“She’s the best dancer in the room,” he commented.
It wasn’t a dream. Spencer was there at Zoe’s dance practice. How had he found them? Summer. Slowly, Raina turned around to face the object of her daydreams. “Spencer.”
He looked fantastic in a purple pullover sweater and vintage jeans. He was freshly shaved and she could smell a hint of aftershave.
She tried not to notice him too much and nodded curtly before turning back around to watch Zoe.
Spencer joined her at the window and his shoulder bumped hers. “I hope you’re not mad.”
Is he serious?
“Summer told me where you guys were going to be,” Spencer said. “And I had some free time, so I thought I would come see you both.”
“Well, she had no right to do that,” Raina said, giving him a sideways glance. She didn’t want to get into a discussion with him in front of all the other mothers. They would all gossip behind her back, and they’d already said enough since Alexa was gone.
“Don’t be mad at her. I’m sure she was only trying to help. And I am Zoe’s uncle, after all.”
“So, you keep reminding me,” Raina whispered. She noticed several mothers watching them; a few eyes showed recognition of who he was and openly gawked.
“Listen, Raina, I’m not trying to ram this down your throat.” Spencer lowered his voice and spoke in her ear. “I’m just trying to figure out my place in Zoe’s life. So, in that spirit, I got us all tickets to go to the Miami Falcons game this Friday night.”
Raina turned and glared at him. He was making himself at home in her life as if he had a right to be there. She was used to doing things on her own and didn’t like the interference. She took a deep breath and tried to check herself before speaking. “Spencer, that’s a lovely gesture, but Zoe and I have—”
“Spence!” Zoe screamed out his name from the doorway of the classroom. Spencer bent to his knees, and Zoe rushed into his arms.
Spencer smiled affectionately as he hugged Zoe tightly to his chest. He looked up at Raina with tears in his eyes. In that moment, she could see he was hugging her not as a friend like he’d done before, but rather he was seeing her for the first time as his niece, his flesh and blood.
A lump formed in Raina’s throat. Spencer had lost his parents and brother. Zoe had to be a reminder that he hadn’t completely lost Cameron. Raina’s heart softened.
“Where have you been?” Zoe asked. “I’ve missed you.”
Raina was surprised to hear Zoe say that because she’d never said anything to Raina.
“I missed you, too.” Spencer rose to his feet and lifted Zoe into his arms.
Zoe laughed as if she didn’t believe him. “Did you really?”
“Of course I did, munchkin.” Spencer tweaked her nose between his index and middle finger.
“Stop that.” Zoe swatted his hand away.
“All right, Zoe.” Raina gave her niece a reproachful look and Zoe attempted to look chastised, but when Spencer put his finger in Zoe’s ear, she slapped his hand away again playfully. “Am I going to have to separate you two?”
Spencer smiled broadly, showing off his brilliant white teeth. “No, we’re just having a little fun. But we could have a lot more.” He looked at Raina when he said it and she knew he was talking about the basketball game. Raina was hesitant to be close to Spencer again.
Look at what she’d done the first chance she’d been alone with him. Of course, if she agreed, Zoe would be with them at the basketball game and she would inadvertently serve as a chaperone.
“Who’s in the mood for ice cream?” Spencer asked, heading toward the door of the dance school.
Raina could merely wave at the other mothers before rushing out the door behind him. “Zoe can’t have ice cream before dinner.”
“Why not?”
Raina sighed. Clearly, he’d never been around a rambunctious child who’d had too much sugar before bed. “Because she’ll never eat her dinner.”
“But she was so good in there,” Spencer said, pointing back at the school.
“Did you really think so, Spence?” Zoe asked enthusiastically. “I was trying my best, just like Mommy...Mommy told me to.”
When she said the word mommy Zoe’s eyes began to tear up. Raina was used to these out-of-the-blue moments, had been there for most of them, but Spencer was clearly affected because he held Zoe tighter in his arms.
