Heated Sweets (A Taste of Love Book 3)

by A. M. Willard

  “I wasn’t going to say anything,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

  “Sure,” is the only response I have for her because I know she has a lot to say. If I don’t give her the opportunity to state it, then we can ignore this whole experience.

  “Showtime,” I say as I hear Sheila’s voice echo through the house. It’s time to take it all in and watch the claws come out as they all fight over his attention.

  This neighborhood reminds me of that show ‘Desperate Housewives’, and I question how I ended up in this mess. Sheila would be Edie, and Evan is Mike Delfino for sure. He’s new, single, handsome, and from the looks of the inside of his house, handy. This thought has now made me try to figure out which one I would be, hell for that matter who would we all be? Am I Susan Mayer? Zara would be a cross between Gabrielle and Lynette for sure, and I can totally picture Natasha as Bree Van de Kamp. She would be the first to knock someone off, bury the body, and then defend the person being framed for murder. WOW, my friends scare me a little when I break us down like this. Sandy Springs is Wisteria Lane all the way, but at times we have just a little more Southern sass.

  Hours fly by, and before I know it a yawning Zara is ready to go home. We did our good deed, but it’s time to make a fast exit away from the hungry women that are surrounding us. I’ve counted about ten men in the space. I’ll need to process why more didn’t show up. Example on that is where is Hatcher? Why didn’t he accompany us?

  “Zara, why didn’t Hatcher come?” I ask as we slide out the front door, careful to not get noticed and dragged back in for another hour.

  “He had things to do tonight, and he doesn’t enjoy playing nice with McDomepants in there.”

  “Makes sense,” I say as we gradually make it back down the sidewalk toward home. In the midst of me staring off looking at the houses while we walk, Zara clears her throat grabbing my attention. “Go ahead and ask because I know it’s killing you.”

  “Finally… Spill that little exchange I witnessed. You don’t just become shy for anyone there, missy.”

  “It was nothing, Zara. Don’t read into it more than it is, okay?”

  “Okay, but I think he likes you if it matters.”

  “It doesn’t matter, because I am not going down that road or interested.”

  “Oh, I know you are so not interested,” she says in what I call her valley girl voice.

  “Fine, he’s cute, and if things were different for him I might think about asking him over for coffee or tea. But as you can tell, that is something I don’t need to get mixed up in right now. I can barely take care of the things happening in my life, much less a hot dad and cute as hell kid.”

  “For what it’s worth, I think it’s just what you need, Frankie. Let’s face it, the Brody romance is over, and you two would be so hot together. I mean, I thought I was having a hot flash until I saw the way you two were looking at each other.”

  “Let’s just get you inside before you pop like that Butterball you refer to.”

  “See you tomorrow,” Zara says, stopping at her front door.

  “See you tomorrow, and get some rest, alright,” I say before I turn to head to my house. I steal glances at the mass of people leaving Evan’s house. My feet slow at my driveway, and instantly my head turns back in that direction. Just when it does, I notice him sending a brief wave toward me. With a quick wave back, I hurry toward my door.

  Once inside, I lock up and slump down to the floor as I think about everything. I don’t know much about him other than he seems to be single, has a son, and lives in a nice house. Pushing to my feet, I head to bed. The rest of my thoughts can be dealt with tomorrow, or for that matter, another century.

  Chapter 7

  It’s been a week since the welcome dinner for Evan and Neil. I’ve avoided them at all cost, which means I truly am good at running. In my defense, I’ve been engrossed with work and helping Morgan with the grand opening of the new bakery. Zara has been officially declared no longer able to drive nor step foot in the bakery. And let me say, I should’ve reconsidered the whole moving home thing until after the baby was born. She’s called me every twenty minutes, texted me in between the calls, and has officially driven Hatcher bat shit crazy. He texted this morning that he was home and would keep her occupied so I could have a little peace.

