Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
Serena
I don’t know where this gorgeous, long-haired and bearded hockey player who rocks a tuxedo came from, but he’s definitely a bright spot on an otherwise shitty day.
My three-year-old son, Joey, had a tantrum in the car before I dropped him off, which made me late to work.
I got yelled at for being late, my car broke down, and then the owner of the daycare center my son attends got snippy with me for being late picking him up.
Some days make you want to crawl under the covers and hide from the world.
Except I can’t.
I have a child to take care of—one who’s currently costing me two bucks a minute in late fees. That’s going to seriously cut into next week’s grocery budget.
I don’t know what I’m going to do or how I’m going to get my car fixed.
There is no emergency money, or savings, and without a car, I can’t work.
For the millionth time I curse myself—and Joey’s father—for agreeing to ridiculous terms instead of hiring a lawyer to fight for child support.
Not that I can afford a lawyer but I could have paid him off a little at a time or something.
But I didn’t, so now I’m in an expensive, warm car with a really cute guy whom I genuinely hope isn’t a serial killer or something. I’m not overly worried about what happens to me—I can’t control what other people do—but that would make Joey an orphan and that scares me.
“I’m Serena, by the way,” I say, almost like it’s an afterthought.
Because it feels so comfortable. Like we already know each other. Which makes no sense.
“Nice to meet you,” he says.
“I can think of better ways to meet people than breaking down on the side of the road in a storm.”
“It’s going to be okay.” West’s voice is a deep baritone that warms me on the inside just as much as the outside. I like the timbre of it and his calm, gentle way of talking.
“If the daycare center kicks us out, it’s going to be a problem,” I murmur.
“Would they do that just because you’re late during an unprecedented snowstorm?”
“I don’t know. I hope not.”
“I don’t think anyone is going to work tomorrow,” he says.
“Winters in Atlanta are usually moderate,” I mutter. “But every few years we get some crap like this and it shuts us down. And it’s harder on some of us than others.”
“Yeah, I moved here last summer from L.A. so it’s taken some adjusting.”
“We’ll get snow and/or ice every few years, and the whole city shuts down. Flurries are a fun distraction for a day or two but when it hits hard, like it is now, we’re just not prepared.”
“I’m supposed to be at a charity event tonight—you probably guessed that from the tuxedo—but once I get you where you need to be, I’m going home. It’s just not safe.” He stares out at the snow that’s coming down pretty hard for the South.
“I’m sorry to delay you,” I say. “Really.”
“It’s fine—this the place?”
“Yes. Thank you. Do you think you could wait a second? I’ll be right back.”
He slows to a stop and I jump out of his SUV. I hate to impose on him any more than I have to, but I have no other way to get home so I’m going to swallow my pride and assume it’s a given he’ll get us there.
I hurry over to where Mrs. Carter and Joey are waiting. He has his Braves baseball cap and his baseball-themed backpack on, holding her hand. She looks pissed but I can’t help that.
“Thank you,” I tell her, taking Joey’s hand. “Can you add the late fee to my bill?”
She scowls but nods. “Yes. Be safe.”
“You too. Come on, Joey.” I hurry to the SUV and find West securing the car seat, like he’s done it before. As if it’s a foregone conclusion that he’s taking us home. The feminist in me is dying a little but Joey’s safety always takes precedence.
“Not your first car seat installation?” I ask with a chuckle.
He shakes his head. “Nope. My ex had a kid so I spent quite a bit of time moving car seats when we were dating.”
“I see.” I watch him secure it, test out how tightly it’s strapped in, and then turn to look down at Joey.
“I’m West,” he says. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Joey! Do you like baseball?”
West chuckles. “I do.”
“The Braves are the bestest!”
He grins. “Agreed. You ready to get in?”
Joey nods and West scoops him up like he weighs nothing, gently strapping him in.
Once I’m sure he’s safe, I turn to walk around to the passenger side and bump into West. For the second time, I’m briefly pressed against him, one arm around my waist steadying me, and there’s no mistaking the sharp crackle of electricity.
What the hell is happening to me? I don’t flirt with strange men. Certainly not in front of my son. But as I look up into his handsome face, I realize I feel safe with West. He could be anyone but as a single mom I’ve learned to trust my intuition, and right now I’m not getting any weird vibes.
“I live about ten miles west,” I say once he pulls onto the street. “I really appreciate you getting us home.”
“No problem at all.” He’s driving slowly but navigates the slippery streets expertly.
“You must come from up north somewhere,” I say.
He chuckles. “Minnesota.”
“That’s why you’re so comfortable driving in the snow.”
“Yeah, this is nothing where I’m from.”
“Personally, I prefer summer, but there’s no stopping Mother Nature.”
“Nope.”
“Mommy, are we having stew?” Joey asks.
Hopefully.
I left the crockpot on but I’ve gone well past the ten hours I set it to, which means the meat and potatoes are either incredibly tender or dry as a bone.
