“A.A., can I go outside?”
She turned from the sink, wiping her hands on her apron. “Yeah, but be careful. Stay in the front yard and put a jacket on. It’s getting colder out.”
Finally! It had been in the low seventies for the past month, and it was November! How did that make sense? But that was Tennessee weather for you! She wasn’t worried about it, though; once December came, it would be so cold that she would be wearing thick tights every day under her dresses. She loved when the different seasons changed, so she could go shopping for new outfits to buy. Some people had husbands and boyfriends, she thought, while she had shoes and dresses.
The screen door shut and Audrey glanced back to see Aiden running through the yard with his hockey stick. He had gotten good the past couple of months, and she loved watching him play and couldn’t wait to leave for his game that night. With hockey season in full swing, Lucas was gone a lot, and with Fallon the workaholic she was, it meant that she was the one who took Aiden to his practices and most of his games. Fallon would join them after closing her wine cellar, but she was always a little late. Audrey loved helping her sister, but didn’t do it as much once Lucas came along. Not that it bothered her; it gave her more time to focus on herself.
Audrey turned back to the sink, going through her list of things she needed to do before they left for Aiden’s game at Centennial. The Sportsplex was only seconds away, so they didn’t have to rush, but she needed to get all his equipment ready. She prayed that he knew what he needed, because she sure didn’t. Lucas would usually have everything packed and in her car the day before, but since he had left right after the wedding, Audrey wasn’t sure if the bag would be there. She told herself she should probably check that.
As she made her way to the front door, she pulled her hair up in a messy bun, admiring her new couch set. It was beautiful, and better than the last set. Grabbing her keys, she pushed the door open and went out, colliding with a rock-hard chest. Strong hands took hold of her arms as she stumbled to a halt. She looked up into a pair of ocean blue eyes that had been starring in her dreams for the last couple of nights.
“A.A.! Tate’s home!”
Audrey smiled, her eyes still locked with Tate’s as his own mouth formed into a wide grin. His jaw was clean-shaved and his lips were full. His teeth were a pearl white and he pushed his tongue against the back of his teeth, revealing his pink front gap.
An unexpected need to press her lips against his came quick, taking her breath away.
“I see,” she said breathlessly as Tate continued to smile.
“Hey, Audrey,” Tate said in a throaty, sexy way.
She blinked twice, swallowing loudly. “Hey.”
“Aren’t you gonna give him his cupcakes?” Aiden asked.
Tate’s grin grew as he continued to stare down at her. They were only inches apart and she had the urge to touch him. What was up with him? How could she be this attracted to someone? He was a baby! Knowing she couldn’t touch him because the last time she did she ravished him, Audrey took a step back. Tate continued to watch her as he tucked his hands into his pockets.
“Cupcakes?” he asked.
Audrey nodded as Aiden said, “Yup! She made yummy gummy bear ones! She’s the best cupcake maker ever! Aren’t you A.A.?”
Audrey’s cheek dusted as she smiled. “Maybe, punkin’.” She glanced back up at Tate and said, “Let me check my car for his bag and then I’ll get those for you.”
“A.A., Dad put my bag in your car before he left.”
“All right, then let’s give Tate his cupcakes. Come on in,” she said to Tate as she turned to go back inside. As she walked through her house to the kitchen, she hoped that he liked her new couch set. It was an amazing sectional that had a black base and beautiful gray cushions. She had bought some bright yellow pillows to go with it, which seemed to bring the room together. It made her happy.