The Perfect Life

by Anderson, Callie

“Do you want some?” I asked, lifting up a GoGo squeeze applesauce.

  He reached over and grabbed a fruit juice instead. “This will do.”

  “Hi,” Laura’s voice came from behind me. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Laura Miller.” She extended her hand. Her voice was light and sweet as she laid down her charm. “I’m Scott’s mom, he’s on the team with AJ, and Stephanie tells me you’re the one who sponsored this team. I’d like to personally thank you for your kind generosity.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

  He chuckled and pulled his hand away. “It’s not a problem, really.” He pulled the plastic straw from the juice box and bit off the wrapper. “AJ really sold me on the importance of his team.” We exchanged glances as he sipped through the small straw.

  “Still.” Laura smiled, her mouth wide as she showed him her pearly whites. “I really want to thank you.”

  “I’m glad we could help.”

  As if on cue, Scott ran over to his mom. AJ followed behind him, his mouth filled with pretzels. “Mom, can AJ come over? Please? Please? Please?”

  “You have to ask Mrs. Stephanie,” Laura said, looking over at me.

  AJ looked at me with hopeful eyes. “It’s fine with me.” I nodded, and the two boys high-fived.

  “I can drop him off afterward,” Laura added. She stole a quick glance at Luke and then winked at me. I made a mental note to kick her later, as well.

  I wiped the food off AJ’s mouth. “I need you to behave and listen to Mrs. Laura.”

  “Yes, Mom,” he replied.

  “And Dr. Dixon came all this way to see you play, so the least you can say is hello.”

  Hesitantly, AJ turned toward Luke. “Hi, Dr. Dixon.”

  Luke lowered himself and rested one knee on the grass. “You did great out there.”

  “I missed a ground ball.” AJ shrugged.

  “That’s okay,” Luke said. “You keep practicing, and you’ll get better. Trust me.”

  “Come on, boys. Why don’t we grab our bags and head over to the car?” Laura said, giving me the most devious grin ever.

  When Laura and the boys had scattered off, Luke looked over at me. “He’s a really good kid.”

  “Thanks.” I put the leftover snacks back in the totes. “I was actually going to call your office. AJ is due for a physical, so you’ll be seeing him again soon.”

  Luke shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I’m going to refer him to Dr. Griffin.” He held the straps of the totes for me.

  “Why?” I questioned. “According to the office website, you’re taking new patients, and he already knows you.” I placed one full tote on the ground and opened another. “Are you leaving the practice?” For a split second, a microscopic moment in time, I felt a pull in my chest.

  “No.” Luke shook his head. “No, not at all.” A smile grew across his lips. “It’s just that if I’m AJ’s doctor, I can’t ask you out to dinner.”

  Speechless, I stared into his tantalizing eyes. They were the color of a full-bloomed tree in June, the ones AJ and I spent hours staring at when we hiked through the Adirondacks. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head, not believing it. “What did you say?”

  “If I’m AJ’s doctor, it’s unethical for me to ask you out to dinner.”

  “I don’t date,” I blurted out. It was God’s honest truth. I hadn’t been on a date in over ten years.

  “You sound like my kid sister.” Luke laughed.

  “Well, your kid sister’s pretty smart.”

  “So, you don’t date?”

  “No.” I shook my head.

  “Are you seeing someone?”

  “No.” I laughed uncomfortably. “I don’t date. It’s just me and AJ.” I anxiously ran my fingers through my hair. Did I even look put together? “It’s been that way for years now.”

  “Okay.” Luke smiled at me. “Then we can be friends, and friends grab coffee together, so maybe you and I can grab coffee sometime. Or tea if you don’t drink coffee.”

  “If I say no to coffee, will you be AJ’s doctor?” Not knowing what to do with my hands, I crossed them over my chest.

  “I’ll make you a deal.” Luke leaned forward. It was only a mere inch or so, but it was enough to feel too close. “If you say yes to coffee, I will make sure to watch over AJ. I won’t be his primary care physician, but in the event that he needs anything urgent, I will be there. For physicals and insurance purposes, his primary physician will be somebody else.”

