Searching for Mine(14)
He was checking on her? To be nice or to get her to agree to extra credit? “Yes, we’re fine. Thank you.”
“Did you flip the breaker? Sometimes these apartments get overloaded and you need to reset it. That’s what I had to do with mine.”
“I haven’t gone down to the basement yet.”
“I’ll help you out.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
His gaze sharpened on her face, and his jaw clenched. Fascinated, she studied his features, noticing the air of irritation that briefly shone. “I want to, Ella. I won’t stay. I just don’t like the idea of you and Luke alone in the dark.”
She flushed and stumbled back. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just used to doing things for myself. I’m sorry, come in.”
He walked inside and she realized it was a mistake.
In her home, he owned the small space, filling the air with a masculine presence she wanted to sink in and savor. It had been so long since she had a man close. Even though he was only here to check her electricity. Oh, my God, she was so pathetic. He glanced around in the dark and took out his own phone, turning on the flashlight app.
Luke came out of the kitchen, highlighted in the sudden glare of light. “Mom? What’s going on?”
“It’s Connor Dunkle from next door,” he said. “How’s it going, Luke?”
Her son’s voice hardened. “Fine.”
“Good. I’m going to check the basement and see if I can get those lights on. Is that okay?”
Connor didn’t move, as if waiting for permission from her son as the man in the house. Luke seemed to consider his words, standing up straighter in the beam of light. “Yeah, that’s okay.” He paused. “Can I help?”
“Absolutely. I could use a hand. Basement here?” He motioned down the hall toward the door on the left. Ella nodded. “Same as mine. We’ll yell if we need you.”
They disappeared downstairs, and she tried to re-gather her composure. Why was she nervous? So silly. He was just being a friendly neighbor and helping out a single mom. Clatters rang in the air. Probably moving all the storage stuff to get to the panel. She really needed to organize better down there. Ella waited, keeping her light trained down the hall, and suddenly the electricity flickered back on.
She heard Luke’s whoop and smiled. She forgot the simple things that gave children pride. He really didn’t have the advantage of tinkering with tools or cars or talking sports, though she tried to keep her knowledge up to date and be both mom and dad.
They both reappeared with pleased expressions. Connor was talking to her son. “Next time, check the breaker first. Now you know which one since we tagged it.”
“Got it,” Luke said seriously.
“Hey, you guys were making cookies? Looks like fun.”
She glanced at the mess in the kitchen and wrapped her arms across her chest. “We know how to rock a Saturday night. Thanks for helping out.”
“No problem. Oh, man, I love M&M’s!” His face lit up like a kid, and Ella laughed. “Can I have one?”
“You can’t eat just one,” Luke said. “Here.” He gave him a handful. “I like the greens.”
“Blue is better.”
“They taste the same,” Ella pointed out.
They both stared at her in disbelief. Connor rolled his eyes. “Women.”
Luke grinned. “Mom, I need to check my DS. I had it charging and I don’t want to lose my stuff.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
He bounded up the stairs, leaving them alone in a messy kitchen. Ella looked at Connor’s perfect appearance and tried not to wince at the thought of her image. Dough in her hair, mismatched socks on her feet, and yoga pants. “Umm, thanks again,” she offered.
“No problem. Been a long time since someone baked me cookies. Sounds like a perfect night.”
She looked at him with suspicion. Was he making fun of her? “They’re easy now. Precut dough, one sheet, and an oven. Not too mysterious anymore.”
Ella caught a flash of pain reflected in those gorgeous eyes before it was quickly masked. “Moms bake them the best. If I was Luke, I’d be pretty happy right now. You’re a good mom.”
Pleasure ran through her but she fought it off. “How do you know?”
He shrugged. “Just do.”
“Thanks. You look nice. Going somewhere fun?”
“Got a date.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Why did she keep saying the word nice? And why were her palms suddenly sweating and her heart beating fast? She was in her own house, for goodness sakes. “I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”