The Fling

21

"Sorry I'm late," Shawn said from my front porch. "I went to buy something for Hannah, and it took longer than I thought it would."

The invitation specifically said "no gifts" but I decided not to call him out for ignoring that instruction. "She will be very excited to see you," I told him as I took the present. "I'm going to stick this in the office for now."

Tomorrow, on her actual birthday, Hannah would open her family gifts, and that's where I'd stashed them. Bert's parents and my mom would also be joining us for Han's favorite dinner, along with my ex and Reagan, if her migraine was gone. My mother was going stay for a couple days to make it worth the trip, and even though I'd texted my dad, I knew he wouldn't show up. In a few weeks, a card with a stack of cash would arrive in the mail from him. Or it wouldn't. There was no predicting what he'd do.

Shawn followed me inside and there was a brief staring showdown between him and Bert before Shawn turned to me. "Looks like the party is outside. I'll go say hi to the birthday girl."

I watched him step out on the patio where he was immediately recognized by several of the kids. Hannah gave him a hug and even though I couldn't hear her, I could tell she was introducing him to the group. This was probably one reason she'd extended the invitation, and I didn't blame her for doing so. Having a celebrity at your party was pretty exciting. I glanced over at Lizzie who thankfully had a smile on her face, which was better than the alternative.

Bert was about to say something but I cut him off. "Can you take the empty pizza boxes to the garage? Thanks."

I went outside and made a beeline for my stepdaughter, who was hanging back from the throng of children surrounding Shawn but was watching with clear interest. "Looks like you can get that autograph and some photos," I whispered.

As if he knew I was talking about him, he looked up from the kids and gave me the same disarming smile I'd seen many times in Palm Springs. It had the same effect on me, causing a quiver in my panties.

"Can you introduce me?" she asked.

"Of course! Wanna help me set up the treat buffet since he's occupied right now?" She deserved to meet him alone instead of having to compete with the second graders.

"Yeah. Sure," she said.

I cleared the counter and Lizzie dumped bags of candy and other snacks into bowls. Each child would get a paper bag to fill up with whatever they liked, which they could munch on during the movie. Bert was outside fiddling with the projector, which meant we were alone.

"I didn't invite him," I shared as I put out a bunch of juice boxes and mini water bottles. "Your sister did that behind my back."

"It probably boosted her cred at school. Smart girl." We were both quiet for a minute but then she spoke again. "I really don't want you to not be with him because of me. You deserve happiness, and if he can give you that, I'll try to deal."

"You're not why we aren't going to keep seeing each other. It's more complicated than that. I have your brother and sister to think about, too, as well as my own concerns."

When we were done, the children came in to make their bags. Then they got settled outside on the pillows and blankets, and I turned off all the exterior lighting, except for the twinkling fairy lights.

"This is magical," Shawn said from behind me.

I swiveled and gave him a warm smile. "Thanks. It was really sweet of you to come."

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I wasn't honest earlier. The reason I was so late had nothing to do with the gift. I sat in my car a few blocks away for half an hour, trying to decide what the best thing to do was."