“Relish the moment.”
“I intend to.”
I pointed to the scruff on his face. He had a little crumb from whatever was in that bag he left on the counter. “You have just a little something—”
He rubbed his face. “How embarrassing. Thanks!”
“Don’t tell me that’s your dinner.”
He turned and looked at the bachelor feast on the counter behind him. “I’m afraid so. I usually stop and bring something home for June and myself, but I was so freaked out about where she was, I just came straight home. Thank you, by the way. She said you fed her dinner. All I could get out of her was it had chicken in it and was white.”
I laughed. “It was a penne pasta dish with cream sauce and sautéed chicken with a hint of rosemary and thyme.”
His eyes half shut. “Oh my goodness, tell me no more. I don’t think I can finish my bag of hot fries after hearing that.”
“I have more,” I stammered. “I mean, it’s a shame to have it sit in my fridge when you’re eating imitation corn meal sprinkled with magnesium.”
“I couldn’t.”
“Yes, really. It’s no problem. I can—”
“That’s so kind of you.”
“Sure. Would you like me to bring it back over?”
“I could come get it. I don’t want you to have to go out in the cold air again. You’re doing me a favor, after all.”
“Okay.”
“I’m waiting on my hot tub to heat, so it’ll be perfect.” He pressed on some shoes by the door and lunged to grab his beer. Before he pulled the door shut, he yelled up to June he’d be right back.
We walked back to my house. The whole time, I’m thinking, This is interesting. I pulled at the screen door and held it open for him. “It shouldn’t take long to heat; it hasn’t been that long that it was cooked.”
“Maybe I’ll just throw it in a skillet when I get back. Heck, maybe I’ll just eat it cold. I’m not picky at this point.”
“The noodles won’t be good unless it’s heated. Do you have a microwave? It should only take a minute. Maybe two depending on how good it is.”
“I don’t have one of those yet. It’s on my list to buy. I don’t know how I thought the kitchen came with one.”
“Funny story, I didn’t have one until recently. I don’t care for them, but I finally bought into the convenience. Do you realize how long the oven takes when you heat those frozen hockey pucks of waffles they sell at the store?” I grabbed the plate of leftovers from the fridge. “Rose needs to eat in the mornings before school, and I have to get both of us ready, packed, and loaded. I finally gave up the ghost I could perform miracles such as bacon, eggs, oatmeal, or toast every morning. And cereal five days a week wasn’t cutting it for me.”
“There isn’t a Mr. Sarah who could help?” He grinned. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your last name.”
“Ha!” I threw my head back. “Mr. Sarah,” I jested.
He laughed, too. “That sounded foolish, didn’t it? And very personal. I’m sorry for prying.”
“No, not at all. And no, there is no Mr. Keller.” I took the wrap from the plate and plopped it in the microwave, trying to overcome the rustiness of my hormones chiming in. Was he flirting or simply prying? Guys could be nosey. “You can have a seat if you’d like. I don’t mind heating it up for you.”
He pulled out a chair and groaned when he sat. “This is amazing of you. I can’t begin to tell you how hungry I am. I ate out of the vending machine for lunch. One of those cold, nasty sandwiches. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t made today, maybe not even this week. The bread was hard to chew and the meat looked like something I’ve never seen. Sort of a pink color on the edges.”
My eyes went from him to the plate spinning in the microwave. He pulled at the tie still dangling from his neck, and placed it on the table. Okay, so it didn’t take long for him to feel at home. It was fine. I kind of liked the change of pace my evening was taking. Just as long as his other clothing remained on his body. Or not. Oh my gosh, what was I thinking? Liz was so not a good influence on me. The microwave beeped and made me jump.
I got a fork from the drawer to stir it. “It’s not going to stay warm long, especially once you walk it out in the cool air. Why don’t you just eat it here? If you want to. I mean, June might wonder where you are, so you can do what you want.” My words seemed to be tripping on themselves as they exited my mouth. Come, go, whatever.
