One in a Million: A Single Parent's Second Chance (Lost in the Woods Collection Book 1) Read online

  I shrugged. “I’ll tell him,” I said. I put Billy’s business card up on the mantle without looking at it.

  “Thank you,” Billy said. He bowed, and I got the sudden feeling that he was mocking me.

  “No problem.” My mouth was dry. Part of me wanted Billy to stay, to keep talking with me, but the other part of me was irritated with myself for even allowing this tiny interaction. It had been so long since a guy had been flirtatious with me that I barely knew how to handle myself.

  “Alrighty then,” Billy said. He rocked on the balls of his feet and I resisted the urge to look down and see if he was wearing cowboy boots. I waited for him to say something else, something flirtatious – or even ask for my number. When he grinned once more and turned on his heel, disappointment flooded my body.

  The rest of my shift passed in a daze. Strangely enough, whenever I closed my eyes, Billy’s cocky grin popped into my mind.

  I’ve got get a grip, I thought. This could be trouble.

  Chapter Two

  “The…” Jacob trailed off, looking up at me for guidance.

  “Nope,” I said shaking my head from side to side. “Not gonna help you out this time.”

  Jacob frowned. “Mommy, this is hard,” he said slowly. “I can’t.”

  “Don’t ever say that,” I replied, glancing into my son’s blue eyes. “You can. You just need to try.”

  Jacob wriggled uncomfortably on my lap. “Okay, Mommy,” he said seriously. Gripping the big cardboard book, he opened to the first page.

  “Go on, sweetie, whenever you’re ready,” I said.

  Jacob squirmed again and made a frustrated noise under his breath. “The…cat…has…a…fi…fi…”

  “Fish,” I said, unable to help myself.

  Jacob grinned. “We read,” he said, holding the book in the air.

  “You are going to be the star of your class next year,” I said. “Aren’t you excited to start school?”

  Jacob made a face. “I miss Aunt Lisbeth,” he said slowly. “When is she coming over?”

  I laughed. “First you miss Mommy during the week, and when I’m home, you miss Aunt Lisbeth.”

  Jacob dropped the book on the ground and tunneled in my arms, leaning against my chest. The weight of my son in my lap was warm and comforting, and I held him tightly for a moment as we rocked back and forth.

  “Aunt Lisbeth is actually coming over later,” I said. “I thought we could have dinner with her. Wouldn’t that be nice? You’ll get to show off your new cup,” I added. Jacob had recently graduated from a sippy cup to a regular cup with no lid, and while he usually made a mess, I couldn’t have been prouder.

  It was so hard to realize how quickly my little boy was growing up. Sometimes, it felt like just yesterday that I’d given birth to Jacob. I’d been terrified of labor and delivery, but mine had been quick – just four hours, with no epidural or Pitocin needed. Thinking back, it didn’t even seem that painful. Getting to hold my son in my arms at first had been the most perfect moment of my life, and it was hard for me to believe that my sweet baby boy was turning into a fully functioning child.

  “Mommy,” Jacob said suddenly. “Don’t be sad.”

  “What?” I brushed his hair back from his forehead. “I’m not sad, sweetie. Why would you think that?”

  Jacob looked up at me, his blue eyes wide. “Because there’s no Daddy,” he said slowly. He pointed down at the book on the floor. “Mr. Cat has a daddy,” he said.

  I sighed. We’d skirted around this moment before, but I was starting to realize the inevitability of having to explain to Jacob that it was really just the two of us, now and forever.

  “I’m very happy, sweetie,” I said, rocking Jacob back and forth. “And we’re great, just the two of us. We’re the Mommy and Jacob Team, aren’t we?”

  Jacob made a noise and burrowed his face in my armpit. Just as I was about to open my mouth, the doorbell rang and Jacob leapt from my lap like it was on fire.

  “Aunt Lisbeth!” Jacob cheered. “Mommy, she’s here!”

  I sighed as I climbed to my feet. I was admittedly relieved that I wouldn’t have to go into further detail about my situation as a single mom, but I knew the time was coming where I wouldn’t be able to avoid explaining the truth.

