Page 41 of Win Big

Why wouldn’t they? He’s charming and fun, he has a way of making you feel interesting and worthy, and he’s persuasive. Somehow he managed to convince me to say yes to dinner, when I know I shouldn’t.

Seeing Dad is a reminder of exactly why.

I’m going to have to get out of this date.

9

WYATT

I spendthe afternoon at a local fire station with a bunch of five- and six-year-olds.

It’s a field trip for Owen’s kindergarten class and I agreed to volunteer because Heather couldn’t get the time off work.

The kids are all pretty revved up about seeing fire engines and firefighters, but there are enough adults to keep control of things. I’m kind of revved up myself, because hey, what guy doesn’t love fire engines? It’s pretty damn cool and I even get to sit in the driver’s seat for a few minutes. I grip the steering wheel and grin down at Owen. “How do I look?” I ask him. “Like a real firefighter?”

He nods, eyes wide.

We gather again outside the truck. “When there’s a fire, where do you think the cool, clean air is?” Firefighter Ed asks the children.

“Stop, drop, and roll!” Owen shouts.

Ed grins. “That’s right, my man. Drop! Because the cooler, cleaner air is down low by the ground. If you’re ever stuck in a room during a fire and you can’t escape, get down on the ground and wait for us to find you. And how can you help us find you?”

“Yell!”

“That’s right! Let’s all yell for help!”

“HELP!”

Then the kids are climbing inside the back of the engine, strapping themselves into the seats. This part’s pretty cool too.

We end up back at school in time for the bell that ends the school day. Usually Owen goes to the daycare in the school until Heather’s off work, but since I’m here, I take him. We stop for ice cream on the way home and then hang out at Heather’s place until she gets there.

“How was the field trip?” she asks, dropping her bags at the front door.

Owen bounces up to her. “It was so cool! We heard the sirens and saw the hoses.”

She picks him up to hug him. “That’s great! I wish I could have been there.” She meets my eyes, smiling. “Thank you for going.”

“Not a problem.” I rise off the couch. “It was fun. I like fire engines too.”

She laughs. “Want to stay for dinner?”

“Ah, no thanks. I...” I hesitate. I don’t know why. “I have a date.”

Her eyelashes flutter rapidly. “Oh. That’s nice.”

Heather and I aren’t together. We never have been, and we never will be. But sometimes I have a feeling... a weird sense that she wouldn’t mind if we were. I’ve been spending so much time here, helping her out and spending time with Owen. I have to do it.

“Stay for dinner, Wyatt! Please!” Owen begs.

“Sorry, buddy, I can’t. But I will another time.” I ruffle his hair. “Give me a hug.”

Heather sets him down and he runs to leap into my arms. I look at her over his head as I squeeze his small body. She smiles, but it’s not a real smile. Shit.

“Who’s the date with?” she asks casually. “Anyone I know?”

“Uh, no. I don’t think so. It’s just dinner.” It’s not just dinner. It’s Everly. I’ve been alternating been hot fantasies, triumph at getting her to go out with me, and terror that I’ll fuck it up. “I’ll talk to you soon, my man, okay?” I set down Owen and head to the door.

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