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Blake finished brushing Kahlua, snapped on his bright-red collar, and made him “sit!” for a crumb of cheese. The dog would do anything for cheddar, so Blake usually carried some in a little baggie. He found that even when the treat got all dried up and funky, it still worked. Maybe it even worked better. When it came to chewing and chewing, to extract every last iota of flavor, Kahlua showed obsessive concentration.
In many ways, Blake identified with this.
For example, today he was chewing on how to convince Sarah that love in real life beat cybersex with a stranger, every time. After thinking and rethinking and rerethinking all night long, he kept coming back to the same notion that was the basis for his company’s marketing strategy: a free taste demonstrates quality. He and Sarah would be terrific together if he could just persuade her to try a sample.
The erotic pictures that popped into his head inspired him to be persistent. Imagining all the ways he could please her was as stimulating as a double-chocolate hot fudge sundae. When a shell-pink dawn finally illuminated the horizon behind the thin screen of trees, Blake sat with his coffee on a lounge chair in the small garden behind his condo. He watched the sun swell up from the fiery edge of the world and wished Sarah were here, her bare legs dangling as she sat on his lap, arms around his neck, as they welcomed the new day together.
Maybe not today but soon, he vowed. Possibly tonight.
Blake knew there was a sleepover for the kids on Devon’s team at Jimmy Mason’s house tonight. He’d heard Sticky talking about it at the last game. A golden opportunity like this didn’t appear often, and he wasn’t going to blow it. If she didn’t invite him to dinner again, he would ask her.
A flame of anticipation kept him charged up as he showered and dressed, and he whistled as he grabbed Kahlua’s red leash and threw some supplies in a shopping bag then stowed it behind the seats in his truck.
Just don’t act like a total fool. Everybody knows what’s going on, but try not to advertise it.
Kahlua jumped into the passenger seat, smiling and panting as Blake climbed behind the wheel. The dog was obviously having fun already. Hopefully, the human would soon achieve the same karmic bliss. A vision of Sarah wearing nothing but a sheet had been chasing him around in his dreams last night, and it appeared before his eyes again now. Blake shook his head and gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Steady. Stay focused.
“Okay, buddy, here we go.” He pulled on his purple Blake’s baseball cap, popped a disk into the CD player, and sang along with Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” as he pulled out of the parking lot. He had a good feeling about this day, despite the undeniable danger of making a giant jackass of himself.
* * *
SARAH PUT THE LAST of the beer, juice, and water into the cooler and dumped ice on top of the drinks then closed the lid. Paisley and Emile were bringing the food, so she just had to throw some chips and gluten-free treats into a bag. Miki helped her carry everything to the car and load it into the cargo hold, while Devon sat in the back seat, dangerously quiet and still.
Sarah went around to his window and examined his face. It looked a little gray. “You okay, punkin?”
He nodded, his jaw clenched and his expression grim.
Sarah automatically reached in to feel his forehead, and he brushed away her hand with a scowl. She tried to encourage him. “It’ll be fine. You’ll see. You’ll do great and have fun.”
Devon had been so anxious since last night, it was painful to watch. He was probably afraid of blowing it during this last, most important game of the season. Especially considering his long history of public humiliation, times when he was younger and totally lost it at the mall or a grocery store. He was less impulsive now, but the social pressure was even greater.
Miki put Hershey in the back of the car and closed the cargo door. Today he was wearing a bright-yellow collar and leash in honor of Devon’s team. Sarah and Miki were similarly decked out with caps, shirts, and matching yellow sneakers that Miki had found at the dollar store. They piled into the car and pulled out of the driveway.
Devon was silent on the ride over, and Sarah checked him in the rearview mirror every few minutes. Miki offered him a protein bar, which he munched while staring out the window. When they arrived and parked, he leapt out of the car and sped over to where his team was gathering, immediately lost from view in a blur of yellow shirts. Sarah could tell he was struggling to stay calm and doing a pretty good job.
Time to let him grow up, she thought, suppressing the urge to go over and speak to the coach. She took one end of the cooler to carry it into the stands with Miki, while Hershey followed obediently at their heels.
