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I shook my head and stepped away. “I looked up a PMP certification course nearby that runs once a week—the minimum time I could spare to be away from home at nights. And even that class falls on the one night—Sunday—that Henry has a free evening. With no homework or other obligations. I don’t want to leave him alone.”
Sean considered that before walking back over to me and wrapping his hands around my waist. “All right then, how about this? You go for the classes, and on those nights, I’ll be at home with Henry.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really?”
Sean nodded. “My knowledge of soccer is abysmally low.” He gave me a cheeky grin. “But there’s one other topic that both Henry and I might know a lot about.”
I shook my head. “Don’t say it,” I said with a groan.
“You,” he finished, and leaning in, he placed his lips back on mine.
44
SEAN
When I arrived at Chloe’s apartment that night, she opened the door, looking like a million bucks.
She was wearing a sleek crimson dress that hugged her curves just right, subtly revealing her cleavage. The dress paired perfectly with a pair of elegant heels that clicked with determination as she stepped back. Her eyes had a touch of smoky eye shadow, and they sparkled like stars when she met my gaze. Her lips, painted with a hint of rosy gloss, curved into an inviting smile I was familiar with.
My heart did a backflip. I couldn’t wait to get her into my arms and hold her there.
The look in her eyes when she saw me gave rise to a terrifying feeling in me. A feeling of wanting time to slow down. I didn’t want to think about the day when our time was up. Like when she stopped working for me.
She smiled as I followed her in, shutting the door behind me before I gave her flowers.
“Thank you, Sean,” she breathed out as she looked at the lilies. “These are beautiful.”
I cradled her face in my hands, my thumb fanning her cheek.
I was so wrong.
Simple things like picking her up for a date made me yearn for more. Made me yearn for things I shouldn’t want, like a relationship with no end date.
“Youare beautiful,” I said, pressing my lips to hers.
It felt so right.
Kissing her at her home, at the office, and whenever we were together.
There wasn’t any better feeling.
Was it possible to get used to someone and never tire of them?
I swallowed and tried to rein in my thoughts.What the fuck was I thinking?
This was just a date, with no expectations of a relationship.
“One of your neighbors waved at me,” I said, remembering the slightly plump young man with hazel eyes and short sandy-brown hair.
“That would be Greg,” she said, leading me to the living room.
She was wearing a subtle fragrance that reminded me of orchids and jasmine. “I occasionally help him out with bringing the trash bins in when it’s his turn. Due to some health issues, he has a hard time leaving his home, but he’s making progress. We got him some groceries and cake a few days ago, and he was so touched that he almost wept with happiness.”
It was an unusual way of making friends, but with Chloe, I learned things were never the norm.
“You give a lot of people cake,” I said, feeling a burst of pride.
How was it that in the midst of her hectic life, she carved out moments of genuine kindness for others?