  With nothing on my to-do list for the day, I decide to catch up on some shows that I’ve recorded. Just as plop down on my sofa and pull the blanket over my legs, I hear the chirp chirp coming from my phone. With a very loud sigh, I throw my head back against the cushions and wait just a moment before I look at her text. The second reminder that I have a text waiting to be read comes, and I give in to read it. But this time it’s from an unknown number. I tap the screen and begin to read the message.

  Unknown: We were wondering if you’d like to join us for tea and lunch?

  Who in the world is this? It’s probably the wrong number, so I text them back explaining how they’ve sent this to the wrong person. Just as I lay the phone down in my lap, it chirps again.

  Unknown: Nope, this should be Frankie, and since we hijacked your number from Zara and Hatcher, I hope they didn’t give me the wrong number.

  Me: Who is we before I confirm who I am?

  Unknown: We would be Neil and Evan. So how about that lunch?

  I read his response but hesitate before I respond. Is this something I want to do? Can we be friends? I’ll admit that my body soars to another world when I’m near him, and that scares me, especially since I’ve only seen him a few times and know nothing about him. I’m shocked as hell that Zara gave him my number, and for that matter, didn’t warn me about it. Lost in my own head, my lap chirps again.

  Unknown: Did we scare you? I promise Neil won’t kidnap you or lock you in his room with his soldiers.

  Me: How do you know you have the right number? I could be some crazy person… Tell me your address, and I’ll show up. Lol

  Unknown: If this is who I think it is, she knows the address, and we will see you in thirty minutes.

  Me: You sure do trust the vast world of text messages. See you in 30.

  I pause the movie I’d just started and toss the blanket off me. Before I stand, I send out a quick text to Zara.

  Me: Thanks for the heads up on Evan and my number. What’s up your sleeve?

  I know she won’t respond right away. I leave my phone on the coffee table and head back to my room to change. Yoga pants and a tank don’t feel appropriate. I search for a pair of comfortable jean shorts, and locate my slinky spaghetti strap coral top from the closet, pairing it with my coral sandals. A quick swipe of lip gloss and a toss of the hair, I feel that I’m now worthy to exit the house for my tea and sandwich date. Actually no—not a date—a get to know each other lunch. The butterflies in my stomach are swimming around as part of me is excited, and the other says I’m getting myself into something I don’t need to.

  I mentally give myself a pep talk on how this is just being neighborly, and it’s good to have friends who live near you. I can totally work on hiding my attraction to Evan and focus on being friends. Hot neighbor goes into the friend zone… With my phone and keys in hand, I lock up the house behind me and take off down the sidewalk. The summer heat slams against me as I stroll toward Evan’s house. By the time I reach his front door, my skin’s glistening with tiny beads of sweat, and I’m praying he wants to do this lunch thing indoors.

  The door swings open, and my eyes drop down to the cute blond-headed boy smiling up at me.

  “Hi, Ms. Frankie, come in.”

  “Hi Neil, and thanks. How are you?”

  “Good, my dad is in the kitchen; come on,” he says, motioning me to follow him.

  I glance around the area as we move through the space. It’s not what I would expect for a single dad, and it makes me wonder if they set up this house just like they had the last place they lived. Did his wife decorate and he remembers just how it was and has recreated the vision here?


  “Hi,” I say just as we enter. Evan turns toward my voice.

  I could slap myself from the up and down look I just did to the man standing before me. He’s dressed in khaki cargo shorts, a pale blue t-shirt that’s snug against his chest, showcasing his toned arms and body. I even notice he’s wearing flip flops, which is a weird thing to notice. It shows that he’s comfortable with me here and not trying to impress me.

  “Hi, glad you could join us. Here, have a seat,” Evan says, and motions for me to sit at one of the bar stools at that island.

  “Thanks for the invite,” I respond as I try to come up with something else to say.

  “Welcome, want some water, tea, milk, soda?”

  “Water would be great… Umm need any help?”

  “Thanks, but I got it. So, how ya been?”

  “Good, busy but good, and you?”

