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Our gazes lock, and there's this unspoken understanding between us, a mutual recognition of single parenthood's highs and lows.
"You know," Mia breaks the silence, "I always figured dating was off the table for me. Seemed impossible to find someone who'd get that my kid always comes first."
I nod, feeling this vital connection. "Completely. It's tough for folks without kids to understand – the constant worry, the scheduling nightmares, the unconditional love that turns your life upside down. Not to mention the lack of free time for anything that's not about your kid. It's lonely when someone can't grasp that kids come first."
Mia leans back, playing with a strand of her hair, her eyes thoughtful. "Exactly. But chatting with you... it's easy. You get it. And it's been ages since I've felt this understood. Some folks joke about how I can stand working with kids when I've got my own. Makes me feel out of place."
I nod, sipping my tea, agreeing with her. Maybe it's those big-city jokes that we small-town folks can't grasp. Kids are our world here, and everything we do is for them.
"And the men... they never got me. There I was, giving those dating apps a whirl…" I can't help but let out a snort of amusement. We have square dancing and other shindigs in town that unite single folks. Cities seem all about swiping left or right on dating apps for love.
Those apps give me the heebie-jeebies. It's too easy for folks to pretend to be someone they aren't, leading to trouble. Pine Creek's different, though. Here, everyone knows everyone, and even visitors are kin to somebody in town.
"The dating apps... it felt like I was caving to peer pressure from the other moms at Emily's school. They'd go on and on about finding their Mr. Right or going out with incredible guys. They told me I should give it a shot. So I did, twice, but let's say it was far from a fairy tale. The first fellow fancied himself a philanthropist but was as full of himself as a Thanksgiving turkey. The second was a lawyer who loved himself more than he could ever love someone else. Neither was keen on kids, acting like the idea was a deal-breaker."
I shake my head, not quite believing their nerve. I'm no one to judge. If folks don't want kids, that's their business. But snubbing parenting like they’re the plague? That gets my goat. "Here in Pine Creek, I'm on friendly terms with the ladies, nothing more. I never thought much about dating. I just threw myself into my work and raising Dylan."
She nods, all understanding. "That makes sense. It's quite the challenge, doing everything solo, huh? But look at you, creating a life here; a community. That's something pretty darn special, having that kind of support network."
I can't help but grin, a wave of pride washing over me. "Sure, it hasn't been a walk in the park, but I wouldn't trade this for anything. Dylan's flourishing in this place. And that's my biggest win. The community? Nothing short of amazing. In these smaller towns, folks band together in ways you don't often see in the big cities."
Her eyes sweep the living room as she seems to think about something. "I'm starting to get that. Pine Creek has this charm and warmth that Cedarvale can't match. And knowing that Emily's already making friends, especially with Dylan, eases her into this new life."
"That's fantastic," I respond, my heart genuinely warmed by the news. "Kids have this incredible knack for adapting and carving out their spaces. I'm thrilled Emily's finding her groove. And remember, if there's ever anything you or she needs, I'm just a shout away."
"Thank you," she replies, her face melting into a look of sincere thanks. "It means the world to us. It's been quite the adventure, but I think... I think we're finally starting to settle in here."
She pauses, her eyes dancing as she imagines the future. "I'm hoping Emily connects with more kids around here. That she finds herself in a place where she belongs - a community that feeds her spirit and lets her blossom into her best self. It feels doable in a quaint place like Pine Creek—being part of something bigger, contributing, sharing in life’s ups and downs."
Mia's smile broadens as she gazes into the distance, almost as if she can see this dreamy future unfold.
"That’s what I’ve always dreamed of for Emily: A chance for her to flourish in a tight-knit community and forge friendships that’ll stand the test of time. I’ve always sensed she was a bit of a lone wolf among the kids back in Cedarvale."
I nod in agreement, her thoughts mirroring my own. "Absolutely. I’ve wished the same for Dylan. For him to know that no matter where life’s journey takes him, he’s got a home here, a place and people who cherish him deeply. It’s a kind of security, a solid ground I reckon will empower our kids as they venture into the world, knowing they’ve got a strong support network cheering them on."
A serene silence envelops us as we continue sipping our tea, the moment deepening between us. The words burn inside me, and I hope I don't spoil the evening by voicing them.
"Mia," I finally speak up, a determined edge to my voice. "I reckon there’s something more than just nostalgia brewing between us. I feel it... do you? I mean... I know you’re set on focusing on Emily and keeping things friendly, but... I can’t shake these feelings—that it’s more than friendship between you and me."
She locks eyes with me, a rare vulnerability flickering in her gaze that she seldom lets show. "I do, Jake. I feel it, too. I was scared to face it, but being around you, chatting, spending time together, especially with our kids in the mix... it just feels right."
The air sizzles with all the words we've left unspoken, our breaths tangling in the cool evening air. I'm inching closer to Mia, closing a gap that felt like an eternity just seconds ago. As my lips finally meet hers, a spark ignites between us, electric and alive.
I don’t stop at just a light kiss like before. That was just testing the waters. I wanted more than just a regular kiss now.
Her arms wrap around my neck to pull me in closer, and our lips mesh and move together in tandem with our heated bodies. I pick her up to carry her while walking around to cut off the lights downstairs, while my lips refuse to break from hers.
I carry her upstairs with a wild pounding in my heart in slight disbelief that this is happening. I keep it down while walking down the hall towards my bedroom so as not to wake the kids.
I wonder if we’re being too risky with what we’re about to do with them here. But my adrenaline is pumping, and how she kisses me lets me know she wants this, too.
I carry her into my bedroom, trying to close the door as quietly as possible with the back of my boot, even locking it for extra measure. I focus back on those sweet kisses she continues giving me as I carry her closer to my bed before setting her down on her feet.
“May I?” I ask softly while touching one of the straps of her overalls. She nods slowly, her eyes locked onto mine, before I unbutton the right strap, which comes apart and falls, while I move on to the left one.
The complete top half falls, revealing her pink tank top underneath as I bend down to begin pulling the lower pants half down to her ankles. I even unstrapped her sandals to put them to the side to make it easier to pull her overalls down. Once I get them down to her ankles, she slowly steps out of each pants leg one at a time.
I put the overalls to the side and looked up at her as my breath catches in my throat.
