Page 62 of Before I Let Go

The doorbell rings, and all conversation ceases, Deja and Josiah both turning their full attention on the door. With perfect timing…or imperfect, from my POV…Kassim makes his way down the stairs and sits on a step halfway down, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand like he has a courtside seat.

“Are you guys gonna just…” I lift my brows expectantly, hoping they’ll scurry and give me some privacy, but no one moves. “Ugh.”

Plastering on my first-date smile, I open the door. Mark Lancaster stands on the front porch holding a bouquet of flowers. An immaculately tailored dark suit and slate-colored open-collared shirt contrast with his brushed-back blond hair. Despite the weight of three sets of eyes on my back, my mood lightens with genuine pleasure at the sight of the flowers and at the sight of him. He’s tall and handsome and is looking at me like he wants dessert first.

It’s me. I’m dessert.

“Mark, hi.” I accept the bouquet, lowering my nose to the wildflowers wrapped in paper. “These are lovely. Thank you.”

“Hi, Yasmen. You look…” His blue eyes gleam, heating as they roam my face and figure, and then widen when he notices my family congregated behind me in the foyer. “Ummm, great. You look great.”

“Thank you.” I don’t want to invite him in, not with the gang all here and clocking our every move. I turn, unseeingly shoving the flowers at the nearest Wade, which happens to be Josiah. “Could you put these in water for me? Thanks.”

After a hesitation, and a long look at Mark that seems to simultaneously probe and warn, he accepts. The man’s running for Congress. Does Josiah think he’ll slit my throat and stuff me in the trunk of his Tesla? He’s not my husband anymore. I know exactly how little he cares about who I’m dating. I also know how Vashti looks wearing nothing except his shirt. With that mental reminder, I check inside my clutch for essentials and turn to the spectators.

“You guys know Mr. Lancaster.” I gesture to the tall man on the porch. “Mark, my family.”

“Hi.” Mark smiles, his gaze spending more time on my children and skidding across the ex-husband awkwardly hovering and holding the flowers he brought for me.

“Hello,” Kassim says. “Where are you taking her?”

I cast a half-mortified, half-amused glance up the stairs at my son’s serious expression.

“Um, the Rail,” Mark replies. “It’s this new place a little ways north.”

“I read about that spot,” Josiah says, interest entering his eyes. He’s nothing if not a restaurateur, and the concept intrigues him. “They converted an old train into a restaurant.”

Mark’s smile loosens at the edges, his shoulders lowering a centimeter or two. “It’s getting rave reviews.”

“I heard that—”

“I’ll let you know what I think,” I say, interrupting Josiah. Then I turn back to Mark and nod to the front porch and my escape. “Ready?”

“Sure.” His grin widens, and he gestures for me to walk ahead. Sailing out to the front porch, I close the door on the watching Wades and turn to my date with a bright smile.

“Let’s go. I’m starved!”

Chapter Seventeen

Yasmen

Mark Lancaster could charm the shell off a turtle.

Classic politician, he’s got the looks, and the low, smooth voice that lulls you to lean in. Wealthy. Well-dressed.

Well-hung?

Nope. Not going there. Not finding out tonight. Baby steps. Joisah may be ready for sleepovers, but I’m not. Dinner, drinks, conversation, and maybe a kiss if I’m feeling it. A peck or some tongue, I’ll decide in the moment. Otherwise, this will be a chaste evening. The only thing I’m falling for tonight is the roasted chicken and garlic mashed potatoes on my plate.

“This food is amazing,” I say, glancing around the train repurposed as an elegant dining room. “And this place is beautiful. Great choice.”

“As the owner of one of Skyland’s best restaurants,” he says, his eyes smiling at me over the rim of his wineglass, “you’re a hard woman to impress, but I was determined.”

“My daughter would say you understood the assignment.”

“The assignment?” Confusion wrinkles his brow.

“Sorry.” I swallow the food and take a quick sip of water. “It’s something the kids say.”

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