  “Are you blackmailing me into dating you?” I rested both of my hands on the table that separated us.

  “Of course not.” He laughed and placed one hand on top of mine. “You don’t date, and we’re just friends, so I’m convincing you to have coffee with a friend.”

  I jerked my hand away. An electric current ran through my body. “Can I think about it?”

  “As long as it’s not a no, yeah.” Luke nodded.

  “Okay.” I forced a smile. There was no way in hell I was going anywhere with him.

  The last time I said yes to a man who made me feel any type of spark, I ended up crying over his casket. There was no room in my heart for that again. I had just finished putting myself back together, and this time, when I built my walls back up, I made sure they were made of steel.

  4

  Present

  Over the next couple of weeks, Laura and I took turns hosting play dates at our houses. Not only did AJ love spending time with Scott, it also gave Laura and me a chance to get to know each other. I was cordial to her because our kids were friends, but I soon found myself wanting to be her friend as well. She was funny and loved a bottle of wine as much as I did. And as long as I was drinking with her, I wasn’t drinking alone.

  The few hours Laura had the kids at her place gave me the opportunity to run some errands and get some exercise.

  I hadn’t put on my running shoes since the day of Bruce’s accident. That was the last time I felt my legs burn from a run. Until now, I wasn’t comfortable leaving AJ with anyone, which left no time for myself. I missed the air in my lungs, the rapid beat of my heart, but most of all, I missed what it did to my body. I was stronger and had more stamina when I was running. There were days now that carrying a box up a flight of stairs had me winded.

  Running would put me back in shape and act as therapy to clear my mind the way it once had. After a quick stretch, I warmed up by walking on the trail that started at the end of our block. When I felt that the blood was pumping through my legs and my body was completely warm, I picked up a small pace. It was more of a brisk speed walk than a jog, but within the first three minutes, my lungs felt as if they were on fire. My legs were weak and burned with each step I took. But not wanting to quit, I pushed myself further.

  I had just reached my second mile when my legs gave out on me. Coming to a complete stop, I leaned against a tree and slowly filled my lungs with air. My pulse raced in my neck as I tried to catch my breath. I then did the one thing that was a true rookie mistake. Completely exhausted and out of breath, I chugged a bottle of water. I had been parched and desperate for water, and I didn’t pace myself. I simply filled my mouth with copious amounts of liquid to satisfy my thirst.

  Within seconds, I was bent over, emptying the contents of my stomach at the side of a tree. When I lifted my head, the world around me spun and I felt as if I was going to faint. I closed my eyes and bent my knees to sit on the ground.

  “Whoa.” A familiar voice appeared behind me, and I felt warm hands on my upper arms as they guided me to sit down. “Easy there.” Lifting my head, I turned and squinted at the stranger.

  “Oh, great,” I mumbled, and lowered my head between knees when I realized it was Luke behind me.

  “Are you okay?” He asked with his eyebrows furrowed. Heat radiated from his body as he crouched next to me. Holy crap, this man grew sexier every time I saw him. I had noticed before that he was good looking, but with his proximity, I could really see how truly breathtaking he really was.
His eyes were captivating; the small frown lines gave them character. And oh, those lips…

  “I’m fine, doc,” I grunted, snapping my thoughts away from the direction they were headed.

  “Are you sure? You were—”

  “Humiliating myself in front of you yet again.” I bowed my head between my legs. “Yes, that’s what was happening, so if you could please continue on with your brisk walk or jog or whatever it is you were doing, I would appreciate it.”

  “Yet again?” Luke sat on the grass next to me, and I looked over at him. A small grin graced his face.

  “First time I met you, I was a sobbing mess with my bleeding child.” I lifted my finger. “The second time I saw you, my son harassed you for money.” Another finger. “The third time I saw you, I bumped into you and was completely flustered and caught off guard. And now, I became lightheaded and threw up.” I ran my hands through my hair. “I mean, hell, later this week I’m going to go buy tampons at the pharmacy. Make sure you’re there so I can embarrass myself and let you know it’s that time of the month.”

  “You’re cute.” He handed me his bottle of water. I eyed it, at first hesitant to accept it. “I haven’t touched it yet, and you seem dehydrated.”

