Page 138 of Paper Hearts

“I know a place downtown.” Ender’s eyes lift to mine as Eddie uses his hands and legs as a jungle gym. “Pretty good food if you’re hungry. I don’t have much here.”

I smile at Eddie practically head-butting Ender right in the crotch.

He’s quick enough to jump back and miss her head. Swallowing, he chuckles. “Easy there, kid.”

“Whoops.” She laughs, barely able to keep still. “I almost hit your potty.” And then she runs away to her backpack, stuffing her crayons back in. “Can we go to that place, Mommy?”

“Okay,” I whisper as Ender comes closer.

“Did she just call my junk my potty?”

“Stop.” I push on his shoulders. “She’s five. She doesn’t know the name to it.”

Our eyes hold and his darken. Not literally. Eyes don’t change color, but passion mares them and I know this look. It’s the one he gave me right before he asked me if I’d been kissed at fourteen.

“I hope you’re not tired,” he says, stepping closer, his bright blue eyes on mine, and they’re so goddamn intense.

I draw in a breath, almost too nervous to speak. What the heck is wrong with me? Oh, right, last week I didn’t know this guy anymore, and now here we are, finding what forever might be like together. “I’m not tired.”

He winks. “Then I’ll take my girls on a date.”

Did my heart just explode? Because it feels like it.

Outside, near my rental car, is a lifted black truck. Ender clicks the remote in his hand and the truck lights up. It’s a brand-new Ford F350. I smile as he opens the door for me, and I notice the car seat in the back. “When did you get this?”

“I’ve had it for a few months. I don’t drive the ’56 much anymore.”

“I meant the seat in the back for her,” I tease, turning to see Eddie struggling with the buckles.

“Yesterday. I thought it’d be helpful to have one.” Ender moves around the back, scratching the side of his head. “But I don’t know how it works.”

“You did good.” Reaching in, I adjust the strap he missed in the back to tighten it down and then pull on the belts for Eddie to get situated.

When she does, she smiles at him, running her hands over the armrests. “I like this one better than Mommy’s. It’s black.”

“Thanks,” I tease, rolling my eyes at her. I look at Ender whose shoulders are shaking with laughter. “It’s like she’s ready to get rid of me now.”

Eddie doesn’t hear me, but Ender does. “You’re not going anywhere. At least not without me.”

“I do have to go home soon.” I watch his face in the fading sunlight, the storm clouds moving in slowly behind him. “Eddie starts kindergarten next month.”

“I know.” His lips quirk at the edges. “I took a job in Savannah. It starts in late August.”

My eyes widen. “You did?”

He nods, and I can see nervousness in his eyes. “Is that okay?”

“I’m hungry!” Eddie yells from the truck and Ender steps back from me.

“Food. Yes.” He walks around the side of the truck and gets into the driver seat, pressing the Start button, but then looks over at me, as though he’s waiting for my answer.

I squeeze his hand resting on the center console. “It’s more than okay. We’d love it if we got to see you more.”

Closing his eyes, he smirks. “I want to see more too.” And then his eyes drift to my legs.

Such a boy.

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