Saturday came and Chris was in Jacksonville without us. Their concert had been Friday night, so they had the whole weekend off before they left for Tampa on Sunday afternoon. Alexis’s team won their game and we headed to the local frozen yogurt shop. We made a quick stop to fix our treats then headed home to celebrate.
I was teasing Alexis about the gummy worms she’d picked as a topping when we pulled into the driveway. It was getting dark. The sun was setting, and bright orange streaks illuminated the sky. The sunsets were always beautiful this time of year.
“Mom, look.” Alexis pointed toward the house.
Holy shit. It couldn’t be. But it was Chris. On my front steps. He looked amazing in worn jeans and tight, long-sleeved Henley. He was leaning against the post, one foot propped up a step higher than the other, with both arms resting on his knees looking down at his phone. A red duffle sat next to him. He looked up when he saw us pull up to the house.
I slammed the car in Park and hopped out. He stood up when he saw me, bearing a mischievous grin and a please-don’t-tell-me-to-leave expression. I catapulted from the car, sprinting to get to him. He seemed just as eager to catch me as we both threw our arms around each other.
“What…? How did you…? You’re here!” I finally managed to get something out.
Chris tightened his grip, lifting me a couple of inches off the ground. He brushed my hair away from my face, gently kissing me on the forehead. “I missed you. I had to see you.”
I cupped his face in my hands, relishing the soft prickle of his stubbled cheeks. “I’m so happy to see you.” Then remembering his tour schedule, I asked, “But, don’t you have to be in Tampa tomorrow?”
He pulled back and frowned. “I have to leave by four in the morning. So, we only have a few hours together. But, I’ve missed you so much.”
About that time, Alexis made her way up onto the porch, gawking at our surprise visitor.
“Hi, Alexis.” Chris grinned, his arms still wrapped firmly around me. “I hope you don’t mind that I crashed your volleyball after-party with your mom.”
Alexis shot me a sidelong glance and smiled, “Not at all. It’s not often a famous celebrity stops by our house.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Chris said, stuffing his hand in the back pocket of his jeans. “I brought you something.” A chain with a guitar pick hanging from it dangled in his hand as he gave it to Alexis. “I used this pick during my concert at Madison Square Garden.”
“Oh my god, are you serious?” Alexis reached out and Chris dropped the necklace in her hand. “This is so freaking cool!” she cried. “Thank you so much. I can’t wait to tell Olivia. She’ll die!”
He winced a little. “Can you keep it a secret until I leave town?”
Alexis pretended to zip her lips. “Our secret,” she whispered.
Chris winked. “Thanks. So you don’t mind that I’m here, then? Hanging out with your mom?”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me? This is freaking awesome!”
I glanced around the darkened neighborhood. “Let’s go inside before someone sees us out here.”
“Good idea,” Chris said, nodding.
Before long, Chris and Alexis were hashing it out over a game of Gin Rummy, while I fixed never-ending rounds of popcorn with my old-fashioned stovetop popcorn maker.
I tried not to let my imagination run wild. This isn’t going to happen. We are not a family. You are living a fantasy. Don’t get your hopes up, Salem.
But every time I caught Chris staring at me, those thoughts were nudged away, and I found myself melting like the butter I’d just poured over his bowl of popcorn.
“Thanks, Salem,” he said, the look in his eyes was intimate, as I handed him the last bowl. He caught my wrist. “You don’t know what this means to me. Tonight. This normal night.” He looked at Alexis who seemed to understand what he meant.
She nodded sympathetically. “I guess it’s hard, huh? Life on the road?” Alexis asked.
“No doubt,” Chris confirmed, sounding tired. “I haven’t played Gin Rummy and Crazy Eights like this in a long time. It’s a breath of fresh air.” Chris smiled. The dimple in his cheek deepened while the emotions in my heart grew, and the war in my head raged on.
I was falling for him, helplessly. Not only was he gorgeous beyond belief, but he was humble, sweet, amazing, and compassionate. I couldn’t fight the urge inside of me to allow myself to completely accept the feelings I couldn’t deny.
Alexis yawned. It was a fake yawn. I could tell by the way she exaggeratedly stretched her arms above her head. Plus, she hadn’t been to bed before midnight on a Saturday night in years. It was only ten, so I knew she was just trying to be sly and let Chris and me have some private time.