“Tell them, thank you for the invitation. I would love to come over.”
His mouth dropped. “What?”
“I’d like to come over for dinner. What time should I be there?”
“Uh...uh...”
Her chuckle came across the line and sent goose bumps up his arm. “Did you expect me to say no?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s what you get for assuming,” she said in a singsong voice. “I’ll be over at six. I’m assuming you don’t eat late.”
“No, we don’t. Six is fine.”
“Yay!” the girls chorused.
Guy whirled around in time to see his girls hug each other.
Help!
Chapter Fourteen
Michelle stared at Guy’s front door. Her fingers wiggled instead of forming into a fist to knock on his door. Her feet seemed to have been glued to the front porch. What had made her agree to dinner? Dinner with Guy? Dinner with Guy and his girls?
I. Am. Insane.
She bit her lip while staring at the door knocker. It wanted to be touched, it begged to be used; however, her hand clutched the bottle of sparkling cider like it was a life raft. Michelle didn’t want to drown, but she feared if she walked into his house her life would never be the same.
For better or worse was the only question remaining.
God, um, help?! I don’t know what I was thinking, saying yes to his invitation. I know he didn’t want me to come and maybe that’s why I said yes. Only now, I’m stuck. I’m petrified I’ve done something that will set in motion events I will later wish I can undo. What is wrong with me lately?
She set her shoulders and straightened her back. But I’m here, and I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. All I ask is that I leave here with my heart intact.
“Amen,” she murmured. Michelle stretched out her hand and knocked on the blue door.
In a matter of seconds, two twin faces peeked from the curtained windows framing the sides of the door. She smiled at the girls and chuckled softly to herself when they squealed in delight.
“Papa, Miz Chelle is here!”
The door opened. Guy stared at her, a hesitant smile on his face. Was he nervous? Excited even?
“Come on in. As you can tell the girls are pretty excited.”
The threshold loomed before her. She gulped and then crossed it, passing Guy with as much space between them as possible. Still the hint of his spiced-tinted cologne managed to invade her senses. Her body swayed as it danced around her. Is that the same cologne from high school?
How was that possible? She changed scents regularly depending on the season. Right now, her Dior perfume was perfect for Spring. The orange scent kept her feeling peppy without being overbearing. She faced him, praying her face held a perfect picture of calm and confidence. It would be her best act yet. She forced her cheeks to go higher, widening her smile.
“Thanks for inviting me.” She held the bottle out. “I thought the girls would enjoy the bubbly.”
Guy took the bottle and read the label.
She exhaled as a real smile lit his face. His teeth shined and the shadows were momentarily chased away. Deep breath. His smile isn’t that captivating.
“They’ll love it. We drink it on birthdays and holidays.”
The relief she felt at his calm acceptance rolled over her. How silly to be so nervous over a bottle of sparkling cider. She felt a tug on her leg and looked down into Bekah’s sweet face.
“Miz Chelle, come see my woom?”
“Sure, sweet pea. I’d love too.”
Bekah grabbed her hand, leading the way up the stairs. Rachel followed, animatedly talking the whole way.
“We share a room Miz Chelle.” Rachel proudly boasted.
“Awesome. I can’t wait to see it.”
Bekah tugged her down the short hallway to the last bedroom on the right. The home showed its age, but it also showed comfort. The girls were lucky to grow up in such a home. Rachel opened their door and gestured inside.
“Ta da,” she exclaimed in delight.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the room. It looked like a F-5 tornado had ran through the room and now stuffed animals and toys had become collateral damage. If that wasn’t bad enough, the room lacked color. The walls were white, the bed frames white, curtains white. Who would put white in a kids’ room? It showed every mark that didn’t belong, emphasizing the starkness and mess that crowded the room.
This is not going to work.
She kneeled on the floor. “Hey girls, let’s play a game.”
“What kinna game?” Bekah asked.
“We’re going to see who can put all their toys up the fastest.”
Rachel frowned. “What do we win?”
She tapped a finger to her chin. What would be the best incentive? Oh, yes. “I have some lip gloss in my purse. The winner gets to put some on.”
Bekah frowned. “But wha’ if I try really hard?” The ‘w’ sound instead of the ‘r’s was endearing.
A consolation price was definitely in order. “Then you get a penny.”
The little girl threw a fist in the air. “’Kay.”
Michelle pointed to her watch. “I’m going to time you. Are you girls ready?”
“Yes!” They chorused.
“Go!”
They began grabbing toys and headed for their separate toy chests. There was one at the foot of each toddler-sized bed. A white chest at that. Guy needed his head examine.
She held back the laughter welling up as she took in their expressions. Bekah had a look of intense concentration on her face, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. She placed each toy carefully into the chest.
However, Rachel’s method was quite different. The oldest twin piled a load of toys into her hands. Her face held a similar expression to Bekah’s only her tongue was nowhere to be seen and her nose scrunched with her efforts. She dumped a load into the chest and began grabbing more toys in the same fashion.
An echo of footsteps came from behind. She turned just as Guy graced
