“To a concert at the Hollywood Bowl,” he said. “Her idea. Not mine. She's a big fan of Train, and I guess they're playing tomorrow night. Her friend cancelled on her, so it’s a last minute sort of thing.”
“Sounds like a good time,” I said.
“Suppose so.” He scratched his head and didn't look entirely interested in talking about it. As long as I'd lived next door to him, I couldn't recall him going out a whole lot, especially late at night. “Anyway, thank you. I know the kids will be very excited to have you watching them again.”
“Always love spending time with the little misfits.”
He turned to leave, and my eyes followed him. I couldn't help myself. I watched his ass as he walked out the door and back through the gate to his place. Whoever he was dating was one lucky woman, that was for sure.
ooo000ooo
The next evening, I popped over to the Pratt household at six on the dot, as promised. Zoey was just getting out of the bath when I arrived. Her hair was wet as she ran up to me, hugging me close.
“Yay! I'm so glad you're here with us tonight, Emma,” she said.
“Gosh, I missed you! You're getting so big, Zoey,” I said.
Zack stood off to the side, looking bashful. He'd always been a little more introverted than his sister. He was also freshly bathed and was already in his Superman pajamas.
Marcus came rushing into the foyer, wearing black dress pants and a dark blue button up shirt. He looked nice. Really nice. Freshly shaven and everything. When he stepped close, I caught a subtle whiff of his cologne and felt my heart doing cartwheels in my chest.
“The kids have been fed and bathed,” Marcus said. “I told them they could stay up until eight to watch one movie with you – just one though – and then it's bedtime. No arguments, right guys?”
Zoey and Zack exchanged a mischievous look that said, “what Dad doesn't know won't hurt him.” Then, they turned to him with wide eyes, the picture of pure innocence, and nodded.
Marcus looked at them skeptically. “One movie and then bed,” he repeated. “Period. Don't even try to convince Emma to let you stay up later. It's my rule, not hers. Got it?”
The kids looked crushed, but nodded. He turned to me, giving me a small grin.
“There's some lasagna in the fridge if you get hungry,” he said. “As always, help yourself to anything in the kitchen. The spare bedroom is made up for you in case you get tired.”
“It's all good, Marcus,” I said with a laugh. “Go, enjoy your date. I got this.”
He flashed me a crooked smile. “Thanks again, Emma. You're the best with the kids and I'm glad you're back.”
“You know I love these munchkins,” I said with a laugh. “Now go. Don't keep your date waiting.”
“She's actually picking me up here,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. “A modern woman? I approve already.”
“It's not like that,” he said. “She works nearby and it's just easier – hell, why am I explaining myself?”
“I don't know,” I said with a shrug and a laugh. “Because I'm not judging you. Whatever works these days.”
Not that I had a lot of experience with dating. The problem with being raised by suc
h a strict father was that he had high standards for who could date his daughters. Seth really didn't pass that test, but Riley didn't care all that much. Being the firstborn, I was exceptionally close to our father and always wanted to impress him – including with my choice in men. So, if a boy I was interested in didn't meet my father's standards, he didn't meet mine either.
There was a knock on the door and I ushered the kids out of the foyer and into the living room. I figured with it being a first date and all, it was going to be awkward enough. I didn't want to add to the awkwardness of having those two munchkins hanging around. I let them pick out a movie, but I wasn't paying attention to their selection.
My gaze was on the foyer where a beautiful leggy redhead stepped inside with a wide smile on her face. She was stunning, a classic beauty, just the type of woman I could see him being with honestly. There was a knot in the pit of my stomach when I saw her. Yes, I was jealous. Even though I knew it was silly, I was still jealous that she would be going on a date with someone as amazing as Marcus. Somebody I'd been crushing on for so long.
They popped their heads in the living room to wave goodbye.
“Emma, this is Stacey,” he said. “Stacey, this is Emma. She lives next door.”
“It's nice to meet you, Stacey,” I said.