by Aubrey Cara
Mason said, “Uh, we have our moments.” Just as Mimi came out of the bathroom. She stopped when she saw them all standing in the doorway.
“Craig I didn't hear you come in,” she said.
“You look lovely,” Craig said. “Are you ready to go?”
“I um—yeah. Let me grab my purse and a coat.”
There was a strained silence in the living room as the men waited. Craig rocked back and forth on his heels until Mimi came back out.
“Oh, thank goodness. Let's go,” Craig said, not even waiting for Mimi as he darted for the door.
Mason took some satisfaction in the fact that he'd made the other man so uncomfortable. Craig was already out the door as Mimi kissed Zeke on the cheek.
“I love you,” she said to Zeke. “Be a good boy.” Then she stood staring at Mason for a beat before coming back to herself. “I, uh, I should go. Make sure to cut his steak into little pieces, ‘cause otherwise he'll shove big chunks in his mouth he can't chew and—”
Mason covered Zeke's eyes with one hand as he leaned over the child. With a proprietary hand to the back of her neck his mouth sealed over Mimi's as he held her to him.
Her lips were silky soft but firmed in shock. The kiss only lasted a moment before he pulled back. He stroked a thumb down her cheek, just taking her in. She smelled like flowers and sunshine and he wanted to taste every inch of her. Wishing it was going to be him she was looking at over dinner with a dazed gleam in her beautiful muddy green eyes he said, “Have fun tonight.” Never had he meant anything less.
She blinked up at him in shock. “I have to go,” she said turning and practically fleeing out the apartment.
He stood staring at the doorway for a long minute, willing her to come back. Zeke shifted and when Mason looked down green eyes so much like Mimi's stared up at him. “You're my dad?”
The bottom dropped out of Mason's stomach and he felt like he was doing a free fall without a parachute. “I um, well no.” Shit. Shit Shit. “Craig assumed...cause I guess we do look similar...and there aren't probably a lot of male babysitters in the world...I think they're called manny's...but no. I'm sorry buddy. I shouldn't have let Craig think I was your dad. That's kind of like lying and we shouldn't ever lie.”
Zeke shrugged, his shoulders drooping. Head down he said, “That's okay. I was just kind of hoping you were.”
Hell, Mason felt like he'd just got donkey-kicked in the gut. “I think after we eat we should make some ice cream Sundaes.”
Zeke's, “Okay,” came out sounding dejected.
Mason was positive he was the biggest jackass in the world. He just sent the woman he wanted out on a date with another man and then he'd toyed with the emotions of a six-year-old. He had really stepped in it this time. He was definitely taking home the bastard-of-the-evening award.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mimi sat in the fine dining establishment and let Craig carry most of the conversation. She was numb with shock and starting to get a little pissed off. Mason Coleman had kissed her. It hadn't been a deep kiss, or a suave kiss. Or artful or savage. It hadn't been earth shattering or seductive. It had simply been a kiss to ensure she thought of him for the rest of the evening. And it worked.
Here she sat in a beautiful restaurant with low lighting, cream table cloths, and plush chairs. They'd checked her coat at the entrance and she was sure Craig's dress jacket and tie were required. It was the fanciest establishment she'd been to in years.
The chef was supposedly renowned in the foodie world and had been featured on some big TV show. Whether she was feeling romantic or not she should at least be enjoying the exquisite food, if not the company.
Instead she pushed around her artful plate of rosemary lamb chop, butternut squash puree, and orzo with caramelized onions and raisin salad not really tasting any of what she ate. She was sure it was amazing. She felt too distracted to taste any of it. All she could think about was Mason, and that stupid kiss.
She couldn't look at Craig without fantasizing about what it would be like to be here with Mason. When Craig ordered pimenton-roasted red snapper with herb salad she'd speculated on what Mason would have ordered. She couldn't help compare this evening with last Saturday. Although awkward at first the evening last weekend had been relaxed. She and Mason had laughed and flirted, and he'd put her at ease in a way she doubted Craig was capable of.
