I looked back up at him and my stone heart cracked just a little bit at his adorable awkwardness as he tried to backpedal. I felt bad for being so standoffish and wondered if maybe talking to someone who I didn’t have to see again would make me feel better. I took a deep breath and decided to go for it, hoping talking about my past, just a little, would feel therapeutic, not painful.

“No, he doesn’t see them. He left right before their first birthday. I haven’t seen him since. I don’t even know where he is,” I blurted out, one sentence right after the other.

“Wow, he left you?” He looked at me incredulously, shaking his head. “What an idiot.”

His comment embarrassed me slightly, but also made my heart soar. It had been a long time since a man had complimented me, and never someone as good-looking as Brody. I didn’t have time to respond before he continued his inquiry into my past.

“So, that was like four years ago, right? Have you dated since?”

I quickly thought about yawning or faking a sudden headache and going off to bed, but what I did next surprised even me. For once, I didn’t feel like running. Talking to Brody and looking into his sincere, green eyes was comfortable, like I had been friends with him for years.

“I’ve dated a little here and there, nothing serious. I’m pretty picky about who I go out with.”

“Picky? How come?”

“My life isn’t just about me anymore. I’m dragging two innocent little girls along on this ride, so I definitely have a pretty solid idea of what I want in a partner.”

“Partner. Hmm, that sounds so … official. We’ll get back to that—right now, though, I’m dying to know these qualities you’re looking for.”

He pulled the stool out, sat down and leaned in closer, anxious to hear what I was going to say next.

I pulled out the other stool and followed suit.

“Well … he has to be responsible, stable, grounded…”

Brody’s face was unreadable, as though he couldn’t compute what I had just said.

“What?” I asked him defensively.

He didn’t answer, he just dropped his head into his arms and pretended to snore, loudly.

I reached over and smacked his arm. “Knock it off!”

His head snapped back up, and he looked bewildered. “Why the hell would you want that guy? He sounds like a total buzzkill.”

“He’s not a buzzkill, he’s responsible. A good role model for the girls.”

“No way! The girls are five. They have you to be their good role model. They want someone who will stomp around in the mud with them and let them stay up late and eat junk food when you’re not home. They need someone fun. Sounds like you do too.”

“I have fun!” I blurted out.

“Calm down, Killer, I wasn’t being mean. I think all the qualities you want in a guy are … nice. I just think you also need someone who will show you how fun life can be. Ya know, make it exciting too. Don’t you want that?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s not really a priority to me. I just need someone who is willing to take on the dad role and not bail when it gets tough.”

Saying that sentence out loud made a huge lump form in my throat.

“Your own happiness isn’t a priority?” Brody looked at me with wide, shocked eyes. “Wow. That’s incredible. How will your girls ever be happy if you aren’t?”

“I don’t know. I never really thought about that,” I said quietly.

“Well, how about this … how about you let me come back up here in a week and show you a good time? Show you how fun life can be?” His eyes danced with an excitement that made me want to get up off the stool and twirl around with them.

I woke up to the smell of bacon assaulting my nose, and my stomach responded with a loud growl.

“Is he dead?” A tiny voice whispered.

I cracked my eye open just a bit to see Lucy and Piper sitting on the fireplace bench staring at me.

“No, he’s not. He just moved,” Lucy whispered to Piper.

“His nose holes are opening and closing,” Piper responded, making a gross face.

Unable to hold it together, I laughed out loud at Piper’s comment.

“Girls, get over here!” Kacie whispered sternly. “Did you wake him?”

Lucy cupped her hands around her mouth and turned to face her mom. “We were making sure he wasn’t dead.” She not-so-quietly whispered back.

I laughed again as they scurried back to the kitchen. Rolling onto my stomach, I propped myself up on my elbows to face Kacie.

“I’m so sorry, go back to sleep. I’ll make them hush.” She apologized.

She looked even cuter than she did last night, if that was possible. She had on little black pants that said Pink across the back and made her ass look phenomenal, and a Minnesota Twins t-shirt.

She’s a sports fan too? This girl just got better and better.

“It’s ok, really. What time is it?” I rubbed my eyes and looked around for my cell phone.

“Seven-thirty. I’m making breakfast. You hungry?” she asked, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

“Starving.”

“Wanna help me cut up some fruit?” she asked shyly, biting her lip.

Can I eat it off of you after we cut it?

“Sure, I’ll be right there, just gimme a minute to wake up.”

That was a lie. I didn’t need to wake up. I was wide awake, but if I stood up right now I would most likely embarrass both of us.

“Okay, everyone else should be down soon. I’d better get cooking.” She smiled again and turned back to whatever she was mixing on the counter.

I lay there for a minute, wishing the others weren’t coming down. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly, but I liked being around her, especially alone. We had a blast talking late last night. She had no idea who I was but seemed to be into me. I wanted to explore that a little more.

I got up and folded up the blankets Kacie had given me the night before and piled them on the floor next to the fireplace.

“Good morning, everyone!” Ashley chirped loudly as she bounced into the kitchen.

“Morning, Ashley.” I heard Kacie greet back.

“Hey, handsome.” She cooed annoyingly when she came into the family room.

I studied her face as she got closer. Who wore that much makeup this early in the morning? She looked like she got smacked in the face by a drunk rainbow.

“Good morning,” I said back politely.

She walked behind me, running her hand up my arm and over my shoulder. “Maybe today we can watch that movie?”

“Uh, maybe,” I replied, trying to be polite.

I was used to girls throwing themselves at me and handing me phone numbers, even the occasional hotel room key, but I never followed up. It wasn’t my style, and Ashley certainly wasn’t the one changing that for me. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kacie watching us, cracking a grin when Ashley made the movie suggestion, again. Kacie knew I’d lied to Ashley about having a girlfriend the night before, and she was thoroughly enjoying my squirming. Ashley turned around to look out the back door of the family room, and I shot Kacie a playful glare and shook my head. She threw her head back and laughed silently.