The first thing she noticed when they went around the end of the bleachers was Blake Harrison, sitting by her friends and family with his cute chocolate Lab. Her girlfriends saw her and cheered, beckoning. Sticky Mason and the other fathers smiled and nodded. Blake took off his purple cap and waved it at her then climbed down the stairs, signaling he would help with the cooler. The two dogs greeted each other like long-lost brothers, sniffing thoroughly, relaxed and mellow, tails wagging.
Miki praised Kahlua and petted him, taking the leash from Blake to free his hands. “I’ll hang out with these good boys over here. Don’t worry, we’ll be okay,” she said and strolled along with both dogs toward a grassy area on the sidelines.
“Hey,” Blake greeted Sarah, his eyes taking a split-second trip down to her feet and back up to her face.
So, he’s still interested. Maybe I didn’t ruin it after all.
She smiled, and he looked surprised but pleased then hoisted the cooler up onto his shoulder and brought it to where her family was already seated.
“Sarah! Come explain to me this game, ma petite. All I know is three strikes and you’re out.” Emile had a yellow bandana tied around his neck. He wore a wide-brimmed straw hat and sat on a comfortable padded seat.
Paisley looked cute in her yellow sundress and sandals. “Grandpa used to play soccer when he was a boy in France. Did you know that, Sarah?” she asked, standing up to give her cousin a quick hug.
“Yes, but it’s much different from this,” Emile said in a bright voice. Sarah hadn’t seen him this upbeat since his illness and was glad she’d insisted he come. “The great American sport! I really should learn about it, since I am American now. And so I will, thanks to my great-grandson.” He beamed, radiating pleasure.
Out on the field, the two teams were warming up. One of the yellow coaches threw a high pitch toward the outfield. Teetering as he watched the ball falling directly toward his outstretched mitt, Devon held his ground and waited. Sarah’s friends went wild when he caught the ball and managed not to drop it.
“Great catch! We’d better watch out for that kid,” Blake said, grinning. “Guess I’ll have to stop fraternizing with the enemy for now.” He stood up and bent close to Sarah’s ear. “Don’t let Sticky drink all the beer.” His lips tickled, and his hand was warm on her shoulder.
She brazened it out. “Sure thing, coach. No offense, but I won’t wish you luck. Go yellow!”
He smiled and doffed his cap, heading over to where the purple team had gathered. As if in a dream, she watched him walk away, fascinated by those long legs striding and those wide shoulders bulging as the muscles moved when he clapped his hands and whistled for the kids.
This was a man who probably wouldn’t be scared off by the fact that she had a son. He actually liked kids and came from a solid family. His parents and siblings were great. Paisley used to date Jordan back in high school, and they were still friends now. Emile adored Blake’s parents, who enjoyed a romantic dinner at the Chocolatiers every few weeks. On the surface, everything looked perfect for something good to happen with Blake. She just had to stay cool and not get freaked out.
Not every guy is like Jim, she thought. Maybe this could work, for me and for Devon.
For a moment, her eyes blurred, then she blinked and heard her friends cheer as the two teams lined up and the game began. Purple won the toss and was first at bat. That meant Devon had to be ready to repeat his spectacular catch if necessary. Sarah started to sweat at the thought.
Two hours later, they were all hoarse from yelling, the beer was gone, and Paisley’s amazing picnic had been devoured. It was close, but the yellow team won, and Devon managed to get through the whole game in relative obscurity. Everyone was still congratulating him for his big catch during the warm-ups, which was more positive reinforcement than he’d ever received before. Sarah watched him bump shoulders with his teammates as they congratulated one another, and she started to relax for the first time all day.
She volunteered to drive as many of the kids as she could fit in her car to the celebratory sleepover party at Sticky Mason’s house. Devon’s sleeping bag and backpack were in the back of the car, ready and waiting. With a party to look forward to on top of winning the game, he was beside himself with joy.
“You understand what you’re getting into?” she quietly asked Sticky, who was loading his own vehicle.
He looked at her and nodded. “You bet, Blondie. Jimmy’s got two older brothers. I’m the king of sleepovers. No sweat.” He threw a few more backpacks into his minivan and slammed the tailgate shut. “Anyhow, my sister and her hubby are coming to help. No way would I do this alone.”
“He can’t eat sugar, caffeine, or gluten. You have to remember, or he’ll be bouncing off the walls. You know he has ADHD, right?”
