Unforgettable (4 page)

Krista giggled. She wanted to kiss him
while on the plane. It would’ve been romantic the way the candles
lit the room. “No, we didn’t kiss. I don’t know if we’ll go out
again or not. His life and mine are so different.” She paused and
scrunched her nose. “And he doesn’t want kids.”

Jamie moaned as she set her cup down.
“Did you tell him about EJ?”

“
No. Once he said he was too
old for kids, I kinda dropped it. But come on, that’s a deal
breaker. I have EJ and that isn’t changing.”

She ran her finger around the rim of
her mug. “Maybe he just doesn’t want his own, but wouldn’t mind
that you do.”

Krista sipped her coffee. They way Neil
had made it sound, to her at least, was a child in anyway was out
of the picture for him. “You’re getting ahead of this anyway. No
one mentioned marriage. Besides, I can’t be going on these
extravagant dates. I have EJ.”

“
And the bestest friend ever
who loves to babysit.”

Krista would be lost with the help
Jamie provided. “I know, but I don’t want a broken
heart.”

Jamie lifted her mug to the edge of her
lips. “How do you know it’ll be broken?”

He’s a rich bachelor, for
starters.
“Let’s be serious. It isn’t going
anywhere. I’m sure he’s a great man, but if he’s going to the type
of club we went to the other night, then he isn’t looking to settle
down. And I’d like to.”

“
I see your point.” Jamie
set her mug down. “Too bad I don’t get to live vicariously through
you.”

“
Too bad.” Krista
smiled.

She stood to refill her coffee when she
heard the sound of a car door upfront. Her ex and EJ’s father had
mentioned stopping by, but it was awfully early. She set her cup
down on the counter and went to the front. A van was parked in her
driveway. She peered out until finally a man appeared carrying a
large vase of flowers.

Flowers?
She opened the door.

A tall man in a white uniform stood
straight. “I have a delivery for a Krista Michaels.”

“
That’s me.”

“
Here you go.” He handed the
large vase of assorted flowers to her. “Have a wonderful
day.”

She turned, went back inside, and
kicked the door shut.

EJ greeted her with wide eyes. “Whoa.
Who are those for?”

“
Me.” She set the vase down
on the end table by the couch and removed the card, eager to see
who sent them.

Krista,

I had a lovely time last
night. I hope to do it again real soon, on land this time of
course.

-Neil

She put the card back in its place with
the colorful flower arrangement. Jamie was by her side, her eyes
lit up.

“
I don’t want to hear a word
about it.” Krista brushed past her, her cheeks flushed and heart
beating fast. She was in over her head.

* * *

A few days had passed since Neil’s date
with Krista. He’d sent flowers the day after and since decided to
give her some space. He wanted this to work. There was something
about Krista that caught his attention and didn’t let go. A
girl-next-door persona to her, mixed with that sultry
smile.

She was one of the most beautiful women
he’d ever seen. She had long red locks and emerald-green eyes he
could stare into for hours. She had the perfect hour-glass shape.
And he’d definitely noticed her rack. She’d been blessed with a
nice one, ass too.

Pushing away from his desk, he set his
pen down. He’d like to see her again soon and he’d been meaning to
call her, but he kept putting it off so as not to scare her away.
It amused him that at the age of forty-five, he was actually
nervous to call a woman.

“
Mr. Clark,” his secretary
Tana said from the door, “you’ve got a meeting in ten minutes. Are
you ready?”

He pulled back up to his desk and
looked at his calendar. Crap. He sure did have a meeting. It looked
like he’d have to put off calling Krista until after he met with
the construction crew about the new hotel.

“
Thanks for reminding me.
Please tell me the meeting is here.”

Tana winked. “You’re in luck and
they’re already in conference room three.”

“
I’ll be down in a moment.”
He closed down his computer then rummaged through the files on his
desk until he found the one he was looking for.

He typically prided himself on his
organization, but this week it had gone out the door. Krista had
taken over all his thoughts.

“
Tana, which room?” He
stepped out of his office.

She gave him a strange look and he got
the sense she’d already told him this info. “Three. Are you okay,
sir?”

“
Fine. Never been
better.”

* * *

Todd would be there any moment to pick
up EJ. He’d gotten tickets to a local baseball game and he was
taking EJ to see it, plus keeping him overnight. Krista was
thankful. Her son had kept her busy with all the activities he
wanted to do for the summer. She couldn’t get him to understand
that they had many days of summer and didn’t need to pack each day
to its fullest.

“
Dad’s here,” EJ called from
the living room.

“
Okay. Don’t run out without
giving me a kiss.” Krista set the towel down on the counter and
jogged to the living room just in time to see Todd enter the
house.

“
Hey.” He rubbed his hands
together and glanced around nervously.

“
Hi.” She leaned against the
couch. She and Todd weren’t on the worst of terms, but it was
always awkward when he came inside. Typically she had EJ ready with
a kiss, opened the door, and they were on their way.

“
Nice flowers,” Todd said,
his expression hard to read.

She looked at the assortment Neil had
sent. “Thanks.”

“
Mom got those from a guy,”
EJ announced.

Krista glared at her son and began to
speak but was interrupted by her son.

“
What? I heard you and Ms.
Jamie talking about it.”

Todd stared at her a moment before
turning his attention back to EJ. “Go hop in the car. I’ll be there
in a minute.”

EJ picked up his overnight bag and
pushed open the glass door before he paused. He ran back over to
Krista and wrapped his arms around her. “Bye, Mom. Love
you.”

Even though he drove her crazy, she was
going to miss him not being here. “Love you too, bud.”

