Redemption(91)
Charlie nodded his head. “No kidding. Me, too.”
“So what brings you here?”
He pulled up one side of his jacket. Unfortunately, I’m here on business. I landed a couple days ago and needed time out from the endless, boring meetings I’ve had to attend. Luckily, I only have one more important one, then I fly home.”
“Well, at least it will be your last.”
He nodded with a smile. “Yep.” He crossed his legs and looked at Jeremy. “So, Jeremy, you got a daddy waiting for you at home?”
Did my ears just deceive me? Surely he wasn’t fishing to find out if I was single.
Jeremy shook his head. “My daddy’s lost.”
Charlie frowned and I nearly buried my head in my hands. He looked at my left hand. Now it was obvious he was fishing about whether or not I was single. I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or annoyed.
“That’s a shame.”
I was glad he didn’t push the daddy issue any further. It was awkward enough as it was. No doubt the conversation needed to come soon enough, but I was too busy enjoying my time with Dean.
“Mommy, can I get some toppings now?”
I looked back at Jeremy. “I thought you didn’t want any?”
He shrugged. “I changed my mind.”
I went to get up. “Okay then.”
Jeremy stopped me. “I’m a big boy. I can choose myself.” Jeremy frowned and I sat back down again.
In mock surrender, I held up my hands. “Okay. You go up and choose.”
I watched as Jeremy got up and walked towards the counter.
“Looks like he has quite an independent streak.”
I looked back towards Charlie and rolled my eyes. “Tell me about it.”
He leaned forward. “What about his mother? Does she have an independent streak?”
Great! Now he was flirting with me. I could tell by the way his eyebrow arched as he leaned towards me.
“I suppose so.”
Charlie gave me a cheeky grin. “So, no Mr. Tyler waiting at home then?”
I shook my head. “Well, no, but—”
“That’s good because I rather like Jeremy’s mother. I would love to take her out before I fly home.”
Well, that definitely confirmed it for me. “Why are you interested? I’m a mother who is definitely much older than you. In fact, I could probably be your mother.”
“You’re beautiful. Why wouldn’t I want to take you out? The fact that you’re a little older than me shouldn’t even be a factor. Age is just a number.” He winked at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. “You have such a captivating smile, and your cheeks go red when someone compliments you. How could anyone resist that?”
I could feel myself getting all flustered. Not because I liked him, but because he was paying me compliments and asking me out, and doing it knowing I was an older woman with a son.
“I may not be married, Charlie, but I’m very much taken.”
He placed a hand over his heart and pretended to be in pain. “Oh god. That hurts more than I thought it would. How could someone like you not be taken? I certainly wouldn’t let you go if I had you.”
I smiled and looked across at Jeremy, now walking back with his toppings. “Well, that’s very kind of you to say.”
Jeremy sat down and beamed. “Look what I got, Mommy.”
I looked at everything he had. He must have ordered the whole lot. “Hmmm…,’ I pondered. “Maybe I should have come up there with you, Jeremy. You’re going to make yourself sick with all of that.”
Jeremy smiled and all I saw was chocolate covering his perfectly white teeth. “Very nice.” Jeremy giggled and went back to eating his ice cream.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charlie getting up. “Well, I’d better go. It was nice meeting you both.” I nodded and Jeremy waved. “If you ever change your mind, here’s my card. I’m here for the next couple days.”
I looked at the card in front of me and took it from him with a smile. I didn’t want to seem rude. “Thanks.”
Charlie nodded and walked away. “I hope to see you soon. ‘Bye.” He waved and walked into the crowd.
“What’s that he’s given you, Mommy?”
I looked down to the card and read it. His name was Charlie Wilkins and he was a stock broker. No wonder all his meetings were boring.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing, Jeremy. Just a card.”
Chapter 17
Dean
People find meaning and redemption
In the most unusual human connections.
Khaled Hosseini
Everything was all finished. I had that stupid wooden fence taken down and replaced it with a steel one. The minute it was put in, I felt better. Knowing that Tyler and Jeremy were safer in their home was all that mattered to me. There was still so much to do, including the fact that the alarm was a little outdated. That was my next priority. No expense was going to be spared when it came to the safety of my family.