“It’s okay, Zoe.” He rubbed her back slowly as sobs began to rack her tiny little body. He looked to Raina, and his eyes asked what he should do, but he was doing it. The counselor had told Raina to expect the grief to catch Zoe unaware and to be ready with love and understanding.
After several excruciating moments, Zoe began to quiet. “How about that ice cream?” Spencer looked at Raina and pleaded with her to agree.
She gave him a halfhearted smile and nodded. “We’ll follow behind you,” Raina said, pulling Zoe out of his arms and into the comfort of her arms. Seconds later, she was walking to her car and putting Zoe into the backseat. “You okay, pumpkin?” Raina asked.
Zoe merely nodded absently and looked as though she was a million miles away.
As she slid into the driver’s seat, Raina noticed Spencer hadn’t moved from the spot she’d left him in and was still staring after them.
* * *
Spencer drove to an ice-cream shop nearby that had several varieties and toppings. He wanted to do anything he could to cheer up his niece. When she’d begun crying, he’d felt such a tug of protectiveness that it had surprised him. Although Zoe was family, he was just getting to know her, but seeing her in distress had tugged at his heartstrings. He and Raina were older and could deal with losing their siblings, or at least they coped. But Zoe? She was a six-year-old little girl. How did you explain or even get her to comprehend that her mother was never coming back? He applauded Raina and her family for all they’d done for Zoe. Despite everything, she was mostly a happy little girl, and of course that was due in part to Alexa.
Oh, Alexa. Spencer wished he’d given Alexa his brother’s new number and that she would have had the courage to tell him he was a father. It may have changed Cameron’s outlook on life. But she hadn’t and Spencer would have to live with that. He would have to make up for his brother’s shortcomings by being the best uncle in the world.
He stopped and parked in a spot outside the front door of the ice-cream shop. Raina’s car slid into the space beside him and he rushed over to open the driver’s door.
His groin tightened when she exited the vehicle. She was wearing a print cardigan over a simple white top and slim-cut olive corduroy pants with tall boots, and her hair was in her usual ponytail, but she looked sexy as hell to Spencer.
“Thank you.” Raina glanced at him and then quickly diverted her eyes as if staring at him would turn her to stone. She opened the back door, and Zoe climbed out.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Spencer said with somewhat forced enthusiasm, eager to get Zoe back in a good mood. “Rocky road? Mint chocolate chip?”
Zoe smiled halfheartedly and he knew she was coming around.
Ten minutes later, they were all sitting down in a booth enjoying their ice cream. He and Zoe were sharing a banana split with all the fixings, while Raina had settled on a raspberry yogurt. Spencer called her a spoilsport, but Raina had merely stuck her tongue out at him and pointed to her hips.
Hips. Curvy hips that Spencer remembered running his hands up and down. Hips that he’d gripped as he’d thrust inside her over and over again. God, what is wrong with me? He should be focusing on Zoe and not letting his hormones take over. He blinked several times and returned his attention back to Zoe. They were discussing what Zoe was going dress as for Halloween.
“I think you should be a princess,” Raina said.
<
br /> “Noooo, I’ve been a princess before,” Zoe said huffily. “I want to be a witch.”
“A witch?” Spencer asked.
Zoe smiled and her eyes grew big. “Yeah.” She nodded enthusiastically. “With a witch hat and a broom.”
Spencer burst out laughing and Zoe glared at him as if he’d offended her. If anyone had ever told him that one day he’d be sitting with his niece and the sexiest caterer he’d ever met discussing children’s Halloween costumes, he would have told them they were crazy. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Spencer held up his hands in defense. “I think it’s a great idea, Zoe. We should go shopping for it.”
“That’s not really necessary, Spencer,” Raina replied. “My mom and I have it covered. We’ve already made plans for this weekend.”
