“Sure. What are you seeing?”
“Horned Troopers.”
Lindsey blew out a breath, her first bit of doubt creeping in. But she laughed it off. “Okaaay. But first, I’ll have to get some cookies for me.”
Eric stepped over to the counter, ready with a bag. “What kind?”
“Peanut butter,” she said.
When Eric walked down to the register Derek was already standing there with a five-dollar bill. Eric took it without question.
Derek didn’t even bother looking at her as he took the change and shoved it in his pocket. “When Tan and I take a woman on a movie date, we pay. Right, bud?”
“But this is the first time we’ve been on a date, Dad.”
At that, Derek did turn and wink at Lindsey. “Hear that? First movie date. You must be real special.”
“I feel special,” she said, smiling at Tanner. “Before we go can you guys give me a minute? I’m gonna use the restroom and I’ll be right back.”
Lindsey headed back through the kitchen door, tossing her empty coffee cup in the trash can. Callie always let them use the employee restroom in the back and that was right where she went. Lindsey flipped on the light and began digging through the basket on the small shelf near the door.
“Thank God,” she whispered to herself when she found a bag of beauty products. She couldn’t imagine Callie not having something back here. She unzipped it and found some random makeup, a brush, and thankfully some toothpaste.
Within four minutes Lindsey looked much better. It was a fine line between freshening up and not looking like she’d gone into the kitchen as one person and come out as another. She didn’t want it to be that obvious. She washed her hands, checked herself one more time, and made her way back out front to find Eric alone behind the counter.
“They’re waiting in the car. They’ve got your cookies,” he said.
Lindsey walked over to Eric. Thankfully the store was empty at the moment. She spoke quickly. “Tell me it’s okay, Eric.”
“To go out with a hottie? Obviously it’s okay.”
“A hottie and his son,” she clarified. “That’s different. It means something.”
“It means this man is into you. Let him be.”
“Thank you.” She reached up and kissed Eric on the cheek before heading toward the front door. She stepped outside and suddenly the weather appeared to be a whole lot nicer, the sun brighter, and her body felt light.
“Over here,” a deep voice called from her right.
Derek stood beside his Mercedes waiting for her, Tanner was already inside. She walked over, nerves tingling. She was going to go somewhere with Derek and his son. She was either crazy or insanely crazy. He was blocking the passenger side door and remained there when she walked off the curb and up to him.
He’d put sunglasses on but she could still feel his eyes on her. “I’m glad you said yes.”
“Me, too. But are you sure this is a good idea?”
“No idea. I’ve never had another woman around my son, ever. But sure as hell feels right. What do you think?”
She nodded.
“Okay then.”
“I want him to like me.”
Derek reached out and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Pretty sure he already does.”
She hoped that was true. Derek opened her door and Lindsey sat down. She immediately turned and looked into the backseat. Tanner was focused on a small game device in his lap.
“Hey, thanks for letting me tag along.”
He looked up at her. “You’re welcome.”
She straightened and put her seat belt on just as Derek opened the driver side door and got in. “We ready?” he said to no one and started the engine.
They were all awkwardly silent on the drive into the city, save for the sounds coming from Tanner’s game and the low hum of the radio. After a while Derek glanced in her direction. “You should really learn not to talk so much.”
Lindsey glanced at him and then over her shoulder before whispering, “Sorry. I’m just a little … nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous,” Tanner said. “Right, Dad?”
Lindsey’s eyes went wide and she knew she was blushing. She gave a quiet laugh and looked down at her lap. She’d been so sure Tanner was too engrossed in his game to hear, but apparently not. Derek reached over and grabbed her thigh. She caught his hand with hers and squeezed.
Ten minutes later Derek pulled into the parking lot. Once out he opened Tanner’s door and they all walked toward the giant theater building, Tanner skipping ahead.
“You think you can handle Horned Warriors?” Derek said with a grin.
“Well, considering I’ve never even heard of them, it should be interesting.”
“You’re in for a treat, Ms. Morales.”
Their hands brushed as they walked and Lindsey felt the contact zing through her entire body. Derek was in full dad mode today, wearing jeans, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. She liked him like that. She was starting to see that he could pull off any look he tried, although naked was probably her favorite.
They stepped up to the ticket counter and she hung back and let him get the tickets. Tanner stood beside her so she glanced down at him. She wasn’t sure what to say, but she wanted him to be comfortable. “Is this the first Horned Warriors movie?”
“Second,” he said.
She waited to see if he added anything else but he didn’t. Okay. So he wasn’t much of a talker. She was so used to Claire, who said whatever popped into her head. But she liked that about him, he was a cool little guy. Both of these guys were cool and even more so as a pair.
Once they were inside, loaded with drinks and popcorn, they found the correct theater. Lindsey started to feel nervous about the seating arrangement. Derek went in first, walking up the steps and then taking a center row. Tanner had run ahead and sat down right next to his father. If Lindsey took the next available seat that would leave Tanner between them. She didn’t want to assume so she began to sit down in the first empty seat.
“Don’t you wanna sit by my dad?” Tanner asked, looking up at her.
