Chapter 3
960 Words
Once lunch was completed, we headed back to the hotel with the young prince with us.
His father planned to send his stuff to our realm, but for now he had just a suitcase like the rest of us.
My Second called and said my mate was a recent widow who worked from home for a tech company and had two children. Once the call ended, my thoughts were filled with how I would manage to see her again. I was hoping to use her place of work but that was off the table.
Getting to the hotel, I hadn’t even put the car in park when one of my warriors linked me to let me know my flame had left her house and was at the grocery store.
I didn’t want to take the extra time of dropping Gavin off, so I had him join me.
“Why are we going to the store?” He asked, confused.
“It’s a long story.”
We made our way into the store and grabbed a cart to make it look like I was shopping.
It didn’t take me long to find her from her scent. Her hair was pulled back, exposing her neck, and all I wanted was for my mark to be on it.
“Well, go talk to her.”
I looked at the young Kappi. “What?”
“She is your flame, right?”
“How?”
“It’s all over your face.”
I didn’t reply. All I wanted was to be with my flame.
“I got you.” Gavin said and walked right over next to her.
“Hey Dustin, can I get some strawberries?”
She quickly looked up and we made eye contact. I smiled and walked over toward the two of them.
“Yeah that’s fine. Hi Everly.”
“Hi.” She replied, blushing.
“I didn’t think I would run into somebody I recognized.” I said, trying to play it cool as Gavin put some strawberries in the cart and kept moving. I knew he was adding food to the cart and right now I didn’t care.
“I’m surprised to see you again.” She said, smiling.
“Well, we are going to be in town for awhile and I can’t keep eating out.” I explained, rubbing my belly.
She giggled and it was now my favorite sound.
“I bet. Are you staying around here?”
“Yeah at the Hilton.”
“Oh nice.”
“Yeah, it has a small kitchen. Truth be told, I’m not really good at cooking, so I am not sure how much better my food will be.
Again she giggled and I knew the smile on my face had to be huge.
“Where are you from?”
“Colorado.”
“How long will you be in town?”
“I honestly don’t know yet.”
“Oh.”
I could tell she was deep in thought.
“Would you… would you like a home-cooked meal?” She asked, looking up at me.
“I would love a home-cooked meal.” I replied, trying not to sound over excited.
A smile instantly found her kissable lips. “Great.” She reached into her purse and grabbed a pen. She put her number on a piece of paper that she ripped from her grocery list in her hand and gave me her number.
“Tonight?” I asked, unable to keep excitement in line.
“Tonight would be fine. Will you be bringing your ummm.” He nodded toward Gavin who was still shopping.
“He is a friend's son and if it’s OK.”
“Of course. Just message me and I will send you my address.”
“Sounds good.”
“See you tonight Dustin.” She said, walking away.
Gavin pushed the cart back over to me.
“So do we have a dinner date?’ He asked before adding more to my cart.
“Looks like it.” I said with a smile.
****Everly******
“Don’t you think it’s weird inviting a stranger over?” My daughter Kennedy asked.
“Maybe, but it just felt….right. Plus, he is bringing his friend's son who looks close to your age.”
“I still think this is weird.”
“Just finish the salad. They should be here soon.”
“Who will be here soon?” Brayden, my son said, grabbing a piece of garlic bread.
“Mom invited that guy from the restaurant to dinner.”
“What? Why? How?”
“Listen, I am the mother and I will invite whoever I want to dinner. They are from Colorado and I offered them a home-cooked meal.”
I didn't really understand why I invited him over. Something inside of me just wanted to be around him. All of this was so out of character for me. As I finished setting the table I couldn’t help but feel extremely nervous. I had not entertained company other than family in almost 6 months. What if I made an i***t of myself?
Going to my room, I looked at myself in the mirror. 20 years ago I was skinny and full of energy. 20 years and 2 kids later, has changed the way I looked and felt. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my kids but it had been a long time since I had really felt attractive. Being married for most of those 20 years also didn't help my self-confidence.
What am I worried about? This man was not interested in me. This was just dinner. A home-cooked meal.
I heard a knock at the door and took a deep breath. Here we go.
- Writer
