Page 13 of The Hero Next Door

Sighing, he knew he was going to give in. He would just have to make it clear to them that this was a one-time thing, and that there was no more obligation.

I’ll be there.

* * *

Sage knew she was overreacting,but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She threw the most current shirt into the bottom of the closet. The thought of seeing Brian again sent butterflies racing through her tummy, which was ridiculous. She was a mature woman. A cop, for God’s sake, and suddenly she was nervous to see a man.

A man you thoroughly kissed on the side of the road, a little voice whispered in her mind. A man who made your toes curl in your ugly uniform boots, and made you want to throw caution to the winds. A man who treated your son with respect and care.

“Stop it,” she growled to herself. “He’s just coming to dinner. Not for anything else.”

She had to be building him up too much in her head.

That didn’t keep her from going through four more outfits, though, trying to decide what was best. She should be more worried about the food, but everything was prepped and waiting. Eventually, she settled on a pair of jeans that were a dark plum color, and a long-sleeved light, teal-colored button-down with the sleeves rolled up a little. Then she curled her hair a little and added some eye makeup. Not too much. She didn’t want to make him feel like she’d gone to a lot of trouble for him. It was just a casual night. Casual.

Once he got here, she would start the steaks. The parmesan potatoes were already in the oven roasting, and they would be done at about the same time as the steaks. There was a chocolate mousse in the fridge chilling… what else? Something green, definitely.

The apartment was okay, but she still had a ton of boxes to unpack. She just hadn’t had the time to do it. Between settling into the new job, meetings with Adam’s teachers, meetings with the college to see where they could place him, this week had been crazy. She’d managed to make the living room cozier, though.

The big gray sectional had been with them a couple of years and she was glad she’d invested the money in it. It was holding up well. She’d tossed some throw pillows and a couple of blankets over the backs of the couch, then arranged some lamps and knickknacks on the end tables. There was a big geometric rug under everything, stretching most of the width of the room. It was dramatic and gave the room some character and matched the giant picture on one wall.

Adam had been after her to invite Brian over, and it had motivated her to unpack some of the boxes. Besides, she felt obligated to replace the meal he’d shared with Adam. That had not been his responsibility, to feed her child. She appreciated that he’d done it in the moment, but she needed to pay him back.

Plus, she wanted to see him.

It was stupid to even think about any kind of relationship right now. She already had so many draws on her time and energy. Some days when she got home, she barely had the energy to cook dinner, or the mental energy to deal with Adam. The boy could try a saint, sometimes, but she wouldn’t give him up for anything. He was her heart, and her total reason for everything she did.

“Uh, Mom, I think you’re out of time,” Adam called from the other side of the door.

With a final glance in the mirror, she headed out. “How do I look?” she asked before she could help herself.

Adam planted his hands on his hips and looked her up and down, giving the question serious consideration. “Good, I think.”

“You think?” she asked, frowning.

He nodded, face thoughtful. “The clothes are casual, so it doesn’t look like you spent a lot of time on yourself. You curled your hair, though, which I know takes a long time. He probably won’t know that. The makeup is subtle, but effective.” He grinned at her, showing the mouthful of teeth he was slowly growing into. “I think you look perfect.”

Sage tugged him into a hug. “I love you, buddy.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

She headed to the kitchen to make sure everything was ready, and when the doorbell rang right on the dot of seven, she went to answer it, taking a deep, supportive breath.

It didn’t help.

Brian was an imposing figure, broad and a few inches taller than herself. Solid. She could see his military history in the way he carried himself, upright and direct. His blond hair was shorn tight in the back, and a little longer on top, just enough to take advantage of a small cowlick at the left corner of his forehead.

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at her, and Sage grinned back. Damn, he was good-looking. Her heart fluttered, and she had to force herself to step back. “Come on in,” she murmured. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Thank you for having me,” he murmured, stepping into her space.

Thoughts of the kiss she’d given him at the side of the road in Cheyenne hit her then, and she remembered the flavor of his mouth. The firmness of his lips. And she had to force herself to stay where she was. Instinctively, she wanted to step forward and drag him into another kiss, as if she were greeting him home.

That was absolute bullshit. She’d done that a few times with her ex, but never anyone else. Why did she feel the need to do it now? Was her body recognizing something her mind didn’t?

“Brian,” Adam cried, running into the room and skidding to a stop in front of him. His hands opened and closed, and Sage got the impression her son wanted to reach out to Brian as well. After she closed the door, she rested a hand on his shoulder.

“What’s up, bud?” Brian held a hand out for a fist bump, and Adam complied. “How’s the arm?”

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