Page 14 of Mack

“We could go to the diner.” He shrugged. “If you’d rather have him with you, that’s fine.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all.” A half smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Did you think I would?”

The tension left her shoulders slowly. “Most men panic when you tell them you have a child.”

“I’m not most men.” He held her gaze. “Unless there’s a reason you don’t want him to meet me.”

She twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “I’ll be honest without trying to scare you off.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

“I haven’t been in a relationship since before my son was born, but I think I’m ready to try and I’m hoping to find a relationship with a good man. Mine was bad, but I know not all men are like him. Still, I’m not going out just to have fun. T.J. and I are a package deal.” She swallowed. “I want to fall in love again, and if that’s not what you’re looking for, we should just forget this.”

He was quiet for a moment. Then he walked toward the door, his boots soft on the floor, and put his hand on the knob. He looked back at her over his shoulder.

“I’m not looking for just fun, Mallory. My last relationship wasn’t the best either.” His eyes held hers. “But maybe we have something worth finding out. And if we don’t, I promise it will have nothing to do with your son.”

She exhaled. “Alright. Come to my place for dinner Saturday. You can meet him then.”

“That’ll work. I’m off this weekend.”

“Six o’clock.” She smiled. “Fair warning, T.J. will absolutely demand fried chicken.”

“I happen to love fried chicken.”

“Then we’re off to a good start.” She reached for her phone. “Give me your number and I’ll text you the address.”

He recited it and she entered it.

“What does your son like for toys?”

“You don’t have to bring him anything.”

“I want to. Please.”

“He loves dinosaurs. Anything and everything that has to do with them.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” He touched the brim of his hat and walked out.

Mallory sank onto the stool behind the counter and let out a long breath. The only men in T.J.’s life were her father and Shane. She had no idea how her son would react to someone new. She supposed she was about to find out.

****

At six sharp Mack pulled into the driveway, shut off the truck, and sat for a moment. He picked up the yellow rose from the passenger seat, then the stuffed blue Brontosaurus, and got out.

He was aware he looked ridiculous carrying both, but he did it anyway.

Mallory answered the door in jeans and a red sweater, no shoes, just socks on the hardwood, and smiled when she saw him standing there on her porch in the cold.

“Hi. Come in, get out of that.” She stepped back and opened the door wider.

Mack removed his hat, wiped his boots on the mat, and stepped inside. The house was warm and smelled like fried chicken and something that felt like a home should.

“Nice place,” he said, and held out the rose. “For you.”

“Thank you.” She took it, her fingers brushing his briefly. “Let me take your coat, I can feel the cold coming off you. Here, hold this.” She handed him back the rose, took his coat, and hung it on the rack.