Page 36 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

“Sammy!” He exclaimed excitedly, running towards the kitchen as fast as his feet could carry him.

“What kind of sandwich?” I asked when I reached the refrigerator. “Do you want a sandwich, Ivy?”

“Mhmm,” she responded from where she sat at the table drawing a picture. “Turkey, please.”

I set about making the sandwiches, and made one for myself as well. I didn’t want to assume Trent and I would be getting a late lunch, so it was better to eat. I sat down at the table with the kids. Tristan droned on and on about his toy cars and Ivy listened patiently to everything he had to say. I stared off into space, my eyes focusing on a stain on the wall I hadn’t been able to remove after yesterday’s disastrous Thanksgiving dinner. Jim had gone after my mom and hadn’t returned last night or this morning. My mom had come back, and she was currently passed out in her bedroom, a trashcan full of vomit beside her. I didn’t understand how someone wanted to live like that? I guessed that was the thing though, you weren’t really living.

The kids finished eating and I looked down to see that I’d only eaten half of my sandwich. I wasn’t very hungry anymore. I cleaned up, wiped down the table, and looked at the clock. I still had a good two hours to kill before Trent arrived. I needed to get the kids to the babysitter, but I wouldn’t have to do that for another hour and a half. Time had become my greatest enemy. If I allowed it, I’d end up talking myself out of this date…or whatever it was.

I decided to kill the hour left by cleaning. Unlike most people I actually enjoyed doing household chores. It allowed me to keep busy.

Once the whole house was spotless I checked the clock again. I had enough time left to run the kids down the road to Colleen’s—a nice older lady that occasionally kept the kids for me when I was in a pinch. She’d seen my mom in action and agreed with me that the kids shouldn’t be left with her. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about the after school time they were stuck with my mom. She was usually already passed out by that time and didn’t bother them. I didn’t know how long I’d be gone today with Trent and didn’t think it would be all right to leave them home, basically by themselves.

I packed a small bag with toys and snacks. Ivy had a book under her arm and waited by the door for me.

I buckled Tristan in his car seat and drove a block over to Colleen’s. She opened the door when she heard me pull in the gravel driveway. Tristan hopped out and gave me a big hug before running into Colleen’s house. Ivy hugged me as well, her eyes sad. I knew last night had really upset her and she still wasn’t over it.

“Thank you for doing this,” I told Colleen, handing her the bag. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be back,” I frowned. “I’ll call you when I know something.”

“No rush, sweetie,” she took the bag from my hands and set it inside, using her foot to hold the glass storm door open. “I know you don’t get out much. Have fun!”

It was pretty sad that everyone seemed to notice that I rarely got out. What was wrong with that? I liked being at home with my siblings. I wasn’t missing out anything.

“Thanks,” I forced a smile, and backed off the porch steps.

I drove the short distance home and was getting out of my car when Trent’s black car came speeding down the road. He didn’t pull into the driveway; he parked on the street, like he had when we were teenagers. A part of me missed those days, when I’d been young and naïve. Trent had been the greatest thing to ever happen to me, but also the worst. Like an idiot here I was back for more.

He rolled down the passenger window and lifted his black Ray Bans from his eyes. “Get in.” The words were slightly demanding in tone, like he thought I’d run away and he needed to be bossy, but they were softened by the easy grin he wore.

I slung my purse over my shoulder and zipped up my jacket. Today wasn’t as cold as it had been in the last few days and the sky was a bright clear blue.

I opened the car door and slid inside. My poor heart was beating so fast that I thought it might give out. I wasn’t going to let Trent know I was nervous, though. I’d act like I was perfectly fine.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, buckling the seatbelt as he pulled away.

“Not far,” was his vague reply.

“That’s all I get?”

He smiled crookedly. “Yeah, that’s all you get.”

I stared out the window watching the trees and houses rush by. Familiar sights met me and I turned to him. “Seriously?” I questioned. “We’re going to the library? They’re closed.”

Trent chuckled. “Oh, how you doubt me,” he scratched his slightly stubbled jaw. “We’re not going to the library, emphasis on the not. We’re going to be in the vicinity,” he said, turning down a street and into a parking garage.

“So,” I drew the word out, “are you going to tell me what we’re doing yet?”

He hopped out of the car without a reply. I followed him to where he stood, opening the trunk. He pulled out a small black bag and slung it crossways over his body.

“Is that a purse?” I questioned.

Trent let out a bellowing laugh that echoed around the parking garage. “A purse? Oh, that’s a good one,” he continued to laugh as he slammed the trunk closed.

“If it’s not a purse, what is it?” I asked, walking beside him as we headed for the exit.

“Well, seeing as how this is our first real date…as adults that is,” he winked, “I wanted to do something different.”

“And by different, you mean—?” I probed.

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