Page 36 of Second Chance for the Single Mom

“Thank you,” she said. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Seriously, it’s no big deal,” I insisted.

She smiled up at me. “When you’re a single mom, you learn to be thankful for all the help you can get. No matter how small.”

The way she gazed up at me through her eyelashes reminded me of our night together, when she was on her hands and knees, her lips wrapped tightly around…

Fuck.

Just a ride back to her place. It didn’thaveto mean anything.

But what if it did?

19

Haley

When I was younger, I was turned on by really simple, stereotypical things. I liked muscles on a guy, especially biceps. I was also attracted to tattoos. That’s probably why I was immediately attracted to Lucas: not only was he one of the most chiseled players on the high school baseball team, but he was the first boy in our school to have a tattoo sleeve. I also liked how rebellious he was back then. He wasn’t like the other boys.

But watching Jordan teach my son to play baseball?

Swoon.

This was a much deeper level of attraction. It was primal, fueled by thousands and thousands of years of human evolution. Not only was this guy extremely hot in his dress clothes with the sleeves rolled up, but he was also filling a valuable gap in Bran’s life. Seamlessly sliding into a role that I had told myself I didn’t really need, because I could raise him all by myself.

I finally understood what women meant when they said their ovaries were twitching. Because right now, mine were practicallyvibratingwith excitement.

It only got worse when he agreed to give us a ride home.

“Okay, you need to stop thanking me,” he said when we got into his truck. “It’s on my way home. Literally only thirty seconds out of the way.”

The truck looked and smelled surprisingly clean. “Is this new?” I asked.

“Nah, I bought it a few years ago,” he replied.

He was attractive, good with kids,andhe was clean? I tried to ignore how much that turned me on.

“Seat belt, kiddo,” he told Bran. Then he put his arm across the back of my seat and looked over his shoulder while backing out of the parking spot. “I’ve got a rear camera, but I still manually look. Old habits die hard.”

His scent filled my nose, intoxicating deodorant with a hint of dust from the baseball field.

Bran and Jordan chatted about baseball while we drove back to our place. He parked in front of the house, then got out and came around the side to open the door for me, then Bran. Sara was sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, watching the entire thing like it was a show. I’d texted her ahead of time to warn her.

“Big step down,” he said, taking Bran’s hand. “Ready? Jump!”

Bran laughed as his feet hit the curb. “Can Coach Jordy stay for dinner?”

“Oh, I’m sure he has plans,” I said, not wanting Jordan to feel obligated.

“I don’t need to crash your family dinner,” the blond man replied.

“You’re welcome to stay,” Sara called down from the porch. “I made lasagna.”

Jordan looked hopeful, but said, “I don’t want to impose…”

“Not at all!” Sara said sweetly. “Harper just called to tell me he’s stuck working late. We have plenty of food.”

Bran whirled to face Jordan. “Pleasestay for dinner, Coach Jordy? You can tell Aunt Sara how good I’m getting at baseball. Please?Please?”

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