Focusing her attention on the screen, she pretended not to hear his low laugh. Not even to herself would she admit how affected she was by it. If he had actually touched her, she couldn’t have felt it more. His remarks about behaving went through her mind. What would she do if he put his arm around her? Could she honestly say she wouldn’t like it?
The answers to those questions would remain a mystery for the time being because the only contact she had with Eric for the remainder of the movie was incidental: a brush of his arm or the bump of his leg when he shifted positions. Her romantic side felt decidedly ruffled at this apparent disconnect between his teasing words and any kind of action. Her rational side told her to stop being childish. She couldn’t afford to start having feelings for Eric. It would complicate everything.
******
Eric’s interest in the movie was tepid at best. No action on the screen could compete with the person sitting next to him. The more he got to know Julie, the more she fascinated him. He appreciated her quirky sense of humor, witty comebacks, and the way she laughed at herself and him. He also admired the way she threw herself into whatever task she was given. But he was most impressed by her selfless devotion to Jordan.
That he found her intensely attractive went without saying. Long denied any kind of closeness to a woman, his senses reacted to her like kindling to a match. Even here, separated by an arm rest, he was all too aware of her. His heart was knocking so wildly he feared she and everyone else could hear it.
Eric knew what was happening because he’d been down this road before. He was on the brink of developing feelings well beyond friendship. It wasn’t impossible, but it would be difficult to go back to thinking of Julie as just another parent. On the other hand, he wasn’t so out of touch that he couldn’t remember how far his expectations for his first serious relationship had been from reality.
The courtship with Sydney, played out in front of millions of avid fans, had been unconventional in every way that counted. He shouldn’t have been surprised when their marriage turned out to be anything but normal. Once the European honeymoon was over, Sydney slowly distanced herself from him. Within a few months, they weren’t even sharing a bedroom. To a man in love, this final rejection cut so deeply he hadn’t thought he would ever get over it.
It was ironic that all of this was happening in the midst of one of his best years on the mound. With his typical way of compartmentalizing things, Eric didn’t dwell on his failing marriage, but instead allowed baseball to become the balm for his unhappiness. Day after day he listened to everyone telling him how lucky he was to have a beautiful, loving wife. Night after night he came home with nothing to welcome him but a locked bedroom door. Why had she bothered to lock it? Did she think he would humiliate himself further by begging to come in?
He stirred restlessly, his leg briefly coming into contact with Julie’s. He turned to apologize and realized she was too absorbed in the movie to notice. It was a good thing he wasn’t the conceited type or he might get discouraged at being so forgettable.
Settling back in his seat, he tried to emulate her example. It would be embarrassing if his companions asked him something about the movie, and he couldn’t answer. He needed to forget how nice Julie looked with that blue thing holding back her curls and her lips parted in an adorable smile. If only needing to do something was the same as wanting to do it.
******
Julie listened in some surprise to the animated conversation taking place beside her as the three of them walked out of the theater. Eric and Jordan were debating in a friendly fashion the accuracy of the movie’s treatment of a comic book character, and it was clear that Eric was as knowledgeable as Jordan. Was he a comic book fan? She would never have guessed.
“Who’s your favorite super hero, Coach?”
“That’s easy. Batman.”
“Aunt Julie has Batman pajamas.”
That wasn’t something she wanted Eric - or anyone else - to know. Resisting the urge to strangle Jordan, she said, “They were a gag gift from my brother.”
Eric smiled. “It sounds like Matt and Devon could be twins. Without telling me, Matt signed me up for ballroom dancing lessons a few years ago.”
“Did you go?”
“I did, actually. It came in handy at my wedding reception. I’m not the most graceful dancer, but I did manage not to step on anyone’s feet. Anyone besides me hungry?”
“I’m always hungry,” Jordan replied.
Julie laughed. “That’s true. Devon didn’t warn me how much boys eat.”
“I’ve got tons of leftovers from the pool party.”
“I like leftovers,” Jordan put in before Julie could suggest otherwise.
In no time at all, they were pulling up to Eric’s house.
Jordan was the first out of the truck. “Is your brother here tonight?”
Eric shook his head. “No, he’s spending the day with his girlfriend’s family.”
They were greeted with excitement by Delilah. She didn’t calm down until Eric picked her up. The dog settled into the crook of his arm in a way that suggested this was a daily ritual.
As they passed the living room, Eric said, “I think there’s a game on, Jordan. If you can’t find the remote, just yell. Matt never puts it back in the same place.”
Correctly interpreting the look he sent her, Julie followed him down the hall into the kitchen. He opened the freezer. “I’ve got the stuff from yesterday as well as chili, lasagna and pizza.”
“What are you in the mood for?” Julie asked.
He looked down at her and laughed. “Don’t tempt me to tell you.”
Not able to meet his eyes, she said, “Jordan will eat chili.”
Once the chili was warming in the microwave, Julie pointed to the dog. “You’re spoiling her.”
“I know. Matt makes fun of me all the time. Someone abandoned her at the ballpark. I didn’t intend to keep her, but she had other ideas.”