  Elisabeth looked happier than usual. She leaned into a hug, then squatted down to greet Jacob. When she stood up, she passed me a paper grocery bag that smelled delicious.

  “Oh my god,” I moaned softly, inhaling the rich scent of olive tapenade and fresh French bread. “This smells incredible, where did you get this?”

  “There’s a new farmer’s market by the art school,” she said. “I was applying for a job there and I stopped by on the way home.” Elisabeth smirked. “I thought it would go well with this,” she added, pulling a bottle of red wine out from behind her back.

  “Have I mentioned lately that I love the way you think?”

  Elisabeth and I giggled together as we walked into the kitchen with Jacob at our heels.

  “So,” Elisabeth said, grabbing a pot from the cabinet and putting it on the stove. “How was your week?”

  I reached for the corkscrew and screwed open the bottle of wine, gritting my teeth as I pulled out the cork.

  “This one’s tough,” I complained as I twisted my arm through the air. “Is it glued in?”

  “It better not be,” Elisabeth said, giggling. “I need a glass of wine more than anything right now. And what kind of bartender are you, anyway?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, point taken.” Grunting again, I twisted my arm and finally the cork popped free. The rich, fruity aroma of Shiraz filled my nose and I inhaled, sighing deeply. I poured glasses for Elisabeth and myself then set the wine down and poured a glass of juice for Jacob.

  Elisabeth eyed Jacob and giggled. “He’s going to be so good with girls some day,” she commented. “Spending all this time around Mommy and Aunt Lisbeth.”

  Jacob wrinkled his nose. “I hate girls,” he said. He stuck out his tongue. “They’re yucky.”

  “Please don’t ever stop thinking that,” I whispered comically to Elisabeth. “I don’t think I can handle the idea of you dating!”

  “Girls are yucky, girls are yucky,” Jacob said under his breath in a singsong voice.

  Elisabeth raised an eyebrow. “Maybe when you turn four, you’ll change your mind.”

  I glared at her. “Don’t even think about it, sweetie,” I called to Jacob. “Mommy is just fine if you spend your whole life thinking girls are gross!”

  “That reminds me,” Elisabeth said. “Did you make any decisions about Jacob’s party yet?”

  I groaned and put a hand to my forehead. “No,” I said. “He can’t decide whether he wants it to be train-themed or pirate-themed, and it changes every day. God, that reminds me – I need to make a guest list and start getting everyone to confirm whether or not they can come.”

  Elisabeth nodded. “Just know I’ll be on hand to help out that day,” she said. “I know a bunch of toddlers running around can be exhausting.”

  “No girls!” Jacob called suddenly. “No girls allowed!”

  I burst out laughing and after a second, Elisabeth joined in.

  Jacob made another face and sat down in his chair, staring intently at his juice and swinging his legs back and forth. Reaching into a cabinet, I grabbed his coloring books and water pens. After setting them down on the table in front of Jacob with a cup of water, I took a long swallow of wine.

  “This is good,” I said, savoring the taste of black cherry and wood. “I haven’t had a glass of wine in like, two weeks.”

  “Two days for me,” Elisabeth said. “Even though it feels like two months.”

  “Oh, right,” I said, winking at her. “I forgot! You had that date on Thursday night. How did it go?”

  Elisabeth rolled her eyes and made a show of finishing the rest of her wine at once. I laughed out loud as I refilled her glass. Elisabeth settled in her chair, lo
oking smug.

  “It was horrible from the start,” she said. “I should have known when he wanted to take me out on a Thursday, and not a Friday or Saturday. Like, duh, man, you don’t need to be so obvious – I know I’m your backup girl.”

  “Oh, that’s not true,” I said, taking another sip of wine. “That doesn’t mean anything now. Everyone has such weird work schedules.”

  “He’s an accountant,” Elisabeth said dryly.

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, right?” Elisabeth rolled her eyes. “And like, I don’t know. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help comparing like, every man I meet to Michael.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “He’s terrible,” I said. “You’re better off being divorced.”

  “I know,” Elisabeth said. “Trust me, it’s not that. It’s just, like, oh, I don’t know. Even though he wasn’t a great man, he was still able to prioritize me. And we fought all the time because he was a dick, but he was still kind of respectful when push came to shove.”

