Free Juked by M.E. Carter Page B

out his legs. “I would argue that you are as strong as she is. Maybe that’s what attracts me to you so much.”
    I look at the aquarium as a giant stingray swims by. Hearing him say how strong he thinks I am makes my stomach flutter even more than him saying he’s attracted to me. Maybe because it isn’t about attraction to my body, but to my self . Not a lot of guys these days are interested in that part of a woman. At least, not the ones I’ve run into recently.
    “I really appreciate you saying that.” I clear my throat and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t feel very strong these days.”
    “How come?”
    Daniel has his arms crossed and is balancing his chair on the back two legs. He’s totally engrossed in what I’m saying. There is something wildly sexy about having his undivided attention.
    “I find myself second-guessing all my decisions lately. Am I using the right formula? Is the day care safe enough? Would Sarah approve of the way I’m raising her son?” I try to smile, but I can’t as the guilt hits me again. “We left things on really bad terms,” I say quietly.
    Daniel drops his chair to the floor and leans forward. “What do you mean?”
    “The last time we spoke, we got in a fight. She died before we could make amends.”
    “That sucks.”
    I brace my elbows on the table and rest my chin against my hand. “Sometimes the guilt is just… it’s so intense sometimes.”
    “You know she forgives you, right?”
    “I know. The harder part, I think, is to forgive myself.”
    Our waiter shows before Daniel can respond, and we both straighten. I glance up as our waiter puts our plates in front of us and see Daniel’s eyes are on me, not his food. A thrill runs through me. I haven’t had a man look at me like that in a very long time.
    “Enjoy your meal,” the waiter says, leaving us to enjoy the food and conversation.
     

     
    After spending a couple more hours at the aquarium, we make our way through rush hour traffic to get me home. The conversation never stops, and I could spend more time with Daniel, but we’ve both got responsibilities and work tomorrow.
    We drive into my parking lot, and I’m both dreading him walking me to my door and looking forward to it. Dreading it because it means the end of a really fun date. Looking forward to it because I’m hoping he’ll act on this attraction we both seem to be feeling.
    “Hang on,” he says as he turns the car off. “I’ll let you out.”
    He’s opening my door before I’m able to get my purse off the floorboard.
    After I step out, he takes my hand and leads me to my front door.
    “Do you want to come in?” It’s kind of strange I’m asking him this question, because it’s still light outside. Normally, my dates end when it’s dark, so it has more of a suggestive meaning. Today it’s an invitation to come in for dinner or a beer. Not that I would reject him if he came onto me.
    I think.
    We’ve only been on one date, so while I’m totally agreeable to a goodbye kiss at the door, I’m not sure what I think about going all in so soon. While I was attracted to him as a person from the beginning, I don’t think the sexual attraction kicked up a notch until today.
    Plus I have a baby to consider. I can think of about a thousand things sexier than hanging out with a woman who will inevitably end up wearing baby puke.
    Then again, Daniel ended up in baby puke earlier, and it ended up really sexy.
    He turns to me, still holding my hand. “I would love to come in, but I’m not going to.” I’m not sure what to make of the rejection but try not to show my confusion. I remind myself if he was uninterested, he wouldn’t still be holding my hand. “I have had so much fun today, but I have practice in the morning. If I come in now, I have no idea what time I’ll drag myself back out the door, and I need to stick with my routine.”
    I understand exactly where he’s coming from. “I admire your dedication to