Page 37 of The Sweet Part
Her cheeks flush. She grabs her purse from the back of her chair and pulls out a small envelope. “Before I forget, Sophie wanted me to give you this.”
I open the envelope. It’s an invitation to Sophie’s sixth birthday party.
I look up. “It’s tomorrow.”
May sighs. “She didn’t think it was fair that she didn’t get to see you for dinner. She wanted to invite you to her birthday party so she could see you too. I’ll tell her you’re busy.”
It’s a big deal when a kid invites you to their birthday party. It’s like their holiday.
Of course, May didn’t have to let Sophie invite me. Does this mean May wants me to be a part of their life? Like a relationship? I like her a lot, think about her way too much, but am I ready for the complication of a kid in the mix?
I put the invitation to the side, so no food gets on it. Wanting some time to think, I stand and pick up the wine and corkscrew, opening the bottle. I pour red wine into both our glasses and serve the enchiladas. There’s salad, too, just for her.
She smiles. “Thanks. This looks delicious.” She waves the steam from the enchilada. “I’ll start with the salad.”
I sip wine. I need to give May an answer about the birthday party since it’s tomorrow. So much pressure riding on one invitation. Am I in or out? Dad’s warning about being ready to commit so I don’t hurt mom or daughter runs through my head once again. I wish it didn’t have to be so complicated. May’s the first woman I’ve met in a long while whom I really click with. I look at the invitation as if it holds the answer.
“Don’t even worry about the party,” May says. “You’d have a terrible time. Picture twelve noisy six-year-old girls high on sugar racing around my house. They’re playing Twinkle Fairies, pin the tail on the unicorn, and then I arranged for a karaoke machine. It’ll be noisy, you’ll probably lose some hearing from all the high-pitched squeals and shouting and, truthfully, she’ll be so involved with her friends she won’t notice if you’re there or not. No big deal. Really.”
Now I get the feeling May doesn’t want me to go. Does that mean she doesn’t want me in her life?
“Would I be the only adult there?” I ask.
“My mom and sister will be there to try to keep some order. At least until Alice gets a migraine. She can’t take the noise of a group of kids for long. So, you see, we’re all set.” She spears a piece of lettuce.
I slice off a piece of enchilada. “Do you not want me to go to Sophie’s party?”
May smiles sweetly. “I want what you want. No pressure.”
I relax. It’s just a party. It doesn’t have to mean a commitment. We can take things slow, see where they go. Right? It doesn’t have to be as complicated as I’m making it out to be.
Our gazes meet. Her lips part.
Lust surges through me. My voice comes out hoarse. “Okay if I go to the party?”
“Yes,” she says on a sigh before pulling me close and kissing me. Her lips are soft and yielding. I deepen the kiss, sliding a hand in her hair, loving the feel of her. Suddenly May takes over, hot and demanding, and I rev to rock-hard lust in an instant. I slide my hands to her sides, ready to pull her into my lap, when she jerks away.
Dazed from the loss, I stare at her blankly.
She gives me a tight smile. “Don’t want dinner to get cold.”
Follow her lead.
But I’m so revved up.
What was that?
I take a sip of wine, and she does the same. My God, I want her. I’ve never wanted anyone more in my life. From one kiss!
“May?”
“Yeah?”
“Is this a date, or is this more like casual…” I stop myself from saying sex. Instead I gesture up and down my body.
She laughs and cuts off a piece of enchilada, popping it in her mouth.
Which is not an answer.