She ruminated on how Mason was doing with Zeke, and for the hundredth time what that kiss had meant. He'd said, have fun tonight, but his eyes had said anything but. His eyes had been the color of storm clouds looking as conflicted as she felt sitting here across from a very nice man. A very nice man with very nice warm brown eyes.
Craig's eyes were as clear and unconcerned as his tanned complexion. His very tanned complexion. Maybe it was the lighting but she wondered if the man got one of those artificial tans that should be saved for college co-eds wanting to go to Mexico on spring break.
Kicking herself for her uncharitable thoughts she searched for something to say. Craig was her date. He'd brought her to this incredible restaurant and she should at least be trying to have a decent time.
“So,” she said, still unsure what she'd say. “How's the red snapper?” It wasn't original as conversation starters went but she was supremely glad she hadn't panicked and inquired on his tan.
“Good, good,” he said, nodding. “How's your lamb?”
“Divine. You have excellent taste. How did you hear about this place?”
“My ex-wife is a foodie. She'd always wanted to come here.”
“Oh.” Well, that isn't incredibly awkward.
Lifting her glass she muttered, “Her loss, my gain,” before draining her wine glass and signaling the waiter for another. Already feeling fuzzy brained, she knew she should probably slow down on the wine but was past the point of caring.
Across from her Craig put his fork down to steeple his fingers in front of him with elbows on the table. “Mimi, I think we should just acknowledge the elephant in the room. No sense in pretending we're both not thinking about it. Am I right?”
For a second Mimi's heart stopped thinking he was referring to Mason's kiss, but Craig had already been in the parking lot by the time the kiss had occurred. “I'm sorry,” she said setting down her fork and dabbing her mouth with her napkin. “I don't follow.”
“I think it's progressive your ex is watching Zeke while you go out with me. I hadn't realized he lived nearby.”
“He doesn't.”
“Oh,” Craig said with genuine relief. “That's why he's watching Zeke at your apartment. I just thought it wasn't his weekend to take him or something. Still, you have to admit it's a little weird. The man you used to be with is at your apartment while you're here—”
“Wait, what?” Mimi said in confusion. “Mason isn't my ex-husband. He's my—” she choked off saying “boss.” What a quandary. How could she possibly explain why her boss was watching her son? Saying Mason was just being a kind and considerate guy wasn't likely to go over well. She was sure Craig would find that as inappropriate and unlikely as it was. “Actually, Mason is an old friend of mine.” Which was true in a not true at all kind of way. “We've known each other since high school.” That was true, and she smiled congratulating herself in finding a way to be honestly dishonest. “Yes, we've known each other for a long time and um—”
“And he's Zeke's biological father. I get it. Probably a one night stand you're not proud of. It's okay. No judgment.”
Craig reached across the small table and took her hand and Mimi sat shaking her head, “No, no I think—”
“Mimi Westfall, is that you?”
Cut off from setting Craig straight, Mimi looked up into a somewhat familiar face. “LeAnn...Maysor?” Mimi said unsure if she remembered correctly.
“Everly now. LeAnn Everly,” she said holding out her perfectly manicured hand to Craig. He shook her proffered hand and gave LeAnn a wholly inappropriate scan from neck to waist. Not that Mimi
could blame him. LeAnn's breasts looked like melons on the woman's tiny frame. With canons like those staring you in the face it was hard not to look. They were indeed impressive. Her plastic surgeon should be commended.
“How do you do?” Craig said gallantly.
“Just fine, Mr.?”
“Keller. Craig Keller.”
“You look so familiar Mr. Keller. Oh, the billboards!” LeAnn said.
Craig had billboards featuring his big smiling face advertising his real estate business on three different major highways.
“Guilty as charged,” Craig said all sultry-eyed charm.
He'd never given Mimi that look. Had he? Now she alternated between feeling guilty for possibly rebuffing Craig's attempts to be flirtatious and annoyed LeAnn was shanghaiing her date.
“LeAnn,” Mimi said. “Are you here with your husband?”
