Want You Back

Minutes later, I was in bed too, thoughts of the future swirling in my mind. The fear that usually accompanied my worries of the future was gone. I hoped that Alex would prove to still be trustworthy and somewhere down the line, I could tell him about Kayden.

It felt good to know that my son’s dad was now in his life even if it was on a temporary basis. I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.

At ten thirty, just as I tucked Kayden in the crib for his morning nap, I heard the sound of a car outside. Alex. I smiled, remembering how particular he used to be about time.

“Have a good day my little darling,” I whispered to an already sleeping Kayden and tiptoed out.

I flung the front door open just as Alex was getting out of his car. Warmth spread across my chest as Alex strode towards me with a smile that could only be described as devastatingly sexy.

My heart pounded hard as he finally came to a halt before me, inches from my face. I swallowed hard.

“Morning,” he said.

My eyes remained glued to his lips and all I could think about was how it would feel to taste him. Alex had a coffee scent in his mouth twenty-four seven. I wondered if that had changed.

“Morning,” I finally said.

“May I come in?” he teased.

“Yes of course.” I jumped to one side, ashamed at being caught staring. I was sure he could read the filthy thoughts going through my mind. “Coffee?” I asked after I shut the front door.

“Coffee would be great.”

God, he smelled good. Edible. I led the way to the kitchen and I found myself swaying my hips just a bit more than usual.

“I’ve just put Kayden down for his nap,” I said while pouring Alex some coffee. “He sleeps for about an hour and a half. I’ve stuck his schedule on the fridge.” I was rambling.

“We’ll be fine, don’t worry,” he said.

I liked his reassuring quiet confidence. I let out a breath and sipped my coffee. “The diapers are on the changing table in his room. I can’t think of anything else but he’s an easy kid.”

“And you’re only a phone call away,” he said, pointing at phone numbers I’d stuck on the fridge.

Both were for the diner. I blushed at how psychotic I must have appeared to Alex. “That’s just in case I don’t hear my cell phone ringing.”

“I doubt that very much,” he said.

I drained the last of my coffee and carried my cup to the sink. “I have to go. Thanks for doing this.”

I was a second away from crying.

He waved me away. “You’re welcome. It can’t be easy to be a single mom.”

With a shaky smile, I turned to leave. I peered at Kayden one more time, grabbed my handbag from my room and moved to the front door where Alex was waiting for me.

“Are you sure you don’t want to use my car?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”

Charlotte

I should have been worried to have left my son with my ex-husband, whose capabilities of minding a toddler were questionable, but I wasn’t. I was at peace while I chopped up vegetables and started the stews for the lunch time special.

As I worked, I experienced one of those moments of unexplained happiness and gratitude for my life. I loved my job. I enjoyed the creations we prepared which our customers enjoyed.

It was humbling to know that we were one of the most successful establishments in town and that people came from far and wide to eat at the diner. As I worked, my mind drifted to Alex and Kayden and a nice feeling swept over me.

Father and son were finally together and getting to know each other. As with all days in the diner, the day passed by in a whirlwind of activity, except for a small lull at four thirty. I texted Alex and he responded immediately, letting me know that they were fine.

Half an hour before my shift was to end, Lulu came to the kitchen as I was washing up my knives to let me know that someone was asking after me. Curious, I rinsed them off and followed her to the seating area.

As soon as I saw the silky red hair, I clamped a hand to my mouth and stifled a scream. Amy. She was facing away from me and when I got closer and stopped by her side, she glanced up and her eyes flooded with tears.

With a cry, she shot to her feet and grabbed me into a hug. We clung to each other, and just sobbed. No words could express the joy I felt at seeing my best friend again.

“I should punch you,” she said when we finally drew apart.

“I deserve it,” I said, sliding into the opposite seat. I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and squinted as I peered into Amy’s face.