Page 26 of Everything I Want

We skate together for a while before Oliver demands his picnic lunch.

Our whole blended family finds a cluster of benches to enjoy a picnic together. I can feel little pieces of the hole in my heart begin to fill with love and happiness as I watch them all joke and play around.

December 22nd

Scott

Me:I know it’s not really a date, but I’m excited to see you today for the play, even if it means Mabel giving me dating advice.

The senior center is going to the high school this evening for a special showing of their play,A Christmas Carol,and Lorelei volunteered to come. Which always means it’s my favorite kind of work day. Minus Mabel’s meddling.

I like to think I’m capable enough to know how to not screw this up with Lorelei, but sometimes Mabel has some good ideas.

I’m in my office finalizing some January activities when I hear a soft knock at my door.

I look up and smile, “Hey there gorgeous.”

“Hey. Am I interrupting you?” She asks coming one step into my office.

“Of course not, I was just using the downtime while everyone is getting ready for tonight. Come here, pretty lady.” I push my chair away from my desk and hold my arms out for her to come sit on my lap.

She pushes off the door frame and comes to me, looping her arms around my neck. “I think this might be a good day,” she smiles.

“Oh I know it will.” I pull her down to me and kiss her.

“Well, well, well. What have we got here now Mr. Scott?”

We both look up to see Mabel standing in the doorway to my office. Lorelei’s cheeks are a bright shade of pink.

“You startin’ to take my advice darling? I told you this man was too yummy to let slip by you,” she asks Lorelei with a smirk.

“Mabel. How can I help you?” I ask.

“Oh, well, you can’t. I was just coming to give you some advice but it seems to me like you got it all. . . handled,” she chuckles.

I know she’s making a play on how I had Lorelei’s ass gripped in one hand and the other tangled in her hair pulled to me.

Lorelei hops off my lap and heads toward Mabel. “Oh, Mabel. What am I going to do with you? Come on, let's go get the best seats on the bus.”

She leads Mabel out of my office and tosses a wink over her shoulder at me on the way out. I’m left laughing to myself as I finish up before we leave.

I am a little bummed that Lorelei ended up sitting across the theatre from me. But we were texting and she told me to wait for her in the lobby afterwards.

After the play Lorelei comes to find me so we can ride back to the senior center together. This of course gets a lot of attention from Mabel, and before heading back to the senior center on the bus she makes sure to tease us a little.

But I’m thrilled to finally get her all to myself, and not have to share her with the seniors and our staff.

“Hey, I was thinking that tonight you might want to spend the night with me?” I ask her once we are alone. “We can prep some food for tomorrow, and order take out from the diner.”

“Spend the night, huh?” She leans into me over the center console of my truck.

“If you want to. I don’t want you to feel like you have to -” I begin.

She grabs my face in her hands and pulls me toward her, kissing me.

“I definitely want to, Scott,” she winks. “Maybe we should make sure you have those preparations from the boys again.”

I almost choke at her boldness, she’s never been that bold with me.

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