“Oh, okay.” She scooted in front of his legs, then Derek’s—which of course she brushed against—and then sat down next to him. He turned his head to look at her.
“Relax,” he whispered.
“What do you mean? I’m totally relaxed.” Lindsey set her drink in the cup holder and then got situated in her seat. She felt Derek’s eyes on her the entire time so she finally looked over at him.
“I know I already said it. But I’m really glad you’re here,” he whispered.
“Me, too.”
“You been okay?”
“Yes.”
“Have you talked to your dad?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I will eventually. Just not ready.”
Before he could respond Tanner pulled Derek’s attention away. Just as well, since she didn’t really want to discuss anything depressing. She just wanted to enjoy her first date with Derek and his son.
Twenty-Three
Nearly two hours later they walked out into the bright sun, squinting as they found their way through the parking lot toward Derek’s car. He glanced over at his son and Lindsey who were discussing the movie.
Lindsey hadn’t been the only nervous one today, although he’d tried really hard not to show it. Derek knew it was risky, taking her out with Tanner. He wasn’t sure what he’d tell his son later. But no matter what, he was happy as hell she was there. It felt like this was how things were supposed to be. As if she were meant to walk into that bakery and plug herself into his and Tanner’s world.
The adorable look on Lindsey’s face when she’d seen them there was just an added bonus. And he’d known full well she’d been embarrassed about how she looked, but damn, she looked good no matter what. It was cute but unnecessary that she’d obviously gone into the restroom and tried to fix herself up.
“So, was it as good as you expected?” L
indsey asked as she opened the car door for Tanner.
His son’s face scrunched up in contemplation. “It was okay. The plot was a little weak, but the CGI was amazing. I give it a C plus.”
Derek laughed at the shock on Lindsey’s face. “We’re kind of movie buffs around here. Right, Tan?”
“Yeah, we see one almost every Dad weekend. My mom is glad because she never wants to see boy movies.”
He was happy that Lindsey didn’t react to the comment about Lisa. Once they were all in and buckled up he headed back to Preston, Tanner absorbed in his 3DS. Derek reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling it over to rest on his thigh. She glanced up at him quickly but he caught a hint of a smile on her face.
“Dad, do you think it was realistic that Keletron was able to kill him with that saber? I thought he went down way too easy.”
Derek grinned and looked over at Lindsey. “He usually has to let things marinate a while before he wants to hash it out.”
For the next twenty minutes the three of them discussed the probability of three mutated frogs managing to save the world from aliens. These were the conversations he loved having with his kid and he was surprised at how quickly Lindsey jumped in and joined them.
Tanner laughed at Lindsey’s comments and the two of them even shared some opinions. It was nice. Way too damn nice. Derek was so used to feeling like it was he and Tanner against the world, or even just him trying to figure out parenting as a single dad while simultaneously dealing with his ex. Lindsey was just so sweet, and easy to be around. He could tell his son liked her. In fact, he was pretty certain he owed Tanner something awesome for inviting her along. Derek wasn’t sure what he’d have said if his son hadn’t spoken up. Now he didn’t want their date to end.
“How about we get some dinner and take it home?” Derek asked. He turned to Lindsey. “You have plans for tonight?”
“Uhhh, no. I guess not.”
Derek glanced in the rearview mirror. Tanner was looking down at his game. “What about you, Tan? Cool if Lindsey has dinner with us?”
“Yep.” He didn’t even look up from his 3DS.
“Sounds unanimous. We can swing by and get your car and pick something up in Preston,” Derek said. “How about Chinese? Tanner and I can take down chicken fried rice like it’s our last meal.”
“And egg rolls,” Tanner called out. Obviously he was catching everything even though he looked completely absorbed in his device. He’d have to remember that.
“And egg rolls.” Derek nodded. “How about you, Lindsey?”
“Well, I like chicken fried rice. But I also like vegetables.”
“Vegetables, gross!” Tanner made a gagging sound from the backseat. Lindsey laughed along with Derek.
“Don’t worry, I’ll buy you all the vegetables you want.” Derek gave Lindsey a wink.
* * *
Full of fried rice, egg rolls, and a mountain of moo goo gai pan, Lindsey began to gather up all of the empty cartons on Derek’s kitchen table.
“You don’t need to do all that.” Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and Lindsey leaned back into Derek’s chest.
“I don’t mind picking up,” she said. She laughed as he kissed the side of her neck, nipping playfully with his teeth. She lowered her voice and glanced around. “What if someone comes in here?”
Derek removed the trash from her hands and then turned her in his arms so they were facing one another. “Someone is taking a shower.”
“Oh, well. In that case.” Lindsey angled her head and kissed Derek. His mouth was warm and inviting. His tongue teased her lips until she opened up to him. She was pretty sure she would never get tired of kissing this man.
“I wish you could stay the night,” he whispered against her lips.
Lindsey pulled back, looking into his eyes. “Me too, but I can soon enough.”
“True, but I really want you now.”
She slapped at his chest and then shoved him out of the way so she could throw all of the cartons she’d stacked in the trash can.
“A little over a week until Anne and Mike’s wedding,” Derek said. He leaned against the counter. “Hard to believe.”
“I know. Seems like we just started on that house.”
