Chapter 12 #2
Emma rolled her eyes at her brother, but Terry caught the small smile tugging at her lips. She was carefully observing Sandra's interaction with Toby, and he could practically see the wheels turning in his daughter's mind.
Sandra's attention shifted to Emma with the smooth transition of someone genuinely interested in both children. "I really like your bracelet, Emma."
Emma's eyes widened with surprise, and she glanced down at her wrist before looking back at Sandra.
The compliment seemed to catch her off guard, but pleasure flickered across her features.
"Thank you. I got it at one of the shops in Baytown.
It's supposed to track dolphins, though I'm not sure if that actually works. "
Terry noticed how Emma's response was more reserved than Toby's immediate enthusiasm, but not unfriendly. His daughter was simply taking her time.
"Even if it doesn't work, the bracelet is beautiful," Sandra said with sincerity that couldn't be faked. "I might have to check out those shops. It's been a while since I've explored Baytown properly."
Emma nodded, her smile becoming a little more genuine. "There are some nice places. The bookstore has a good selection, if you like to read."
"I love to read," Sandra replied, and Terry watched his daughter's interest spark slightly at this common ground.
Terry's chest filled with something that felt like pure joy.
He'd randomly run into the woman he'd been trying to see all week, his kids were now officially introduced to her, and while Emma was being characteristically cautious, neither child seemed uncomfortable with the encounter.
Hell, Toby was already acting like Sandra was a long-lost friend.
"Toby, Emma, give me a second to chat with Sandra, and I'll catch up to you," he said, his voice carrying just enough parental authority to make it clear this wasn't a request.
Toby looked mildly disappointed to have his ice cream conversation cut short, but nodded agreeably. Emma's expression was more thoughtful, her gaze flicking between Terry and Sandra.
Both kids said polite goodbyes to Sandra, then pushed the cart slowly down the aisle at a deliberate pace that suggested they hoped to overhear whatever came next.
"I don't have a lot of time, and I need to make this quick," Terry said, stepping closer to Sandra than was generally acceptable in a grocery store, but he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away without saying what needed to be said.
"I miss you. I haven't had a chance to tell you in person how sorry I am about last weekend. "
Sandra shook her head, her expression softening in a way that gave him hope. "You've already apologized. And I told you it was just a weird situation. No one's fault."
"I know, but it was fucked," he said, the frustration he'd been carrying all week bleeding into his voice.
"I never meant to shove you away like you were some hidden embarrassment.
Far from it. If we'd already introduced you to the kids, I never would have asked you to stay in the bedroom. Believe me, Sandra, you’re no secret. "
"It was the timing that sucked," she said, her voice carrying a careful honesty that he appreciated even as it stung.
"We hadn't gotten to the point in our relationship where we were ready for others to know.
And I didn't think it was right for me to keep hanging around your bedroom, hoping that neither your kids nor your ex-wife would figure out I was there. "
"For the record, I wouldn't care if she knew you were there," Terry said, meaning every word. "And believe me when I say, she wouldn't care either."
Sandra's chin jerked back slightly, and her expression clearly indicated that she didn't believe him. She must have thought he was either lying or deluding himself about his ex-wife's potential reaction.
"That's more we need to talk about," he continued, recognizing that this wasn't the time or place for a detailed explanation of his relationship with Patricia. "But I'm telling you the truth when I say that my ex-wife would not care."
"Your children are your priority, and that's as it should be," Sandra said, and he could hear both acceptance and something that might have been resignation in her voice.
"Yeah, my kids will always be my priority," he agreed without hesitation. "That doesn't mean there's no room in my life for more."
Her head tilted to the side in that way that meant she was processing what he'd said. It was all he could do to keep from pulling her close and kissing her senseless, reminding her with his body just what they’d had together.
Instead, he stepped even closer, reaching out to take her hand in his, feeling the warmth of her skin against his palm.
"I want this. I want you. I want to see where we can go, Sandra," he said, his voice low and intense. "If you don't have those feelings, if this isn't what you want, then tell me now. And even though it will hurt like hell, I'll leave our relationship as strictly professional."
Once again, he held his breath, suddenly wishing he hadn't pushed her emotionally in the middle of a grocery store with his kids just at the end of the aisle.
She opened her mouth, then snapped it closed, pressing her lips together as though she were trying to find the right words.
Finally, she sighed, the sound carrying a weight of emotion that made his chest tighten.
"I have those feelings, too," she said quietly.
Relief flooded through him so completely that he felt momentarily dizzy.
But she wasn't finished and continued with her honesty. "I guess that's why it was so hard last weekend. I understood that I needed to stay out of sight because you had other things to deal with. I absolutely understand that, but it... it felt... well, it sucked, to be honest."
"I promise that’s not going to happen again.
" He held her gaze, willing her to see the sincerity in his eyes.
"I want more time with you than a rushed lunch.
You've met the kids now, so we can move forward.
Come over for dinner tomorrow. We'll order pizza.
Hang out with the kids and me. We'll keep it light, but I want them to recognize that you're important to me. "
Her lips curved into the first genuinely relaxed smile he'd seen from her since they'd started talking, and he felt his heart lighten for the first time all week. She nodded, and he could see the decision settling over her features like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Okay, yeah. I'd really like that." She suddenly laughed with the kind of spontaneous joy that reminded him why he'd fallen for her in the first place. "And we'll let Toby decide on the ice cream flavor."
A chuckle erupted from deep in his chest, carrying with it all the relief and anticipation and pure happiness that had been building since the moment he'd heard her voice in this aisle. He nodded, squeezing her hand gently before reluctantly letting it go. "Deal, sweetheart. You've got a deal."