“Oh, you. I'm divorced, silly,” she said playfully and batted Mimi’s shoulder like they were old friends, but LeAnn aimed the divorced status at Craig. “And isn't it fortuitous I ran into one of the premier real estate agents of Texas? I'm thinking I should sell my house. It holds so many painful memories.” She placed a hand over her ample bosoms with a sad pout and Mimi strained to keep a straight face.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Craig quipped as he pulled out a card. “Please, call me at your earliest convenience to set up an appointment. Day or night. I'm available.”
Mimi bet he was. Gag me with a spoon. This could not possibly be happening. “So LeAnn,” Mimi said hoping to move the other woman along. Mimi may not be enjoying her date, but that didn't mean she wanted LeAnn to take it. “It was good seeing you.” In other words run along little strumpet.
“It was good seeing you too, Mimi. When we spotted you over here I just had to stop over and say hello.”
“We?”
“Jenny Reese, formerly Walker, and Chelsea Kennedy, formerly Philips. They're visiting family in Gibson for the upcoming holiday, so we decided to get together for a girl's night out.” LeAnn said, pointing out a table on the other end of the restaurant. “You remember them, don't you?”
The way LeAnn had asked sounded just a tad too much on the catty side for Mimi's comfort. “Vaguely. I think they were a grade above us, weren't they?” Mimi knew exactly who those evil bitches were. They had done their level best to try to make her teen years miserable. Jenny Walker was the girl that had spread rumors about Mimi being a slut amongst other things. All because she had asked Mason to a stupid dance. “I didn't realize you all had been such close friends,” Mimi said.
“We weren't super close in high school, even though we were on the cheer squad together. We were sorority sisters in college, though.”
Of. Freaking. Course. “How wonderful that you can all get together,” Mimi said.
“We try to grab these opportunities when we can. Well, I had just wanted to stop over and say howdy and see who this handsome man was that had stolen you away from Mason Coleman.”
Mimi said stunned for a moment. “What do you mean stole me away?”
At the same time Craig said, “Mason Coleman...as in Coleman Automotive? Isn't that where you work, Mimi?”
LeAnn said, “I saw you and your son at the mall with him last Saturday.”
At the same time Mimi answered Craig, saying, “Yes, Mason Coleman owns Coleman Automotive. He's my boss.”
Craig's face clouded over.“I didn't realize—I don't know how I feel about you working for the father of your child. I know you two were never an item but that may be a little too progressive of a relationship for me to wrap my head around.”
LeAnn gasped. Mimi had almost forgotten she was there. Panicked Mimi stammered, “No, no, I don't want everyone to think—”
LeAnn cut her off. “Of course not. I understand. You don't want everyone in town knowing Mason gave you your job because you're the mother of his child. A child you had before marrying another man. I won't tell a soul.”
“Mason Coleman is not my child's father.” Mimi nearly shouted. She noticed the sudden silence at tables nearby and cringed.
“Got it,” LeAnn said, putting her hands up. With a wink, she said, “Your secret is safe with me.”
“There's no secret.”
“Exactly.”
Mimi held back a snarl and resisted slapping the other woman. Before Mimi could utter another word LeAnn had given Craig's shoulder a squeeze. “Enjoy the rest of your meal. I'll be in touch, Mr. Keller.”
“I'm looking forward to working with you Ms. Everly.”
“Oh please, call me LeAnn.” With that LeAnn flounced off on her six-inch leopard print heels. Craig slightly turned in his seat to watch the sway of the other woman's shapely derriere as she walked away.
Turning back around he met Mimi's grim expression with a cool reservation that reminded her of her ex-husband. And didn't that just make her want to throat punch him?
She sighed. That was the second time this evening she wanted do someone bodily harm. Damn LeAnn. Mimi acknowledged that the date hadn't been going spectacularly before LeAnn's impromptu appearance, but she'd definitely put the icing on the shit cake.
