Second Chance at Love(5)

Kyle and Ashley were about to follow suit when Dom stopped them. “Hey, you two come over here. I need to talk to you about something.”



The siblings looked at each other as if they’d done something wrong. Slowly they made their way over to Dom. It was Kyle who nervously admitted, “I was good for Grandmom Janet and Grandpop Dominic.” Turning to his sister to confirm his story, he asked her, “Didn’t I behave myself, Ashley?”



“Yep, he was good,” Ashley confirmed by nodding her head.



Dom let out a chuckle. Kneeling down to Kyle’s height, he grabbed him in a playful headlock. Gently rubbing the top of his head with his knuckles, he joked, “You better behave yourself.”



Wiggling to free himself, Kyle laughed. “I did, I did! I swear I did.” Both Dom and Ashley laughed as Kyle staggered in an effort to stand up straight after being released.



“Come over here and sit with me for a minute.” Sitting on the sofa, Dom positioned himself so he was in between the two of them. For a split second, guilt flashed through him. Was what he was about to do kosher? Well...of course it was. Wasn’t it?



He wasn’t absolutely certain, but he had a strong suspicion Karen was resistant because of his relationship with her children. If he could get the kids on his side, then Karen would be okay with dating him.



Looking to Ashley first and then Kyle, Dom took a deep breath. This wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be. He really adored Karen’s children. It didn’t escape him that the children looked to him as a father figure. It didn’t bother him at all because they were really good children. Karen had done a wonderful job raising them on her own. The last thing he wanted was to give them any false hope of becoming a real father to them. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Using her kids to date her might just blow up in all their faces. Hurting her children was not an option.



Kyle tapped Dom on his leg to bring him out of his reverie. “Mr. Dom, I’m hungry.”



Dom cleared his throat. Smiling down at the children he stood up. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”



“But I thought you wanted to talk to us.” Ashley reminded him with wide curious eyes. She was hoping Mr. Dom wasn’t going to break his promise of taking them to Disney on Ice.



Smiling down at her, Dom tugged on her ponytail. “It can wait.”



Leading the children into the kitchen, Dom decided he had to come up with a plan B to get next to Karen that didn’t include using the kids.





Freshly showered and dressed, Karen lounged on the sofa reading the latest issue of Essence. Laying the magazine in her lap, she leaned over to pick up a steaming mug of mint tea. Bringing the mug to her lips, she inhaled the fragrant, steamy liquid before taking a sip.



“Mmm, this is so good.” Smiling, she swallowed, enjoying the hot brew. “Ah, listen to that.” Taking another sip, she whispered, “Silence is a beautiful thing.”



Setting down the mug, Karen wondered what her children were doing. Wondered if they were behaving themselves. Cut that out! They’re in good hands. Enjoy this time you have to yourself.



Karen nodded to herself. It was about time she was able to just kick back and relax with nothing to do. Prior to taking her shower she had gone throughout the house from room to room looking for something to clean or to straighten up. Other than putting away dishes left in the dishwasher everything was in order.



After getting out of the shower she had called over to the Peretti’s home to check on the children and the time she should pick them up later in the afternoon. She could hear Ashley and Kyle in the background pleading to stay another night because they were having so much fun. When Karen hesitated, not wanting to feel like she was imposing, Janet Peretti assured her the kids were being perfect little angels. “We don’t mind having the children here with us. Dominic and I were just saying this morning how much we’re enjoying having children in the house again. And besides, Ashley and Kyle are good company for Zoe.”



Finishing the mint tea, Karen stood to go put the mug in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. Padding over to the door, she peeped through the peep hole. Quickly inhaling a sharp breath, she stepped away from the door as if her visitor could see her.



Karen placed her hand on her belly to calm the fluttering butterflies. Heat flushed her face as she relived what it felt like being in his arms last night as they danced. Sure, she’d dreamt about him all night and daydreamed about him earlier this morning. But this didn’t mean she was ready to face him again so soon. She hadn’t expected to see him until next weekend when he was due to come by to take the kids along with Zoe to see Disney on Ice. And even then she hadn’t planned on seeing him but for a split second. Her plan had been to have Ashley and Kyle with their coats on, money in their pockets for goodies and souvenirs, and shoved out the door.