Chapter 5
967 Words
As soon as we were alone, Everly turned to me.
“I am so sorry about my son. He means well…he just misses his father.”
“If you don’t mind, may I ask what happened?”
“My husband was a good man who made a really bad choice. He had one too many drinks and decided to drive one night. He wrapped his truck around a tree.”
“I am so sorry.”
“It was 6 months ago, so it’s still fresh.” She said, wiping a tear from her eye.
“I didn’t realize.”
“How could you?” She said, giving me a small smile as we started cleaning up dinner.
I watched as she fixed 3 togo containers.
“What are those?”
“I figured you and Gavin might like left overs and I am so rude. I should have invited you business partner.”
“Thank you.” Was all I could muster. This woman was amazing.
“So do you have any kids?” She asked as we put dishes in the washer.
“I do. I have a 6-month-old little girl. Adalyn.”
“Oh is she with her mother?” She almost whispered.
“No, my ex left when she was 3 months old. We haven’t seen her since.”
“I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have the most beautiful daughter and her mother found her other half. It just wasn’t me.”
We finished cleaning up in silence.
“Would you like another glass of wine or coffee?” She asked. I had realized she didn’t drink anything but water. I bet it has to do with her husband.
“Coffee would be great. Let me help you.”
As we made the coffee, I made sure to brush my hand on hers multiple times. I could see my touch having an effect on her. Almost as much as it had on me.
***Kennedy****
As we walked toward the pond, I couldn’t help but glance over at the handsome man beside me.
I had never really paid any attention to boys. I had always been so focused on school and sports. Then, when my Dad died, I saw how it wrecked my mom and stayed clear of guys. But something about Gavin made me want to look over and over.
He was tall and built. His dark brown hair matched perfectly with his chocolate brown eyes. He had a little bit of a crooked nose but it fit him perfectly. However, my favorite thing about him was the dimples when he smiled.
I felt like it should be illegal to be as handsome as he was.
“Its really nice here.” He said.
“Yeah, it’s peaceful. My parents wanted us to have a chance to grow up outside. They bought this place when I was eight.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“I love living here but I know since my Dad died it’s been really hard on my mom. It’s too much but she doesn’t want us to have too many changes.”
“She seems like a great woman.”
“She is the best and the strongest.”
Making it to the pond, I sat on the bench my Dad had made years ago. Gavin took a seat closer to me than he needed.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” My voice caught in my throat.
“I don’t either.”
I couldn’t help but giggle. “You don’t have a boyfriend.”
The look on his face was shocked.
“No, I mean I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“I figured.”
“Oh so you have jokes.” He said, bumping lightly into me.
“I’m the least funniest in my family but I try.”
“I guess you had to have one flaw. Because all I have seen is perfection.”
“I don’t know who you are looking at.”
He took my face in his hands and turned my head to look at him.
“I’m looking at you.”
He leaned forward. I had a feeling he was about to kiss me.
“What are you two doing?” Brayden said, running over.
“Just talking.” I said, looking over at Brayden.
“Did you leave Mom alone?”
“She is fine Bray.”
I could tell he was torn between staying and keeping an eye on me or Mom. How I hoped it was mom, but from the way he was standing I knew he’d seen Gavin about to kiss me and decided to stay.
***Everly****
Dustin was triggering something inside me I had never felt before. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my husband. We had been married for 19 years and had two beautiful children together. But his one selfish move left me alone to raise our children.
But this feeling I was having was nothing like I felt before. I swear I felt tingles every time he touched me. Just spending a little time with this man had my heart beating faster and a smile stuck on my face. The more I found out about him, the more I liked him.
He was a single father and I could see how much he loved his baby girl when he showed me pictures. Honestly, she looked just like her father. He ran his own business and seemed to really value family.
Here I found myself hoping he would kiss me. As if he could read my mind, he looked from my eyes to my lips and slowly leaned towards me.
But bang of the backdoor forced me to move slightly away from him.
- Writer
