Page 21 of Accidental Attraction

I learned that when his parents passed away he was handed his family’s company. While attending college he also worked at the company, and when he turned twenty-one he took over the entire thing. The company was called Brotherson’s Inc. and they sold everything from furniture to electronics. He was well known around New York.

When I was told I could leave, I felt my heart sink. I wanted to stay and talk to Martin longer, but I knew I had to get home to my daughter, Jenna. She was home with a babysitter right now. I gathered my things that I had left behind the bar. As I came around, Martin was standing right there, waiting for me.

“I guess I better get going,” I said, hoping my tone didn’t give away that I didn’t want to.

“I guess I’d better too.” Walking side by side, we left the bar and headed to the parking lot. Both of us were quiet as I walked to my beat up car. For some reason I felt extremely sad that I was leaving Martin and would probably never see him again. I felt connected to him in some way. I couldn’t explain it.

“Karen.” Martin stopped me with a hand on my arm.

“Yeah?”

“I want to see you again, if that is okay.” He stared down at me.

“I-I would like that.” A grin spread across his face.

“Good. Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?” he asked. I wanted to immediately say yes, but I stopped. Tomorrow was Friday and I had Jenna. I stood there, biting my bottom lip and thinking. Before I even knew it, the word “yes” slipped out.

“Can I have your phone number so I can call you when it’s time to pick you up?” Without thinking about it I grabbed his phone and punched my number into it. “It was nice meeting you, Karen. I am glad I came into this bar.”

“Me too.” I grinned at him.

“I’ll text you later.” Reaching for my hand, he brought it up to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. I blushed and he smiled before stepping back and walking away. I unlocked my car and slid into the driver’s seat. I sat there, grinning from ear to ear. I had a date tomorrow. The first one in five years.

The entire drive home I thought about Martin, a warm feeling making its way into my chest and stomach. Something about him excited me. When I pulled into the parking spot for my apartment I sighed, looking up at my building. It was not the greatest place to live. I was a single mother and worked two jobs just to make ends meet. If it were up to me I would not be living here, but I had nowhere else for Jenna and me to go.

Locking my car behind me, I grudgingly walked to my apartment building and inside. After I graduated high school my life turned upside down. A year after my graduation, my parents were in a car accident and were killed instantly. Ridden with sadness and loneliness, I got caught up in a bad crowd. I partied every night, having sex with random strangers, not really caring about anything. Before, my life was good. I had two loving parents, a big group of amazing friends, college possibilities, but now, nothing. After almost a year of partying, drinking, and sex, I found out I was pregnant. I had only turned twenty a few weeks before. I knew who the father was, some deadbeat twenty-four year old that my “friends” were friends with.

The moment I found out about my pregnancy, it was a wake up call. I stopped partying and drinking. I found a pretty decent job and a place from whatever was left of my parents’ funds. I had told the father, but he wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. At the time I was happy to have a baby, but I was only twenty. I couldn’t even take care of myself, let alone a child.

Five years later I was here with a beautiful daughter and a pretty decent life. Not exactly what I wanted, but it was good. I loved my baby girl so much, but times like this I wished I didn’t have a kid. I wanted to act like other twenty-five year olds. Go out on dates, have friends, go to clubs. Instead I was stuck working two dead-end jobs, paying bills, taking Jenna to school and back, and staying home every day. I just wished my life were different.

I unlocked the front door and shut it quietly behind me, not wanting to wake up Jenna. Sitting on the couch with the TV on quietly was my babysitter, Mary. The girl was only seventeen. She was very sweet and got along great with Jenna. She only lived a few blocks away, which was perfect if I needed her here suddenly.

“Hi, Ms. Howard,” she said, apparently hearing me come in.

“Hi, Mary. How was she tonight?” I asked, putting my keys and purse on the counter.

“Great, as always,” Mary said, smiling. She turned off the TV and stood up. “How was work?” At the mention of work, the image of Martin flashed in my head.

“It was good. Speaking of which, I know it is so sudden and you may have plans, but could you also babysit tomorrow night?” I asked. I hated asking her when she probably already had plans, but I had no other choice.

“No problem. I have no plans anyways. Plus, I love hanging out with Jenna,” Mary said.

“Thank you!”

“So, big plans tomorrow night?” She grinned at me. I couldn’t help but blush. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“T-there’s no lucky guy,” I stammered. Mary rolled her eyes at me.

“I’d better go. I have school tomorrow.” I nodded and grabbed my purse and took out two twenties.

“Thank you, Mary.” I handed the money to her.

“No problem, Ms. Howard. Jenna is a sweetheart.” She gathered her things and headed for the door. “Oh and Ms. Howard…remember to use protection,” she said before grinning widely and shutting the door behind her. I stood there, staring after her. Shaking my head, I headed down the hall and into the one room. A soft smile spread across my face when I saw my baby sleeping, clenching her favorite teddy bear in her arms. I went over and re-tucked her in, placing a soft kiss to her forehead before heading to the bathroom to quickly shower and change.

Twenty minutes later I emerged from the bathroom, feeling clean. I was dressed in PJs. Sliding into bed, I stared at my daughter as I thought about tomorrow. With a sigh, I drifted off to sleep.

The whole next day all I could think about was my date with Martin. Never in my life had I been so nervous or excited for a date. Maybe it was because this one felt different; Martin felt different than the other sleaze balls I had dated in the past. After I dropped Jenna off at kindergarten, I drove to my other work, where I was a receptionist at an Instacare. I thankfully didn’t have to know anything about medical stuff, and the job was pretty easy. Just check people in and get their insurance information.

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