Page 7 of Tides of Change
I bit back a chuckle and pressed my lips together to keep from laughing outright. “Does she read you a story at bedtime?”
He gave me an incredulous look, like I’d asked the dumbest question. “Of course,” he said, as though I’d broken some unspoken rule of bedtime routines.
“Then it’s worth going to bed,” I said weightily, as if I imparted the wisdom of the ages.
His lips pursed with the exaggerated thoughtfulness of a child. He finally let out a dramatic sigh. “I guess,” he mumbled and slumped back against the couch in defeat.
“And tonight…” I nudged him gently with my elbow. “You can read the new book I signed.”
His entire demeanor shifted in an instant. He sat bolt upright, and his eyes lit up like the lights on a Christmas tree. “Hey! Yeah!” he exclaimed, full of the pure, unfiltered excitement that only kids seemed to pull off. He bounced on the cushion, his earlier sulk forgotten.
I turned to Garrett, who watched us with a fond smile, and held out my hand. “Want me to sign your book so you can read it at bedtime?” I winked.
Garrett threw his head back and laughed, a deep, full sound I felt in my chest. He handed me the book and his fingers brushed against mine for just a second—enough to send a zing up my arm.
My heart raced, but I outwardly composed myself. “To Garrett. Happy bedtime reading—Ethan.” I tried not to think of Garrett in bed, wearing nothing but a pair of sleep pants, his abs and broad shoulders on display. And failed.
Garrett accepted the signed book with thanks, grinned at the inscription, and stood. “So…pizza and a movie at six?” His piercing blue gaze bore into mine, as if he could see my desire to spend time with him.
“I’ll bring the popcorn.” My heart raced with the promise of an evening with the little family—and with Garrett.
CHAPTER FIVE
Garrett
The whir of the vacuum drowned out Noah’s chatter as he sorted through his Hot Wheels cars, precisely lining them up on the coffee table. I maneuvered the cleaner over the carpet and zeroed in on the cracker crumbs from this afternoon’s snack. Noah had insisted on Goldfish—extra cheddar, of course—and now the light-gray carpet I’d installed was paying the price. Thank fu—dge for STAINMASTER.
When I inherited the house, it had been a time capsule of the seventies—threadbare carpet in some rooms, curling yellowed linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms. Fixing the flooring had been my first project. I’d spent weekends ripping up the old floors and putting down carpet and tile. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and functional.
I powered down the vacuum, gave the sofa’s throw pillows a quick fluff, and arranged them neatly on the kid-friendly couch. It wasn’t the sleek leather kind Ethan probably had in the city, but it was stain-proof and built for a five-year-old’s acrobatics. I stood back and took in the room. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.
“Time to put away the toys, bud,” I said while I stowed the vacuum in the small entryway closet.
Noah’s face lit up. “Is Mr. Ethan coming soon?” He buzzed with excitement.
“Yep.” I kneeled beside the coffee table. Together, we tossed the fleet of cars and trucks into their storage bin, and my thoughts drifted to Ethan. He was due any minute. He was coming for pizza and a movie—nothing big. But the more I thought about it, the more nervous I got. My house felt cramped and outdated compared to the remodeled rental Ethan was staying in. What would he think of my place?
What would he think of me?
The thought made my hands slow. I wasn’t used to second-guessing myself, but Ethan…Ethan confused me. I liked him, that much was clear. He was smart, funny, and easy to talk to. And…was I attracted to him? It had been years since a man had made my pulse stumble. So long that my attraction to Ethan felt…new. Fresh. Welcome.
The doorbell rang and snapped me out of my thoughts. Noah shot up like a spring, his excitement palpable. “I’ll get it!” He bolted to the door.
“Noah, wait!” I surged to my feet and my heart thudded in my chest. He was already at the door, fingers fumbling with the latch before I could reach him. My stomach tightened at the possibilities.
Noah swung the door open with a bang against the wall and revealed Ethan. The sight of him—his light smile and warm brown eyes that crinkled at the corners—loosened some of the tautness in my shoulders.
“Hi!” Noah sang and bounced on the balls of his feet.
“Hey there, buddy,” Ethan said, as if they were best friends. He crouched down to Noah’s level. He held out a red and yellow box like it was a prized treasure. “I brought popcorn.”
Noah hopped from foot to foot. “Extra butter?”
“Is there any other kind?” Ethan said mock-seriously.
I stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Noah’s shoulder. “What have I told you about opening the door without checking with me first?”
Noah’s excitement dimmed, and his narrow shoulders slumped.
