The Fling

51

Shawn tapped the steering wheel of my car to the music that was playing as he drove. "So what should I expect at this fall festival?" he asked.

Hannah called out from the back row, "Lots of good food!"

He looked at me. "Yeah? Not just hot dogs and burgers?"

I laughed. "This is an LA private school. The festival committee arranges for some of the best restaurants in the area to participate. They donate half of their proceeds, so it's a win for us. One year Nobu had a chef making sushi to order. Eloise decided to add food trucks this year, so those will be set up in the parking lot while the others have booths."

"And this is a fundraiser?"

"Yes, the proceeds go to various child-centric charities in Los Angeles, and it's a fun way to raise money. There will be lots of games as well as different stations for things like face-painting, caricature sketches, and craft projects."

"Last year they had a pottery painting station and I made Mommy a bowl," Bertie contributed enthusiastically.

"And there are rides!" Hannah squealed.

Shawn laughed. "Rides, eh? Will my favorite kiddos take turns riding with me?"

"Yes!" they yelled.

We arrived at the school and found parking near the front since we were there early to help set up. It didn't take us long to locate Eloise since she was yelling orders into a megaphone. Mia arrived moments later, and all of our kids ran off to the playground, which was supervised by volunteers, while El assigned us each tasks. Shawn carried bales of hay and stacked them for a balloon popping game, and at one point I stopped what I was doing and stared at him as he walked by me. His muscles rippled underneath his snug shirt and his face was red and sweaty in a way I usually only saw in bed.

"You are totally gawking at your hot boyfriend," Mia giggled as we filled large coolers with ice. "Is that drool on your chin?"

I felt my cheeks flush pink. "I'm not drooling, but I was checking him out. Sometimes I am flummoxed by how I ended up with someone so perfect."

"You're not the only one ogling him. Look at the middle grade moms. I think their eyeballs might pop out of their perfectly coiffed heads!"

I turned to my right and observed a cluster of women whispering near the hay wall he was building as they looked my boyfriend up and down. One of them glanced my way, so I gave her a smile and a wave and she quickly turned back to her clique. A few minutes later, Shawn dropped the last bale and wiped sweat from his brow right in front of the women, causing his shirt to ride up and expose his stomach. I thought a few of them might pass out.

"Sorry you got such a hard job," I told him when he walked over to me.

He grinned. "I don't mind since it's for a good cause, but I'm drenched. If I stink, feel free to keep your distance."

I wrapped my arms around him, knowing we were being watched. "Never."

Mia leaned in towards us and sniffed. "You smell great. How is that possible? I'd be stinky after hauling that hay!"

He chuckled, "Abigail's sweet scent is covering mine. Do you ladies need anything? I'm going to get some water."

We declined the offer, and once he was gone, she grabbed my arm. "He's literally perfect. Do not let him go, Abi!"

An hour later, the festival was officially open, and after checking with Eloise, we were relieved from helping until the end since she had plenty of volunteers to work the various stations. Hannah and Bertie wanted to do the rides first, so we made our way to the field where they were set up.