“Yeah, I have a six-year-old girl named Emily. We’ve been on our own most of our life, but I just started seeing this wonderful guy.”
“Details. Come on,” Harper pushes.
She seems so cool, and it’s nice to have someone to hang out with and talk to. I never really have had time to socialize much. “He’s a firefighter, tall, dark, and unbelievably handsome.”
“Sounds like my kind of guy. He got any hot brothers?” she asks.
“Yeah, two. Don’t know much about them yet though.”
“Well, let me know if they are looking. But none of that friends with benefits or sex on the side stuff. I’m not that kind of girl.”
She cracks me up, and even though I’ve only known her for the day, it feels like we are already friends. Maybe we will continue to hang out even after she moves to teaching. Until then, I’ll just enjoy lunch and gossiping.
The rest of the afternoon is slow with barely any visitors. Three o’clock rolls around and I thank Harper for training me, give her my number, and head on my way to pick up Emily. Even just the walk feels different, like I’m finally going somewhere in life.
“Mama!”
Emily is always so happy to see me and I hope that never changes. We hop and skip back to Damon’s house, where I change into something more comfortable and join Emily on the couch to watch some TV before he gets home and we plan dinner.
The little times we have to spend together mean the most. In six or seven more years, when she’s a teenager, she won’t want anything to do with me, so I have to take advantage of it while I can.
“I’m home,” he says, coming in the door. “How did your first day go?”
I smile. “Perfect. I think I’m really going to like it there.”
He goes to his room to change and comes out in dark jeans and a button-up.
“What are you getting all dressed up for?” Not that I mind, he looks scrumptious.
“Well, I’d like to take you out to dinner to celebrate. So, you two better go get dressed.”
At first, I want to say no since he has already done so much. “Are you sure? We can save money and just eat here.”
“I’m not hard-pressed for money and would like to take you guys out. Don’t worry about it. Just have fun.”
Damon blinks hard when we both come out. I put on a black dress, and Emily a yellow one.
“Wow, I’m one lucky guy.”
In the car, I catch him glancing down my body, taking in the dress that hugs my shape in just the right way. It’s these subtle glances that leave me anticipating more from him. His eyes keep taking me in, even walking into the restaurant and when sitting down at the table.
“So, let’s use tonight to get to know each other better. Like... What's your ideal career?”
“I don’t really know. When I was younger, my dream was to become a kindergarten teacher.”
“Interesting. I could see that. Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
Why is he asking so many weird questions? “Hopefully with a stable place to live, a good job, and maybe married.” Once I say it out loud, I figure how cliché it sounds. Every girl dreams of the perfect man and marriage.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to be married... as long as you are with the right person and they treat you well.” He looks over to Emily. “What about you, little one? What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Just like you. I want to help people.”
Damon seems shocked by her response and even sheds a little tear. “Wow, I’m honored.”
“I think you and Mommy will be married in ten years... at least I hope...” Emily explains.
We look at each other, seemingly awkward now. “I don’t know about that, sweetie.”
Our eyes lock on each other, wondering if the other is stepping back. I honestly don’t know what Damon wants at this point. He’s so hot and cold, and I can’t get a read on him. One minute he’s kissing me, then the next he’s shoving me off. Make up your fucking mind already.
“I know, but you’re both so happy... I just wish it could stay that way...”
Emily is a young girl, but she is intuitive for sure. I couldn’t refute that since staying with Damon, she seems happier. Hell, we all are.
Will Damon choose to move forward or keep rejecting me?