Chapter 10

Ten

Gemma

G race takes Everett’s spot beside me as we gaze out into the yard where the boys are getting their mitts situated on their hands as Everett leans down and swipes the ball off the grass, tossing it in the air a couple of times and catching it. My heart is clear in my throat, but I don’t know why. Why does something as simple as somebody wanting to play catch with my son make me so damn emotional?

And more than a little hot and bothered.

“Well, this is unexpected,” Grace murmurs as we continue to watch them.

“Which part?”

“Everything.” She breathes out a laugh. “But mostly finding Mr. Hot Teacher here with you when we got here.”

“Trust me, it was unexpected for me too.” Turning my head, I meet my sister’s gaze. “When my phone notified me that somebody was on my porch earlier, I assumed you guys had forgotten something. Imagine my surprise when I see Everett through the Ring camera.”

What was even more surprising, but I don’t mention, is the little pep talk he gave himself before he knocked on the door. I watched him through the camera as he stood there for a moment, almost knocking, but not quite doing it. I don’t know why, but it was endearing, and really freaking cute.

“Girl, he’s into you.” My sister grins like she’s got it all figured out. I shake my head, breathing out a laugh.

“He’s just being neighborly. Probably felt bad for me that my dishwasher wasn’t working. Took pity on me.”

Although, remembering his little porch pep talk, I can’t help but wonder if maybe I’m purposely being obtuse.

Face scrunched up, Grace says, “Right. I’m so sure that’s all it is.”

Looking out into the yard again, I watch as Everett throws the ball toward Sutton. He catches it, his head snapping toward us as a grin splits his face. “Mom, did you see that? I caught it!”

“I did see, baby. Good job!” I give him a wide smile and a thumbs-up before he returns his focus on Everett as he tosses the ball back to him. “What is it about seeing a man with your child that is just so damn attractive?” I say quietly enough that only Grace can hear me. “Fuck, it’s like catnip.”

“You think he works out?” she asks.

If he were to look over here, he’d find us both gawking at him like a bunch of cats in heat, yet I can’t bring myself to look away.

“I don’t know, but look at those arms. ”

“Gem, you gotta bang him.” Grace looks over at me as I laugh. “I’m serious. A man that hot needs to be experienced. And then you gotta tell me all about it because lord knows my shop’s been closed for entirely too long now. I’ll live vicariously through you.”

Rubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I drag my gaze back to the man occupying my yard, finding myself actually considering it. I can’t deny the mental picture in my head is tempting. “I don’t know, if he keeps doing shit like fixing my appliances and playing with my kid, I may be incapable of keeping my hands to myself.” I laugh, wishing I was kidding.

“Hell yeah,” Grace cheers. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

The three of them play for well over an hour, and never once does Everett look put out or annoyed to be playing with them. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Smiling from ear to ear, he tosses the ball dozens of times, teaching the boys little tricks, cheering them on every single time they make a catch, and always pausing what he’s doing to watch Blakely show him how she can do a cartwheel for the thirtieth time.

After a while, Grace and I head inside to make everybody some lunch, which is a good call because about ten minutes later, all three kids come barreling in the house, grumbling about how starving they are. Everett follows, and my breath catches in my throat when my gaze lands on him. His cheeks are flushed from being out in the sun, sweat drenching his white t-shirt, and when his eyes meet mine, the biggest smile stretches on his face.

“Gonna sleep great tonight,” he breathes out, lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe the sweat off his brow, revealing quite the toned torso. I’m standing in the kitchen, a knife covered in peanut butter and jelly, with my jaw on the floor and drool nearly spilling out of my mouth. I can’t look away.

Good god, the man is sexy.

Grace nudges me with her elbow as she leans in and says, “Tell me again how the frennies with bennies is off the table.”

Brows knit together, I turn my head, meeting her gaze as her words register. “Frennies with bennies?” I parrot, my voice nothing more than a hushed whisper. “Did you just make that up?”

Grace, looking pretty proud of herself, grins and nods. “Yeah. Got a nice ring to it.”

“You ladies need any help?” Everett asks, strolling into the kitchen. His eyes meet mine as a smile tips up his lips, and my blood heats.

“Can you grab some chips out of the pantry?” I ask as I continue assembling the sandwiches, trying to ignore the way my body is still very much reacting to seeing that much skin on him. He nods, moving to slip past me and Grace, but with the way my kitchen is set up, it’s a tight fit. The feel of his hand on the small of my back as he passes by sends an electric bolt through my body. It nearly makes me shudder.

Plating up the sandwiches and fruit, I glance over my shoulder as Everett passes me the chips. Our eyes meet, and I hold his gaze for a moment, something passing between us that causes goosebumps to bloom all over my arms.

Oh, boy. I’m in trouble.

After Grace and I pass the plates out to the kids, we all head back outside to eat. Sutton, Beau, and Blakely eat in the grass while the adults stay on the porch. I can’t help but notice how easily Everett fits in, both with the kids and with my sister.

“So, Gemma told me that the bakery on Main Street is yours,” he says to Grace. “Have you always enjoyed baking?”

A smile tips her lips as she nods. Grace’s favorite thing to talk about is her bakery. “Oh yeah.” She breathes out a laugh. “An Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas as a kid morphed into so much more.”

“That’s really cool that you were able to turn your passion into your career.” The way he says it, I can feel how genuine Everett is.

“Our mom and dad always told us to follow our dreams, and the four of us kids all took it quite literally,” Grace murmurs before taking a sip from her sweet tea.

“I know your brother works as a chef at the inn,” Everett says, sliding his gaze over to me. “What does your other sister do?”

“She owns A Book to Remember, the bookstore on Main.”

Everett grins. “Wow, look at you guys. That’s awesome.”

“What about you?” Grace asks. “Have you always wanted to be a teacher?”

“I have.” Everett nods, raking his fingers through his hair. “Since I was a kid, it’s all I wanted to do. Make a difference in kids’ lives.”

His eyes light up and his grin is bright as he talks about his passion, and it’s contagious. The three of us finish eating our lunch and continue to talk for a while as the kids play together, and by the time everybody leaves, including Everett, I can’t believe almost an entire afternoon has passed. Hanging out with him is effortless, like we’ve known each other forever.

And I’m not quite sure how that makes me feel.

But again… I have Grace to blame for that.