Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Brooke
“What about this one?” Lake asked, holding up a lovely gray and silver blouse. “It’ll give you great cleavage.” She beamed at me, and I held back a laugh.
“Are you trying to get me to show off my boobs to your cousin? When did we cross that friendship line?” I asked.
Lake laughed and tossed me the shirt before going to my closet.
I could’ve found something to wear on my own. I had been doing it daily for most of my life. But it was nice getting ready for our dates together. She was heading out soon to meet Zach, and Leif would be here soon to pick me up.
Luke rushed in. “I love it, Mommy! May is letting me have cookies later after we color. Is it really okay?”
I leaned down and brushed his hair from his face. “You know it. Just make sure you try to save me one, okay?”
Luke hugged me tightly, nodded, then ran back out to the living room past a smiling May in the door. May waved at me and followed Luke.
While I had mom guilt for leaving, I knew Luke was excited to be able to eat cookies tonight. He didn’t get cookies every week, so being able to go on a sugar high tonight was his reward for a good week at school and to ease my guilt for leaving him to go on a date.
I knew I needed to have a life, that dating was part of that life, and I wasn’t a terrible mom for doing this. It wasn’t like I went out every night or left Luke to fend for himself. But that mom guilt was trademarked for a reason.
Lake came to my side and bumped hips with me. “That is one cute kid. And by the way? Leif is not my cousin right now. He is the guy you’re going on a date with. So what if I want to show off your boobs to him? They are great boobs.”
I laughed and quickly changed shirts, agreeing that the silver and gray one looked nice.
It was a wrapped shirt that curved in at the waist and flared out slightly at my hips.
It did indeed show off my cleavage, but not so much that I would feel a draft.
“Okay, you win. I like this shirt. I don’t know why I don’t wear it often. ”
“Probably because even though you just moved in, it was still stuck in the back of your closet.”
“You’re probably right. I try to look somewhat nice for work, but I shouldn’t show off the girls there.”
“You could under your lab coat.” Lake grinned. “It might be fun.”
I rolled my eyes as I went to finish my makeup, feeling like a giddy teen getting ready for a date rather than the single mother who worked hard and too late some nights.
“I think slacks and a button-up shirt are just fine for under my lab coat.”
Lake shook her head. “Do people even call them slacks anymore?”
I flipped her off good-naturedly. “No. Maybe it’s a California thing.”
“You live in Colorado now, so you’re going to have to get with the lingo.”
“Whatever you say. Although I didn’t realize Coloradans had an accent. I distinctly remember someone saying that Colorado had a lack of accent, and that’s why you could always tell who is from here.”
“Maybe in the past. But so many people moved here in the past couple of decades that it’s not that way anymore.
We say y’all just like everybody else.” Lake winked as she said it and fluffed her hair in the mirror as she stood beside me.
“I need to go out and meet Zach, so he’s not waiting for me. I hate making him wait for me.”
I looked over at her and smiled. “So, you two are doing well then?”
Lake smiled brightly, her eyes shining, that I could see the happiness there without her even having to answer.
“We are. He’s just so nice. And kind. And he always makes sure that I have everything I need, especially after a long day or after I’ve been traveling.
It’s just nice to have someone to lean on, you know? ”
I shook my head as I picked up my purse and followed Lake out of my bedroom and towards the living room. “Not really. I’ve been alone for a while.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but it was easy to be honest with Lake.
“I would say you’re not alone anymore, but I mean the fact that I’m in your life. I’m not talking about your date.”
“I appreciate that. It’s just a date.” I let out a breath. “And I don’t know a lot about dating. I’m still learning. And Luke doesn’t know.”
Lake nodded, an understanding look in her eyes.
“You’re a good mom. I don’t know how I would ever be able to handle bringing up dating to my son or daughter.
And I know that Leif isn’t going to begrudge you for acting as if he’s just your friend in front of your son.
There are delicate steps to be taken, and you’re traversing them well. ”
“I don’t feel like I am.”
“You are.” Lake froze as she looked at her phone and winced.
“And that’s Zach. I’m late. I’ve got to go.
He’s waiting for me.” She practically ran out of the house, and I raised my brows, wondering why she had to dash to meet him.
Maybe she just wanted to be with him. I could understand that.
They were still in the beginning stages of the relationship, getting to know one another, and she didn’t want to spend any time without him.
