Not Good For You

Rachel

We leave the house to walk the ten minutes to our local park and I feel more at ease already. I scan the park to see one other parent with a small child and then I check my phone.

3.50pm. Jack should be here soon. The butterflies and nerves have come back.

Five minutes later, I hold my breath as I see Jack walking through the playground gates. He's changed out of his three-piece suit and into a causal pair of dark jeans and a red polo top.
He looks gorgeous!

He spots me and gives me a quick waves as he strides towards me. As he nears me, Isla also spots him as she's whizzing down the slide. Jack gives me a quick peck on the cheek and shows me that knicker-dropping smile, "Hi babe."

"Hey."

"Hi!" Isla bounces over chirpily.

"Well, hi there, cutie. I'm Jack. What's your name?" Jack greet her.

"I'm Isla."

Jack extends his hand out to her, "Nice to meet you, Isla."

Isla looks at his hand before grabbing it with a firm handshake, "You too. My mum said you are her boyfriend." She glances at me and I smile and nod.

"I am. So I'm hoping that you and I can be great friends." Jack confirms.

Isla smiles at him before running off towards the swings.

"Well, I think they went well." Jack says.

"I think it did. I don't feel so nervous anymore." I confess.

Jack puts his arm around my shoulder gently, "There's nothing to be nervous about, baby."

"Would you like to come around ours for tea after?" I offer.

"I would love to."

After our lovely time spent at the park, we head back towards the house.

"Cottage pie ok for tea?" I say to Jack as he gets comfortable on the sofa.

He nods, "Sounds perfect."

"Would you like a drink, Isla?" I ask her as she sits down in-front of the television,

"Yes, please Mum."

The three of us having a meal together went well, I feel. We are sitting around the table with dessert, chatting and laughing. Jack and Isla are getting on great. I know I was worried for nothing.

"It was lovely to meet you, Isla. Thank you for letting me join you and your mother for tea." Jack says politely, smiling at her.

"You're welcome." She smiles back. "Mum isn't the best cook but she tries."

"Hey you! Sassy pants." I laugh.

"Well, I enjoyed the meal." Jack sticks up for me.

I grin at him, "I will walk you to the door." I offer.

We leave Isla to finish her slice of cheesecake and head towards the front door.

"I'm sorry you can't stay later, but I just thought baby steps for now. Let her get her head around it." I explain.

"Rach, I understand. You don't need to explain yourself or anything to me. You are her mother and we are doing this your way. I respect your choices." He counters.

"Thank you."

"Listen, I have a work event coming up next weekend. I would love for you to come with me."

"What kind of event?"

"It's just a small cocktail party. Black tie."

"I would love to but I'm don't own a fancy dress."

"Great. Maybe we could go shopping together and you can pick me out a new suit." He offers.

"Don't you already own like ten suits?" I laugh.

"A business man can never own too many suits."