The only thing saving Bri’s sanity was Ceramics. Even though they couldn’t kiss, they could at least talk and be close to each other. And touch. A brush of a shoulder, the squeeze of a hand. Not anything overt, but it was better than nothing. Bri looked forward to it every day.
“I have a proposition for you,” Bri murmured to Cole on Friday. They were both working at the wheel, and surprisingly, had a little privacy.
“Mmm, what kind of proposition are we talking about here?” he grinned rakishly at her.
“Not that kind,” Bri laughed, blushing. “My dad and Summer are going out tomorrow night, and I told them I’d watch the boys. I was thinking that if you wanted to come help me babysit, we could put the twins to bed early and have the whole house to ourselves for a while. What do you think?”
“And your dad is okay with the two of us alone together all night?” Cole asked skeptically. “Or is this one of those I sneak in through the window after they’re gone kind of things?”
“Of course not! I told my dad I was inviting you over, and while he wasn’t exactly thrilled, he couldn’t get too upset because we are just friends as far as he knows. Who knew this whole secret relationship thing would come in handy! I told him it’d be just like Layla coming over to help me.” She grinned triumphantly.
“Whoa! You and Layla get together and make out now, too? Why didn’t you tell me, and more importantly, can I come next time?”
“No!” Bri smacked his arm, leaving a clay smudge on his exposed bicep. “Layla and I do not make out, you perv!” she laughed. “So, are you coming?”
“Hmm, some time alone with my beautiful girl, who I’ve been dying to hold and kiss all week? Hell yeah, I’ll be there! Angry, rabid wolves couldn’t keep me away!”
“Good! Bring your swimming suit. It’s supposed to be warm tomorrow, and nothing wears my brothers out like the pool.”
“Oooh, and a bikini! My weekend just got infinitely better!”
Cole rang the doorbell on Saturday night, and Bri’s dad answered the door.
“Cole,” Conner greeted him warily.
“Mr. Donnelly,” Cole nodded. “Nice to see you again.”
Connor eyed Cole as he let him in. “Summer?” he called. “We’d better get going. We’re going to miss our reservation.”
Bri came bouncing out of her room. “Cole! I’m glad you could come,” she said in her friendliest tone. She didn’t want to give her dad an excuse to change his mind about letting Cole stay.
“Hey, Bri! I hope you don’t mind, but was I hoping you could help me with some math homework tonight, since we didn’t get to study this week.” Cole winked at her, letting her know he could help keep up the charade, too.
“Of course. Come on in.” She led him to the den, where he was instantly assaulted by two three year olds.
“Cole!” the boys screamed in unison as they tackled him to the ground.
As the three boys wrestled, Bri walked back to her dad and stepmom in the entryway.
“Alright, Pumpkin, we’re taking off. Call us if you need anything.” Connor looked uncertainly into the den.
“We’ll be fine. You two have a good time!” She all but pushed her dad and Summer out the door.
“We’ll be home by eleven. Remember, the boys need a bath, and bedtime is eight-thirty. Oh, and don’t let them eat too much sugar or watch too much TV. There are some carrot sticks and string cheese in the fridge if they want a snack. Oh, and...”
“Summer,” Connor interrupted. “Bri knows how to do this, the boys will be fine. Now, can we go please, before we’ve no other options but fast food for dinner?” Summer nodded and walked out the door. “Love you, Sweetie.”
“Love you, Dad. See you later. And try not to let her worry. I can’t possibly ruin the boys in one night.”
She shut the door behind her dad and watched his car pull away, before heaving a sigh of relief and heading into the den. Cole had one boy attached to his leg, and the other on his back. Bri couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of them.
“Alright, Monkeys,” she got the twins’ attention. “Who’s ready to go swimming?”
Both boys screamed excitedly, and Bri hustled them off to their room to get their suits on. She sent Cole to the bathroom to change, and then went to put on her favorite black bikini. She smiled as she remembered how much Cole had liked it that summer. When she got outside, the boys were already in their water wings and chasing Cole around the pool. Cole caught sight of her standing by the pool watching them, and swam over.