  Taking it from his hand, I opened the bottle and took a small sip. “Are you stalking me?”

  “Why would I stalk you?” He cocked his head and gave me a sly grin. “I have a reputation to uphold. I’m part of a private practice, after all.”

  “So, you randomly show up wherever I happen to be?” I asked sarcastically.

  “Run,” he corrected me. “I’m training for a marathon. Hence, the last time you bumped into to me, I was also running. You can pretty much catch me running through town on a daily basis.”

  “Fine, so you aren’t stalking, but you didn’t need to stop.” I took another sip of water.

  “I took an oath to help others,” he pointed out.

  I hated the way my stomach filled with butterflies when he sat this close. I hated that I kept admiring the way his eyes lit up when he smiled. “You’re a do-gooder, huh?” I said, forcing the thoughts out of my head.

  “No.” He chuckled and licked his lips. And now his lips were on my mind. Great! “Just a southern gentleman. And what are you doing here? I could say you’re stalking me.”

  “AJ is at Scott’s house, so I figured I’d start running again.” I shook my legs to prevent them from cramping.

  “Ah.” He nodded and lifted my hand so I’d take another sip. “You know you’re supposed to ease into it.”

  “I know,” I snapped. “But I missed it so much that I kept pushing a little bit harder, and before I knew it, it was too late, and my body was crashing. I’ll be fine. I might be sore tomorrow, though.”

  “We could run together,” Luke suggested, and I pouted my lips. “As friends, I mean.” He lifted his hands in defense. “Since you’ve completely ignored my request for coffee.”

  “I didn’t ignore your request for coffee. I’m still thinking about it.” I bit the inside of my lip to contain my smirk.

  “It’s been two weeks,” Luke reminded me.

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “It’s just coffee.”

  I took yet another sip to buy more time. “I have a son, you know.”

  “I’m well aware.” Luke nodded. “I like AJ.”

  “Why would you want to go out with someone like me?” I tried to smile, but it was the truth. There wasn’t much I could offer him that he couldn’t get anywhere else, and from someone without a child and all the baggage I carried.

  “I’m not following.” Luke’s brow furrowed as he shook his head in confusion.

  “I have baggage.” I stood and wiped the grass that stuck to my legs.

  “You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t have baggage.” Luke lifted himself up, his eyes never leaving mine. “We all have our own shit to deal with.”

  I shook my head, not agreeing with his statement. He was a pediatric doctor who, in his free time, was training for a marathon. He had no clue what I’d gone through or what it was like to raise a child on your own. “I will always put him first. You know that.” I stared deep into his hunter green eyes. I needed to get my point across. “AJ will always be my priority.”

  “I wouldn’t expect it any other way.” His eyes didn’t falter. He kept them on me, ready to take whatever else I’d throw at him.

  I gently rubbed my teeth along the inner part of my lips. Could I really do this? Could I have coffee with Luke after everything I’d been through? Was dating a possibility for me?

  It was time to grow up. It was time to move on. I had to let go of Bruce because the reality was, he wasn’t coming back, and Luke seemed nice enough to be my first attempt.

  “On Friday, Laura is taking the boys bowling at Strikes.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. The muscles in my legs were tightening up. “Right around the corner from the bowling alley, there’s a coffee shop. I’ll meet you there at six.”

  “Six sounds perfect.” A smile grew across his face. I mentally ignored what it made me feel.

  “Okay, then,” I said as I turned toward home.

  “It’s a date,” he added.

  “It’s not a date.” I turned back to remind him. “We’re friends having coffee.”

  Luke headed in the opposite direction. “If you say so,” he said over his shoulder.

  It wasn’t a date.

  It wasn’t.

  It wasn’t.

  * * *

  For three days I contemplated canceling.

  I wasn’t mentally ready. I didn’t know what to wear or what we would talk about. What if he wanted to know about my life? About Bruce? I couldn’t go through with it, but I had no choice. I refused to be a complete asshole and stand him up.

  “It’s just coffee,” I said to Laura when I picked up Scott the following day for a play date. I sat on a stool at her kitchen island as she pulled out lemonade from the fridge.

