Free Begin Again by Kathryn Shay

surprised him by looping her arms around his neck and moving closer. “Truthfully, Adam, tonight was a relief. I was nervous about going out with you.”
    He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “I was nervous, too.”He brushed her hair out of her eyes. It was still damp. But it had curled some and was even thicker than the last time he saw it down. “Maybe this has an upside. Another date couldn’t be worse than this one.”
    She placed her fingers on his mouth. They were warm. “Hush. You know as soon as you say that, it’ll happen.”
    “Nah.”
    “The Polish are superstitious.”
    “Yeah?” He cuddled hercloser. “Tell me some.”
    She fitted herself to him. “Okay, but not now. I don’t want to talk now.”
    “What do you want, Paulina?” His voice was pitched low and curled inside her. “A kiss. Like the last one.” Her eyebrows raised. “It was pretty hot and I’ve been thinking about it since then.”
    “Me, too,” he murmured. “I’ve been thinking about it, too.”
    His mouth closed over hers andhe felt a jolt go through him. He lifted her up so her toes left the ground, held her tight against him and devoured her mouth. He lost himself in the sensations of her. When he finally let her back down, once again, they were both breathing hard
.
    “Wow!” she said. “That was
better
than the other one.”
    He threaded his hands through her hair. He had to touch it. Feel its heavy weight andtexture. “It was. Makes you wonder what the whole shebang would be like, doesn’t it?”
    She laughed at him. Heartily and unselfconsciously. “The whole shebang? I never heard it called that.”
    His eyes narrowed at her teasing and he met her forehead with his. “It makes me wonder what being inside you would be like.” There was sex in his voice.
    “Oh, God.”
    It was his turn to laugh. “So,answer my question. Another date?”
    “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
    “Check your schedule and I’ll check mine. I’ll text you soon.”
    She ran her hand down his cheek. “I hope it isn’t too long.”
    “We’ll make sure it isn’t.”
    “Good night, Paulina.”
    “Good night, Adam.”
    He waited until she got into the house and then walked to the car in the now-dry evening. Once inside, he sat and staredat the Ludzecky home. This was by far the worst date he’d ever had in his life. But, in some ways, it had been the best. Adam would have to think about that. And the differences between him and Paulina. Because right now, a part of Adam wished he was more like her.

 
    Chapter 7
     
    “This isn’t too bad, is it?” Paulina asked.
    She and Nia had planned a special evening for the night of the father-son campout, even though it was a weekday. The kids were off school tomorrow for a teacher workshop day.
    “It’s okay, Mommy.” This from Tommy, always her easiest.
    “Yeah, it’s okay,” Ben put in. Under his breath, he added,
“Poor fatherlesschildren.”
Both Nia and Paulina recoiled. Nia asked, “Where did you hear that?”
    “One of the youth group leaders said it to the other one. She wasn’t mean, though. She felt sorry for us.”
    “She should have been careful that you didn’t hear, honey.” This from Paulina.
    “Why?” Ben took a bead on his mother and aunt. “It’s true.”
    “Is it always going to be true?” Tommy asked.
    Sal’seyes rounded. “What does that mean, Mommy?”
    Ben socked his cousin in the arm. “Maybe our moms’ll get married again.”
    “Not my mom. She loves my daddy.” He glanced at Nia. “Right, Mommy?”
    “How did we get on this?” Paulina intervened. She didn’t want her sister making any promises she’d regret. “Now, whose movie should we see first?”
    Ben, of course, said, “Mine.” Hell, how did youteach a kid who had not a speck of altruism in his little body to be more giving? Donnie would have known. He was always so considerate of others.
    Sal sighed and Tommy looked away
.
    Paulina took Ben’s hand. “Come help me get the pizza