Sticky nodded and put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, princess. My oldest kid was the same way. Now he’s in college and going to be an accountant. All things must pass.” He patted her on the back.
Tears leaked into her eyes, and her throat hurt as she tried to suppress the anxiety. “I know he’ll turn out okay,” she said, her voice cracking. “It’s just hard to watch him find his way by bumping into things.”
“There, there, Blondie. Now man up, er, woman up and get a grip. You’re embarrassing the kid and ruining my reputation as the town asshole.”
“Okay.” She sniffed, smiled, and pulled away. “Sorry about that.”
Sticky laughed. “Listen, kiddo, I’ve got your number. Any problems, I’ll call. Now let’s drive these champs over to my place, then you go home and take a nice bubble bath, or whatever it is you females do for Me Time.” He patted her arm again and turned and climbed into his old minivan, full of rowdy yellow-shirted kids.
It looked as though Devon had loaded up the back of Sarah’s car with friends too. There were heads bobbing and happy voices, and the radio was blaring. Miki stood by the open passenger door with Hershey, entertaining the crowd with her dance moves. Families found their cars and loaded up, while others paused to say goodbye to their friends. Sarah quickly wiped her eyes and saw Blake coming toward her through the crowd of parents and kids with his dog, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Everything okay?” He ran his hand down her arm and squeezed her hand.
The electric path of his touch made goose bumps rise up on her arms, and she tried not to jump. It took every ounce of control to keep from squeaking. “Yes, it’s fine,” she said, breathless. “Just nerves. It’s Devon’s first big sleepover party tonight, at Sticky’s house.”
“Ahhh, I see.” He nodded, his beautiful eyes smiling, lingering.
Her mind began to wander to those deep, green pools. Suddenly nervous, she broke the eye contact and turned to walk toward her car. He followed, walking by her side.
“I remember my first sleepover.” Blake slung his arm around her shoulders. “At John Sheehan’s house. We stole his father’s beer and got wasted, then Freddy Spence threw up all over Mrs. Sheehan’s new couch. It was great.”
“Not for Mrs. Sheehan!” Sarah objected, laughing. His hand was on her shoulder, and she snuggled against his warm arm, enjoying the way her shoulder fit perfectly right beneath his armpit and how her long stride matched his. Their bodies probably fit together in other ways too. Sarah was more and more eager to find out exactly how good a match they were.
They reached her car as a wave of baseball fans began to cross the parking lot. Miki ran to the back with Hershey and handed the leash to Sarah, then she walked around and got into the front passenger seat before slamming the door. Now the car was actually rocking a little, left then right, as a good-natured wrestling match broke out in the back seat.
“So, Sarah,” Blake began, turning her to face him then stepping back to let a mother with two toddlers pass by. He stepped toward her again. “I was wondering whether you might...” Another group of people approached, and this time he stepped forward as they walked past. Now they stood toe to toe, while the two dogs looked up at their masters and grinned, tails wagging. “I mean, if you’re not busy...”
“Mom! Time to go. We’re missing the whole party!” Devon jumped over the back seat and yelled at the top of his lungs as he slid out the open cargo door. He grabbed her hand and pulled it up and down as he jiggled. “Let’s go, Mom.” The dogs got excited and began to prance along with him. Voices inside the car sang “Rock You,” and it did, from side to side. The back seat was a swarm of yellow as air guitars and drums were played.
Skittish already from the closeness and the intoxicating scent of something sweet that radiated off Blake’s body, Sarah jumped and turned to caution her son with a finger. “I’m coming. Right now. Calm down.”
She turned to Blake and smiled, distracted. “Sorry, I really have to go. They won’t wait any longer.” Blake stepped back as another young family crossed between them, then a teenager pushing a bike.
Blake laughed, apparently defeated, and shrugged. “Okay, I’ll call you later if that’s all right.”
“Yes, thanks.” Sarah grabbed Hershey, boosted him into the cargo hold, and slammed the door shut. Then she ran around to her door and slid into the driver’s seat.
