Page 44 of Unexpected Love
I offer what I hope is a smile. “Yeah. She’s a great kid.”
“And he’s quite handsome,” she continues. “I guess you being out on your own wasn’t such a bad move after all if it afforded you to meet those two.”
Like me being an independent woman at thirty-eight was secondary to meeting a man.
“Yeah, they’re nice.”
“You said he’s your neighbor? That makes me so relieved to know you have him next door. And I’m so tickled you brought them to dinner.”
I, however, am starting to regret the choice. It’s like my family doesn’t even see me. I could’ve been largely absent this evening, and Cal and Charlie could’ve just as easily come without me for all the credit my family has given me.
Charlie and the boys begin alternating patterns of meltdown, and Charlie toddles over to me, holding out a baseball glove.
“You’re going to the wrong one there, sweetheart. Jules hated sports,” Dad pipes in. Once again, I hear and feel the silent judgment and condemnation in his tone. It’s so common that maybe he doesn’t even realize it anymore. But I, however, am keenly aware that he always hated that I didn’t follow in my older brothers’ footsteps. Words from way back in the recesses of my memory bloom bright and bold like a dagger to the heart.“Lots of girls play sports now,Jules. If you’d get your nose out of those books and try it, you might like it.”
They never saw me. I was simply the last on their to-do list.
“I think Charlie’s getting tired,” I say as an excuse to get the hell out of here before I churn up any more unpleasant memories.
While Cal says goodbye to my brothers, complete with bro hugs and back pats, I gather our things. Then he wrestles Charlie into her car seat after she throws a banger of a temper tantrum.
I’ve had all I can take, and it’s manifested in a massive headache. I’m overtired and over my family, standing blearily beside the car, totally spaced out.
“You’re so tired, baby girl,” Cal croons, and I swear that word choice, even if it’s not addressed to me, makes my belly tighten and loosens the tension that’s had me in a viselike grip most of the night.
“Everything’s going to be okay. You know the drill. We drive home, we take a bath. We go night night. You’re just overtired and have big feelings right now. You’re such a good girl. That’s it. Calm down.”
Charlie quiets, probably from the calm gentleness of his tone. The way he’s treating her, however, is having the opposite effect on me.
Wow. Never realized I have a praise kink, but here we are.
I cross my legs and pinch my inner thighs together. Cal’s head darts to me, and he shoots me a wink. “You’re a good girl too, Jules.”
I want to die. My face is on fire.
I can never look at this man again.
I need to go home and hideforever.
More handshakes happen as he rounds the hood of the truck. Just before I climb in, my brother swoops me into a hug. “I like him,” he whispers against my hair. “Helluva lot better than the last asshat that you brought around.”
We get back to our apartments; Cal goes his way, and I go mine. It’s blissfully quiet as I shower and change into pajamas, but my mind is too keyed up to let me fall asleep.
I pour a glass of wine and head out to the balcony. With the divider removed, it’s a large open space now. The railing has empty containers that beg for some pretty draping flowers. I add planting flowers and acquiring patio furniture to my mental to-do list. Especially since this space directly affects the appearance of my coffee shop. Might as well use the space as part of my aesthetic.
“I enjoyed this evening.” Cal’s deep voice coming from behind startles me. I look over my shoulder to find him closing the distance. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, that’s okay. I was caught up in mentally decorating this space to use it as part of the store’s ambiance. Did you do this?”
He simply nods as his gaze slides down my body in a scorching reminder that I am wearing my skimpiest pajamas. The silky set feels like butter and looks like a million bucks on me, and for a hot minute, I’m low-key grateful that I haven’t had a chance to do laundry.
“Thank you. I love it.”
His gaze feels like lightning skittering across my skin.
“Did Charlie go down okay?” I have no idea why I’m talking about her. Maybe it’s a subconscious reminder of why I shouldn’t turn around and press my lips to his. A way to stay hidden behind this invisible wall I need to keep between us.
But instead of keeping his distance, Cal walks right upnext to me, bending to brace his arms on the balcony railing. I spin and lean back against it, suddenly more interested in the view up here than the one below.