He smiled. “Turned out good, though. What did Anne think of the island?”
Lindsey gave him a long look. “What do you think? She loved it. As I knew she would.”
“I’m glad. You did great on that house, Lindsey.”
“We both did.” Lindsey picked up one of the fortune cookies on the table for herself and handed one to Derek.
He shook his head. “I don’t do fortune cookies.”
“How come? They’re just for fun. There’s no truth to them.”
He shrugged. “Just don’t. Never have.”
“What a party pooper.” And how odd of him. Lindsey cracked open her cookie and pulled the paper out. She read it quietly to herself.
“Well?” Derek urged.
“Why should I read it? You don’t do fortune cookies.”
Derek snatched the paper from her fingers and read it aloud. “‘You are about to embark on a delightful journey.’”
He looked her in the eye, dropped the paper, and then snatched his own cookie off the table. After ripping the cellophane open, he pulled out the cookie, cracked it, and extracted the paper. “‘If a turtle doesn’t have a shell, is it naked or homeless?’ What the—”
Lindsey giggled and picked up another cookie. “Try again.”
She opened the wrapper and handed it to him. He stared at it a minute and then read. “‘If you want the rainbow, you must put up with the rain.’”
“See, that’s a good one.” She stepped closer to him.
Derek grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “I hope I’m your delightful journey.”
“I hope I’m your rainbow.”
He looked into her eyes. “Always. Or you can be my naked turtle. Take your pick.”
Footsteps pounding down the steps quickly separated them. Derek gave Lindsey a quick wink and then lifted the full trash bag from the can. “I’m going to run this outside.”
“Okay, Dad,” Tanner said.
Derek went out through the garage door and Lindsey glanced at the boy sitting down at the kitchen table. She had no idea what to say to him. With his hair wet from his shower he looked so young. She handed him a fortune cookie and he began to open it.
“My dad likes you.” Tanner looked at Lindsey, his words shocking her. She sat down so she didn’t hover over him.
“Oh. Well, I like him, too.” She watched as he turned the folded cookie over in his small fingers. She could tell that this conversation was important to him.
“Good. I’m glad. Don’t worry, I promised Dad I won’t tell Mom about you. It’d just make her madder, and she’d call her lawyer again.”
Lindsey’s mouth dropped open and she shifted in her seat, suddenly dizzy. Call her lawyer. The words buzzed in her head. Again.
Lindsey knew that things weren’t great between Derek and his ex, but could she be part of the problem?
The garage door creaked and footsteps announced Derek was back in the kitchen. She couldn’t turn around. Couldn’t look at him. Things were just starting to seem so good, so strong, but could she make things even worse for him and Tanner? She blinked a few times.
“What’s up?” Derek said. He must have sensed something was off. She decided right then she’d save the conversation for later. Having it in front of Tanner wouldn’t be good.
“Nothing,” she said. She glanced at Tanner who had taken a bite out of his cookie.
Derek frowned. “Hey, Tan, why don’t you go brush your teeth.”
“I already brushed.”
“And you just took a bite of that cookie. Go brush again.” Derek’s words were strained and a little harsh.
Lindsey watched as Tanner’s worried eyes darted from her to his father. Here Lisa was already causing stress between
them. After a moment’s hesitation Tanner got up and she heard him run up the stairs.
Derek instantly squatted down in front of her chair. “What happened?”
“Tanner told me … It’s not his fault. But he said…” She wasn’t even sure how to explain the conversation they’d just had. “Is seeing me going to upset your ex-wife?”
Derek sighed, his shoulders dropping. “Lindsey.”
“What? If my being here is going to affect your relationship with your son you need to tell me.”
“What did Tanner say to you?” he asked.
“He told me that he wouldn’t tell his mom I’m here. That she’d be mad and then call her lawyer again.”
“Damn.” Derek stood up and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t want you to worry about this, Linds.”
“How can I not? A child—your child—just told me that he planned to keep me a secret so his mother wouldn’t get mad.” Her words came out a clipped whisper. “And I’m not blaming him. Just so we’re clear. I feel horrible that he even had to think those things about me. It’s humiliating if you want me to be honest.”
“Don’t say that. This is not about you, this is about me and her. She’s angry at me. Only me. Has been for a long time.”
“Does it really matter who she’s angry at? If I make it worse … I can’t live with that, Derek.”
All these years she’d convinced herself that the only person who was hurt when she and Derek had broken up was her. She was wrong. Derek had cared for her, but he’d loved his son more. How could he not? This little human that looked like him, laughed like him, and smiled like him. It was apparent to her now that he might have to make that choice again.
And he shouldn’t.
“What will she do if she finds out?” Lindsey asked. Derek had pulled a kitchen chair around and sat down across from her, their knees touching.
“She’s already found out. She saw the newspaper article, which made it seem like we were already a couple. And damn it, it wasn’t wrong. You are mine.”
“What did she do, Derek?”
“She threatened to keep Tanner away from me.” His words were quiet. Low. Lindsey couldn’t believe what she’d heard. With that admission he now looked so anguished. Exhausted. Still, he reached out and touched her, wrapped one of her hands in his.
Draw Me Close Page 23
