Succeeding Love

Can’t Wait

Feighlynn

“You seem to be in a good mood, mama,” Jessie said, coming down the stairs for breakfast.

“Am I?” I smiled to myself, arranging a couple of chicken breasts in a crock pot to slow cook.

“I could hear you singing Don’t Stop Believing all the way from my bathroom.”

“It’s a catchy song,” I said, then whistled the melody as it played through my head again. I was thinking about my date last weekend with Vin and the song was one we listened to. Now I can’t get it out of my head, or keep the smile off my face.

Jessie grabbed her waffle I made for her from the counter, covering it in syrup before sitting at the bar to eat. I grinned at seeing the fresh roses from Velma’s greenhouse on the counter beside her. Vin brought them over yesterday with a note saying how excited he was to see me tonight. I squeal with glee every time I read the note.

Jessie was watching me with curiosity as I seasoned the chicken before fastening on the lid. I am feeling hyperactive, but I don’t know how to rein it in. I’m just so excited about tonight.

“I just love Fridays,” I sighed. “Don’t you?”

Jessie’s little brows pulled down. “You never like Fridays, mom.”

“Of course I do!” I twirled around and went to the fridge to pull out their lunches. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because we’re not here,” she reminded me.

“Oh. Yeah,” I smiled apologetically.

“What are you cooking for, anyway? Is Aunt Kate coming over tonight?”

“Hmm?” I busied myself with their lunches suddenly. I haven’t told either of the kids about our new neighbor across the street yet. It felt premature for that. Preston might approve, but I didn’t know how Jessie would react.

“The crock pot. Are you having a girl’s night with Aunt Kate again?”

“Oh, that. Nope.” I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “I’m just cooking my dinner tonight.”

“Hmm,” Jessie gave me an appraising glance, then looked at the flowers beside her. Before I knew it, she was pulling out the note stuck between the stems and reading the handwritten sprawl. I held my breath, nervous about her reaction, but then a slow smile spread across her pretty face. “Just cooking for yourself, huh?”

I shrugged, unable to confirm or deny. She read the note. There’s no point in denying it, but I’m not ready to share who I’m seeing tonight with my sensitive little girl. She doesn’t appear to disapprove though.

“What’s going on?” Preston asked, coming into the kitchen. He has the added baggage of all his baseball gear. He moved up to varsity this week because of a senior’s injury, and he has an away tournament this weekend. He’s staying in a hotel with the team tonight, and I’ll drive to watch him in the morning.

Jessie took the note and hurriedly hid it behind her back. “Nothing,” she said, sounding all kinds of suspicious. I tried not to laugh. She’s so cute.

Preston set his overflowing duffel bag and backpack on the ground, eyeing her.

“Here’s your breakfast, sweetie,” I said, kissing his cheek and handing him a plate of waffles and bacon with peanut butter on the side. He eats waffles like his dad does. Peanut butter and no syrup. “Are you nervous about this weekend?”

“Not really,” he smiles slyly. “Are you nervous?”

“My little boy is spending the night with seniors.” I pretended to pout. “Of course I am.”

“I’m not that little anymore, mom,” he laughed with a crooked smile. “Are you still coming in the morning?”

“Yes! I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve got my giant print out of your face that I’m planning on waving around the whole time. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Please don’t,” he groaned.

Jessie laughed at her brother’s grim expression. I noticed she slid the note from the flowers under her bottom when Preston was distracted with me.

“I want to come,” Jessie whined.

“Is your dad not going?” I looked at Preston. He had a guilty look on his face.

“I didn’t tell him,” Preston admitted.

“Pres,” I looked at him disapprovingly.

“What?! He’s busy moving this weekend. He won’t have time to come.”

“I’m sure he would make time,” I argued.

“I’m sure I don’t want him to,” he grumbled.

I sighed, wondering if I should be the one to bring it up with Nick or not. I don’t know if it will make things worse for their relationship if I do.

“Is Aunt Kate coming with you tomorrow?” Preston asked me, changing the subject.

“I’m not sure yet. I think she has plans already.” Preston made a face, so I added, “Why?”

“It’s a long way to drive, mom.”

“I know,” I nodded.

“You have to leave at five to make it there on time,” Preston said, looking at me like I was missing something.

