Page 3 of Second Chance for the Single Mom

Me: Do you want to CATCH up, or HOOK up? Forgive my bluntness, but I don’t stay up late these days, and I want to know what kind of evening I’m getting into.

Lucas: LOL. I always liked how you got straight to the point. Glad to see that hasn’t changed. I didn’t have anything specific in mind for tonight.

Lucas: But I’m open to anything.

“He’s open to anything!” Sara said, pointing at my screen. “That means he wants to hook up. Told you!”

“Fine,” I said. “You were right.”

“I’ll watch Bran tonight while you go have fun.”

“Hold on a second,” I replied. “Just because he wants to hook up doesn’t mean I do. There’s a lot of baggage between us.”

“You had a messy break-up,” Sara said. “Big deal. That was a long time ago.”

That wasn’t the only baggage between us. But I didn’t want to get intothatwith Sara right now.

“The last thing I want to do,” I said carefully, “is date Lucas again.”

Sara made an annoyed sound, then raised her voice. “Nobody is talking about dating! I’m very specifically saying you should go to his place and have hot, meaningless sex with him!”

Bran stopped bouncing his ball in the yard and gazed in our direction. I gave Sara a pointed look.

“Sorry,” she said. “It’s the hormones. I’ve been yelling a lot. But my point stands. You’ve had a dry spell. This is a reasonably safe way to have some fun with someone you already know, rather than a random guy on Tinder.”

As was so often the case, my sister was right. I loved Brandon more than anything in the world, but it was hard to date—or even just have casual sex—as a single mom. And I used tolovesex.

The wine was doing its job. My inhibitions were lowered, and the idea was tempting. Even now, all these years later, I could remember how good Lucas and I were together in bed. The raw, animal-like chemistry as we explored our bodies. Knowing I could relive thattonightwas causing an excited shiver to run up my spine.

“Yes!” Sara exclaimed. “You’re going to do it, aren’t you?”

I smirked and began texting.

Me: I can’t be out too late, but I’d love to get a drink at your place.

Lucas: Shit. I fucked up.

Me: ???

Lucas: Earlier, when you hadn’t responded to me yet, I invited my buddy over to hang out. And he just showed up. Are you free tomorrow night?

Me: I have plans. I’m going bowling with my realtor team. What about Sunday night?

Lucas: I have to get up early Monday. Damn. Maybe next week?

Me: Yeah, maybe.

Sara sighed unhappily. “This is a disappointing way to end the night.”

“It’s probably for the best.” I set my phone down and stood. “I have to pee, then I’m getting cookies.”

“Oh, yeah! The twins are craving cookies right now. Bring the whole bag.”

I went inside to use the bathroom, waving to my brother-in-law Harper as I passed the living room. I felt relieved that nothing was going to happen tonight. When Lucas and I were dating, we were both sospontaneous. I loved that about our relationship. But we were just kids, and I was an adult now. I couldn’t run off for a night of meaningless sex at the drop of a hat.

But even though I told myself that, I couldn’t shake the disappointed feeling that I was missing out on something fun.

“I brought the whole bag,” I said when I returned to the front porch, “but apparently you made a big dent in the Oreos last night. There’s only one sleeve left. And… what’s so funny?”

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