Page 11 of The Road Trip Romance

“Hi,” I reply, drawing the word out as I furrow my brows in confusion.

Tate glances over at me and his lips twitch as he clearly tries to refrain from smiling.

“What?” I grumble.

“Nothing,” he says, turning back.

“Mom! You’re so embarrassing. Why do you have to wear unicorn pajamas?” Cal groans.

Lizzie rolls her eyes. “Because unicorns are awesome. Don’t listen to Cal, Mom. You have great pajamas.”

I look down at my unicorn flannel pajama shorts and matching cotton top. I feel my face heat because the top is way more see-through than I realized. I cross my arms and clear my throat.

“I’m going to grab a shower. You guys should get changed. We need to leave in forty-five minutes,” I warn as I turn to go back upstairs.

“Hold up. You need breakfast,” Tate declares.

I swivel on my heel and find Tate standing behind me holding out in one hand a breakfast sandwich with eggs, bacon, and cheese on a plate and in his other hand a cup of coffee.

“Cal said you like your coffee black with one sugar,” he says.

I raise my eyebrows. “You act and cook?” I ask as I take the plate and mug.

He shrugs. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.” He smirks as he waggles his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for breakfast,” I mutter as I hurry up the stairs still completely bewildered that Tate Anders just made me breakfast.Why does he have to look so hot in the morning? And what parallel universe have I suddenly fallen into?I eat while I shower, spending five minutes wondering what it must be like to win the genetic lottery and look half as hot as Tate does.

I hurry to get dressed after my existential crisis over good looks comes to an end, mostly because I have to concentrate on putting on makeup. I’m a little shocked that the kids are actually ready to go by the time I’m done.

I look between the two of them as they stand by the front door. “You guys have everything?”

“Yep,” Lizzie says.

I go through their checklist. “Gear?”

Cal and Lizzie both make giant checks in the air with their fingers, and Tate chuckles behind them.

“Change of clothes?” Another check. “Lunch?” Check. “Skates?”

“Mom, skates are gear,” Lizzie huffs.

I give her a pointed look and she draws a giant check.

“OK, I think that’s it. Let’s get this show on the road,” I say. The kids follow me, and I turn to Tate. “I have to go to the office for a few hours. If you give me your number, I can text you the Wi-Fi passcode.”

He shakes his head. “I’m coming with you.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “With me? To work?” I squeak as I point to my chest.

“If that’s alright,” he adds.

“Uh, sure,” I reply as we all get loaded into the car that I left parked in the driveway last night. As I pull out onto the street, I realize I should have messaged my work colleagues about our unexpected guest.

Lex is going to die.I have had no time to warn my assistant and one of my best friends that Tate Anders is going to be at her desk in less than an hour. Hell, what would I even say? Would she believe me? She is going to kill me. God, I hope she’s not having a bad wardrobe day. She always gets in a mood when she can’t find the right thing to wear. I’m pulled from my thoughts as Tate asks the kids eight thousand questions about their camp.

It only takes a few minutes for us to get to the rink. Tate doesn’t even ask if I need help, he just jumps out of the car and starts unloading their things. I have the overwhelming desire to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.

“Have fun today!” I say as I kiss Lizzie on the head. Cal gives me a salute, ducking away from my hug. He leans back a little and gives me a pleading look. I know he wants to tell his friends about Tate but last night I reiterated that we need to keep Mr. Tate to ourselves for a little while longer. I shake my head and his shoulders slump a little.

---