Hey Sunshine (7 page)

“Let me know if you need any ideas for fixing up the studio. I’m pretty good with small living spaces.” Before I knew it, the words were out of my mouth. I was full of bold moves when it came to this guy.

“I appreciate that. Have a nice day, Avery.” The dimple. And then he was gone.

* * *

After more not-so-subtle comments from Chase, I decided to finally give in to his request for alone time. My parents happily agreed to watch Annabelle so we could go out on a real date. They offered to take her to their house overnight, but I declined, saying it was easier to get her off to preschool in the morning if she was home. I appreciated their willingness, but my mom was a little obvious with her intentions.

“It’s no problem. You know we love to have her.”

“I know Mom, but really, it’s fine. Just hang out here and I’ll be home early.” I finished putting Annabelle’s clean laundry into her dresser drawers and straightened up.

She speared me with a knowing look. “It’s okay if you stay out late.”

“MOM! Stop.” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m just saying, Avery, it’s perfectly normal to have a life outside of your child.” She picked up one of Annabelle’s stuffed animals from the floor and placed it on the bed. “Go have fun with Chase.”

I sighed. “I need to get dressed. He’ll be here any minute.”

Suddenly, getting ready seemed like an obligation. I thought of the sixty billion other things I had to do, and sitting around a mediocre, overpriced restaurant while I listened to Chase ramble on about MSRPs and test drives was basically last on my list.

But I knew he was really looking forward to this, so I threw on a brightly patterned cotton dress, shoved my feet into my boots, and looked at myself in the mirror. My skin was cooperating nicely even with the dry weather, and my hair settled back into smooth blond waves after I brushed it out.
Not bad, Avery
, I complimented myself. A little blush, lipgloss, and mascara to bring out my blue eyes, and I was ready to go. I grabbed my lightweight jean jacket and headed toward the kitchen, where my father and Annabelle were molding Play-Doh animals at the small table.

Annabelle smiled. “Mama, you look pretty!”

“Thank you, angel.” I looked toward my dad. “And thanks for watching her tonight, Daddy.”

He nodded. “Have fun,” he said, then regarded me thoughtfully. “Did Fox speak with you yesterday?”

I felt my face start to flush. Why did the mention of Fox always evoke some weird reaction in me?
Because you like him, duh
, a tiny part of my brain teased. “Um, yes. He’s the new cook, right?”

Another nod. “He’s going to be a big help. Smart man.”

Sometimes, the fact that my father was not usually a talker was incredibly inconvenient. “Oh really?” I said, trying to appear mostly uninterested. “Why do you say that?”

“Hard worker. Knows a lot about different things. He’ll be setting up a kitchen computer system for us as well.” He took the can of dough that Annabelle offered and began to roll a small ball. “Bring us into this century.” A small smile appeared on his lips as he repeated the words I’d said so often to him. I might be lacking in the technical department of my personal life but I knew it could be a huge asset to the restaurant, and I’d been pushing my parents to look into it.

I tried to conceal my surprise. “That’s great, Daddy.”

A horn honked outside and I looked out the window and saw Chase’s huge SUV in my driveway. “That’s Chase. I have to go.”

My father frowned. In high school he had insisted that any boy who wanted a date should come to the door and pick me up like a gentleman. Chase always abided by that rule, apparently until now. My dad’s reaction stirred up my own lingering irritation about Chase’s insistence on tonight’s date, but I put on a smile as I kissed Annabelle goodbye and headed out.

Two hours later, Chase and I were finishing up dessert in a back booth at a little Italian restaurant in Odessa. My bad mood from earlier had mostly vanished with the help of a glass of wine and copious amounts of cheese. I’d actually enjoyed myself, even though my prediction of the conversation leaning toward the auto dealership proved true.

Still, I smiled when Chase came around and slid into my side of the booth. He put an arm around me and I leaned into him.

“So… what do you want to do now?” he asked in a low voice.

Go home and put on my pajamas
, I thought immediately, stifling a yawn. I didn’t know what my problem was or why I couldn’t muster up some enthusiasm for this date, but I hoped it wasn’t too evident to Chase.

He pulled his arm tighter around me and started nuzzling my neck, sliding his other hand up my leg to the top of my thigh. The restaurant was mostly deserted but I still didn’t feel right about this level of PDA while other people were eating. I tried to pull away a little bit, hating the look of disappointment on his face but at the same time not caring enough to remedy it.