  “Sure it is.” Her lips puckered as she poured the lemony liquid over ice.

  “I’m serious.” I sat taller, refusing to admit that it was anything else. “It’s not a date. We’re just grabbing coffee.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Laura joked and slid me the glass.

  I took a small sip of the sweet and tart drink and watched as Laura poured a splash of vodka in hers. She did have the afternoon kid-free since Michaela was sleeping over at her friend’s house. “I’m serious. So flipping serious. The second he realizes what a nut case I am, he’ll be running out the door.”

  “You know,” Laura started, and then took a sip of her cocktail. She paused and added a bit more vodka. “We’ve been friends for what, about a month now? Maybe a little longer give or take a day.” I nodded. “You’re not a nut case. I’d tell you if you were.” She smiled. “You’re a catch, and whether you like it or not, you and the hot doctor are totally going to hit it off.”

  “See, that’s what bothers me.” I slammed both hands down on the granite countertop to drive home my point. “He’s a catch. A doctor. Which means he’s got a great job. And he works with kids, which makes him so much sexier. Plus, he’s completely mastered the southern charm.” I shook my head and met Laura’s gaze. “And then there’s me.”

  “Yes, and then there’s you.” Laura rolled her eyes dramatically. “Poor old Stephanie, the awesome mom with the cool kid. Not to mention that you’re smoking hot.” Laura pressed her hand on the countertop and leaned forward. “I don’t know your financial situation, but by the looks of your house, you’re pretty well off, so you’re not after him for his money.”

  “I have a son.”

  “Okay?” Laura’s eyebrows furrowed. “What does that mean?”

  “Why would he want to date someone like me with a child when he could be off with some girl who has no strings attached? He could have someone who could be out all night, have sex till the cows come home.” I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my voi
ce. “I can’t do that.”

  “Maybe,” she said with a tender voice. “Just maybe, you’re exactly what he’s been looking for.” Laura walked around the island and pulled out a seat next to mine. “Sometimes we sell ourselves short because we feel we’re not good enough, but you have no idea how you look in his eyes. You might be everything he’s ever wanted.”

  I opened my mouth to object, but Laura held up her hand to stop me. “And by some weird twist of fate, AJ is everything he wanted in a child, and together you both are it for him.”

  I sighed and listened to her words of wisdom.

  “I’ll say this,” Laura continued. “I love my kids. I love them because I have to. They came out of me. I made them, so I have no choice but to tell people that I love my kids. But between you and me, AJ is a phenomenal boy. I would gladly pay you boatloads of money to teach my children the manners and respect that you’ve taught AJ.” She placed her hand over my forearm. “Trust me, Steph, you’re a catch, and he’d be stupid to not want anything with you and AJ. It’s not like you have a little gremlin child no one can tolerate,” she added, and we both laughed.

  “AJ isn’t a spoiled brat.” She reached over and grabbed my hand. “So please stop making it seem that the hot doc wouldn’t want to go out with you because of your son.”

  I picked a grape from the bowl that sat in the middle of the island and popped it into my mouth. “You know, I really hate it when you’re right,” I said, tugging another one from the stem.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Laura shrugged.

  “And going forward, can we please stop calling him the hot doc.”

  “Why?” Laura said sarcastically her voice raising an octave. “I want to call him the toe-curling doc, but I need you to confirm that first.”

  I yanked another grape from the bowl and tossed it at her. Laura had lost her mind. I agreed to coffee; there was no way I was sleeping with him.

  * * *

  By Friday afternoon, I was dressed and ready to meet Luke. Unlike Laura’s suggestion that I wear a provocative little black dress that showcased my legs, I settled for jeans and a cute blouse. I felt the more casual I kept it, the better it would be. I also told myself that he only asked me out for coffee because I turned him down prior. Men who looked like Luke were probably not used to girls saying no to them. It was simply the thrill of the chase, and after this coffee date, he would blow me off and everything would go back to how it had been. Thinking positively, I looked at this as a trial run—my first attempt at dating again. Whether or not it failed, it wouldn’t matter. This was just practice.