Page 72 of Time for Change

“Everything’s great.”

She clears her throat, and I can tell she’s trying to find the right way to ask whatever it is she’s about to ask. “I’ve heard some talk around town.”

My mind instantly goes to Stevie. I haven’t hidden the fact we’ve been seeing each other, with the exception of putting her car inside my garage last week. We’ve gone out to dinner a few times and have been seen around town, so it comes as no surprise that word has probably gotten back to my ex-wife. “I bet you have.”

“Is it serious?”

I open my mouth to tell her no, but that would be a lie, and even though Mya and I aren’t married any longer and I don’t owe her anything, I still respect her as the mother of my children. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good,” she replies almost instantly. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. We’re not making declarations or anything, but I really do like her.”

“Maybe someday I’ll meet her,” she says, hinting.

I chuckle. “You will. If this goes much further, you will, Mya. I haven’t introduced her to the kids, but I’ve been thinking about it. I’d want you to meet her too.”Like I did when she got serious with Cort.I don’t say it, but I almost do. Once Mya realized her relationship with Cort was getting serious and about to go to the next level, she brought him over to meet me.

“I can’t wait.” There’s another pause before she adds, “I should probably go. I need to eat and then go hang out in the bathroom for about ten minutes.”

Laughing, I quickly add in an apology. “Sorry about the vomiting. Hope that passes quickly.”

“Yeah, me too,” she grumbles. “I’ll keep you posted on the house and everything. We’ll probably tell the kids soon about the baby.”

“Sounds good. And congrats, again.”

“Thanks, Jack. Talk to you soon.”

“Bye,” I reply, slipping my phone back into my pocket and moving for the door.

The warmth of heat slaps me in the face the moment I step inside the building, and even though it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dimmer lighting, I spot my friend at a booth. Actually, it’s not my friend I spot first.

It’s Stevie.

She’s standing at our table, laughing at something Caden said, and I can’t help the warmth that rushes through me. She’s so fucking beautiful. So bright and full of life and energy. She’s everything I didn’t even know I was looking for.

I head their way, my eyes on the woman who has quickly wormed her way into my comfortable life. She turns and seesme, offering a wide smile that lights up her whiskey-colored eyes and makes my dick twitch with anticipation.

When I reach her side, I don’t slide into the booth the way I plan to. Instead, I slide my hands around the back of her neck and press my lips to hers. “Hi,” I whisper, keeping the kiss short and PG.

She stares up at me with wide eyes, a dark blush already creeping up her neck. “Hi. Is everything all right?”

“Everything is perfect now.”

Releasing my hold on her and not caring that everyone in the room probably just watched me kiss her, I slip into the booth and reach for my menu. Caden is grinning from ear to ear.

Stevie clears her throat. “Jack, can I get you something to drink?”

“Just water, Sweets. And a date tomorrow night.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Stevie

This place is crazy busy. Friday nights usually are, but tonight just seems even more so than normal. Of course, I find the hustle helping me. It’s keeping me from thinking about Jack and the fact I won’t be seeing him tonight. He has his kids, and while I know that’s the agreement and I completely understand and respect it, when you’ve shared a bed every night since Tuesday, it’s a little hard to give that up cold turkey.

It wasn’t supposed to turn into a three-night sexfest, but that’s what happened. Our Tuesday night date turned into me staying the night. On Wednesday, I had a paper to finish, and he convinced me to bring my laptop to his place and write while he made dinner. He also went down on me and brought me to orgasmtwice.

Turns out, orgasms are really good for keeping the creative juices flowing…

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