A smile crept to his lips. One that grew wider, while his eyes danced with questioning mischief. His hair just needed to get with the program and stop taunting me from wanting to touch it. Liz so would’ve caved and attacked him by now. Especially in her two-month drought of only seeing Rick. Or as some would say, her commitment to Rick.
“Sure, that sounds lovely. I’d love to eat it in your company. June’s busy texting her friends back home. I gave in and returned her phone. I felt horrible for this evening and what happened. Why does it always happen that punishing them is punishing us more?”
I put the plate in front of him and sat down. “It seems to be that way sometimes.”
“Oh, this smells enchanting.” He closed his eyes and inhaled the steam rising from it.
Oh my. The way his accent sounded when he enunciated was enchanting. I could fall asleep listening to that playing on a loop. Like an Enrique Iglesias best-of hits album.
“I hope you like it. It’s something quick that I can make when we get home late and we’re starving.”
He heaped some on a fork and closed his eyes before he stuck it in his mouth. Then came the other noises. The ones I’m sure he made in other times of his life—more intimate times. Wow, I needed to go stock up on some romance novels and get these thoughts from crossing my mind in innocent situations. Those DIY closet hacks on my bedside were not cutting it. And my closet still looked like a jungle.
I squirmed in my chair. “Well, I guess that means you like it.”
He opened his eyes slowly and looked at me. They were drowsy from satisfaction, and he shook his head.
I grabbed the back of my neck. “Well, that’s good. I’m glad it didn’t go into the trashcan tomorrow when I realized I was cooking spaghetti and we didn’t want this anymore.”
“It’s delicious.” He took a drink of his beer to wash it down. “My wife couldn’t cook. However, she did manage to have the fridge stocked for me to cook everything she liked. The best she could serve was those Pop-Tarts and microwave pieces of bacon.”
So he mentioned a wife. Not ex-wife. But then again, it was in a past tense sort of way. I crossed my arms and sat back, watching him devour the contents on the plate. “What sort of things do you cook? That she liked you to prepare?”
“Croquettes, pisto, paella, and she loved my dates and mango dessert.”
I bet she did. “Wow.”
He kept chewing and waved his fork in my direction. “You cook every night?”
“I sort of have to. Rose needs nourishment.”
He grinned, hiding his smile. “Of course. I just meant do you ever eat out?”
“Oh, well, sometimes.”
“I’ve tried the place down by the post office. It wasn’t the best. What places do you recommend? I’m tired of bringing food from the city. It’s cold by the time I get it home. And then there’s the nonexistent microwave. Maybe I should just buy one and solve all my problems.”
“The diner downtown is really good. Try the cheeseburgers. I don’t know what they do to them, but I can’t ever achieve that taste when I fry one here. And then there’s Lola’s Bakery off 5th Street. She makes great bagel sandwiches.”
“See, I knew if I befriended some locals, they’d tell me the lowdown. I just haven’t had time. Work has me buried.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what in the world brought you here from New York? I’m sure the food there was a smorgasbord of greatness. I watch the Food Network channel and jot down places to eat if I ever visit.”
H
e finished up the last bite and leaned back in his chair. “There’s certainly no worry you won’t find food there. But for starters, we lived in a seven-hundred-fifty-square-foot box. The exhaust fumes I walked in daily were retarding my sense of smell, and not getting panhandled on the way home was a rare occurrence. I wanted June to experience something other than concrete beneath her feet before she grew up and left home. Something like I had. Granted, she assures me she’s heading right back after she graduates, but at least I got out!”
“Colorado?”
“I saw pictures—what can I say?” He shrugged. “I grew up in heat, living in Miami with my parents, and I wanted pine trees and snow for a change. It didn’t hurt that the offer letter they sent from Liberty was more than what I needed to buy everything and still be able to travel back home for visits.”
“Well, snow you’ll get. And speaking of snow, I noticed your nice car.”
