“That would be nice, thanks.”
I still don't know much about this man, but the more I find out, the better a man he becomes in my eyes. If my mother ever meets him, she will like him. He reminds me of my father.
“You know, I can change the channel if you would like to watch something else.” He yells from the living room to the kitchen. “How about the Travel channel?”
I dunk the tea pouch in some hot water. “That’s fine. Hopefully I can fall asleep soon so I’m not grouchy in the morning.”
Coming back into the living room, I set the cup of tea down on the side table and take a seat on the couch. His eyes slide over to mine and remain there for about ten seconds. I can’t take mine away, even though it feels sort of awkward. It’s not like he is crushing on me, not with his late wife still on his mind. Not that I blame him. If I had been with someone for that long and lost them to something as horrible as cancer before thirty, I’d feel lost and broken too.
Maybe he isn’t staring at me, and it’s all a dirty daydream. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“Who was calling so late? Her dad?”
I break the stare and look down at my phone. “My mom. I don’t really want to talk about it. It’s the same thing on every phone call. I love her, but I’m not moving back to Oregon.”
It wasn’t just the fact Chris cheated on me there, but the town we lived in was small, like seventeen hundred people. Everyone is always in each other’s business, and nothing is a secret there. Nothing.
“So that’s where you’re from. What city?”
“Cannon Beach.”
The only thing I miss about it is waking up with a view of the sandy shores and the blue water. I’m not sure how my mom puts up with the small-town drama there, but it was enough for me to want to get far away and never go back. Eventually, I would like her to move closer to us, especially as she gets older and might need help. I’d never say that to her because she’d kill me, but it’s true.
“I wish. Never even been to the beach before. My parents never really had time to travel with us, and then as an adult with my job being as demanding as it is, just never got around to it.”
“Have you ever been outside Texas at least?”
“Never. I’d love to go to Europe at some point, but I’ll probably have to save that for when I retire. I’ve heard it’s not worth it unless you go for at least a week.”
I’m in the same boat, really. Besides Oregon and Texas, I’ve never really been anywhere. Sure, I drove down here from Oregon so I passed through some states, but I didn’t actually stop and enjoy them. So that doesn’t count.
Maybe I should use this time to get some questions answered. “So, you don’t have any kids?”
“Nope. Carol and I decided to wait, and then she passed.”
“I just figured you did with how great you are with Emily.”
“Maybe someday. If I’m lucky enough.”
Damon is someone who would truly be a wonderful dad. Some men you can tell by the way they interact with children and he is wonderful with her. He’s very timid, and he doesn’t seem to lose patience with her even when she’s asking a million questions that are none of her business.
“Well, here’s to getting your wish,” I say, raising my cup of tea to clank his.
His eyes study me for a minute, and an urge to kiss him takes over, but I don’t. I don’t need to go making a fool of myself. After a couple seconds, his eyes avert back to the TV and I take a deep breath. You are not going to make a move on him. Be a good girl.
He goes back to watching the show, and it cuts to a commercial and he turns back to me on the couch. “Not to bring up a wretched conversation from earlier, but you’re doing great with her. Don’t get yourself down because of some obstacles that have come up. She won’t remember that, only the time you spent with her. You’re a good mom, Tess. Really.”
I know he wants me to believe that, but in the back of my mind it could be better. Some decisions I made when younger ruined it for me as an adult. If I would have finished college and got a degree, it would be easier for me to find a better job right now, but I didn’t, so I’m stuck working at a store or as a receptionist. Something I already have experience in. How the hell am I going to find a job that pays more than minimum wage doing something like that? For now, I’m stuck working part-time in the local grocery store for a sexist boss who thinks just because I’m a single mom he can talk to me like a piece of trash.
“How’s that tea?”
“Making me sleepy, that’s for sure,” he says, taking a sip before setting it back on the side table. “What are your plans tomorrow?”
Tomorrow is my last day off, and I don’t really have much to do. Probably tidy up around the house, so he doesn’t have to, and maybe some laundry. “Nothing really. Why?”
“Just wondering. I’m off and didn’t know if you planned on staying in or going out to do something?” He picks at his fingers. “I mean we could go out and do something fun with Emily.”
I nod and take another sip of my tea. He wants to take us to do something, and maybe I’m reading too much into this, and his glances, but I think he likes me. My inner schoolgirl squeals. I’ll test the waters later, but if things keep going like this, maybe I’ll work up enough courage to ask him out when we find a place. Emily has a strong bond with him already, and my brain is giving me intense dreams about what a night with him would be like, so it only makes me want to experience it, at least once.
“We should both get some sleep before Emily wakes up and stomps through the house demanding breakfast.” I laugh and so does he.
I crawl back into bed, causing it to squeak again, almost waking her up but only causing her to stir. It’s around three in the morning and she’ll be up in a matter of a few hours. My eyes shut, giving up the fight to keep them open.