  “Same, this little guy keeps me pretty busy,” he says, motioning his head over to Neil who is now on the floor playing with his cars.

  “I can imagine he does. So, tell me how you got my number again?”

  “Oh, I saw Zara and Hatcher this morning out walking, and they stopped for a little bit. I was asking where you were since I haven’t seen you and the next thing I know she was spitting out your number. Figured we had to eat, and you might’ve needed to eat.”

  “Ah, yes I do need to eat,” I say with a little laughter behind my voice. I shift in my seat as I’m uncomfortable and not sure what to say or ask. This is when I need flash cards on etiquette for things like this. “Hope you’re hungry, want to eat in or out back?”

  “In, it’s pretty hot already out there today.”

  “Come on.” He motions for me to follow, and I grab my glass of water and follow behind them. Neil doesn’t need to be told, he knows it’s lunch time. It makes me wonder if this is the way they work all the time?

  I sit down next to Neil as he motions and look at the spread Evan has on the table. Finger sandwiches of what seems to be turkey, ham, and maybe a chicken salad are all cut up in triangles with no crust. Oh, and the bowl of chips that Neil is reaching in and dumping on his plate.

  “Save some for the rest of us, son.”

  “Sorry,” he responds, shifting his shoulders up to hide his face.

  “It’s okay, I love chips, too,” I say to him as I grab one from his plate and plop it in my mouth. This earns me a laugh from him and his dad. My eyes cut toward Evan, and in this moment, we share a brief smile together. My heart constricts. I’ve been wallowing in my sorrows for months, hell years, and this man has probably been through more than I can imagine. Evan doesn’t seem to be feeling sorry for himself, nor Neil for that matter. It’s two people who’ve been learning to live, and from what I see they’ve gotten good at it.

  “I hope you like ham, turkey, or chicken salad. I had a bunch of stuff left in the fridge and just made a little picnic out of it all.”

  “I love them all. Thank you again for inviting me over.”

  “Thanks for coming, I wasn’t sure if you would or not.”

  “Neither was I,” I say as I take a few sandwiches from the platter and place them on my plate.

  “So, tell me about yourself… What do you do,? Evan asks.

  “Not much to tell. You know where I live, I’m a photographer, and other than the last few months, I’ve lived here for most of my life. What about you?”

  “You know where I live now, and before that, we lived in the city at my old apartment. Figured it was time to give this one a yard to play in. I’m a realtor, and that’s how I found this place. One of my clients was looking for a place, and I showed them this one. I knew when we saw it that it was perfect for the two of us.”

  “Do you miss living in the city?”

  “At times, but this is where I need to raise Neil.”

  “I had a loft in the city before I went to New York. I miss the life of the city around me, but for the most part I like it here.”

  “Why’d you go to New York?” he asks, and it’s then that I have to think on the reason why I went in the first place. Yes, it was for work, but then it was because I was running from life.

  I go with the simple answer. “Work, but I missed my friends here and transferred back a few months ago.”

  “Well, we’re glad you came back. I mean, who else would join us for an indoor picnic.”

  I laugh and take a bite of my sandwich. “It’s been a transition, but a good one.”

  “Tell me about your business, what kind of pictures do you take?”

  I explain the last project that I did for Urban Living and how it’ll come out in next month’s issue. I even offer to take some of Neil for him.

  “Daddy, can I go out and play?”

  “Sure, we’ll be out to join you in a few,” he says before turning toward me for approval.

  “Sounds great,” I answer and stand to help Evan clear the table.

  “Just put it on the counter. He’ll want a snack again in a few. You good to sit out back for a bit or do you have something you need to get to?”

  “Nope, I’m good. Let’s do this.”

  Evan opens the sliding glass door, motioning for me to exit. When we step out, I notice that he has a patio table off to the right and a ceiling fan blowing to circulate some cooler air in this humidity. Neil’s out in the yard swinging on his swing set, and it’s any kid’s dream yard. A sand box, swing set, climbing wall, and balls everywhere.