“And the car. I forgot the car.” He palmed his head. “My salary afforded me the car I’d seen on commercials and always wanted to drive. No more crazy taxi drivers taking my life in their hands or smelly subway cars. That thing is all-interior leather, heated seats; it even has a little camera on the back so I can see not to back into things. Which is good because in New York I never drove. I’ve gotten rusty.”
“Well, unless that nice car comes with chains on the tires, it won’t get you to work when that snow comes down.”
“I never thought of that.” He twisted his lips. “I guess something good can be said of subways. They always did the trick in the city.” He rubbed his chin. “I’ll have to think on that. What do you drive?”
“I recently got an all-wheel crossover. But when I had a car, I always had friends who drove four-wheel drive so they could rescue me from the snow drifts.”
“Maybe you could rescue me then.”
His stare was intent. Almost with a twist of play. Or was I desperate to see something that wasn’t there. Rescue him?
I quickly stood and took his plate to rinse. I heard his chair push out, and turned to see him stretch and grab his tie from the table.
“Where is—” He held his empty bottle.
I pointed by the door. “There.”
He walked over and tossed it in. “Say, could I return the favor and invite you to unwind in the hot tub?”
My thoughts strangled altogether at once. Was he for real? This was crazy. One minute, I don’t know of his existence on this planet and the next, I’ve opened Pandora’s box—my home for his daughter to wait for him to come home, and now I’m being invited to his hot tub? DIY closet hacks could not help me now.
“Umm, well, I can’t. It’s late, and Rose is sleeping. I’ve got to stay here.”
“I understand.” He waved his hand. “Some other time, maybe?”
“Sure. Some other time.”
I moved closer to the middle of the room. That awkward moment where you don’t know how to end something.
His tie was clutched in his hand. “Well, thank you again, Sarah Keller. My tardiness in picking up my daughter also has served as my good fortune tonight.”
Heat crashed to my cheeks. I hoped it wasn’t too bright for all the world to see, especially the world in these four walls. “Well, thanks. It was nice meeting you, Alex.” I extended my hand to shake his. It felt right. Like we were finishing up and you shake a hand. Only, when he took my hand, he gently squeezed it and stared in my eyes.
“The pleasure, I assure you, was all mine.”
He let me go and walked out the door. I went and locked it, watching him walk off toward his home. I felt my insides code blue as I fell against it. Tall, good-looking, an accent I could hear as I lay dying, and a handshake that made me feel like I could float away. Where was this man’s wife? Someone, tell me where this man’s wife was!
I ran in my room and pressed out a message to Liz.
“I just met the most amazing man. And he lives exactly ten paces from my back door! Meet me in the lounge tomorrow for lunch. Bring something to calm fits of swooning!”
Liz pulled me down on the green couch. “Alas, now I live vicariously through you. Oh, how my life has been altered. The irony, I assure you, is like fifty lashes to my libido.”
I shoved her shoulder. “Trust me, I’d rather be in your shoes. I’m thirty-six years old. Dating should not be something I’m still doing. Especially with a five-year-old little girl. Things get a bit hairier with these obstacles. Like background checks and possible fingerprinting.”
“Okay, so tell me. I would’ve called last night but I didn’t get your message till this morning. Rick and I were watching a movie, and I fell asleep before the end.”
I tucked my foot underneath my leg and leaned in. “So, his name is Alex, although his real name is Alejandro.” I palmed my chest. “Alejandro. Just listen to how it pours from my mouth like honey. Alejandro.” I let the syllables settle in the air, smiling as they did.
“Moving on, Sarah.” She smacked my arm. “I don’t care what his name is. How tall is he? Does he smell like Eternity for Men and do the muscles in his arms twitch when he talks about skiing down the slopes of Aspen? Tell me he skis. Rick is scared of even the thought. Something about a cousin hitting a tree.” She rolled her eyes.
I straightened my back. “Okay, he’s tall. Taller than me. His hair is brown, wavy, and a little longer than I usually date. Longer than Sam’s. His shoulders are broad…” I held out my hands to give example by mine. “His eyes are brown, and from the hair on his face by the time I saw him last evening, I’m pretty sure his chest has a nice little carpet.”