“I’m pretty tired,” I said apologetically.

“C’mon babe,” Chase whispered in my ear. “We can go for a drive, take a little detour on our way back.” His hand slid farther up my leg.

Because I was waffling and he was an obviously attractive male, my body responded automatically to his touch, softening and stirring at the same time. Even though the idea of a cramped, quick fuck in the back of Chase’s SUV left a lot to be desired, I almost caved. But then my brain fought through the fuzz, reminding me to take it slow, there was no hurry, and that I’d decided I needed to actually love the next person I slept with.

And I just wasn’t there yet with Chase.

“Sorry.” I gently pushed his hand back down to my knee and reached around him for the check.

“Okay, okay.” Chase sighed heavily and grabbed the bill from my hand. “No, babe, my treat.” He kissed me on the cheek and retreated to his side of the booth.

* * *

After Chase dropped me off and I put on my much-anticipated tank top and pajama bottoms, I paced the kitchen for a few minutes while I reviewed the evening. Annabelle was fast asleep, my parents had gone to help close the diner, and I usually did my best thinking late at night when the cicadas’ song died and everything was still.

Chase wanted more. At the restaurant, I was proud of myself for standing my ground, for not going through the motions of something I didn’t really want to do just to please him. Now I was second-guessing myself. What was I holding out for? A down-on-one-knee proposal? I wasn’t exactly a virginal school girl anymore, but I hadn’t been out with anyone else for more than a casual meal in more than three years. Maybe this was how dating in your twenties worked. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed.

I blurted it all out immediately after Heather picked up the phone. “Am I ridiculous? He’s good, right? Chase? Good for me? For Annabelle?”

“Avery? It’s kinda late. Are you okay?” Heather’s sleepy voice had an edge of concern.

I glanced at the clock. “Shit. I’m sorry. Go back to sleep.”

“I’m awake, I’m awake. I just wasn’t expecting deep thoughts after eleven, so you caught me a little off guard.” Heather yawned, and I could hear her rustling around on the other end of the line, most likely arranging the multitude of pillows on her immaculate white duvet set. “Where is all this coming from?”

“We went out tonight. He’s handsome and charming and pretty much everything I should want but…”

“You don’t,” Heather said matter-of-factly.

“I didn’t say that!” I exclaimed.

“You didn’t have to. Listen, Avery. You know I’m not Chase’s biggest fan. I think he’s selfish, arrogant, pretentious, and nowhere near good enough for you. But I can overlook all of those things if he treats you well and you’re happy.” She paused. “Truly happy. Deliriously, can’t-live-without-him happy.”

I hesitated.

“Are you?” she pressed.

I shook my head.

“Are you shaking your head right now?” Heather laughed.

“Yes?”

“Oh, sweetheart,” she said, her voice sad. “Shouldn’t he be on his best behavior, pulling out all the stops for your fresh start? If it’s not rainbows now, imagine how you’ll feel in a few months.”

“Am I expecting too much, though? Any girl in this town would love to have Chase Dempsey pay attention to them. What if it’s just me?” I slumped down into a kitchen chair and rested my chin on my hand dejectedly.

“That’s my point, Avery. It
is
you, and your life, and Annabelle’s, and you deserve whatever it is you have your heart set on.”

“I’m not sure what my heart wants anymore,” I admitted. My mind quickly jumped to Fox and how he looked standing in the sunlight in front of the diner, before I shook my head to clear the image away.

“You’d better figure it out, girl. Before whatever it is passes you by.” Heather yawned. “I love you. Call me in the morning, I’ll bring donuts.”

“Love you too. Goodnight.” I flopped back onto my bed, my head echoing Heather’s advice to figure out what my heart wanted. When I finally closed my eyes, my dreams were full of green eyes and hot coffee.

* * *

Chase called me early the next morning on his way to work. Annabelle and I were having a leisurely breakfast in front of the TV, where I was using a cartoon marathon to mask my guilt over her sugary cereal and my late night.

“Hey babe,” he said, his voice somewhat distorted by his car’s bluetooth connection. “I’m sorry about last night. Are you mad? You know I’m not trying to push you, right?”

