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Authors: Andrea Hopkins
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the kids as I see them all holding hands. He smiles and nudges my arm back, singeing the tiny hairs with the contact. As we walk, we proceed to brush arms or lightly touch the back of our hands together, just like the day I helped unpack his house. Except for this time, the feeling in the pit of stomach is larger. Scarier.
Hotter.
We keep sharing these small, sideways glances. I’m definitely not the only one feeling this. I need to stop. But I don’t want to. So I don’t.
I’m an awful person.
I let out a deep sigh of relief when we reach our houses. The kids hug and stroll to their respective doors, more than likely to pass out on the couch. Jake and I linger in the space between our houses, making me feel like this was a first date or something. Then I remember that I needed to give him something. I reach into my bag, searching for the kids’ birthday invitation. I meant to give it to him a while ago, but my mind has been preoccupied lately. Mostly by him . Hopefully, this won’t be a mistake. Just the thought of being around him and Cole at the same time makes my stomach roll. But the kids adore Ben, and he needs a little more fun in his life. I finally pull it out and hand it to Jake.
“It’s an invitation to the twins’ birthday party next weekend. I know it’s late notice, but the kids would love it for Ben to come. It’s just a barbeque at our house, but there will be a bouncy house for the kids, so it should be fun.”
He reaches for it and our fingertips brush, sending tingles up my arm. My body shivers. Damn traitor . I really need to control that. He looks over the invite and looks back up to me, grinning.
“Of course we’ll come. Ben will lose his shit when I tell him.” He pauses for a moment, debating what to say next. This is starting to get awkward again. After what seems like a lifetime, he finally speaks. “I had fun with you today. Even though it was kind of a sham play date,” he says playfully with that stupid twinkle in his eye.
I laugh softly, and then say, “I guess it did start off that way, but I’m glad I didn’t cancel. I thought about it more than once this morning.”
He looks offended for a second, but then smiles brightly again, twinkle still in full effect. “I’m glad you made the right choice—or wrong choice. Whichever way you look at it.”
Hmmm. He’s more intuitive than I thought . My face falls, panic setting in. I need to go inside.
“Well, I should go now. Cole’s going to be home soon.”
I turn to leave, but Jake grabs my shoulder, stopping me from my escape. I shudder from the touch. And before I can try to get away again, he pulls me into his arms. I can hear his heartbeat against my cheek. It’s beating as fast as mine. Maybe even faster. I feel his hot breath on my hair. My skin prickles and my eyes shut tightly. We stand there, silently, for what seems like hours, but I know it’s only been a minute. Then he drops his mouth to my ear and I draw in a breath, relishing the barely there touch of his lips. Wishing for more.
“When can I see you again?” he whispers softly.
I’m afraid to speak. Not sure I can, with him so close. This is dangerous. Somehow finding my voice, I croak out an answer. “Tomorrow morning.”
He nods against the top of my head and gradually pulls away. He walks backwards toward his door for a few steps, never taking his eyes off me. Then he turns back around, breaking me out of the trance my body was in. I stand there, watching him enter his house and close the door behind him. Then I let out the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding in. Did we just cross the
Hotter.
We keep sharing these small, sideways glances. I’m definitely not the only one feeling this. I need to stop. But I don’t want to. So I don’t.
I’m an awful person.
I let out a deep sigh of relief when we reach our houses. The kids hug and stroll to their respective doors, more than likely to pass out on the couch. Jake and I linger in the space between our houses, making me feel like this was a first date or something. Then I remember that I needed to give him something. I reach into my bag, searching for the kids’ birthday invitation. I meant to give it to him a while ago, but my mind has been preoccupied lately. Mostly by him . Hopefully, this won’t be a mistake. Just the thought of being around him and Cole at the same time makes my stomach roll. But the kids adore Ben, and he needs a little more fun in his life. I finally pull it out and hand it to Jake.
“It’s an invitation to the twins’ birthday party next weekend. I know it’s late notice, but the kids would love it for Ben to come. It’s just a barbeque at our house, but there will be a bouncy house for the kids, so it should be fun.”
He reaches for it and our fingertips brush, sending tingles up my arm. My body shivers. Damn traitor . I really need to control that. He looks over the invite and looks back up to me, grinning.
“Of course we’ll come. Ben will lose his shit when I tell him.” He pauses for a moment, debating what to say next. This is starting to get awkward again. After what seems like a lifetime, he finally speaks. “I had fun with you today. Even though it was kind of a sham play date,” he says playfully with that stupid twinkle in his eye.
I laugh softly, and then say, “I guess it did start off that way, but I’m glad I didn’t cancel. I thought about it more than once this morning.”
He looks offended for a second, but then smiles brightly again, twinkle still in full effect. “I’m glad you made the right choice—or wrong choice. Whichever way you look at it.”
Hmmm. He’s more intuitive than I thought . My face falls, panic setting in. I need to go inside.
“Well, I should go now. Cole’s going to be home soon.”
I turn to leave, but Jake grabs my shoulder, stopping me from my escape. I shudder from the touch. And before I can try to get away again, he pulls me into his arms. I can hear his heartbeat against my cheek. It’s beating as fast as mine. Maybe even faster. I feel his hot breath on my hair. My skin prickles and my eyes shut tightly. We stand there, silently, for what seems like hours, but I know it’s only been a minute. Then he drops his mouth to my ear and I draw in a breath, relishing the barely there touch of his lips. Wishing for more.
“When can I see you again?” he whispers softly.
I’m afraid to speak. Not sure I can, with him so close. This is dangerous. Somehow finding my voice, I croak out an answer. “Tomorrow morning.”
He nods against the top of my head and gradually pulls away. He walks backwards toward his door for a few steps, never taking his eyes off me. Then he turns back around, breaking me out of the trance my body was in. I stand there, watching him enter his house and close the door behind him. Then I let out the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding in. Did we just cross the
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