“And how is it that he’s ten feet from your home and you never knew this before?”
I took a deep breath, and pulled another Triscuit from the box on my lap. “I guess I just didn’t pay attention. Plus he has a garage. He pulls in, shuts the door, and stays inside. I only knew he lived there because that was his daughter yesterday who I drove home.” I smacked her leg. “Oh, and he’s a surgeon. The reason he wasn’t here to pick her up is he was saving a life!” I felt myself growing on the giddy-o-meter. I stuffed the cracker in my mouth and couldn’t help from smiling. Finally, someone who gave me a reason. I felt as if I’d been in a slump forever.
She squealed. “Oh, a doctor! Do you realize you could live in a house with servants, and one of those all-season pools, and we could travel to exotic places. I wonder if he does work in other countries. And then there’s the boat trips, of course. We could vacation in the Caribbean during the summer months. He could name the yacht after you, and I could—”
“What’s the word, you two? Liz looks like she’s just won a year’s subscription to Little Black Book Mania.”
She pushed Carter’s arm as he propped it against the back of her chair, leaning in as if to get a whisper of what we were talking about. The elusive man hadn’t exactly been in the lounge yet this school year. At least not at the same time as me. Maybe asking me that favor yesterday and me not acting any differently made him think things were back to normal. Whatever that was. I sort of knew what his lips tasted like now. Not easy to forget that. No matter how I envisioned worms crawling from his mouth.
“We’re just discussing—”
“Sarah’s hottie neighbor,” Liz finished.
I paralyzed her with my intense stare. I didn’t want Carter to know anything.
“Mmm, a hottie neighbor, huh?” His stare made me fidget. “And why would this be of interest to you, Sarah?”
I brushed my hair behind my ear and wiggled in my chair, untucking my foot. “It’s not. Not really. I only met him yesterday. I hardly think there is an interest level beyond him leaving his trashcans out past Tuesday pick-up.”
“But, you said—” Liz began.
I kicked her foot. “What I said is—”
“She has you to thank, Carter. So thank you so much.”
“Me? For what?”
I was trying my best to telepathically tell her to shut up. My eyes surely
were three sizes larger than they usually are.
“You had her take his daughter home yesterday. Remember?”
Okay, so she didn’t see the strain on my eye sockets. Maybe strapping duct tape to her mouth might give her an indication. With her, I’d run out on a weekly basis.
“Huh?” He reflected. “That girl in detention? She…”
“She is his daughter.” I didn’t want Liz to say anymore. When would I learn that I just needed to realize whatever I told her would eventually be leaked out? Like a faucet with no handle to shut off. “Turns out she lives next door, and he’s her father. Nothing more.”
“You wouldn’t think that by the way Liz was looking at you. I don’t know what you told her, but that main artery in her neck looked like it was going to throb right through the skin.” He did a throbbing motion at his neck.
She smacked him again. “It is not. And so what if it was. I haven’t exactly been out of the confines of Rick for the last couple of months. I need some action. Even if it’s talk.” She turned around in her chair toward him. “Maybe I should, in fact, talk to you, Carter. Seems I’ve heard talk about you and a mystery girl. Frank Weller said he saw the back of your head at the movies last weekend. You and whoever you were with left early before it finished. Could you really not control yourself any more than two hours? What are you, in middle school now? Hormones kicking at you from all sides?” She touched her chest. “I better stop before I get myself worked up.”
“Yeah, I’d say you’d better stop making up stuff. And what is it Frank Weller’s concern? What do you all do around here, talk about me? Is there no quality to conversations anymore in the teacher’s lounge? It’s gotten to where I can’t even come in and shoot the breeze about SAT scores.”
I guess he tried to lighten the mood.
“Ha! That’ll be the day.” She tucked her hand underneath her chin and stared up at him with begging eyes. “Well, who is she? I thought I heard you were seeing Megan Tipton from the PTA. Cute girl but way too expressive and giddy. So not your type.”
Falling For Sarah (Sarah Series Book 3) Page 3