Born to Make You Smile

FOUR

“Shit, this is heavy,” I said to myself as I made my way next door, gripping the warm lasagna. My phone chirped in my purse, but with my hands full, I knew I had to wait to check the message.

Gavin opened the door, and my brows rose when I caught sight of him. He looked surprisingly dapper, a complete change from his typical office attire. He stood before me in a tailored gray suit with a crisp white dress shirt and a sleek black tie. His wavy hair was neatly styled, seemingly fixed with a hint of product. He wasn’t wearing his glasses, so I could see his whole face—his sharp jaw, prominent Roman nose, his emerald-green eyes. I didn’t realize how dazzling his eyes were before. He looked great. Extremely handsome, actually. Apparently, a British Superman had been hiding under a pair of Armani glasses and baggy clothing all along.

“Gavin. Hi.” My cheeks went bright red with embarrassment, suddenly aware of how underdressed I was. I knew I’d be staying in, but I felt so frumpy—without a stitch of makeup and wearing yoga gear, which wasn't much of a step up from the black scrubs I wore to work.

“Why hello, Grace. How do I look?” He did a whimsical turn, and the subtle smell of his aftershave mixed with his pleasant cologne hit my nose. Intoxicatingly woodsy and fresh. “It's a new suit. And shirt. And tie.”

I smiled as I slipped off my shoes, moving them to the side with my socked foot. “You look fantastic. Dressed to impress.”

“Thank you. That lasagna smells wonderful.” He took the warm foil-covered Pyrex from my hands.

I stepped farther into the house, and its homey smell filled me with a heartfelt nostalgia. The Brinley household was my second home. Memories of childhood visits with my mother flickered in my head. My mom and Judy would chat over coffee and peach cake while I spent time with the girls, playing and doing crafts.

“Let me set it in the kitchen for you,” Gavin said as he headed down the hall. “I wish I could stay to enjoy it.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll leave you some leftovers!”

“Yeah, right. It's all mine!” shouted Charlotte, his eleven-year-old. “Grace!”

She ambushed me with a huge hug. She stood nearly as tall as me, her dark brown hair seeming so much longer since the last time I saw her a few weeks ago. “We’re going to have so much fun! I have all the movies lined up, and we have popcorn, the good stuff.”

“Sweet and salty?” I said.

She flashed a thumbs-up. “You know it!”

Gavin’s ten-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, bounced up to me.

“Hi, Grace! Do you like my hair?” She tilted her lopsided caramel-brown braid toward me. “I did it all myself.”

“It’s lovely.” I nodded with a smile, knowing I’d have to fix it later.

“Do you want to see my tap and jazz video? I had my recital last week. I fell, but I didn't get hurt. I got up super quick and kept dancing. You need to come next time.”

“Of course! I’ll be there.”

The girls scurried off, and I quickly checked my phone. I was surprised to see a message from Ethan.

Ethan: Hey, Grace. It was great meeting you last night :) I’d love to take you out next weekend.

Following the message was a picture of Aslan with a chew toy.

Adorable.

Gavin strode to the living room, and I tucked my phone away. He glanced out the bay window. “She's here.”

My head tilted with surprise. “She’s picking you up. How progressive. I like it.”

“I offered, but she insisted.” He shrugged. “I’ll have to get used to dating a modern, independent woman.”

I wasn't sure why, but I had to force a smile. “Well. Have a great night.”

About ten minutes later, I called the girls to set the table. As we sat down to eat and I watched the girls enjoying their food, I felt something was missing, or more like someone. A part of me wished Gavin had stayed.

I wondered where he had taken his date for dinner. I pictured him out with her, smiling and laughing, sharing his goofy jokes. Jokes she likely wouldn’t find funny. Or maybe she’d find him hilarious.

My stomach tightened and curdled.

What was going on? He was more than entitled to date and be happy. Then why did I feel a sense of competition? As if having another woman in his life meant he would toss me aside and pay less attention to me. I had an irrational fear this new woman would compromise my position as his sidekick, his other half. Between Gavin and Dorina, it seemed those close to me were finding someone special. Maybe Ethan held promise. While I still hesitated about dating him, I realized I no longer wanted to be alone.

***

A clang rang out, and I nearly jolted out of my skin. Ever since that scare with those raccoons, I found myself extra jumpy. I checked the time. It was just after eleven o’clock. Unsettled, I muted the TV and strained my ears. The girls were in bed, but the sound had come from the front. I tiptoed over and peered outside the living room bay window, hiding behind the floor-length gray drapes.

The porch light shone bright, illuminating Gavin and his date standing outside by the front door. She was pretty. Well-dressed. Tall and lean. Sleek black hair that fell to her shoulders. My body turned to give them privacy, but I remained glued, unable to look away. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but they were smiling. I faintly heard the robust bellow of Gavin’s laughter. Afterward, he cupped his date’s face in his hands and leaned in for a kiss.

I knew it was wrong to watch, but I couldn’t help myself.

The kiss started slow, then he moved in closer, pressing his body against hers. Things quickly escalated, becoming quite intense. Hands moving, mouths devouring, and tongues involved by the look of it.

The few kisses I’d experienced in the past had been awkward and lackluster at best. Nothing like the passionate kiss between Gavin and his date.

So many emotions and thoughts flooded my brain. I had no idea Gavin kissed with such smooth expertise. So tender, sensual, yet with marked command. A side of him I’d never seen before.

For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to be kissed like that. I imagined myself in his date’s place. Gavin’s lips on mine. His hands on my face. His body pressed up against me.

My knees became weak, and my body tingled. Heat rushed to my core. A completely foreign reaction to me.

What was happening? This was Gavin. My boss. My next-door neighbor of seventeen years. A man double my age who’d known me since I was a child and had been the husband of my mother’s best friend.

Cue the brakes. That did it. The tremors in my body abruptly flatlined.

Distracted, I hadn’t noticed they’d stopped kissing, and his date was heading to her car in the driveway.

I scurried over to the TV just as the front door unlocked, my socks sliding on the hardwood floor before I launched myself onto the couch.

“Hello, Grace,” Gavin said, strolling into the family room with his jacket off and tie loosened. “How were the girls?”

“Delightful.” I smiled, trying not to sound winded. “We had a blast.”

“Good, good.”

“How was dinner?” I asked, brushing a wayward coil of hair out of my eyes. I stood and fixed my shirt in an attempt to compose myself.

“Great actually. I'm seeing Michelle again next weekend.”

Her name was Michelle .

“Wonderful.” I forced a smile. “Same bat time, same bat channel?”

He sighed. “No pressure, only if you are free.”

Truthfully, I looked forward to watching the girls. It brought me so much joy and happiness. Not to mention, it was a good distraction from the pressures of my everyday life.

“I’ll be here,” I said to Gavin and turned off the TV.

“I'll order in next week. Pizza or something.”

He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet, then handed me two hundred-dollar bills. “For you.”

“Gavin.” I frowned. “That’s a lot. I can’t accept that.”

I hated accepting money, especially from Gavin, who had already done so much for me. It made me feel like an impoverished charity case.

“Please. You earned every penny.”

As I glanced at his outstretched hand, I thought about how helpful that extra cash would be. I hesitated, then accepted the money. “Thank you.”

“Do you need me to escort you home?”

If it was after eleven, he was always adamant about walking me home despite it being a ten-second walk away.

He licked his lips, and it made my body flush.

“No worries. I’m good,” I said.

I managed to mutter a hurried good night, then darted out the door, praying I’d forget all about that steamy kiss.

When I got home, I texted Ethan back, accepting his offer for a date.