Even now Mimi watched as LeAnn put her head together with the other women two women back at her table, who sat back with delighted little 'O' faces. They glanced over at Mimi with sly smiles, and gave Mimi a little wave.
Mimi nodded with her own tight smile froze on her face. She couldn't wave back. Mimi knew if she lifted her hand it would come up with the middle finger being the only one pointing to the sky.
She felt like she was back in high school, which was pitiful. Those women may not have experienced any personal growth but she had, and she was better than this.
“Craig, I just want to apologize for the misunderstanding,” she began as a waiter came to the table to take away their plates.
“Can I interest you in the dessert menu?” asked the nice young waiter.
Mimi shook her head, and was going to say a no thank you but Craig didn't even look at her as he tersely told the waiter, “No dessert. You can bring the check.” Turning to Mimi he said, “I don't think this is going to work between you and I.”
Mimi was a little taken aback he'd put it so baldly before the check even came, but she couldn't be shocked. “I'm sorry to hear that.” She wasn't sure why she said that. It was more of a knee jerk reaction to someone breaking things off with her. Not that there was much to break. They'd only gone on three unremarkable dates. This one being the most memorable for all the wrong reasons.
“I'm sure you're a nice person Mimi, but I think it's becoming clear you're not what I'm looking for in a mate.”
“Excuse me, did you just say mate?” This was their third date. Mimi had just been hoping to get laid sometime this decade.
“Dating is just an interview for marriage. At least that's how I see it.”
And apparently she had failed the interview.
“I know where things went wrong with my first marriage,” he continued. He sounded pompous and she wondered how she'd missed that about his character. He was kind of pompous. “My wife didn't have a vested interest in me and my life. You have a career, that's bad enough, but you also work for the father of your child.”
“For the record, he's not my child's father,” Mimi said impassively. By morning everyone who knew anyone in Gibson would believe Mason was Zeke's father. Why would Craig be any different? She wasn't even going to touch the statement about her having a career being “bad enough.” Good heavens, if he was looking for a trophy wife it was definitely a good thing they were ending things here and now.
Craig shook his head at Mimi in disappointment. “We may not be making a go of it, Mimi, but can't we at least have honesty between us?”
“Frankly I'm not sure we can,” she said earnestly. Short of printing DNA results in the local newspaper, she doubted anyone was going to believe her. She'd have to go on daytime TV shows shouting, “he is NOT the father!” and put up billbo
ards with her wedding photos with Zeke's real biological father.
The food she ate earlier turned into a lead ball in her stomach. She was going to have to tell Mason about this stupid misunderstanding. He would surely want to distance himself from her. From Zeke. She hoped she didn't get fired.
She hadn't encouraged anyone to believe Mason was Zeke's father, but he wouldn't want everyone believing he had fathered a child with a woman he'd barely ever even kissed.
Mimi sighed. There would be no more forthcoming kisses between her and Mason. He'd probably cancel going to her parents’ house for Thanksgiving. She berated herself for feeling disappointed. She hadn't even wanted him to go. It was completely understandable if he never wanted to see her again.
It's one thing to want to date a woman, or mess around with a woman who had a kid. It was another thing for everyone in your town to think you have a child you haven't acknowledged for six years.
Craig paid the bill and she was almost surprised when he drove her home. She half expected the ass to say they should go their separate ways after the restaurant.
When they pulled into her apartment complex Mimi barely waited for the vehicle to come to a complete stop before she opened the door to hop out.
Craig stalled her with a hand on her arm. “Mimi, I hope you find your happy ending.”
Mimi sat in silence for a second totally thrown off. That was an incredibly charitable thing to say, and she really hadn't thought the man capable of such a lovely sentiment.
“Thank you, Craig,” she said sincerely. “I hope you find your happy ending too.”
“Who knows,” he said. “Maybe things will work out between you and Zeke's daddy.”
She nodded her throat too tight to speak as she exited the car. She knew he meant Mason. While she didn't think things were going to pan out for her and her boss—at least not romantically—she couldn't help but think of Zeke's real father. She knew for a fact things would never workout between her and Jay.