EJ returned to his path out the door,
leaving her and Todd alone.

“
Do I need to know anything
about the flowers?” Todd crossed his arms.

Seriously? He’d sent their son outside
alone to ask about the flowers? “Are you wanting to know the
florist or what kind they are?”

He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a
smartass. Are you seeing someone? Is it serious?”

Krista sighed. “No, I’m not seeing
someone. It was one date and it won’t be happening
again.”

Todd nodded and relief washed over his
face. “If it does turn serious, I’d like to meet him before EJ
does.”

Krista rubbed her temple. Neither she
nor Todd had really dated since their divorce. This was new
territory for them. But as she’d said, she wouldn’t be seeing Neil
again. “I understand. EJ’s waiting on you and I need to finish the
dishes.”

“
Have a good night.” Todd
turned without another look and left.

Krista returned to the kitchen to
finish the task at hand. After the dishes were done, her only plan
was to plop her booty on the couch and not get up. She loved her
son dearly, but she always enjoyed watching a show or two without
being interrupted.

An hour later, she had
finished one show and decided to look for a movie. She scrolled
through the menu looking for some sappy chick movie about
love.
Pretty Woman
was on. She smiled and hit the button to go to the
channel.

Krista pulled a blanket from the back
of the couch and got ready to snuggle in. On the coffee table in
front of her, her phone vibrated as the screen lit up. Reaching
forward, she grabbed it.

“
Hello,” she answered, not
sure who it was because of the word
private
on the screen.

“
Krista, it’s
Neil.”

“
Neil.” She was
shocked.

“
I’m sorry to just now be
calling. Work has been crazy. I had hoped this weekend to see you,
but I’ve got an unplanned business trip I leave on tomorrow. And as
crazy as this sounds, I was hoping you were free tonight. I’d love
to see you.”

Oh, she was free all right. “I was just
getting ready to watch a movie, actually.”

“
Are you at the theater? I’m
sorry for interrupting.”

The Michaels’ Theater of
Comfy Couches.
“No, no. I’m at home
actually.”

“
Could I join
you?”

Tell him no! Tell him
absolutely not; you can’t see him anymore.
“Uh, I guess.” Of course her mouth betrayed her
thoughts.

“
Great. I’m just finishing
up at the office and then I’ll be over.”

No, no, no. He couldn’t come over here.
“Oh, well, the movie’s starting now.”

He chuckled. “I’m not coming to see the
movie. I’m coming to see you.”

The called ended. Krista set
the phone in her lap. What had just happened? She then noticed she
had on sweat pants and a tank top. Crap. She needed a shower as
well.
Looks like I’m going to miss the
first few minutes of the movie.

*

Forty-five minutes later, her doorbell
rang. Krista had makeup on, a pair of jeans, and a nice blouse. Her
hair was still damp though; she hadn’t had a chance to get to the
blow dryer. Her hair had been last priority since she had a living
room of toys to pick up. Guilt took over that she was hiding her
son from him, but he didn’t want kids. This relationship was doomed
before it even began.

Taking one last look in a mirror, she
figured this was the best she could do. She proceeded to open the
door and the sight of Neil nearly took her breath away. He was
dressed in a charcoal-colored business suit with a bright blue tie
that brought her focus to his Adam’s apple. In his hand he held a
brown bag.

“
You look as lovely as
ever.” He smiled.

She smirked; if only he’d seen her an
hour ago. “Thanks. Come on in. It’s a mess.”

She stepped back so he could enter then
pushed the door shut. Her nerves were on edge, having him in her
home. With a deep breath, she brushed past him and led him into the
living room where they took a seat on the couch.

He lifted the bag in his hand. “I
brought dessert.”

“
I haven’t had dinner.” She
laughed.

“
Life’s short. Eat dessert
first.” He opened the bag to reveal two Styrofoam containers, each
containing a piece of cheesecake. His gaze traveled over her body,
making her feel beautiful. “I hope you didn’t go to the trouble of
getting dressed up for me.”

She shrugged. Since when were jeans and
a blouse dressed up? “I needed a shower anyway. Your coming over
gave me an excuse.”

He grinned and cocked an eyebrow. “What
were you wearing prior?”

“
Uh.” Did she really have to
answer?

“
Sorry. That was too
personal. Here.” He handed her a slice of the cake and a plastic
fork. “Enjoy.”

He grabbed his piece and settled into
the couch, directing his attention toward the TV. She took a bite
and practically moaned as the sweet flavors mingled with her
senses. It was like a little slice of heaven. She did her best to
watch the movie, but she kept finding herself staring at Neil out
of the corner of her eye. She just didn’t get him. He was a giant
mystery. Why in the world did he want to eat cheesecake on her
ratty couch with her when he could be flying around the world with
some model?

“
Neil,” she said.

He glanced at her.

“
What is this?”

“
What is what?”

“
This.” She paused. “Us. I
don’t get it. We’re nothing alike. We’re from opposite worlds and
yet you’re here with me.”

He took a slow bite from his fork
before resting it on his container. “I like you.”

“
You don’t know
me.”

His gaze locked on hers. “I want
to.”

“
But why?”

He set his dessert down and turned his
body toward hers. “Why does this have to be complicated? Can’t we
just see where this will lead?”

Sure, if she didn’t have a son to think
about and a heart that would get broken. “How can it go
anywhere?”

Neil grinned at her. “This can be
anything you want it to be. Stop worrying and enjoy.”

That was a lot easier for him. She
couldn’t just live this fairy tale life, and even if she could, she
wasn’t sure she was built for it. She lived paycheck to paycheck.
She barely had a savings account. They were nothing alike and he’d
never understand.