“I know. I’ll listen to an audio book. Have some me time.”

“Mom,” he said levelly.

“What?!”

Jessie giggled at us. “You’re not the best driver, mom. I think that’s what Preston is trying to say.”

“I am a perfectly safe driver!”

Preston scoffed. “Until that audio book of yours gets to a sad part. Or a hilarious part. You get distracted too easily, mom.”

“Well, I’m not missing your game! Do you want me to fly down there instead?”

“No, but I don’t want you driving by yourself.”

I looked up at the ceiling and shook my head. In these ways, he is just like his father. Nick would get like Preston is now if I tried to do anything by myself that he considered dangerous. He used to get mad at me for silly stuff like keeping the windows open in the house all day while I was home alone.

“Mom, why don’t you just ask someone else to go with you?” Jessie said, looking pointedly at the flowers. Preston was busy spooning peanut butter covered waffles in his mouth and missed it.

“Maybe,” I bit my lip. Would it be weird for me to ask Vin to go with me?

“You should,” Preston said with a mouth full of food. “I have to stay with the team anyway, so you should bring a friend and spend the night in the city or something tomorrow night.” He smirked at me, “Someone who wouldn’t mind doing all the driving.”

“Watch it,” I pointed a butter knife at him after cutting his turkey and cheese in half.

He held his hands up with a smirk, like he was surrendering.

I finish the kid’s sandwiches for their lunches, then put them in the bag with the rest of their food before they finish eating. I kissed them both bye and went to follow them out like I always do before I walk Kevin.

As Preston was shoving his stuff in his trunk, and I was fastening Kevin’s leash, Jessie leaned in to whisper to me, “I put your note back. I’m happy for you, mama.”

My heart swells, and I’m truly touched. I didn’t expect her to accept me dating again. She’s so close to her dad that I feared she would reject the idea completely.

“Thank you, sweetie.” I pulled her close and kissed her head, feeling like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

She got in the car with Preston, and I waved them off as I walked down the driveway with Kevin. The curtains moved in a window across the street. Then a few seconds later, human Kevin was opening his garage, taking the trash to the curb as I slowly approached with a huge smile on my face.

“Oh, hey! Crazy running into you,” he said with a sly grin. “What a coincidence.”

“A coincidence, huh?” I giggled. Kevin jumped up for pets, and Vin was happy to give them. “What do you have planned today?”

“Well,” he stretched his arms above his head, smoothly resting one around my shoulders, “I was thinking of going for a walk right now, then later I’m going to my sweet little neighbor’s house in my swim trunks.”

“In your swim trunks!” I feigned shock. “Whatever for?”

“Beats me,” he smirked. “Apparently, it’s a surprise.”

“Maybe she’s going to greet you with water guns at her door,” I pressed my lips together, trying to hold back my laughter.

“My excitement level just rose,” he laughed.

We walked our usual route, twice, laughing and joking together as we had been doing every morning and most evenings. I offered to go around the block a third time, but he had a meeting to get to this morning. I wanted to ask what the meeting was for, but held back. He seemed nervous about it, whatever it was, so I just wished him luck and told him I would see him tonight.

He squeezed my hand, then kissed my fingers before letting me and Kevin head back in. It made me think of his kiss a week ago, and my face grew hot as I hurried into the garage. I shut the overhead door before I self combusted right in front of where he stood in the street, watching me with that handsome half-smirk.

It’s become a bit frustrating. Really frustrating. I’ve thought about that kiss much more than I probably should. Maybe tonight, just maybe, he will take mercy on me and kiss more than my hand again.

~

Vin

I watched my pretty little neighbor with her blushing cheeks and those swinging hips in her fitted leggings walk double time to her garage. I need to quit teasing her, but her reactions are so fucking cute.

Today was going to be so long. I knew it, because I was so looking forward to tonight.

I have that meeting to get to, though. I talked to Milton again and decided I wanted to at least talk to his boss about the security manager's position. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to work, especially this soon, but when Milton told me the annual salary for the position, I couldn’t help but think of what might be in store for the future, and how that salary could make it a lot brighter for me and whoever was in it.

To be honest, the more time I spent with Feighlynn, the more I wanted to do something that would give me more to offer her. I’m not at the age to waste my time casually dating, and I’m liking her more and more the more we interact. Everything about her drives me crazy in all the good ways. I crave her time, and it’s unlike anything I have ever felt for anyone before.

