Page 12 of Designs on You

“Okay. Text me your address.”

“All right. I should warn you that the kids are very excited about tonight.”

He grinned at her warning, as if excited kids would be a problem for him. “Me, too. See you, Natalie.”

“Right. See you soon.”

He clicked off, laid his phone down on the desk, and wandered into the other room where he had his temporary office. He should have asked Natalie if they had any kind of gaming system. Judging from his prior conversation with her, he’d guess no. He grabbed a box and started piling in his favorite system, along with about five games he thought kids Camryn’s and Christopher’s ages would enjoy.

He loaded those up in his car and headed out, stopping at the liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine. She might not want to drink it tonight, considering the kids and all, but she could always have it another night, and his mother had taught him that when you were invited to someone’s house, you had to bring something.

Natalie lived about twenty minutes from his rental place. She had a really nice house—a craftsman in striking gray and blue colors, with a nice wide porch and white columns.

He made his way to the porch and rang the bell. He heard a voice through the doorbell camera.

“I’m unlocking the door. Just come in.”

It was Natalie’s voice, with kids yelling in the background. He grinned and turned the knob. The door opened to a large foyer. The place was wide and open, with sight lines all the way to the bifold doors leading out to the backyard.

Two beautiful children with Natalie’s dark hair came runningup to him. The girl was older, and the boy had a cheeky grin as wide as the ocean.

“Mommy said your name is Eugene,” the girl said. “I’m Camryn but everyone calls me Cammie. I’m seven years old, but I’ll be eight in three months. I’m in second grade. This is my brother, Christopher. He’s four but he’ll be five next month. How old are you? Are you going on a date with my mommy?”

“Cammie. That’s quite enough of an inquisition.”

Natalie walked in, looking amazing with her hair falling in silken waves. She wore dark capris and a colorful sleeveless top, baring shoulders he wanted to—

Well, he wouldn’t think about her skin while her kids were present.

“I wasn’t…in…questioning him,” Cammie said. “I was getting to know him.”

“That she was. Nice to meet you, Cammie. I’m not in any grade because I graduated. I am thirty years old, and no, tonight I am not going on a date with your mommy. But I am going to hang out with all of you if that’s okay.”

Cammie nodded. “It’s okay.”

He lifted his gaze to Natalie and gave her a smile. She looked decidedly uncomfortable. He meant to change that.

But for now, he crouched down to look at Christopher. “And what about you?”

“Momma said you brought games.”

“I did.”

“What kinda games?”

“Fun ones, of course. Do you likeMario Kart?”

Christopher frowned. “I dunno.”

He grinned. “You’ll like it. Trust me.”

“Games later,” Natalie said. “Dinner first. And can we let our guest move inside the front door, please? Cammie, Christopher, go wash your hands. Dinner is almost ready.”

“Okay,” Cammie said, heading upstairs, Christopher trailing behind her.

Eugene followed Natalie down the hall and into a nice, spacious kitchen. He’d expected all white, not the dark wood cabinets and white counters, complemented perfectly by the décor. Definitely a modern farmhouse vibe.

“What would you like to drink?” she asked. “We have wine, beer, tea, or soft drinks. And water, of course.”

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