  “He loves it out here. Before when we lived in the city, I’d have to spend hours and hours at the park with him. Now he just comes out here, and I can get work done while he plays.”

  “It’s kind of perfect back here. I mean, every kid’s dream.”

  “I admit, I might have gone a little overboard, but I didn’t want him to miss anything from the park. He only ever knew our apartment, so I wanted to make this home for him.”

  “I think you did a wonderful job. It must be hard being both for him,” I say and catch myself as I’m not sure how to tread this area with Evan. For that matter, I’m not even sure if I’m supposed to go there.

  “I’m all he’s ever known, other than my parents’. He’s just now to the age where he wonders why he doesn’t have a mom. Still trying to figure out how to explain that one.”

  “Oh,” I say softly. I wasn’t expecting him to be open about it, and it causes me to ask the question of all questions. “What happened to her, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Evan pauses for a moment, looking between me and Neil before he speaks. “We’d been high school sweethearts, followed each other to college; you know, did all the things we thought we needed to do. One day she told me she was pregnant, and I knew then that things were going to change. She’d never wanted kids. Even when we talked about our future, kids were never in the equation. Months later she told me that she was going to have him and put him up for adoption, that she wasn’t ready to become a mother. At first I went along with it, but the day he was born I wouldn’t sign the papers. I asked her for full custody and told her that if she ever wanted to see him all she had to do was call me. I would never keep her from him, but he was mine. I had no idea what to do with a newborn, but with help I figured it out. I graduated and then went to realtor school. My uncle has his own business and was telling me one day about how he has his own schedule. I figured with me raising him on my own, I needed to be able to be there for him. That’s how I got into selling houses and raising my son.”

  “Have you seen her since?”

  “Once, she came back to Atlanta and we ran into her on the street. She stopped, talked to us for a bit, kissed him on his forehead and left. That was almost six years ago. I’ve heard she’s overseas, but I haven’t followed up with it. She made the choice, and the door is always open, but I won’t allow her to hurt Neil.”

  Silence overtakes the patio; in the background, I can hear the faint chirping of the birds but nothing else. I analyze Evan’s posture, the way he stiffened when
speaking of her. There’s no sign of love, anger—

  nothing.

  I still haven’t spoken nor has he when Neil comes up and asks me to push him on the swing. I gladly stand and follow behind him until we reach his palace.

  “Higher,” Neil screams as I continue to push him. My eyes travel back toward his father, who’s currently leaning back with his glass of tea in his hand, smiling at the two of us. I have to admit that this was a good idea to join them today. I don’t know if anything will come of Evan and I as this is touchy territory, but it’s good to have a friend. Plus, the little guy on the swing is quickly reserving a spot in my heart for him. Something about kids just grabs me by the heart strings. I don’t know if it’s from the desire to have them myself, or the fact that when you look into their eyes you see nothing but pureness. They aren’t damaged, they have no fear… it’s pure happiness that you see through their eyes.

  A little while later, Neil is done with what he calls outside play and is ready to watch a movie. This is where I find the opportunity to not wear out my welcome and excuse myself back home. Evan walks me to the door.

  “Thanks for inviting me today. It was fun playing with Neil,” I say as I step out on the front porch.

  “Thanks for coming. He likes you, and he doesn’t take to many people. Something about you, Frankie, is growing on both of us.” I drag my lower lip in through my teeth. Staring up at him through hooded eyes, I can feel my face flush with embarrassment. We just met, but Evan seems so familiar to me. His aura grabs me, making me feel safe and comfortable when I’m near him.

  I find the courage to speak. “Yeah, I think y’all are growing on me, too,” I say and turn to walk away. When I reach the sidewalk, I take a chance to glance back at the house and notice Evan is propped up on the threshold with his arms crossed over his chest watching me walk away. From the distance, I can see his smirk. I toss a quick smile and wave his way and focus on not tripping as I head home.