“You fell for those big brown eyes.”
“You’re right. You’d think I’d learn my lesson. At least this incident didn’t make it on YouTube.”
“It must be difficult never having any privacy. Everything you do is news to someone.”
“Not so much anymore. I enjoyed the attention at first, but it got old fast. There was always this fear in the back of my mind that the people claiming to like me only did so because of what I could do for them. I was good business, if you know what I mean. I learned to hold back part of myself, like an escape clause to keep from being disappointed or hurt.”
Here was a possible explanation for his agreeing to be on that show. “So you don’t let yourself develop deep feelings for anyone?”
“I didn’t say that.” He dropped a kiss on Delilah’s head. “This sweet little thing loves me no matter what.”
“Hence her sweet little name.”
Eric put Delilah on the ground. “Do you find it offensive?”
“Of course not.”
“I just wanted to know; it might slip out occasionally.” He hesitated and then went on. “My mother called me that.”
“I can see why.”
He glanced at her, his eyebrows raised. “Do I look sweet or little to you?”
“Sometimes.”
“You’re not making it easy to behave.” He lightly touched the sweep of freckles on her cheeks and nose. “I’m glad you don’t try to cover them up. They’re the first thing I noticed about you.”
“I would have thought it was my hair.”
“That was the second thing. But what made me glad I was sitting down was your smile. I thought about it for hours after we left Dom’s.”
“Yeah, well, you’re kind of hard to forget, too.”
Eric moved closer. “In a good or bad way?”
She had to tilt back her head to see his face. “What do you think?”
He smiled slowly. “I think it’s a good thing that Jordan’s in the living room, or I’d be doing somethin
g one of us would regret.”
“One of us? Are you really that modest?”
“I don’t take anything for granted, least of all someone’s feelings.” He reached into the cabinet for three bowls. “I was thinking of making coffee. Do you drink it?”
The switch from personal to practical had her head spinning. “Coffee? I’d love some.”
He scooped the dark grounds into the coffee maker. “What should I fix for Jordan?”
“Milk if you have it.”
“I always have milk. Matt and I go through about four gallons a week. Do you think Jordan would prefer to eat in the living room?”
“Yes, but we better eat in here. I don’t want him to spill anything on your chairs or carpet.”
“Whatever you say.” He surprised her by taking her hand in a gentle clasp. “What are you doing next Sunday?”
Julie forced her mind away from the sensation of his strong fingers wrapped around hers. “Well, I’ve been invited to a couple’s shower, but I still haven’t decided what to do with Jordan. I can’t really take him with me.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement. “That’s quite a coincidence. I’ve been invited to one, too. Is yours for Teresa Sutter and Thomas Manley?”
“Yes, it is.”
“How do you know them?”
“I don’t know him at all. Teresa and I shared a dorm room in college.”
“It really is a small world. Thomas and I grew up together. I’m going to be the best man in their wedding. I’ve been trying to think of a way to get out of this shower ever since he told me about the games.”
Julie’s brows drew together. “Bridal showers usually have games. I’m not sure what kind they’d play at a couple’s shower. I’ve never been to one of those before.”
“If I could get Matt to stay with Jordan, we could go together. Then at least we wouldn’t find ourselves paired up with a stranger.”
She looked at him speculatively. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea. It would solve both our problems. What do you say?”
“I say let’s do it.”
“Great. You know, I’m starting to think Jordan is right.”
“About what?”
“About you making a nice girlfriend. For a few hours on Saturday, it seems I’m going to get the chance to test that theory. If you don’t mind pouring the coffee, I’ll go tell Jordan that dinner is ready.”
Before she completely registered what he said, she was alone. She wondered uneasily what else Jordan had told Eric.
******
Matt strolled into the dining room just as they were finishing. He stopped short at the sight of the three of them sitting around the table. Julie couldn’t interpret the look he exchanged with Eric.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to have company this evening.”
“We went to a movie,” Jordan jumped in to explain. “And then we were hungry, so we came here.”
“Makes sense to me,” Matt replied with a grin. “I was going to fish off the dock and see if I can catch some catfish. Do you want to come with me, Jordan?”
“Can I, Aunt Julie?”
“Yes, but not for too long. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
Jordan finished his milk and slipped out of his chair. “Yes, ma’am.”
As Julie watched the door swing close, she glanced at Eric. “Are there any catfish in the lake?”
“There better be. I paid to have it stocked.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “You paid money for someone to put fish in your lake?”
He laughed. “I had to have something for Matt to catch.”
“I’ve heard it all.” Julie stood up and carried her and Jordan’s dishes to the kitchen.
“Will you bite my head off if I suggest using the dishwasher?” Eric asked when he joined her.
She looked up from rinsing the bowls in the sink. “You don’t forget anything, do you?”
He walked up behind her, too close to be ignored. “Some things can’t be forgotten,” he said softly. “Like how nice you always smell.”
His breath was warm on her skin, sending a delightful shiver down her spine. She went still when she felt his fingers lift her hair away and his lips press against the sensitive spot just below her ear. It was all she could do to hold on to the glass in her hand.
