His heart fluttered for a second. He wasn’t nervous. Maybe a little anxious.
He always was when he was around her. Not in a bad way. For some strange reason, his body always got excited when he was in her company. They hadn’t been intimate in years, and he could never shake this reaction he had toward her. It wasn’t something he would admit. They’d both moved on after their short time together.
He headed toward the house. The porch light automatically clicked on. It was the beginning of fall, and the days were shorter. It wasn’t quite dark yet at five in the afternoon, but in a few weeks it would be. He lifted his hand to knock and paused.
He remembered the first time he’d seen Tachina. Five years ago, she’d been striding across his newly renovated office lobby, clipboard in her hand, hair cut in a short style, her eyes sharp with a designer’s focus. He’d been taken the moment he’d met her. He hadn’t known it then, but he knew it now.
One night together had turned in to a few nights together. It had been an impulsive decision to invite her out for a drink after work. That decision led to a son who’d become his entire world.
He knocked. A few moments later the door swung open, and there she was.
Dear God.
Whatever he was going to say disappeared.
Tachina wore a draped dress the color of caramel that complement the smooth tones of her tawny-brown skin. It flowed along her curves like it had been sewn directly onto her body by the angels above. Her makeup was subtle except for the red lipstick, which hit him like a punch to the gut. He’d always been weak for that color on her lips.
Her hair was perfect.
Her skin glowed.
His gaze dropped down to her house slippers shaped like brown bears.
They were giant. Fluffy. Ridiculous. And so fit her personality. He held back a laugh.
“Tachina.” He clearedhis throat.
“Hey, Vic.” She smiled like she hadn’t noticed his frozen moment. “You’re early.”
“For once traffic wasn’t terrible.” He forced his eyes up from her lips. He didn’t know when he’d focused on them. He peeked at her slippers again and couldn’t help the small grin that appeared.
“Come in.” She stepped back and waved him in.
The house smelled like vanilla and whatever candle she was currently obsessed with. It was warm and sweet and made him want to bury his face in the crook of her neck to see if she smelled of the same.
Get your shit together,Maxwell.
“Big weekend plans?” she asked as they made their way into her living room.
He followed behind her and couldn’t help eyeing her curvy frame. He swallowed hard and had to tear his eyes away from her ass. They paused in the living room where it was decorated with neutral tones. Everything about her place had a homey feel to it. Her oversized couch, with accent pillows and a throw blanket tossed over the back of it. Two candles over the fireplace were lit, which must be responsible for the pleasant aroma. She motioned for him to have a seat, but he shook his head. He hadn’t planned to stay long.
“Yeah. Thought I would take Kian to the Monsters game on Monday since he’s off school.” He tried not to stare at her, but he couldn’thelp it.
She tugged at her dress like she was self-conscious. There was nothing wrong with it.
“That sounds like fun. He’ll love that.” She smiled.
Heavy footsteps came from upstairs. Kian must be running around up there.
“I figured you wouldn’t mind if I kept him that extra day?”
“Of course not. You know I never mind. He adores his time with you.”
He relaxed slightly. Co-parenting was easy with her. Shockingly easy. People always acted like it should be hard, dramatic, or competitive.
But Tachina didn’t do drama.
She didn’t guilt him. Didn’t weaponize their history. No fights. No weirdness when he dated other women.