Page 65 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“He’s good looking.” I answered. “I don’t know him at all but he seems like a playboy type...” I trailed off as his eyes looked furious for a moment. Did he think I liked Samuel Jr.? Not sure how he would get that impression. I barely spoke to any of the gentlemen. Samuel Jr. was obviously a sleazy kind of charmer and gives out compliments freely. As he stared at me with both worry and tension on his eyes, I wondered if his past was a problem here.

I put my hand on his cheek gently, wishing I could chase all his old ghosts away. Whatever or whomever they might be. "Though he has nothing on you." I added.

When a soft smile teased his lips, I added, "Do you want me to come to this dinner with you?"

“That’s ok,” he said. His voice was calm but I felt a hint of relief in it. “You look drained, although not as pale as this morning. You go home to your girls and get some rest. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”

I chuckled. “Did you just say girls and rest in the same sentence? Those two do not go together at all.”

I was glad he did not want me to come along. I really wanted to spend some quality time with my daughters. And since they were spending the weekend with their grandmother, I also had to pack their overnight bags.

“You could come with me, if that’s easier?” he asked.

“No, I prefer the option of going home. If you are getting ready to leave though, I was going to cut my day short too. If you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind at all. I’ll walk you to your car.”

I was in bed by nine that night, taking some time to wind down and watching an old movie. I was exhausted and I really wasn’t sure why. I had been feeling fatigued all day. I heard my phone ring and reached for it to answer seeing it was Kristoff.

“Hello,” my voice came out raspy like I just woke up.

“Did I wake you?” asked Kristoff.

“Hey there,” I answered. “No, you didn’t wake me. Is everything ok?”

“Yes, everything is ok. What are you doing?”

“I hope you are not expecting some sexy response. I’m in bed, watchingGone with the Wind.How was dinner?”

He chuckled and I enjoyed the sound of it. “Well, the part about being in bed is sexy. Dinner was fine. Both Samuel Sr. and Samuel Jr. asked about you.”

“Ha, you think it is sexy because you can’t see what I am wearing.” I chose to ignore his other comment. There was no sense in adding fuel to the fire.

He laughed out loud. “You look beautiful in anything. IsGone with the Winda new movie?”

“Kristoff, seriously? You’ve got to get a life!Gone with the Windis a classic. You really never heard of it? You know, the movie with that famous phrase, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn’.”

“Nope, it doesn’t ring a bell. So want to tell me what you are wearing?”

It was my turn to laugh. “Nope. Did everything go smooth during dinner?”

“Yes, it was fine. I missed you though.”

There was a quiet moment, and I wasn’t sure what to say back. I missed him too. My body ached for him but I didn’t want to admit it. “How was your evening with the girls?” he questioned.

“It was lovely, thank you. We played till it was bath time, and then I got them all packed for their weekend with Grandma. They are looking forward to it.”

“But you are not.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.

“No,” I admitted. “I miss them when they are not with me. But I know it is good for them and for me to get a break from each other.”

He was quiet, and being uncomfortable with our silence, I asked, “So tell me what you are wearing?”

His laugh rumbled through the phone. “You first, beautiful!”

“Okay, okay…” I giggled like a schoolgirl. “I am wearing orange, long pajama pants with white ghosts all over it, and a green T-shirt with Bugs Bunny on it. I was going for a super sexy theme. Now your turn?”

He was chuckling. “I’ll have to see those PJs of yours. I’m afraid I tricked you. I am still in the same suit you saw me in earlier. I’m driving home.”

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