The Only One for Me(55)
“Mom, can we go to the park after school today?” Katie asked.
“You most certainly can, right after you finish your homework. So that means you do what as soon as you come in from school?”
“My homework.”
“That’s right. Jamie, did you finish your homework last night?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Corra fixed her plate and sat at the table across from her kids. Together they ate breakfast like a normal family. The new normal for this Coleman family.
After breakfast Corra opened the front door to let the kids out so they could walk to the bus stop. Like little soldiers Jamie and Katie marched out onto the front porch with their backpacks on. Suddenly, they took off running down the steps yelling out, “Chris, Chris.”
Corra stepped out the door as Chris came around the front of his car, smiling at the kids. Her pulse quickened as she yanked the headscarf from her hair and threw it behind the door. Chris gave Katie a hug, and Jamie a handshake. Her little man had grown up so much over the summer.
The school bus came screeching around the corner and the kids waved goodbye. Corra called after them to be good in school today.
As Chris strolled up the steps, she bit her lips to keep from smiling like a damned fool, but couldn’t stop her heartbeat from racing.
“Good morning, Corra.”
She crossed her arms. “Good morning.” Chris looked ready for Wall Street instead of his small office in Danville. The butterflies started a dance in her stomach.
“The kids look good,” he said, as he reached the porch.
“Thank you, they’re excited about the new school year.”
Chris nodded. “I hope you don’t mind that I stopped by. I, uh, thought maybe we could talk a minute.”
She lowered her arms. “Sure, come on in. I’ve got a few minutes before I leave for work.”
She closed the door behind them and followed him up into the living room.
“Corra, I’ve got something to say and I need you to listen.”
She took a step back and looked up at him.
“Have a seat, please.” He gestured toward her couch.
She crossed her arms.
“Sit down, Corra.”
She didn’t know what had got into him, but she walked over to the couch and sat down.
He let out a loud breath. “I’ve been agonizing over this for weeks. I made a mistake.” He started pacing. “I’ve never dated a woman with children before, so this is all rather new for me. And I’m probably going to make more mistakes. But, I’m going to try like hell not to. All I know for sure is that I love you, and I want what we had back. I want you and the kids back in my life.” He stopped pacing.
Corra lowered her head and closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling. Chris kneeled in front of her. He took her chin in his hand and raised it so they were eye to eye.
“What I’m asking is if we can start over? I told you before, you’re the only one for me. I apologize for everything.”
Corra smiled. “I accept your apology. And maybe I overreacted a little too. The last couple of weeks have been crazy without having you to look forward to. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you.”
Chris stood up and pulled Corra into his arms. He kissed her. “Thank you. I’ve missed you too. And there’s something else I’ve missed.”
“What?”
He licked his lips and winked. “Well, we have the house to ourselves.”
A shiver ran through her. “But don’t you have to go to work?”
“I’m the boss. I can be late.”
Corra smiled. “Yeah, I’m part owner. I can be late.”
“You still got the Jimmy Choos?” he asked, arching a brow.
She reached down and took his hand. “Come on, let me show them to you.”
Chris smiled and followed her upstairs to her bedroom.
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