That was the thing about Chase. Every time he disappointed me, he’d follow up with exactly what I wanted to hear to reel me back in. I remembered it well from our high school days.

“I appreciate that,” I said slowly, swirling the remnants of my soggy cereal in the bowl.

“Anyway, I know it’s last minute, but I wanted to see if you were free for dinner tonight.” His voice was almost apologetic, like he was already expecting me to protest.

“Chase, I can’t go out again tonight. I don’t have a babysitter and besides, I don’t want to leave Annabelle two nights in a row.” I explained, wishing he could really understand.

“I knew you would say that, babe. But I want it to be the three of us. One of the customers at the lot got us a reservation at a great steakhouse in Odessa.”

“The three of us?” I echoed uncertainly.

“Me, you, and Annabelle. What do you think?”

I took a deep breath. If our relationship were to progress, nights like this were essential. “Okay. Sounds great. Where should we meet you?”

“Meet me?” he asked, puzzled.

“You don’t have a car seat, Chase,” I reminded him gently.
And when I mentioned you might need one, you turned as pale as a ghost and expressed deep concern for your car’s custom leather interior.
I sighed, remembering that conversation. I knew Chase liked Annabelle, but sometimes his offhand dismissals made me wonder if he would ever be ready for a full-time stepchild.

“Oh, right,” he laughed easily. “I’ll find out the details and give you a call in a bit, okay? See you later, babe!” The bluetooth disconnected with a click and I stared at my phone, wondering what I’d just gotten Annabelle and myself into.

* * *

Later that evening, I parked my car on a quiet side street in Odessa and surveyed myself in the rearview mirror. It was a moderately priced steakhouse and, although I’d never been, I was fairly certain Annabelle and I were dressed appropriately in short sleeves and pretty floral skirts.

I glanced into the backseat and smiled when I saw how earnestly Annabelle scribbled into her coloring book.

“Are you ready, baby?” I asked her.

“Yes, Mama. I’m hungry!” She pushed her crayons aside and looked around.

“Remember what we talked about, okay? Best behavior tonight and mind your manners.” My fingers fumbled a bit as I unbuckled her seat belt. The unpredictable nature of toddlers, especially in a restaurant with cloth napkins, was enough to make me sweat.

“Okay.” Annabelle smiled at me, and I shoved my worry away. I was incredibly lucky to have such a bright, darling child, and anyone who didn’t agree could take a hike.

Armed with this new attitude I felt ready to take on the world, or at least a dinner reservation. I clasped Annabelle’s hand tightly and we made our way into the restaurant.

We were early, but Chase was already there, waiting for us. He smiled and stood up when we walked into the restaurant lobby, pocketing his phone.

“Hey, babe!” He kissed me on the cheek and ruffled Annabelle’s curls quickly. “It’s great here, right?”

I nodded. The restaurant was very nice but not stuffy. Dim lighting and comfortable booths made the atmosphere cozy and warm, and huge Texas landscapes decorated the walls, lending authenticity and charm. We were immediately led to our table, and I busied myself getting Annabelle settled.

I could feel Chase’s eyes on me as I navigated the booster seat and arranged the crayons within Annabelle’s reach. A waitress appeared to take our drink order and after she left, I turned to him and smiled.

“How was your day?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It was okay, you know how it goes–” His sentence was abruptly cut off by his ringing cell phone. “Sorry babe, I gotta take this,” he said, glancing at the screen. “Chase Dempsey,” he said into the phone. “Yes, Mr. Johnson, I got your message.” Chase gestured at his phone and then pointed outside, and I nodded. He got up quickly from the table and I picked up my menu.

“Where did Chase go, Mama?” Annabelle asked me.

“He had to take a phone call, baby.”

“Is he coming back?”

“Soon,” I told her.

Five minutes later, I wasn’t sure about the answer I’d given Annabelle. Another ten minutes after that, and I was even less sure but definitely irritated. I glanced at my watch again. At this rate we wouldn’t eat before eight, which was practically Annabelle’s bedtime.

I was getting ready to ask the waitress if we could just go ahead and order when Chase made his way back to our table.

“Hey,” he said, sitting down.

“Is everything okay?” I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

“Oh, sure,” Chase said. “Just business stuff.” He picked up his menu.