Chapter 3
Chapter
Three
West
I don’t know why I’m saying yes, but it’s ugly outside and there’s something inviting about both Serena and her cozy little barn apartment.
It’s small and everything I’ve seen so far is worn and weathered, but there’s a homey-ness that’s unmistakable.
She’s taken pains to make this rough little place into a home.
Bright throw pillows distract from a couch that’s seen better days.
Paintings on the walls reveal an eclectic taste in art.
Pictures of herself and Joey in frames on most surfaces.
It’s the complete opposite of my house, which is modern and beautiful but lacking the warmth I feel here. Lacking a woman’s touch is probably the better description but I’m not going to think about that.
“I keep a change of clothes in the truck,” I say. “Is it all right if I do that? Then how about I light a fire in that wood stove?”
“Sure, make yourself at home.” She smiles and goes into the kitchen where she gingerly lifts the lid of a crockpot. “I think the stew survived,” she calls out. “So we can eat whenever you’re ready.”
“Give me ten minutes.” I walk back outside and grab my bag. My windbreaker isn’t great for warmth, but it’ll protect my clothes from getting wet. This tuxedo is going to need to go to the dry cleaners since the bottom few inches of my pants are soaked.
I change in a small but updated bathroom, stuffing my tuxedo into my duffel. No need to fuss over it since it’s going to the dry cleaners anyway. Sneakers probably aren’t the best shoes for the snow but it’s better than my Italian leather loafers.
“The wood pile is on the side of the main house,” Serena says, glancing over her shoulder at me. “I’m welcome to as much wood as I need, though I rarely use any.”
“Okay. Be right back.”
I throw my tux into my SUV and then jog over to the wood pile. This is a long way for her to go to get wood if she needs it quickly, and I look around to see if there’s a way to carry more than a few logs at a time, but there doesn’t appear to be. I grab as many as I can and walk back to the house.
“Oh, thank you.” She comes over with a smile, taking some from me. “We have electric heat but the stove is nice when it’s this cold.”
“I’m happy to get it going for you.”
“Thank you. You’ve really been a lifesaver tonight. I wish I could do more than offer you dinner.”
“Payment isn’t necessary.” I’ve just gotten the fire going when I feel movement beside me.
“Hot,” Joey says unnecessarily.
I nod. “Yup. You don’t touch it, right?”
“No.” He seems incredibly sincere for someone so small.
He has big blue eyes and his hair is dark. He’s a cute kid and the grin he gives me is sweet.
“I help?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No, too hot. But you can watch what I do so maybe when you’re bigger, you’ll know how to light the fire and you can help your mom.”
He nods, bouncing on his toes happily. “Kay-kay.”
“Come eat!” Serena calls from the kitchen, and it’s a little surreal to pad into the small but pleasant kitchen. There are green and yellow curtains on the window, appliances that are probably functional but could use updating, and a cute little table set for three.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t know this woman and I don’t want to.
Do I?
There’s no denying how attractive she is. Tall, with long legs, pretty face, and a great ass. She has red hair too, which is one of my favorite things. She’s more slender than I normally go for—I like a woman with curves—but she’s sexy in a quiet, subdued way.
No more single moms.
That’s been my mantra since my break-up with Briar. I got myself traded so I wouldn’t have to be around her and promised myself I’d never date another single mom. Yet here I am, picking one up on the side of the road, and essentially following her home.
Now she’s feeding me and we’re sitting at the table like a family.
How the fuck do I get myself into these situations?
Stupid snow.
If I was up north somewhere, this wouldn’t be much of a weather event, and I’d still be heading to the charity function.
However, the stew she spoons into my bowl smells delicious and my stomach growls in response.
“What’s the aroma?” I ask, narrowing my eyes thoughtfully. “It’s not a traditional beef stew. There’s something else in there…”
She smiles. “Paprika. I use a pinch and it gives it a more exotic flavor.”
I love a woman who can cook.