Chaos reigned in the back seat. Yelling at them to fasten their seat belts, she started the car and carefully wove her way out of the busy parking lot. All the way across town, young voices uttered piercing cries, whistles, bizarre noises, and the sounds of various bodily functions. One kid had the sound of a motorcycle engine down pat. Another one could say, “Zap ban doody,” while emitting a long belch. They laughed uproariously, and through the insanity, Sarah smiled. It was loud and obnoxious, but it was the sound of normal kids having normal fun.
She stopped for a red light when they were almost there and looked in the rearview mirror. Devon was sitting in the middle, a big grin on his face. Every time he laughed, his nose crinkled up, and he slapped his knees with both hands as his buddies on both sides jostled for space. He was in heaven, clearly.
The contagious joy spread through the car, and Sarah turned to Miki with a smile. “Can I drop you at campus on my way home?”
“Sure, thanks. Big party in the dorms tonight. You working?” Miki had the night off since Devon was otherwise occupied.
“No, I hired a new girl this week, and she’s doing great, so I’m actually taking the night off myself. It’s been intense lately.” She thought of her first appointment with the Chocolate Bride, coming up this week, and shivered.
They made it to the Masons’ house and offloaded the passengers. Sarah waved goodbye to the back of Devon’s head as he raced into the house. His backpack dragged along behind him. Relieved and a little hurt by his snub, she drove toward home and stopped to let Miki out along the way. Pulling into her driveway, she once again noticed the peeling paint on the porch and was starting to think about finding her scraper and stepladder when she glanced into the rearview mirror again. She frowned, blinking.
Hershey was still there, standing way back in the cargo hold, looking straight at her over the back seat. He was panting and smiling as usual. Something looked different, though.
After parking in the garage, she got out and opened the tailgate. The chocolate Lab jumped out and stared at her intently, making an urgent noise in his throat. She confirmed that his collar and leash were unexpectedly but undeniably bright red.
“Kahlua?”
The dog snapped to attention, sitting at her feet.
“Ohmigod. You poor boy!” She went down on one knee and petted him, scratching behind his ears and stroking his glossy brown head. He put his ears back submissively and gazed at her with sad, soulful eyes. “What did you think was happening? We left your man behind in the parking lot, didn’t we? And you just sat there and cooperated. Good boy, Kahlua. What a good dog.”
She held the leash and led the dog, whose tail was now wagging, to the fenced-in backyard. After opening the gate, she let him inside and snapped the leash off his collar. He ran across the yard, sniffing happily, and raised his leg against the squirrel tree.
She closed the gate with her hip, went inside through the kitchen door, and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Blake’s number, which was listed in her contacts under Ice Cream.
“Hi, Sarah.”
“I’m so stupid!”
He chuckled. “I was wondering how long it would take you to notice. You had a carload of distractions.”
“I dropped everybody off and got all the way home! Can you believe it?” She flipped the switch on the electric teakettle and opened a cabinet to reach for a mug.
“It took me a couple minutes to realize what happened too. Your boy is very well behaved, by the way. He got worried when you drove away, but he trusted me and came along nicely.”
Looking out the window, she watched her visitor making himself at home. “Kahlua is a perfect gentleman. He’s enjoying our fenced yard at the moment, introducing himself to the squirrels.”
“So, can I come over and make the switch?”
She caught her breath, suddenly adding it all up in her mind. If anything is ever going to happen, it will happen now. This is my chance to find out.
“Wonderful. Want to stay for dinner?” She opened the fridge to inventory the contents, thinking fast. “I’ve got some nice salmon, if that’s all right.”
“Sounds perfect. In about an hour?” He sounded excited.
“Great. See you then.”
Sarah went over a mental list: Change sheets and towels, clean bathroom, shower, shave legs, touch up pedicure, pretty underwear, sexy sundress, uncork a nice bottle of red, set the table on the patio and put out fresh candles... condoms? She fished around in her wallet to find the packets Paisley had stuffed there the night she signed Sarah up for online dating. Yes, she was all set.
It would be her first real date with a man she found attractive in all these years since the divorce. Hard to believe this was actually happening. She wasn’t worried about having forgotten what to do, though. Her body was already telegraphing detailed instructions to her brain. And the best part was this time it would be live, up close and personal, in real life. Actual touching and, hopefully, actual orgasms.
With a smile on her lips and a nervous tickle in her throat, she ran up the stairs to prepare for the seduction.