releases a breath.
“You know what I think?”
Her head moves slowly from side to side.
“I think you are a kind, funny, smart, and gorgeous woman. Your smile lights up a room and anyone who sees you with your children would never doubt how amazing you are. It isn’t fair for anyone to judge another for the choices they made as a kid. Hell, if we were all judged for decisions we made as a teenager half of us would be hated.”
Her eyes capture mine, holding my stare. She must see my sincerity because with the briefest smile she says, “Thank you.”
“For what?” I ask while sliding my hand around her waist to pull her flush to me.
Lis begins to fiddle with my shirt, her eyes focused on my chest. “For saying all of that. I don’t want to be the person everyone remembers, but sometimes it’s easy to fall into that role. Old habits and all that.”
With her in my arms like this, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. In the way she feels pressed against me. How comfortable it is with our arms wrapped around one another. I’ve not allowed myself to consider something like this with another person. A connection that’s more than a one-night stand. Regardless of whether I planned this or not, I don’t think I’m ready for it to end.
Lifting her chin, the woman who has drawn me to her without even trying offers me a small smile. This time I don’t ask for permission as I cup her face with both my hands and press my lips to hers. She kisses me back, her entire body relaxing as she does. While our firsts kiss was full tongues tangling and hands roaming, this is more subdued but no less meaningful.
With two quick pecks, I pull back and watch as she slowly opens her eyes. Fluttering lashes and glossy eyes, she looks drunk. Drunk on us.
“Go out with me this weekend.”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Okay.”
“We have practice on Thursday, and I have to work both Friday and Saturday night but I’m off all day Sunday. Does that work? Can you find someone to watch the kids? Or we could take them if you prefer.”
Pursing her lips in an attempt to hold back a smile, she fails. “I’ll talk to my mom, but it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve been gone longer than I planned.” Her eyes drift to the side and down the street.
Taking her hand, I interlace our fingers and walk her back home. I don’t care what opinions Owen or anyone else in this town has of her, Lis has my attention and I’m happy for her to keep it.
Chapter 18
Felicity
Call me a chicken but there was no way I was going to tonight’s practice. Does that make me a bad parent? Maybe. More importantly, it’s also necessary for my mental health. I need to wrap my brain around how I’ll maneuver around all the townspeople at the baseball field. If only I’d paid attention to the team roster when it was emailed to us. Maybe then we could have all avoided the awkwardness on the field.
Owen was cordial enough, not shunning me or shaming me in front of Connor. Of course, the look of horror on his face when his friend placed a hand on my back was awkward enough. I can’t say I blame him. His group of friends have always been the people I’ve had the most animosity with. From? Truthfully, it’s a mutual level of dislike and all the words and actions that go along with it.
As I watch Clem muddle through her own issues with classmates, I see it from a unique perspective. Now, my mama bear instincts have me reassessing my viewpoint in my own relationships. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. Except when you realize your actions stemmed from one emotion. Jealousy. I was so damn jealous. Everything came easy to Ashton and Piper. Their friendship and popularity never wavered. Of course, part of that popularity came by the way of Ashton’s older brother. The boy I crushed on from afar most of my life. Like all the girls in our school, Bentley Sullivan was the unattainable upperclassman we all crushed on.
“Mom, are you going to make your move?”
Startled, I almost knock my glass of wine off the table. Clem snickers while my mom gasps at the potential loss of her precious wine. Rolling my eyes, I make quick work of my cards before I shout, “Uno!”
Groaning, Clem