Page 37 of Second Round

“No. That’s the only good part. Leo was so sweet and patient. He thinks I’m worth waiting for.” I blushed. He was complimentary and affectionate. I’d never dated anyone like himbefore.

“He’s willing to wait a week. Fucking Hercules. But clearly it’s enough to bowl you over. Why were you so nervousanyway?”

“Oh, you know. Only a million reasons. Like what if he’s used to younger, tighter women? I have squishy abs. And there’s the scar from mycaesarean.”

“Jackie! Fuck this! You’re in great shape. You’re a runner, so you’ve got strong legs and a cute butt. And you’re so pretty. I don’t want to hear this negative talkanymore.”

I made a face. “It’s funny, but that’s what Leosaidtoo.”

“That you’re pretty with acutebutt?”

“Well, sort of. But also that he didn’t want to hear me putmyselfdown.”

“Good for him. It’s a societal thing. We’re mature women. We can’t compare ourselves to the airbrushed thirteen-year-olds that we see in magazines. Besides, he’s a fucking ex-hockey player. I would be surprised if he doesn’t have a few scarshimself.”

Sharon was right. Besides, I had to set a good example for Hannah. I wanted her to come through adolescence with her self-esteem intact. Still, after spending all day seeing the fresh faces of my kids, with their perfect skin and bright eyes, it was a shock to look in the mirror and see my own huge pores, tiny wrinkles, andbloodshoteyes.

“Also, here’s one piece of advice my brother gave me in high school. I was freaking out over a zit or something before a big date. Marco said, ‘Shar, no guy ever noticed a flaw on a woman who was ready tofuckhim.’”

I laughed. That was the truth. Brent never had an issue with my body, but he knew the story behind every scar. And he had put on weight himself. Meanwhile, Leo’s body looked flawlesstome.

“Confidence never used to be an issue for me,”Isaid.

She patted my shoulder. “I know, kiddo. Divorce is a huge bastard when it comes to our egos. He seems nicethough.”

“He’s very considerate too. He’s busy, so it’s tough to sync our schedules, but he still calls. Not too much though, like not in that every-breath-you-take way.” I shuddered. There was this one single dad from school who had asked me out, but he gave off this desperate vibe. Dear God, I wasn’t giving off that vibe,wasI?

Sharon leaned forward. “Fuck, Jackie, you’re really into him. Whythisguy?”

“He’s attractive,” I began. I inhaled sharply, thinking about how hot he had looked while painting, biting his lip as he concentrated on the task. “He’s really smart, passionate about life, and he has this take-charge wayabouthim.”

“Oh. That explains it.” She packed up her lunchcontainers.

“Explains what?” Iasked.

Sharon laughed. “You’re intobossymen.”

“I am?” Brent was certainly bossy. And not to get all weird, but my dad was bossy too. Maybe it was what I wasusedto.

“Yes, remember when I introduced you to my cousin, Milo? You found him toowimpy.”

Yeah, but he was also balding and boring, two facts I didn’t mention to Sharon. I decided to change the subject. “Just a month ago I was wondering if I was ever going to date again, but now I feel like there’s afuture.”

“Two dates and you’re talking about a future? Ease the fuck up, Jackie. You always plunge headfirst into things. I don’t want to see yougethurt.”

Get hurtagainwas what she really meant. But right now, experiencing anything was better than nothing. “Yeah, I know you’re right, but I’m so happy. The excitement of something new and unexpected, it feelssogood.”

Sharon shook her head. “At least wait until you’ve fucked him. What if he’s deadinbed?”

I shook my head. Leo was going to be an amazing lover. He had magic fingers, an incredible body, and the sexiest way with words. “Right. I’m going to overcome my nerves anddothis.”

“And when will the deed takeplace?”

“We’re going out again on Friday.” This weekend, when Brent had the kids, and I was completely free. Iswallowed.

13

WhattaMan

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