Page 29 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“Can we just go home now?” Kara’s tone says how over this she is.

“Sure,” I say politely, letting the air be fresh and uncontaminated by her sour attitude. I know deep down she wants to be happy. I have to trust she’ll find her way back to me eventually.

Chapter Eleven

“Please behave yourself while we’re out.” I glance at Kara in the back seat. She pays me no attention as she looks out the window. “We won’t be out too late.” I look over at Maisie in the front seat. “Call me at any time.”

“Calm down.” Kara rolls her eyes. “We’ll be okay. Mom wouldn’t be this over the top.” I let her remarks slide. She’s in one of her moods again.

As I pull into Sam’s driveway, Olivia is standing at the door, waiting. When Sam gave me the okay to have them stay at her house tonight, I was shocked. I didn’t expect her to think it was a good idea. I certainly have my doubts.

Olivia runs out to greet us. She’s ecstatic about having Kara over. They wrap each other up as they walk inside, arms linked. I place a hand on Maisie’s shoulder and stop her before entering. I crouch so that we are eye level.

“Promise me that you’ll call if you need me? Don’t let Kara boss you around or be mean. I’ll come right back and get you if I need to.”

Maisie nods. “I promise.”

“Is this a private party?” Sam smiles brightly at us. “Maisie,” she says, “I have pizza and a whole smorgasbord of snacks for you girls. Come check it out.”

We follow Sam to the living room where food and drinks are spread across the coffee table. Board games are stacked nearby, and an Xbox Series X is set up. She might be the coolest mom ever.

“Maybe we should just stay here with them.” I look at Maisie, widening my eyes.

“This is really cool!” Maisie rushes over to Kara and Olivia, who have already started eating. “Let’s play dance party later,” Maisie says.

“Yes!” Olivia agrees. “I bet money that Maisie beats us all.”

Sam bumps her shoulder into mine. “I didn’t get dressed up for nothing. We’re going out.”

I turn to Sam and finally notice how incredible she looks. Wow. I drag my gaze from head to toe, slow and deliberate. “I mean”—I shrug, glancing back to the girls—“you’re all right.”

“Hey!” Sam slaps my arm, laughing. “That’s not nice.”

“Okay, fine.” I lift my hands in surrender. “You’re cute.”

“Cute?” Sam places her hands on those sexy hips of hers and shakes her head in disbelief. Then she kisses Olivia’s forehead. “I love you. We’ll be back soon. Have fun, girls.” She hugs Maisie and Kara before swaggering past me to the front door without a glance back. I haven’t seen this playful side of her before. It’s alluring.

“I’ve got my phone.” I hold it up for the girls to see, like they didn’t know. Kara doesn’t acknowledge me, but Maisie sweetly waves goodbye. I take that as my cue not to linger.

Sam’s waiting outside the door. “First drink is on you tonight. Consider it a date tax.” She laughs, poking my shoulder as I step out.

“Slow down there, now. This is just our first date.” I close the door and step back as Sam steps up to lock it. Laughter echoes under the covered porch. I don’t know why I called this a date. It’s a friendly dinner.

“Well,” Sam says. “If this is a date you’d better pick up your game. I’m not feeling very special.” This flirtation is unexpected.

Sam heads down the steps toward my Jag. I don’t unlock it from the key fob. Instead, I walk over and open the door for her.

She smiles, soft and a little amused. “That helps.”

I go around to the driver’s side. “I know how to woo a lady,” I say as I slide in.

“Oh?” Sam crosses her legs, turning toward me. She props her elbow on the center console. “Do you woo a lot of women?”

I back out of the driveway, considering that question. Her arm brushes against mine with the smallest touch but making me feel so much with so little. She’s still smiling. I mime zipping my lips, locking them, and tossing away the key. I shift into drive and turn up the radio.

“Oh, it’s like that.” Sam shuffles around in her seat to sit forward.

“I’m surprised you agreed to let the girls stay alone tonight.” A subject change is good.