It was nice. And though I would like to think I wouldn’t run to go meet Leif, I figured that probably wasn’t the case.
“Mommy?” Luke asked, and I turned, an odd note in his voice sending up my mom alert.
“What is it, baby?”
May rushed out, her eyes wide, as Luke bent over and vomited on my shoes.
I held back a curse, lifted Luke into my arms, and carried him into the bathroom, thankful that we made it to the toilet before he vomited again.
“I’m so sorry. He was fine, and then he wasn’t. I don’t think he has a fever. I just felt him.” May got a washcloth and ran it under cold water before handing it to me.
Luke began to cry, and I brushed his hair back from his sweaty face, whispering sweet words to him. I lay the washcloth over his forehead and rubbed his back as he vomited again. I sat down next to him, my vomit-covered shoes next to me on the ground.
“Thank you, May. Can you get me the thermometer?”
“On it.” She rushed out of the bathroom as I held my baby close, and he curled into a ball on my lap.
I was now covered in sweat and things I didn’t want to think about, my pretty shirt probably ruined.
But that was fine. My baby was sick, and my mom guilt hit full force.
May came back with a thermometer, and as we took his temperature, noticed it was ninety-nine, and I sighed.
“Okay, buddy, let’s keep you cleaned up and tucked into bed.”
“You want me to call the pediatrician?” May asked, her eyes filled with worry but her tone steady.
I shook my head. “I can handle this. Why don’t you head on home? I’ve got this.”
“No, it’s okay. I can help.”
“You have a long day tomorrow, and we might have an even longer one depending on how tonight goes. You get some sleep so hopefully you don’t end up sick, too.” I cringed as I said it, and she nodded tightly.
“If you’re sure. Let me know if you need anything. I’m just a phone call away.”
I looked up at her, rubbing Luke’s back. “I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you, May.”
“I’ll clean up the mess before I go and try to do something with your shoes.”
She didn’t let me protest, and it wasn’t like I could stop her, not with Luke in my arms, crying softly that his tummy hurt.
I didn’t think it would be too bad, at least I hoped not.
There had been a stomach bug going through kindergarten for the last week, and I had hoped it had skipped Luke. Apparently, he was just a late bloomer.
By the time I cleaned up Luke and tucked him into bed, May had tidied up and headed home reluctantly.
I pulled off my shirt, treated it with a stain guard, and walked into my bedroom, wearing only a bra and panties. I quickly shoved on a shirt and shorts and cursed aloud as the doorbell rang.
Crap. I completely forgot I had a date.
How could I have forgotten Leif?
I walked past Luke’s room, grateful he was still sleeping and looking better already, and then I ran to the front door, belatedly remembering I looked like hell.
My hair was piled on the top of my head, my makeup was probably running through sweat and tears, and I looked like I had been through the wringer.
I opened the door and cringed. Because there Leif was, looking sexy as hell in gray pants, a stone-gray button-up shirt, and those bright blue eyes of his looking far too damn good.
“Hey there. Did I get the night wrong?” he asked as he reached forward and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
I wanted to cry, but I knew I didn’t have the right to do so. My baby was sick, and I did not have the time to break down.
“I’m sorry. Luke came down with a stomach bug, and I’m just now finished cleaning up and tucking him in. I completely forgot to text you and cancel. I’m so sorry. That must make me look like an idiot.”
Leif’s eyes widened and he walked in, closing the door behind him. He cupped my face and pressed his forehead to mine. “Are you okay? How is Luke? You need to take him to the doctor?”
I nearly burst into tears with how caring he was, the fact that he was so worried about Luke. Was my bar set so low for men that him just asking about my son nearly broke me?
“I’m okay. I’m just sorry to have made you come here for nothing. Luke is sleeping now, but I’m going to go in and check on him.”
Leif pulled back and brushed my hair from my face again. “Why don’t you go sit with him. I’ll make you something to eat.”
My eyes widened. “You don’t want to leave? This isn’t what you were expecting.”
“I was expecting to spend time with you. And I can still do that, just with taking care of Luke. He’s your son.
Your number one priority. And he’s sick.
It’s got to be scary and nerve-wracking.
So, you take care of your kid because I want to make sure he’s okay, too.
I like that kid. So, let me make you dinner with whatever you have, and as long as you’re okay with that, we can sit and eat together while keeping an eye on Luke. ”