“It’s in the crockpot,” I say. “We’ll be home soon, honey.”
“Okay!”
“I hope you don’t live too far,” I say to West.
“Peachtree Heights.”
Not far in miles but a world away from the tiny town I live in.
Peachtree Heights is a wealthy suburb, just off the beaten path so it has a small-town feel even though it’s only about thirty miles from downtown Atlanta.
It’s fun to walk around the Peachtree Heights Main Street area on a Sunday afternoon, window shopping or stopping for ice cream.
It has a whimsical feel. I can enjoy myself as long as I don’t look at the prices since I can’t afford anything there.
“I’m guessing you’ve spent weekends walking up and down Main Street?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Actually, I haven’t. Since I play for the Thunder, there’s always something going on. When I have down time, I spend a lot of time with my roommates.”
“How many do you have?” I ask curiously.
“Right now, it’s a zoo,” he says, chuckling.
“I had a lot of equity in my house in L.A. so I bought a massive place here. It’s a good investment, but what’s a single guy going to do with five bedrooms?
So, I got four roommates. Then Bodi fell in love, so Jayne moved in until their new house is built.
There was also some family drama, and she now has custody of her seven-year-old sister, who turned my den into her room.
It’s a very, very full house. But it’s okay because we’re all good friends and Lindy’s a sweet kid. ”
“That sounds nice.” Is my voice a little wistful? I feel like I know these people, which is ridiculous.
What is it about this guy that makes me feel vulnerable?
“It is. What about you? Is it just you and Joey?”
“Yeah.” I hesitate. I don’t like to talk about my life because it’s kind of embarrassing.
“Is his dad in the picture?”
That makes me snort. As if. “No. My parents are gone. I have some aunts, uncles and cousins in South Georgia but there’s nowhere to work where they are, so it’s just Joey and me.”
“I’m sorry his father was such a dick. I’d beat his ass for you if I could.”
That makes me smile because West is a big guy.
He’s well over six feet, which I like because I’m five ten, so tall guys are a novelty. One I like a lot.
“It’s been almost four years. Joey just turned three and I was pregnant for nine months so he’s really a distant memory. And yes, before you ask—it was a one-night stand.”
“Hey, no judgment here,” he says quietly. “I’ve had my share of one-nighters, and if there ended up being a baby because of one, I’d man the fuck up and take care of my kid.”
I cough lightly, motioning to the back seat and he grimaces.
“Sorry. I forgot he’s back there.”
“He’s actually half-asleep but you know how kids are—he parrots almost everything these days.”
“Are we getting close?” he asks.
“It’s the next right,” I say. “It’s a long dirt road but should be okay to drive on. I rent a renovated barn in the back of a farm, and the owners keep it up.”
“A barn?”
I laugh. “It’s not what you’re thinking. It used to be a barn, so it has barn-like charm, but it’s been renovated into a one-bedroom apartment with a little sitting room that I use as Joey’s room. The location isn’t ideal, but it’s cheap and Rudy, the owner, is really good about repairs and stuff.”
“That’s important.”
“The turn is right up here.”
He slows down even more and takes the turn expertly, and then we bump along the road until I see the lights from the farmhouse where Rudy and his wife Gemma live.
“Turn in where you see the yellow flag,” I say.
The SUV skids a little when he turns this time but he easily corrects it and stops safely in front of my apartment.
“Let me get the car seat for you,” he says, immediately getting out.
Joey’s asleep so I lift him and carry him toward the front door, calling over my shoulder, “if you can bring the car seat inside, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure.”
I lay Joey on the couch and turn just as West comes in, holding the car seat and the duffel I’d filled with everything from my car.
Jesus, his shoulders fill out the whole doorway and he looks a little like a lumberjack or something, standing there.
A lumberjack in a tuxedo, which makes me giggle.
“What’s funny?” he asks, arching a brow.
“Sorry. You look like a lumberjack in a tuxedo.”
He smiles. “Thanks. I think.”
“Trust me—it’s a compliment.” I smile back, hoping I don’t sound too flirtatious. He’s just incredibly hot.
“Just put that stuff anywhere.” I kick off my shoes and rub my hands up and down my arms. “Brr. I need to turn on the heat.”
“Need help with anything else?”
He has no idea how badly I want to say yes.
But I should let him get home. The roads are only going to get worse. That would be the polite thing to do.
Right?
Or…
I could offer him dinner. Assuming the stew isn’t charred to a crisp after so many hours.
“I’ll only accept help if you stay for dinner,” I blurt before I can change my mind.
He blinks as if he’s seriously considering it but something is making him pause. Like how oddly comfortable we are together.
As he’s pondering his response, our eyes lock.
Wow, the chemistry is so intense I can almost see it.
But… It isn’t possible he’s attracted to me…is it?
Then he surprises me with his reply.
“Sure.”