“It’s amazing,” I say after taking a bite. “Could I have your recipe?”
“Of course.” She sinks down next to Joey and cuts up the cubes of beef on his plate into smaller pieces.
“I do it, Mommy!” he protests when she tries to feed him.
“Right. Sorry.” She hides a smile. “I keep forgetting you’re a big boy now.”
“I’m big!” Joey tells me.
“I see that.” I take another bite of stew, enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Remembering things I wish would go the fuck away.
Briar and me sitting at her table, her daughter Frankie chattering about anything and everything. The two of us planning our next date or discussing an upcoming hockey game. The intimacy we shared that had nothing to do with sex.
It’s been more than a year since I dated anyone and didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it.
Except I’m not looking for anything beyond sex.
“I really do appreciate you letting me screw up your plans,” Serena says after a moment.
“I didn’t want to go to the charity event anyway. Not on a night like tonight. And I just got a text from the team saying it’s been canceled.”
She nods. “Not a night to be out and about.” She puts a piece of meat in her mouth. Watching her, I realize there’s something familiar about her but I can’t imagine where I would know her from.
“Why do you look so familiar?” I ask after a moment.
She hesitates briefly and then one corner of her mouth lifts. “Did you ever watch a television show called ‘Dusty Peaks’?”
My eyes widen and recognition dawns. “Wait a minute—you’re Marissa!”
She nods. “Yup. I played Marissa. It was a great recurring role. Until I got myself knocked up in real life and they wouldn’t write it in.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I loved that show. We used to watch it on road trips all the time on my last team. And they straight up fired you?”
“Well, it’s a little more nuanced than that, but that’s what it boils down to. Once I got pregnant, I did a few more episodes, but then they wrote me off. Henry went on to marry Blair.”
I make a face. “She was awful. The character, I mean.”
“I know what you meant. Sadly, that was the end of my acting career.” She reaches out to ruffle Joey’s hair. “But I have no regrets other than the money.”
“And there were no other roles for you to get?”
“I was new. That was my first prime time role, and although Marissa was popular, she was still a side character. Henry’s final fling before settling down with his great love or whatever.
Basically, I had less than one season of success so I didn’t have any power in the industry.
And of course, it didn’t help that I lived here in Atlanta.
Maybe in L.A. something would’ve happened, but not here. ”
“What do you do now?”
“I’m the lead chef at Peachtree Academy. It’s a private school not too far from here.”
“That’s where Lindy goes!” I say. “And you’re a chef?”
“Well, it’s a fancy word for the head cafeteria lady, I guess.
I was in culinary school, doing a little acting and modeling on the side.
I dropped out when I got the role on Dusty Peaks, but my skills were enough to impress the headmaster at Peachtree Academy, and while the pay is okay, working there means Joey will get a top-notch education once he starts kindergarten.
I also have health insurance and get to cook for a living. All things considered, it’s win-win.”
Except for the fact that she has a car that’s falling apart, clothes that are secondhand, and it’s obvious she worries about money.
I probably shouldn’t mention that.
“What kinds of things do you get to cook for a bunch of kids?”
“It’s more complicated—and interesting—than you might think.
I find all kinds of creative ways to get them to eat healthy.
Like brownies that are full of veggies or lasagna that’s equal parts cheese and vegetables.
I’ve got a carrot cake recipe with more protein and fiber than some meat dishes, so it’s really a good opportunity. ”
“It sounds great. I do a bit of cooking myself.”
“Yeah?” She cocks her head curiously. “Like what?”
“Well, my beef bourguignon is pretty epic, if I do say so myself. And my roommates beg me to make my osso bucco.”
“I feel like this is a challenge,” she says, eyes glittering with amusement. “Because I’m pretty sure my osso bucco is the best in the state.”
“Then maybe we need to have a cookoff.” Our eyes meet and hers are filled with fierce determination, despite the twinkle in her eye.
She folds her arms across her chest playfully. “You’re on. Name the time and place.”