  I threw a warning glance at Jacob, hoping he hadn’t heard the word ‘dick.’

  Elisabeth blushed and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh, god,” she said. “Sorry. This is why I can’t talk about men – you know how I get worked up.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I said as I waved a hand through the air. “Trust me, I slip up all the time.” I glanced at Jacob, who was still fully immersed in his coloring book. “It doesn’t really matter that much.”

  Elisabeth shrugged. “So,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll be going out with him again. What about you?”

  For some reason, Billy’s face popped into my mind. I blushed.

  “Oh, Alex,” Elisabeth said, raising her eyebrow. “That’s a new look. You did meet someone!”

  “I didn’t,” I said sourly. “This cocky guy came into my work, looking for the owner.” I rolled my eyes and lowered my voice so Jacob wouldn’t hear. “He was such an asshole.”

  Elisabeth laughed. “But he was cute,” she said.

  I frowned. “How do you know?”

  Elisabeth sighed. “Because you’re blushing,” she said, grinning at me. “I can read that from a mile away. You like him. You think he’s sexy.”

  I sighed. “Does it matter?”

  “Yeah,” Elisabeth said. “You need to have fun once in a while, Alex. You can’t stay single forever.”

  I looked at Jacob. “Maybe not,” I said slowly. “But now isn’t the time for me to date anyone, Elisabeth. And I think you know that.”

  “Definitely not,” I said, pouring myself a glass of wine.

  “Mommy,” Jacob said suddenly, looking up.

  “What, sweetie?” I smiled, desperately hoping I wasn’t about to get a question involving what ‘sexy’ meant.

  Jacob pointed at the stove and giggled. The water for the pasta was boiling over, and I leapt out of my chair, forgetting all about Billy and that cocky smirk of his.

  Chapter Three

  The rest of the weekend was enjoyable – Jacob and I spent Sunday at a park, practicing reading, and I finally nailed down the theme for his birthday party: pirates. Planning a party for a kid turning four was a lot different now than it had been when I was growing up. My parents hadn’t exactly cared much, but I’d still had the occasional birthday party with cake and pizza. But kids now were used to a lot more – I’d taken Jacob to a birthday party earlier that year that was magician-themed, and the gift bags had included a live white mouse, as well as a small terrarium, a wheel, and a magic kit with real smoke bombs.

  By the time Monday rolled around, I was dreading work. It had been the most relaxing weekend that I’d had in a long time, and I was loath for things to go back to normal. I hated being so busy and stressed during the week. As soon as Jacob started school, I was going to look for another job. I had a bachelor’s degree in business, but all of the jobs that matched my skills didn’t have the freedom and flexibility of tending bar. That freedom was important with such a young kid, but I looked forward to the day when I could take a real job, and not have to deal with drunken frat boys five nights a week.

  I groaned when I got to The Sleeping Dog. There was a white banner tacked up in the corner that read: “Tau Kappa Epsilon: Kick Ass & Take Names!”

  I groaned. TKE was the worst of the local frats, and they were always the rowdiest. The last time they’d hosted a party at The Sleeping Dog, I’d scraped dried vomit off the floor for over three hours straight.

  Tonight was no exception. By ten-thirty, the kids were hanging from the ceiling rafters, throwing mugs of beer at each other’s heads, and swearing so loudly that the sound of curse words rang through my head.

  I can’t believe I’m thirty-one and tending bar at a frat hangout, I thought miserably as I wiped spilled beer off the counter for the third time in twenty minutes. This is fucking ridiculous.

  More than being ridiculous, it also made me feel old. I knew that I was only ten years older than most of the kids partying, but just watching them made me feel ancient. I remembered my college days pretty well – and I hadn’t exactly been a wallflower – but they were nothing compared to these kids. If I’d partied like they did, I was sure that I’d be six feet under, dead from alcohol poisoning.

  One of the boys walked up to the bar with a cocky grin. “Hey, lady,” he said. “Gimme a tray of Fireball shots.”

  I cringed just thinking about it.

