“How about if we do our dinner together,” he pauses, “you know . . . the dinner that you’re paying for, and we’ll discuss our dating strategy going forward?”
Do I want to speed off in a huff, burning rubber and leaving behind the acrid stench of tires and hurt feelings? Of course I do. I’m only human, after all, and it’s been a really long time since I’ve spent any time with a cool guy, and I don’t own a dildo. Yet. And of course, I’m more than a tiny bit sad that Dev is asking me to help him find the woman of his dreams, especially after it seemed like he was sending me signals telling me he was interested in dating me himself.
Then it hits me: Maybe he’s a player. Maybe I’ve completely misread every single thing about him because I have no idea how to play these games.
I lift my chin. “Okay. I think I could do that.”
“When?” he asks.
“How about Friday? I might be able to convince May to come over and watch the kids for a couple hours.”
“Okay. I’ll ask my mom if she can watch my son. You ask May, and let me know what she says. If the babysitting is a go, I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.”
“Do you know where you want to go? I need to know what I should wear.”
He winks. “I’ll let you know.” He leans down and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, again before I even realize what’s happening. The idea that he’s a player comes once more. This definitely feels like a game of some kind, but at the same time it doesn’t feel like he’s doing it to mess with me in a mean way. Not after the way he was with Sammy. A real player wouldn’t bother, right? I’m so confused. I watch him walk to the warehouse door and punch in the code to enter.
The door starts to open, and he looks back at me, waving. “See you soon.”
I wave back. “Yep. See you soon.” I climb into the car and put my seatbelt on. I should be exhausted; it’s been a long day. But I feel as light as air.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Wednesday night is finally here—my big night working with Lucky at the Blue Marine offices after hours.
It’s still light outside when May arrives to watch the kids for me. She walks in without ringing the bell, and I’m standing in the family room with my purse over my shoulder. She is focused on finding the kids and doesn’t see me. “I’m here!” she shouts down the hallway toward the kitchen.
I clear my throat so she’ll see me. She turns her head and smiles. “There you are! Wow, and don’t you look snazzy.”
“Oh my god, you sound just like Mom.”
May comes into the room and gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I return the affection, hoping she doesn’t sense my nervousness in my embrace.
“Are you freaking out?” she asks, holding me out at arm’s length, staring into my eyes as if she can act as a human lie-detector that way.
So much for hiding my emotions. “Yes. Does it show that much?”
“No. You look snazzy and confident.”
I shake my head at her. “You are such a terrible liar.” I turn my attention toward the staircase. “Kids! Auntie May is here to hang out with you!”
Something that sounds very much like a herd of very small wildebeests comes next, as the children charge down the staircase. The first one to the bottom is Sophie. Her feet barely hit the floor before she’s running and throwing herself against her aunt. “Auntie May! You haven’t been here in forever!”
May hugs Sophie, who’s clinging to her waist, while rolling her eyes at me. “So dramatic. You know I was here just last week.”
Sophie’s voice is muffled as she speaks into May’s shirt. “But you never do sleepovers anymore.”
“I have a lot of work, now that I have a different job, so it’s harder for me to do sleepovers. But I’m here tonight, right?”
“Yes!”
Melody is the next child to appear. She arrives at a more sedate pace, waiting for her sister to detach herself from Auntie May before she holds her arms up for a hug. “Hi, Auntie May. I’m so glad you’re here.” She smiles sweetly, like only my little Melody can. I’m so proud of her for not laying a guilt trip on her aunt.
May’s face melts a little. “Oh, sweetie, I’m really glad to be here, too. I think it has been too long since I got my cuddle on.”
Sammy arrives last, carrying an armload of toys. It’s a miracle he didn’t tumble down the stairs head over heels with the pile he’s got. I glare at his sisters, because they should’ve helped him out. I wasn’t there, but I know exactly what happened. They left their little brother up there to fend for himself so that they could be the first ones to hug their aunt. I have no idea why it’s such a competitive sport with them.
“Do you need some help, Sammy?” I ask.