need to be hovering over me all day, every day. And it’s so obvious you and Hunter are into each other and I was just encouraging you to be bold and tell him what you want!”
“You know I don’t have a problem with that,” she began hesitantly.
“Then what is it?”
Sighing, she shifted in her seat to get more comfortable. “Hunter’s…different.” She paused to figure out how to say what she wanted to say. “He’s the first guy I’ve ever dated–and I’m using the term loosely–who has a kid. You know I don’t ever get seriously involved with men, and he’s not looking to get serious with anyone right now either, but…”
“Maybe you’re feeling a little more than casual about him?”
Groaning, she nodded. “It’s stupid, right? I mean…it’s just like a lust fog. Or maybe because he’s slightly unattainable because of Eli and it’s making me want him more? You know, like we always want the thing we can’t have?”
No response.
“C’mon! You know what I’m talking about! It’s like forbidden fruit!”
“Hunter’s not forbidden, Vi. He’s just not readily available, that’s all. And I think you’re making up excuses rather than dealing with the fact that you might actually like him.”
“Of course I like him! He’s a great guy! But I don’t…you know…like him, like him. No, it’s the lust fog or sex fog or…lack of sex fog.” Groaning again, she straightened and looked at her friend's slightly amused face. “Once we have a real date…”