  “Hey, I know you’re old,” the guy said. “But my friend over there thinks you’re sexy!”

  I groaned. When I peered over the kid’s shoulder, I saw a guy smiling at me and licking his lips.

  “Ew,” I said. “Tell your friend, thanks but no thanks. I already have a toddler at home. I don’t need another.”

  The group of boys exploded in laughter and I rolled my eyes as I filled up plastic cups with the disgusting cinnamon-scented whiskey.

  “She really is old!” One of the guys hooted. “She has a kid!”

  Kill me now, I thought. Just one little icepick to the skull, that’s all.

  With a groan, I checked my watch. I still had over two hours left before last call, and then I knew I’d be cleaning for at least another hour. The bar looked like a pigsty. I turned around and began cleaning, humming under my breath.

  “Scuse me, can I get a beer?”

  “Wait a second,” I said shrilly. “I’ll be right with you.”

  When I turned around, I was shocked to see Billy standing there. He was wearing a white polo shirt that set off his golden tan perfectly, and blonde hair was tousled. He grinned.

  “I was hoping you’d be here,” Billy said.

  I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing here, looking for Keaton?” Before Billy could reply, I glanced over his shoulder at the frat boys. “Or are you a Tau Kappa Epsilon alum?”

  Billy laughed. “I’m offended,” he said in his deep twang. “I thought everyone could tell – I pledged Sigma Chi.”

  I handed him a glass of Miller Lite – the only beer we kept on tap. “Sorry, I must have my frats mixed up,” I said sarcastically.

  “I’m not looking for Keaton,” Billy said.

  “Then what are you doing here?”

  Billy laughed, raising an eyebrow and holding his hands up in the air. “Easy, easy,” he said. “Can’t a man drink his damn beer without getting the third degree?”

  I blushed. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “It’s just been a crazy night. I hate these damn frat parties. They’re awful.”

  Billy snickered. “Yeah, you look real tuckered out,” he said. “Listen, I didn’t come to see Keaton. I came to see you.”

  I blushed again, ducking my face down until it was hidden in my sheaf of black hair.

  “And now you’re bein’ shy,” Billy teased. “Come on, Alex. Pour yourself a shot – my treat.”

  I sighed. Normally, I resisted when customers tried to buy me drinks. But given the mood I was in, and knowing that I’d have to stay so late tonight…well, the combination made t
equila sound better than manna from heaven.

  I poured two shots of tequila and slid one across the bar to Billy.

  “Whoa there,” Billy teased. “You’re really tryin’ to get me drunk, aren’t you?”

  “Definitely not,” I said dryly. “I wouldn’t be able to carry you out of here.”

  Billy smirked. “Well, Miss Alex, I was hoping you’d do me the honor of having dinner with me tomorrow,” he said. “That sound good?”

  “Actually, no,” I said. “I can’t. I have to work.”

  “You can’t trade days?” Billy raised an eyebrow. “Or you just don’t feel like going out with me? Come on, Alex – be honest.”

  There was an intense look in his bright blue eyes that made me blush. Something about talking to Billy made me forget about the rest of the world. All of the noise and the boorish cheering of the frat boys faded into nothingness when Billy was looking into my eyes.

  “I really can’t,” I said. I knew that this should be the time where I mentioned Jacob – and my complete lack of freedom to date. But a tiny part of me was afraid that Billy would lose interest. I knew that was ridiculous. After all, why should I care? I clearly wasn’t interested in him, and I owed him the truth.

  “Why not?” Billy leaned on the counter. “Look, what about next Saturday, instead?”

  Elisabeth’s words of her “Thursday date” came crashing back. I bit my lip, trying to think it over.

  “Come on,” Billy said. “There ain’t nothin’ to be worried about.” He flashed me a megawatt grin. “I promise – it’ll even be someplace public. If you hate me, you can just leave.” He grinned, as if to say that no woman had ever walked out on him. It was almost like a challenge.

  “I don’t know,” I said slowly.

  “Say yes,” Billy said. He licked his lips and I felt my belly twist with arousal. It had been so long, that I’d practically forgotten the feeling.

  “Okay,” I said. “Yes.”