“I really want to see your face,” he said in a low, husky voice. “But I’m afraid you’ll be looking scared again.”
Julie wasn’t scared; she was overwhelmed at how quickly things were happening between them. Only a few days ago, she hadn’t been able to decide if she liked him. And now her stomach was doing flip-flops, and her legs didn’t feel capable of keeping her upright. She dried her hands and turned to face him.
Eric touched her cheek. “Does this lovely blush mean you’re angry or happy?”
“I think you know which one it is.”
“I’m hoping it’s the second, but I’ve not had much success predicting a woman’s reactions. Let’s go sit in the swing, and you can explain to me how to tell what you’re thinking.”
******
Fingers of moonlight painted a dappled pattern over the floor of the porch. In the bushes beyond where they walked, energetic crickets called to whoever would listen. As Julie’s eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, she saw the gentle sway of the leaves in the trees even as she felt the light breeze against her bare arms.
“Look, Eric, the lightning bugs are out.” She drew away from him and went to lean against the porch railing. “Did you ever try to catch them when you were young?”
He smiled at the use of his name. It was the first time she hadn’t called him ‘Coach Gibson’. In his mind, that was significant. “Sure did. I had a bug box made out of screen. Being somewhat claustrophobic, I never could keep them trapped in there very long.”
“I would like to have known you then.”
“When I was catching bugs, you were still being taken for walks in a stroller.”
He held out his hand, and with a shy smile, she pushed away from the railing and slipped her hand into his. They were within a few feet of the swing when she heard voices. Looking up, she saw the glow of light coming from the direction of the lake.
“Matt’s timing continues to be my worst enemy,” Eric said with a sigh of regret.
Julie was torn between not wanting the evening to end and knowing that it was probably better that it did. Her interest in the man beside her was increasing at an alarming rate. How could she feel so close to someone she barely knew? “We can sit in the swing another time.”
“I’m going to hold you to that. About practice tomorrow, for the sake of team harmony, I have to treat you like everyone else. I hope you realize how much of a sacrifice I’m making.”
“Would it be easier if I dropped Jordan off and left?”
He looked at her in mock alarm. “No, it wouldn’t. I’d just spend the whole practice wondering where you are and what you’re doing.”
Her glance went to their clasped hands. “Do you get this attached to all your team moms?”
“I don’t know. You’re the first one I’ve ever had. Between us, we’ve set a dangerous precedent.”
Before she could ask him what he meant, Jordan appeared from around the corner of the house, a metal pail dangling from his fingers. Matt was a few steps behind him. Eric squeezed her hand and then released it.
“Aunt Julie, come see the two catfish I caught. Mr. Gibson put them in this bucket of water so I could show you. After we leave, he’s going to put them back in the lake.”
“So the fishing expedition was a success.” She walked over to where Jordan stood waiting at the bottom of the steps and looked into the bucket. Two small, dark fish moved languidly from side to side. “They’re so cute with those whiskers.”
“Mr. Gibson said we’ve got to let them get bigger before we eat them.”
Julie shook her head. “I couldn’t eat them – not no
w that I’ve met them.” She heard Eric laugh and realized he’d followed her.
“These city girls are all alike,” Matt commented with a grin as he took the pail from Jordan. “I felt bad about leaving you with Eric. I hope he didn’t bore you to death talking about his favorite subject.”
Her lips curved into a grin. “Not at all. We had an interesting discussion about lake stocking and lightning bugs.”
Matt threw his brother a disgusted look. “Is that the best you can do?”
Eric shrugged. “I’m a little out of practice with this sort of thing.”
“No man should ever admit that,” his brother informed him.
Julie removed the fishing hat that Jordan had mysteriously acquired and held it out to Matt. “Here; you forgot this. You two should get your own comedy show. You’re hilarious. We’ll see you at practice tomorrow, Coach Gibson.”
Chapter Seven
Eric glanced doubtfully at the fitted shirt and pants. If he’d been going to the couple’s shower alone, he would have settled for comfort and worn jeans. The fact that he’d sought his brother’s opinion on what to wear was an admission of his level of anxiety. Julie had agreed to come with him. Was it wrong to want to look nice for her sake?
The jarring sound of the gate buzzer jolted him out of his pensive reverie. After making sure Delilah had fresh water, he grabbed the wrapped box off the table and went out on the porch to wait. Jordan jumped out of the car and sprinted over to where he stood.
“Hey, Coach Gibson. I brought some of my Xbox games. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s fine. You can go on in. Matt’s waiting on you.”
When Eric looked back in Julie’s direction, the greeting on his lips was forgotten. He swallowed once and then again as he watched her get something out of the backseat. The tiny straps and fitted bodice of her dress left most of her lovely shoulders and neck bare while the wide, flirty skirt hinted at nicely shaped legs. How was he going to behave with her looking like that?
“How have you not kissed her yet?” a teasing voice asked from behind him.
Did kissing her neck count for anything? Probably not in Matt’s view of the world. “How do you know I haven’t?” he muttered.
Team Mom: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 1) Page 10