Page 11 of Hard To Leave

“If I had known that you were going to be there, I would have shown up by myself. ”

He winked as if that was supposed to make me feel better.

“Jack, I’m flattered, really, but I’m not sure what you want from me.” I looked across the parking lot as the breeze whipped my hair around. The clouds were rolling in with the tide, reminding me that I really needed to get home.

“I’ll tell you what I want. I want to take you out. I’ll even make a deal with you. If you agree to go out with me, and if it’s as terrible as you think it will be, I’ll never step foot in that restaurant again.”

He smiled, looking pleased with himself.

“I hope you’re not in sales because that’s the worst pitch I’ve ever heard.” I laughed, and he followed along with me.

“I promise you, I’ve got other skills that will impress you.”

I sucked in a breath.

My eyes searched the heavens above, asking for a sign. He was slowly finding cracks and making his way through my walls. He was making me feel things I knew I shouldn’t be. I’ve had many men flirt with me, but I never let them get to me. What was so different about him?

My phone rang, interrupting our conversation like God had tried to answer my prayers. My face lit up when I saw Tanner’s number flash across the screen. He had a little Tracfone so he could reach me when he needed to. “Hey honey, I’m on my way home.”

“Okay, Mom. I just wanted you to know that Donna made us chocolate chip cookies but said I couldn’t eat them until after dinner. So I just wanted you to hurry home.” I smiled, picturing his sweet little face. He was probably siting at the kitchen counter starting at the plate of cookies trying to figure out a way to sneak one when no one was looking.

“I’m on my way. Love you.”

I could hear the excitement in his voice when he said into the phone, “Love you, too, Mom.” And then he hung up, leaving a goofy grin on my face.

“I sure do hope that was Grandma calling.”

“That was Tanner.” I paused. “My son.”

His head jerked back just like I thought it would. “Your son?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yes. Now, do you see why this won’t work?”

He looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Us.” I sighed

Being a single mom was hard and lonely at times, but my son’s needs came before anything else. If this were a perfect world, and if I were available, I would have said yes to Jack in a heartbeat. But my life was anything but perfect. Our timing just wasn’t right.

He pressed his lips together. He looked like he had a million questions on the tip of his tongue. “Are you separated? Going through a divorce?”

“No.” I swallowed nervously and looked away.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is…” I paused, willing the words to fall from my mouth. There were a million reasons why this wasn’t a good idea. I just couldn’t think of one.

A smirk played on his lips. He knew he had me at that moment. I tried to peel my eyes away from his, but it was useless. I considered everything that could go wrong. Then I reminded myself that this was just one date. There didn’t have to be any expectations. We didn’t have to make any promises.

Just enjoy each other’s company for one night.

“Fine,” I said, hoping I could remember how to have a good time. My life had been so wrapped up in work and raising my son that I wanted one night to unwind and have fun. If anyone could give me that, it was Jack. “One date.”

He cocked his head to the side. His eyes shined with playfulness. “I’ll think about it.”

“Are you always this big of a pain in the ass?” I asked, breaking out into a full-blown smile.

“We haven’t even had our first date yet, and you’re already talking about my ass.”

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