Page 14 of Wes
He grins, his excitement evident. “Wonderful. Thanks for hanging out today if only for a little while.”
“Well, you were pretty adamant—”
Wes scoffs. “I wasn’t pushy!”
“I didn’t say pushy!” We both laugh, and his phone rings. He pulls it out and sends an apologetic smile in my direction.
“Hey, bud! Yeah, I’m on my way now.” Wes slips the phone back into his pocket after he ends the call. “Sorry about that. I guess I really need to go.”
We stare at each other, and my heart begins to race. My gaze falls to his lips. Half of me hopes he’ll kiss me, but the other half is terrified he will. Wes steps forward, and our bodies are so close that if I sway, I’ll brush against him. Ever so slowly, his mouth nears me until he presses a chaste kiss on my cheek.
“Until next time, beautiful Natalia…” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.
A small gasp escapes my parted lips, and when he pulls back, the pleased expression on his face tells me he heard it. “Bye,” I whisper and force my body to move. Wes shuts the door to my car and watches me until the engine comes to life. He gives me a little wave and walks off in the direction we came.
My heart is racing, and I realize one kiss to the cheek from Wes has me more wound up than any first kiss I’ve experienced. “It’s just been too long,” I mutter to myself and lick my dry lips.
I pull down the visor, note my flushed cheeks, and push it back up. Breathing in deeply, I fill the expanse of my lungs and release it slowly. I’m sure Jeremy is almost ready to be picked up. He may have pointed out I should date again, but it doesn’t mean he needs to see me starry-eyed over a man. Any man can walk out of my life as quickly as he entered it.
I enjoyed the ease of our date. Wes becoming upset over what John did was sweet, even if it was unnecessary. The pain John caused me healed many years ago. Only when I question if Jeremy desires a father in his life do I hurt. I’d do anything for my boy.
Wes clearly loves his son. I enjoyed seeing how easily he talked to him on the phone. At the risk of upsetting me, he was quick in replying to the texts. Witnessing how he approached his role as a father spoke to me.
A father, one who dotes on his son and loves him unconditionally, is an attractive quality in a man. It appealed to the mother within me, working and struggling to play both parts in my son’s life.
Ringing fills my car, bringing my attention from my musings. “Hello?” I call and turn toward the parking lot nearest the theater.
“Mom?”
“Hi, honey! Is the movie done?” I ask.
“Yeah, I wanted to go look at some music.”
I roll my eyes at the car in front of me. “We can do that. I’m trying to park now if this dude will speed it up. Meet you in front of the box office?”
“Okay! Oh and, Mom?”
“Yeah?” I ask and put the car in park.
“Kenny’s mom is running late, so he’s going to hang out with us.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a couple minutes.”
After ending the call, I grab my purse and lock the car. It seems everyone’s at the mall today.Even Wes,the little voice in my head says. My stomach rolls with excitement at the thought of seeing him again. Apparently, it doesn’t matter we just departed a few minutes ago. I can’t recall the last time I felt like this.
Hurrying so Jeremy and his friend don’t have to wait too long, I remember why bumping into Wes should be avoided. I’ve always shielded Jeremy from men I date until we’ve been seeing each other a while. He doesn’t need any more awkwardness in his life. Being a freshman in high school is filled with enough moments.
When and if the time is right, I’ll cross that bridge. I hope Wes will understand, seeing as he has an ex-wife to also contend with.
