met felt like something snapped into place. It was as if we'd just made a connection, and my pulse quickened, knowing better than my mind exactly how this game was played.
My only problem was that there were two of them, and I honestly wasn't sure how to deal with that. Yeah, Lane being older had an appeal, but it was for the most shallow of reasons. I simply couldn't imagine the crap Gerardo would give me if he heard I was with a younger man. A few years younger wasn't a big deal, but ten? Or however many were between Pax and me. My pride wasn't quite that secure yet.
Then there was the fact that Pax was Hispanic. I knew it shouldn't matter, and when it came to me, I really didn't want it to, but it was still something to consider. I'd grown up speaking both English and Spanish at home. I wanted Gabby to feel free to do the same. If I ended up with someone who didn't know our language? It didn't feel right.
But these guys were just helping with my broken washing machine, not lining up for the Bachelorette! I needed to put away the mental checklist and stop fretting about this. It was ok to think they were sexy and to not need anything to come after that. Sometimes, it was perfectly ok to just like being around a couple of hot younger men for no reason other than because they were hot, younger, and men. This was one of those times.
Thankfully, my mind didn't have long enough to spiral completely out of control before Pax was extracting himself from the gap between my washer and the wall. Without needing to be asked, Lane reached over to help, offering a hand for balance. That one small gesture made it clear that these guys were very comfortable together.
"Ok," Pax announced, reaching over. "Cross your fingers, Elena, because if it drains, we're back in business."
Then he turned it on. Immediately, that trickle noise proved he'd fixed the problem. I sighed in relief, thankful that I could wait at least one more week before I had to blow my paycheck on an expensive appliance.
"I think you're my heroes," I told them both. "Thank you, guys."
"Don't thank us yet," Pax warned. "When the water's down, we'll put it back where it belongs, then you'll have to fix your settings. Means you'll need to start the load over."
"I'm fine with that," I assured him. "It's a much better option than trying to figure out how to not only afford but also pick up a new washer before Gabby gets back."
That caught his attention. "Gabby's not here?"
"Out with her dad."
The guys shared a look. Lane grunted, which clearly told Pax all he needed to know. "Is that who was in the black Honda?"
"Are you stalking me now?" I teased.
"Of course," Pax replied with a laugh. "Nah, he stopped in front of our place. Probably checking the address or something. Just noticed the strange car was all. Figured you had a date or something."
I blew that off. "Me? A date?"
"Yeah," Lane replied. "You. Why do you make it sound like a joke?"
Talk about being put on the spot. "Because I'm a forty-year-old single mom, unless you've missed that."
Lane shrugged. "I like Gabby. She reminds me of my sister."
"Lane," Pax hissed, "shut up."
"No," he insisted, taking a step toward me but still talking to Pax. "She doesn't seem to get it." Another step, but the only thing behind me was a wall. "Elena is beautiful and amazing, but she talks about herself like she's not good enough. Like being a mother somehow makes her less worthy instead of more." Then he stopped right in my face. "And you're wrong."
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, worried I'd somehow ruined my chances with him already.
His hand landed on the back of my head as he leaned closer. No, this was the opposite of ruined. This was what happened when those looks we'd shared were acted on, but he didn't kiss me. One hair away, he paused. "I won't hurt you."
I felt the air rush out of my lungs, and Lane took that as permission. His lips brushed mine gently, nothing more than a feather-light touch that made me lean toward him when he pulled away. And that was it. That one brief touch was all I was going to get. The problem was that I had no clue how that had just happened - or if I