Page 14 of Time for Change

We parted ways before we even finished our cups of joe and that was the last time I initiated a date with someone other than my kids.

“You can ignore me if you want, but I can tell you’re considering it. Good. You should. Besides the obvious that your dick will fall off if it doesn’t get played with by someone other than yourself,” he starts, just loud enough to catch the attention of the table across the aisle and causing them to glance our way.

“Jesus, Caden,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Mind keeping it down?”

He glances over and offers the table a charming smile, along with an apology. “My point is you have to get back on the horse or you’re going to forget how to ride.”

“I don’t know why we’re friends,” I tell him, trying to enjoy my lunch, not get dating advice and recommendations from a man who has a new lady friend every other week.

“Mya didn’t have any problems dating,” he says, referring to my ex-wife.

Dipping a French fry in ketchup, I take a slow bite and chew. “It helps she works at the hospital. I, on the other hand, work with you.”

“You’re not my type,” he quips with a grin.

“Thank God,” I mutter between bites. “Mya works with tons of people, which is how she met Cort.”

My ex-wife is a surgical nurse and met her now-husband on the job. Cort is a paramedic, and while they may not work in the same department, they occasionally would run into each other. After our divorce was final, he asked her to coffee, and they were married about two years later. I don’t mind the guy. No, he’s not my favorite person in the world and I don’t consider us friends, but he’s good to Mya and the kids, and as long as that continues, I’m cool with him.

“My point is she’s remarried and moved on. You can too.” He watches me for a few minutes before adding, “Just promise me you’ll think about asking Stevie out. Or maybe not her, but someone. Your dick will thank me.”

“Stop talking about my dick,” I grumble, shoveling fries into my mouth and trying to forget this entire exchange is happening.

Thankfully, he shuts up too, devouring his burger in only a few bites, and we finish our lunch fairly quickly. Though we’re not nearly as chatty, that’s fine with me. My mind is all over the place, thinking about my dating life—or lack thereof—and wondering if it’s time I give it another go. Of course, when I think about dating, my eyes automatically seek out Stevie. She’s young—probably too young for me—but I can’t deny there’s attraction present, and even though I’m out of practice, I believe it’s not all one-sided.

“Hey, guys.”

I turn at the male voice and see Isaac heading our way and stopping at our table. “Hi, Isaac. How’s it going?”

“Not bad,” he says, looking a little grim. “I was planning to call you this afternoon. Are you headed back to the shop?”

Caden nods as he wipes his mouth. “We are.”

“Well, I won’t interrupt your lunch. I’ll give you a call in about an hour?”

“You’re fine,” I insist. “What’s up?”

“We think there’s a short in the electrical in the employee break room. The lights have been flickering or not turning on at all. We thought it was the bulbs, but after changing them, it’s the same. I know you guys didn’t do all the original electric work, but we’re hoping you have time soon to come check it out.”

My brain starts to run through the jobs we have on the schedule for the rest of the week, and I’m certain we can add this. Tomorrow is pretty full, but I know we can make Friday work. “Is Friday okay?”

Isaac nods. “Absolutely. I’ve told the staff just to keep the lights off in there until we get it looked at.”

“If the schedule opens up tomorrow, we can let you know,” I tell him.

“Appreciate it,” Isaac replies, tapping our table top. “I’ll let you get back to it. Thanks, guys.”

“Of course.”

Caden glances across the table as Stevie stops by to collect our empty plates and drop off the bill. “Anything else?”

“Not unless you want to leave your number for my friend here,” Caden replies, a wide grin on his face.

I groan loudly, shaking my head and wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. “Ignore him,” I grumble, pulling my credit card from my wallet and handing it over, even though he said he’d buy.

She gives me a polite smile and takes the card. Our fingers touch, and a jolt of electricity sweeps through my limbs. She jumps back, as if feeling the charge too. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I tell him.

---