“Oh, of course.” Spencer didn’t realize he was interloping. He was just trying to be helpful. It was why he’d come to the dance school. He was trying to figure out what was important to Zoe and how he’d fit in. He’d known Raina would not be happy about his presence. And she hadn’t been, but she’d seemed to soften when Zoe appeared. “What about what we talked about earlier?” He was trying not to mention the tickets outright so as not to get Zoe’s hopes up if Raina axed the idea.
“Zoe, can you go ask the lady at the counter for a cup of water for me?” Raina inquired.
“Okay.” Zoe scurried out of the booth and in the direction of the front counter.
Raina eyed Zoe and then quickly turned to Spencer. “You just don’t know how to let up, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you to give me space,” Raina said and then turned to glance at Zoe again. “But you just can’t do that. You have to come on strong all the time.”
“Honestly, it’s who I am. I don’t know any other way to be.”
“That’s no excuse,” Raina said tersely.
“C’mon, Raina. You don’t have to be tough all the time.” Spencer’s eyes bore into hers. “It’s just a basketball game.”
“Fine.” Raina shrugged as Zoe returned with her cup of water. “We’ll go with you.”
“Go with Spence where?” Zoe asked with keen ears.
“Didn’t I tell you about listening to grown folk’s conversation?” Raina asked, glaring at her niece.
Zoe lowered her head and slid back into the booth. “Yes, ma’am.”
Spencer stared at Raina until she finally said, “Spence has invited us to a basketball game. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
“Really, Spence?” Zoe perked back up in her seat.
“Yes, munchkin. I’ll be by to pick up you and your aunt Raina on Friday night.” He stared at Raina, daring her to say no. He saw her mouth twitch as if to correct him about picking them up, but she must have thought better of it because for once she let it go.
Chapter 9
On Friday night, Spencer was raring to go. He’d made sure to dress casually in jeans and his favorite jersey. He showed up at Raina’s door with a matching kid’s jersey he’d had made specifically for Zoe. Raina didn’t strike him as very much into sports, but he’d had one made for her, too, just in case.
When Raina opened the door, she was a vision. Her long hair hung in wavy curls well past her shoulders. He loved when she wore it down, and he could remember what it was like running his hands through the luxurious mane. She was dressed simply in a gray turtleneck and slim-fitting jeans. She wore hardly any makeup other than a pale shade of lipstick on her delectable lips. Raina had a natural beauty that didn’t need embellishments. She could have been wearing a potato sack and he would still find her attractive.
“C’mon in.” She motioned him inside. “It’s chilly out.”
“It sure is,” Spencer said, dropping the bag he’d brought onto the floor and rubbing his hands together to warm them up for a minute. Fall was certainly kicking in big-time and the air had turned unseasonably cold almost overnight.
“Zoe’s in the living room.” Raina turned to go away, but Spencer caught her unaware and pulled her into his arms.
He brushed a soft kiss over her mouth and it elicited more than he’d bargained for because passion ignited. Raina relaxed in his arms and he grabbed her face with both hands and deepened the kiss. His tongue entered her mouth with sweeping thrusts and Raina responded in turn.
Slowly, Spencer tilted his head away to gaze at her. He hadn’t meant the kiss to be anything other than a sweet gesture, but whenever he was around Raina she sparked a lust in him that made him feel like a randy teenage boy.
They stared at each other for several long moments, neither of them speaking. It wasn’t until they heard Zoe coming down the stairs calling his name that they reluctantly pulled away.
“Spence.” Zoe gave his legs a gentle tug when she reached the bottom level. “Where have you been?”
“I’m sorry, munchkin,” he said, lifting her into his arms. “Traffic was a nightmare, but there’s still plenty of time for us to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant first.”
“Let’s go,” Zoe urged excitedly.
Spencer looked at Raina. “I’m ready,” she said, walking over to the coatrack. She pulled off Zoe’s lightweight jacket and handed it to him and then slid a suede jacket over her shoulders.
“Wait, wait,” Spencer said and sat Zoe on the floor. He reached for the bag he’d discarded earlier in his haste to kiss Raina and reached inside to hand Zoe the jersey.
