to forget for a second time.
“Wait, Ellie.” He takes a step toward me but stops and backs up again. “You have to eat, right? Plus, then you can check the place out and see if you are interested in putting in for the open position. It’ll be like you staking out a new job prospect with a new friend.”
I watch as that glorious smile returns to his face. Hell, why not. It’s just dinner, and I really can check out the place and see if I’m interested in putting in for the position. Plus, he just said “friend” and that makes me feel both a little bit disappointed and a little bit happy.
“All right, Cord. You win. Dinner tomorrow at Saint sounds wonderful,” I submit.
He reaches his hand out like he’s going to shake mine, but when I place my hand in his, he lifts it to his lips and places a gentle kiss on the back of it, again.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” he replies, before dropping my hand and heading back toward the check stand.
I nod, then turn quickly toward the coffee aisle. My head is spinning. Did that just happen? Did I really just agree to a date with a complete stranger who I just met this morning? The boys are going to kill me. Sure, he’s gorgeous, but they’re right, he could be a complete psychopath. Plus, no matter how off the charts hot he is, I have zero desire to start dating again right now. It’s too soon and I’m not ready in the slightest. I mean, what’s the damn point? It’ll end the same.
But he did say “friend,” and having a friend in the apartment complex would be nice. Yeah, that’s it. Friends. Now if I could just stop drooling over him . . .
WHEN MY ALARM G oes off the next morning, I hit snooze more times than I’ll ever admit. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve woken up to complete and utter silence and I want to savor it. I almost feel guilty that I’m enjoying this being alone thing so much. I mean, I love my boys. They are the reason I breathe, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve been the caregiver for our family. My entire life has revolved around them. Having the time to step back and enjoy my freedom is something I’m beginning to really embrace. No laundry to rush through, no dinners to throw together.
I stretch slowly, basking in every second of my new bed’s comfort. With all of the new things happening in my life, I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to get healthy. Starting with utilizing the gym in my complex and eating better. I’ve always wanted to be a runner; I’ve just never made the time to do it. Now, I have the time and I’m bound and determined to get in shape before I turn forty next year.
I throw my yoga pants, sports bra, and a t-shirt on; brush my teeth, wash my face, throw my hair up into a crazy bun, and head off to the gym.
First things first. Cardio. Having read a ton of books on exercise and health, and having spent years watching Justin exercise like a crazy person, I’ve learned a few things. Today will be: Run. Bike. Row. How hard could it be?
An hour later, I’m lying on the floor of the gym praying I don’t throw up. I knew I wasn’t in great shape, but I had no idea it was this bad. Two-mile walk/jog, four-mile bike ride, five-hundred-meter row, and I want to die on this floor. My shirt is soaked and my brain is screaming at me for overdoing it on the first day.
Oh yeah, I’ve got some serious work to do.
Once I get the urge to puke under control, I head back toward my apartment. Wouldn’t you just know it, as I start up the stairs, Cord is walking down them. Awesome, his apartment is literally right beside mine. I’m a hot mess, so I’m sure he’ll be thoroughly impressed.
I try to avoid eye contact with him as I scurry to my apartment door.
“Morning, Ellie,” he says with a low chuckle.
“Hey, Cord. See you this evening,” I mumble as I make my way past him quickly.
“Yes, ma’am, you will,” he snickers at my embarrassment.
As I’m unlocking my door, I
“Wait, Ellie.” He takes a step toward me but stops and backs up again. “You have to eat, right? Plus, then you can check the place out and see if you are interested in putting in for the open position. It’ll be like you staking out a new job prospect with a new friend.”
I watch as that glorious smile returns to his face. Hell, why not. It’s just dinner, and I really can check out the place and see if I’m interested in putting in for the position. Plus, he just said “friend” and that makes me feel both a little bit disappointed and a little bit happy.
“All right, Cord. You win. Dinner tomorrow at Saint sounds wonderful,” I submit.
He reaches his hand out like he’s going to shake mine, but when I place my hand in his, he lifts it to his lips and places a gentle kiss on the back of it, again.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” he replies, before dropping my hand and heading back toward the check stand.
I nod, then turn quickly toward the coffee aisle. My head is spinning. Did that just happen? Did I really just agree to a date with a complete stranger who I just met this morning? The boys are going to kill me. Sure, he’s gorgeous, but they’re right, he could be a complete psychopath. Plus, no matter how off the charts hot he is, I have zero desire to start dating again right now. It’s too soon and I’m not ready in the slightest. I mean, what’s the damn point? It’ll end the same.
But he did say “friend,” and having a friend in the apartment complex would be nice. Yeah, that’s it. Friends. Now if I could just stop drooling over him . . .
WHEN MY ALARM G oes off the next morning, I hit snooze more times than I’ll ever admit. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve woken up to complete and utter silence and I want to savor it. I almost feel guilty that I’m enjoying this being alone thing so much. I mean, I love my boys. They are the reason I breathe, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve been the caregiver for our family. My entire life has revolved around them. Having the time to step back and enjoy my freedom is something I’m beginning to really embrace. No laundry to rush through, no dinners to throw together.
I stretch slowly, basking in every second of my new bed’s comfort. With all of the new things happening in my life, I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to get healthy. Starting with utilizing the gym in my complex and eating better. I’ve always wanted to be a runner; I’ve just never made the time to do it. Now, I have the time and I’m bound and determined to get in shape before I turn forty next year.
I throw my yoga pants, sports bra, and a t-shirt on; brush my teeth, wash my face, throw my hair up into a crazy bun, and head off to the gym.
First things first. Cardio. Having read a ton of books on exercise and health, and having spent years watching Justin exercise like a crazy person, I’ve learned a few things. Today will be: Run. Bike. Row. How hard could it be?
An hour later, I’m lying on the floor of the gym praying I don’t throw up. I knew I wasn’t in great shape, but I had no idea it was this bad. Two-mile walk/jog, four-mile bike ride, five-hundred-meter row, and I want to die on this floor. My shirt is soaked and my brain is screaming at me for overdoing it on the first day.
Oh yeah, I’ve got some serious work to do.
Once I get the urge to puke under control, I head back toward my apartment. Wouldn’t you just know it, as I start up the stairs, Cord is walking down them. Awesome, his apartment is literally right beside mine. I’m a hot mess, so I’m sure he’ll be thoroughly impressed.
I try to avoid eye contact with him as I scurry to my apartment door.
“Morning, Ellie,” he says with a low chuckle.
“Hey, Cord. See you this evening,” I mumble as I make my way past him quickly.
“Yes, ma’am, you will,” he snickers at my embarrassment.
As I’m unlocking my door, I
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