I had a quick breakfast with my mom. She seemed to be having a good day so far today, and was cooking me bacon and eggs when I came inside.

I put on navy pants with a white shirt and brown dress shoes with a matching brown belt. Nothing too over the top, but professional enough. As I drove to the office, I just thought about Feighlynn, which had me in a smug and smiling mood when I got to city hall. If I could attract the attention of a woman like her, this meeting would be a walk in the park. That’s the Feighlynn effect. She makes me feel like a real action hero. Her action hero.

When I asked the receptionist which floor the city manager’s office was, she gave me a flirty grin, but it had nothing on Feighlynn’s smile. It didn’t affect me at all. I found that no woman could compare to my little neighbor. She was definitely one of a kind, with her positivity and all her happy little quirks.

Damn, I already miss her. Tonight can’t come soon enough.

On the elevator ride up to the sixth floor, I pulled out my phone and sent her a text telling her I missed her smile already. About ten seconds later, I got a text back of a goofy picture with her and Kevin. She was sticking out her tongue with her eyes crossed, and had her fingers pried in her dog’s mouth, forcing him to smile. Even being silly like that, she was beautiful. That’s what I texted back. Just a one word response: beautiful. She sent me an emoji with a smiley face and a heart all around it. So fucking adorable.

I took a second to admire her dimpled chin and the way her hair hung over her shoulders. I bet her hair smells amazing. I’m going to see if I can get a whiff of it tonight. I just want to bury my face in it, and hold her tight enough to make her squeak. I bet she would let me. I am sure if I asked to hold her, even for a second, she would be all for it. Her cheeks would get all flushed, and she would avert her gaze in that shy way she does, but that eager little smile would still be on her perfect lips.

Shit, I can’t wait for tonight. I wonder what she has planned for us, that I need to wear swim shorts. Should I just wear swim shorts, or should I bring them and change into them when needed? I should stop by the store on the way home and get a couple of water guns, too, just in case. I know she would get a kick out of it if I did. I’d buy many things to hear her laugh or see that smile on her face.

When I got to the right floor, I saw Milton almost right away. He was walking out of a room that was labeled as a conference room with a tall, well-dressed woman. She had on bright lipstick and painted fake nails to match. Milton looked a little uncomfortable with her, but if she noticed, it didn’t show. She was grinning in that sly way some women do when they think they’re desirable. She might be to some people, but Milton has tastes similar to mine. Some overly confident corporate woman would not impress him.

“My apologies again that my colleague couldn’t be here. I’ll pass along the revisions, and he can call you on Monday.” She pressed towards him a bit. “Or maybe we could discuss all of it over lunch?”

Milton’s face remained passive until he caught sight of me, and then he looked relieved. “Just have Nicholas call Monday. I’m sure we can do the final paperwork by email.” He dismissed her and her face subtly fell. Not like she was disappointed, but just tired. It made me pity her a bit. “My next appointment is here. My secretary can show you the way out.”

The woman looked at me appraisingly, her mask of confidence returning. “I know the way.” She offered that sly smile to me, but I just nodded in return, my face remaining passive. “Thank you again, Mr. Milton.”

“Yep,” Milton let the professional facade drop, then sighed with relief when she got in the elevator to leave.

“Rough morning?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Tense,” he groaned. “I’ve worked with that woman for months now on this deal, and today was the first time I saw her without her partner. No wonder he’s tired of the chick. She’s exhausting.”

“Was she trying to jump your bones?” I laughed as he led me back into that same conference room.

“I don’t know what the woman was trying to do. I wouldn’t be surprised, though. She’s got a reputation.” He looked around like he was seeing if anyone was around to listen. “She goes after married men. A buddy of mine ended his happy marriage over her and is living in hell because of it.” He shook his head sadly. “Poor chump.”

“Sounds like he did it to himself,” I scoffed.

Milton frowned. “Yeah. I know how you feel about cheaters, but I still feel bad for the guy. His ex was great.”

I shrugged. “He shouldn’t have cheated, then.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” he said dismissively. “Let me get my boss and we can start this meeting. I think you two will hit it off,” Milton chuckled. “He’s no nonsense like you.”