Chapter 11

Eleven

T ori cleaned up after dinner and got Emmett ready for bed. She was headed to Chance’s place to have their conversation.

It was Friday night, so she’d asked Leah over to watch Emmett. There was no way she could get over to him yesterday and now it felt worse because she’d delayed it.

Her frustration or anger had lessened though. It was now just her own fears over what Chance really saw in her, a single, divorced, mom before he told the world. Then again, he already had.

“You ready?” Leah asked with an arched brow. “That’s what you chose to wear?”

She’d gone comfortable in her favorite jeans and sweatshirt. There was no need to dress up to spend time inside. Chance wouldn’t mind, that she was sure of.

Tori nodded. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“I am prepared to sleep over whether you are here or not,” Leah winked at her. “Maybe take an overnight bag?”

“I don’t know how this is going to go,” Tori stressed. “Taking a bag feels a lot like jinxing things.”

“You’re making a big deal out of something that will probably be a simple conversation. Just tell him how you feel and what your concerns are, and go from there.”

Tori shrugged. Her own head was a mix of feelings, and she didn’t know where to go or what to do. “I’m not bringing a bag.”

Leah was already in her closet, pulling out an ancient weekender bag that she’d never used. “You don’t even have to get it out of the car. Just pack one so you have what you need. If you don’t end up needing it, then only you and I know it was in the car.”

Tori rolled her eyes, but helped Leah add things to the bag, including clothes for the game tomorrow. “There,” she huffed adding her toothbrush.

She walked Tori to the door. “For what it’s worth, I do think he’s being genuine.”

“Maybe.” After thinking about it for the last two days as much as she had, she was torn.

“Go. Give him a piece of your mind and then have make up sex. It’s the best kind after all,” Leah shoved her out the door.

“Have you lost your mind?” Tori whispered as Emmett approached.

“Have fun, mom,” Emmett hugged her.

“Behave for Aunt Leah,” she reminded him.

Leah winked at Emmett. “Go. We have plans.”

Tori left Leah in charge of Emmett after one last reminder about bedtimes and got in her car. Chance was living surprisingly close to them. Only about a ten minute drive. She used that short time to plan what she wanted to say.

The problem was each time she started down one path she would find a way to contradict herself. It was hard for her to even decide what she was upset over now that time had passed.

To his credit, Chance had backed off and given her space. After the parent meeting, she’d texted him that she needed some time to think and they’d set things up for tonight.

He still texted her this morning to tell her Good Morning and yesterday she’d gotten a good morning and good night text. She appreciated that he’d respected her space while also finding a way to let her know he was still there for her.

Ellis had lots of questions for her yesterday when she’d gotten to work. Begrudgingly she had answered all of them since it did pertain to her work relationship. He hasn’t been upset of course, just curious.

A few of the parents, mostly women, had come by the office the last two days under the guise of needing something else just to talk about the team. It was beyond ridiculous.

Pulling up to his house, Tori pushed those thoughts aside and tried to focus on the task at hand. Chance shouldn’t have claimed her in front of everyone without at least talking to her.

Claimed? No. That was a weird way to say it. Made it sound all possessive and caveman.

With a sigh, she climbed out of her car and headed towards the door. Chance was already on the porch waiting for her.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” was her short reply.

“Umm, come in. I wasn’t sure what you wanted for dinner so I took a chance. I hope you like fish.” He led her through his house to the kitchen. “I didn’t want to bother you and ask so I just went for it. If you don’t like it I can order pizza or something.”

He was rambling and it was adorable. She’d made him nervous and the phrase misery loves company came to mind. At least she wasn’t alone in the nerves tonight.

“Fish is great,” she told him.

She took a seat at his kitchen table and accepted the glass of wine he offered. Chance carried two plates to the table and took his own seat.

“Do you need anything?” He asked.

Tori shook her head.

“Look, I can’t take it. I’m not super sure why you’re upset with me, but I promise I’ll never do it again. I’m sorry for upsetting you whatever it is.”

Tori took a deep breath and folded her hands in her lap. Might as well get it out of the way.

“You… I….” She sighed. “What you did in front of the parents, basically telling them all we were dating, I wasn’t ready for that.”

“You don’t want people to know we are dating?” He asked.

“No. I don’t know. I wasn’t even totally sure what we were doing and then you announced it at my work.”

“We went on a date. We slept together. I’m confused on what you thought we were doing?”

“I just wasn’t sure. I wasn’t prepared to tell everyone I work with either. It wasn’t the right time or place for that.”

“Okay. I can see what you’re saying there and im sorry that I used is dating to get those women to leave me alone. It was wrong to put it out there while you were working and before we even talked.”

She believed him. Without a doubt this man hasn’t meant to overstep. Now on to the next thing which he’d already brought up but they still hadn’t made any real statements. Dating was one thing, but were they exclusive? A couple? She’d been out of the game for too long to know how any of this worked.

“So what are we doing?” She asked.

“I’m so lost there still. I thought we were—are dating?” Chance tilted his head at her, studying her.

“Are we? We haven’t talked about it and I don’t know. I thought maybe you were just having fun. I have a lot of baggage and it’s a complete change for you.”

“Maybe, but I told you the other night, I want this. I don’t care about Isaac. I love Emmett. Is there something else I should know?”

Tori shook her head.

“Then we are dating? Can I tell people you’re my girlfriend?” He asked.

This was weird. It was weird to need to define what they were doing and somehow dating was different than saying she had a boyfriend. That word felt weird at her age.

“Okay.”

“Tori, if that’s not what you want, just say it.”

“No. It’s not that. I promise, nothing like that. I’m just… it’s been a while since that word has been used in a sentence with me, and I’m processing it.”

Chance didn’t speak right away, leaving her with enough time to second guess herself. He was still watching her but she couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking.

A slow smile spread across his face, and she felt all the tension she’d held for the last few days drain away. Relaxing finally, Tori settled back into the chair and looked around.

It was a clean, if not cozy, space. “Did you decorate in here?” she asked.

Chance shook his head. “The whole place was furnished when I moved in. It belongs to the owner of Bardley. I’m just using it for a bit.”

That made sense. “It doesn’t fit you,” she told him.

“Why do you say that?” Chance asked. “I mean, I agree, but now I’m curious.”

“It just doesn’t make me think of you,” she said.

“I know a way we can make you think of me,” Chance said.

Tori giggled. “Food first.”

“How long do I have you for?” he asked.

“Leah said she was sleeping over whether I came home or not,” she told him.

Chance’s smile turned into something much more heated. “Then by all means, fortify yourself. You’re going to need it.”

“Promises, promises,” Tori laughed.