There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers

curls framed her features.
    Sara knew this was a casual date, but she desperately wanted to look nice. It had been so long since she'd felt feminine and pretty.
    Leaning in close, she examined her make-up. She didn't like to wear much—some lip gloss, a couple strokes of blush, and mascara. She turned her face left, right, then shrugged. It'll have to do .
    "I promise, he'll be lucky if his knees hold up when he sees you."
    Sara met Garrett's gaze in the mirror. “I hope you're right. My son seems to be quite taken with him."
    Nicky and Uncle Luke came in to steal a peek at her. With all five of them exchanging glances and grins, she felt self-conscious. “That's it, I'm canceling. Garrett, give me Jason's number."
    "Don't be silly,” Nicky said. “We're just not used to seeing you look so ... sexy.” The uncomfortable look on his face made her laugh.
    "You look beautiful, sweetheart."
    "Thanks, Uncle Luke. I'm just a little nervous, you guys.” She fiddled with one of her earrings. Good Lord, she felt as if she were getting ready for her very first date.
    Which had been with Mike.
    He'd taken her out to dinner, and she was so nervous she'd actually launched a pork chop off her plate while attempting to cut into it. She'd never been more embarrassed, but they'd laughed the entire ride home.
    Oh, no, you don't. You are not going to think about that man tonight!
    Ethan bounced off the bed and grabbed her hand. “Don't worry, Mom. If Uncle Garrett says Jason will like the way you look, I believe him. But if he don't,” he shrugged matter-of-factly, “he's a butthead."
    She sighed. “Ethan James."
    Everyone followed her and Ethan into the living room. Ethan led her straight to the front door. “Stay right here. I'll go get your purse."
    Sara laughed. “Ethan, he's not even here yet. Besides, I can't appear to be too eager."
    "But you always make me wait by the door when Kyle and his mom come pick me up."
    "This is different, sport.” Danny leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. “You see, girls like to play mind games with us guys. It gives them power if we don't know whether they like us as much as we like them."
    Sara rolled her eyes. “Great, Danny. Sour my son against women at an early age."
    "Hey, us guys have to stick together.” Danny grinned at her then headed into the kitchen. “Have a good time,” he called over his shoulder.
    Ethan climbed up on the couch and grabbed his hand-held game off the table.
    Sara retrieved the little purple handbag she'd bought to go with the dress and checked inside to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Wallet, lip gloss, keys, and cell phone. Everything she should need and about all that would fit inside the tiny purse. Her hand froze. She'd forgotten to tell Garrett about Mike. She snapped the purse shut.
    "Garrett, I had a visitor today at the bakery."
    It took a moment, but Garrett's expression hardened as understanding dawned. He glanced at Ethan and said, “Hey, sport, would you do me a favor and go grab my keys off my dresser?"
    "Sure."
    They watched Ethan skip down the hall before Garrett asked in a near whisper, “How the hell did he find you?"
    "Dumb luck, or so he said. He was driving by and saw the sign. Said ‘morbid curiosity’ drew him in.” She flicked her gaze down the hall. “There's something else. Amanda asked where Ethan was right in front of him—"
    "Jesus H. Christ."
    "—but I think I covered pretty well, and I didn't even have to lie. Told him Ethan's the love of my life."
    "Listen, I don't want you to worry about this. We'll file a harassment charge against him, and if he shows up again, I'll have his ass arrested."
    They both fell silent as Ethan returned to the living room playing catch with Garrett's keys.
    "You about ready to hit the road, sport? Jason should be here any minute, and we'll take off when they do."
    "Wait, I gotta pee!” Ethan tossed Garrett the keys and ran back down the hall.
    Not even two seconds later,