“Oh,” Zoe exclaimed, holding it up to admire. “Can I put it on, Auntie Raina?”
Raina smiled. “Of course.” She helped Zoe take off the V-neck sweater she was wearing over her turtleneck, so Zoe could put the jersey on over it. It fit her perfectly. Raina looked at Spencer. “Did you have this custom-made?”
Spencer didn’t reply; he only gave her a large grin. “Now you’re ready. Let’s go.”
Thirty minutes later they were parking in the VIP section of the garage near the arena. Once they exited the garage, Spencer and Raina both reached for Zoe’s hand as they walked across the street. Spencer saw the surprise in Raina’s eyes that he’d had the forethought to think of someone other than himself, but she didn’t say anything.
When they arrived at the VIP entrance, Spencer handed the guard the three tickets for floor seats at the arena. “Hey, Spencer. How you doing, man?” The guard gave him a one-armed hug.
“I’m doing good.” Spencer patted the man on the back. “Good to see you, Bart.”
“How do you know him?” Zoe asked as they walked away.
Spencer again looked at Raina. He wasn’t sure how much she wanted him to share about himself. When she inclined her head, he answered. “I used to play for this team.”
“You were a basketball player?” Zoe asked.
“He was one of the best.” An usher who was putting bands around their wrists spoke up.
Zoe’s eyes grew large with excitement. “Were you really?”
Spencer nodded. “Yeah, I was pretty good.” He tried to downplay his success as he led Zoe and Raina into the restaurant that was reserved for VIPs and season floor-seat ticketholders.
Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Cool!”
Spencer was happy he’d impressed his niece, but he was more concerned about impressing her aunt. Although she’d kissed him back earlier with the same passion, he felt she was still acting aloof toward him. He didn’t know how to break through her reserve, but he had to keep trying.
* * *
Raina sipped on her house wine as she watched Spencer take Zoe around to the different stations, which had offerings of jerk chicken, jambalaya, sliced roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable medleys and hot dogs. There was a make-your-own-taco station filled with all the toppings and condiments. She saw them settle on tacos and was amazed at Spencer’s patience as he helped
Zoe make her own creation. They both came back with heaping plates including nachos with cheese.
“Are you sure you’re going to eat all that, Zoe?” Raina inquired.
“I’m going to try,” Zoe said, picking up one of her overstuffed hard shell tacos.
Spencer did the same, and Raina laughed when both their tacos began to fall apart as they ate. “Oh, that’s the best part.” Spencer picked up the spillage with his fingers. Zoe followed suit, and soon they were laughing up a storm.
Raina was scared at how easily Spencer was fitting into their lives. She’d had so many changes the past few months. How had her normally dull life spun so far out of control?
She knew the answer. It was the moment she’d led with her heart instead of her head and went in search of Zoe’s father. Her mother had warned her about opening up Pandora’s box, but she’d been so sure that finding Zoe’s father was what was best. How could she have known what was in store? Spencer Davis was not going away. He was making his presence known in Zoe’s life. Spencer was all her niece could talk about for the past week. Him and how excited she was about the basketball game tonight.
And as for Raina, he’d made his presence in her life known in more ways than one. From the moment they’d met, he’d been relentless in his pursuit of her and now that they shared a common thread, Raina was afraid to see how much further he would go. She was used to being in the shadows. It had been that way her entire life. First with her parents idolizing Alexa as their favorite child, and now in her career as a caterer, she was in the back of the house creating works of art.
She wasn’t used to being the center of attention and it made her uncomfortable. She’d never met a man like Spencer. He challenged her at every turn, and it disconcerted her. She wanted to run away. That’s what she’d been trying to do, but he refused to let her. He just kept getting in her face like he’d done tonight when he’d kissed her. She hadn’t expected it and she’d been off balance ever since.
As if he could sense that she was thinking about him, Spencer looked up. “Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked, looking at her plate of half-eaten jerk chicken and jambalaya.
A Chance with You Page 10