our date last night. Somehow, in the last few minutes, I’ve ended up agreeing to go to the mall and maybe a movie. I should be home by five. I don’t know if you’ll be free this evening, but if you are, I wouldn’t hate seeing you.
I press Send before I can talk myself out of it then hold my breath when a bubble appears under my sent text.
Interrogation? Should I come rescue you? I’m not sure I can get away this evening, but if you feel like eating pizza and wings for dinner, you can join me and my boys in front of the TV at my place.
I read his text and breathe, “Holy cow.”
“What?” April asks.
I lift my eyes off my phone to look at my sister. “He said I could join him and his boys for pizza and wings tonight.”
“Awesome, are you going?”
“I don’t know.” I look back at my cell and type quickly.
Do you think that’s a good idea? Is it too soon for me to meet your boys?
My phone rings in my hand and his name flashes on the screen, making me feel elated and freaked. “I’ll be right back.” I don’t even lift my head, even though I feel everyone’s eyes on me. I slide out of the booth then step out of the restaurant, putting my phone to my ear. “Hey.”
“I want you to hear my voice when I say what I’m gonna say.”
“Okay.” I wrap my arm around my middle, not sure by his tone if I’m going to like what he has to say.
“You already know Mitchell.”
“I know, but that’s—”
“And,” he cuts me off before I can explain how me knowing Mitchell at school is completely different from me seeing his dad and going to his house. “I wouldn’t have you over if I didn’t know it was inevitable that you’d be spending time with my boys. I already wasted weeks trying to deny the way I feel and am pissed at myself that I lost time I could have spent getting to know you because I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot,” I whisper, feeling lightheaded by his words.
“Not anymore, which is why I’m not going to play this cool and see you when I see you, which, baby—” His tone softens. “—it wouldn’t be often. I work two jobs and have two boys. I don’t have a lot of free time to take you out, so if we’re going to do this, we need to jump in and figure it out along the way.”
“Three jobs,” I state.
“Pardon?”
“You work as a mechanic, a tattooist, and you’re a dad. So, really, you have three jobs,” I say, studying the sidewalk under my flats and wondering how he’s able to do everything he does. I have one job and myself to look after, and some days that seems like a lot of responsibility.
“I guess you’re right,” he agrees quietly then asks, “So what’s it gonna be Ember are you gonna run or jump?”
I think about every moment I’ve spent with him and all the things he’s made me feel since the we met, and ask, “What will you do if I run?”
“Chase.” The one word is spoken roughly, making me shiver and smile at the same time.
“I guess I don’t have a choice but to jump then.”
“I’m glad you’re seeing things my way.” He sounds like he’s trying not to laugh, and I hold myself a little tighter, not wanting to lose the feeling in my belly. “I already talked to the boys about you.”
“What?” I squawk.
“When I got home last night, they were up and wanted to know if I’d be seeing you again. I told them yes.” He told them yes! I want to dance around or do a cartwheel. “They were cool with it, so while I’m out with them today, I’ll let them know you’ll be over for pizza tonight.”
“Okay,” I say, sure that the happiness I’m feeling is leaking into my voice.
“I’ll order dinner around 5:30. Is there anything you want, hate, or are allergic to?”
I giggle. “I love food. All food.”
“Anchovies?”
“Would you be repulsed if I told you I love them?”
“Seriously?”
I smile. “My dad always got a can of them whenever we were going to order pizza. I always thought they were gross, but then one day curiosity got the better of me and I found out the salted fish add something unexpected to each bite. After that, I kind of fell in love.”