Blue Plaid

Heat

In which Tyson learns there are many kinds of heat.

//

It was stifling outside. Much too hot to be spending more than a few minutes outdoors, but Georgia and Eric had insisted, so I'd decided not complain. It was their son's first birthday, after all.

Wondering if it might be time to invest in a pair of shorts, I raked my fingers through my semi sweat dampened hair and went to check if any of the appetizers were in fact appetizing. I'd offered to put my culinary skills to work and cater the event, but Eric had rolled his eyes and said that there was no need to have high class food at an event for a boy who couldn't even feed himself.

He had a point.

Pursing my lips, I scanned the selection before reaching out to grab a piece of celery and dipping it in ranch dressing before biting down on the end. A light slap on my upper arm drew my attention and I turned with a mouthful of celery to find Georgia mock glaring at me as she bounced her son on her hip.

"Tyson," she scolded. "At least use a plate."

Shooting her a closed lip smile as I chewed, I raised a hand to wiggle my fingers at the birthday boy, who giggled happily and clapped his hands together in response. "Hey, Coop. Happy Birthday, little man."

Georgia beamed down at her son, pressing a quick kiss to the top of his head before smiling at me pleasantly. "Having a good time?"

I nodded as I picked up another piece of celery, this time avoiding the dip altogether in an effort to please Georgia. "Of course. This food is excellent."

She rolled her eyes. "Excuse me for thinking you'd rather not have to cater a party you were a guest at."

"You know I don't mind," I smiled innocently, crinkling my nose for Cooper's benefit.

"What a sweetheart," she said. I would have thought it was sincere if not for the way the side of her mouth tweaked upwards into a smirk. "How is it you're still single?"

I rolled my eyes, already dreading the direction of this conversation. Sighing, I chewed thoughtfully on a carrot stick as I responded. "I think my last girlfriend said that I was too emotional for her. I'm not sure what that means."

Pouting slightly, she rubbed my arm in what I assumed was supposed to be a comforting manner. "We'll find you someone great. I promise."

I groaned. "Please don't."

The last time she and Eric had set me up had been disastrous. The women herself had been rather lovely. Maybe a bit too chatty for my taste, but that wasn't exactly a deal breaking character flaw. All was going well until her overuse of hairspray attracted the flame of the candle on the restaurant table and caused her hair to catch on fire.

She didn't even notice. She just kept talking and I couldn't get a word in, so I did what any rational person would do in that situation: I threw a glass of water at her. Needless to say, there was no second date.

Now that I think about it, maybe that wasn't Georgia and Eric's fault at all.

I parted my lips to say that I would give it another try, only to find Georgia's attention elsewhere. Her smile was wide and her eyes bright so I followed her line of vision only to suppress another groan.

"Stella's here!" she exclaimed, shooting me a grin before hurrying off to greet the new arrival.

"Great," I muttered sarcastically under my breath as I trained my eyes on the woman who had just stepped out into the backyard.

Stella St. Clare certainly was a sight to behold. Dark hair and olive skin offset by piercing gray eyes was a deadly combination, one which she frequently used to her advantage.