Page 51 of The Devil's Reward
Me: I’m packing up so I can get there on time. I’ll text you later.
I don’t bother checking the replies as I make my way out of my office, locking up behind me. When I get to my car, I take a deep breath and force myself to focus.
The drive to the school is uneventful, and the routine of it calms me. When I pull into the pick-up line, I smile as Macy waves and rushes towards me, jumping in the back and buckling herself into her car seat. “Hi, Mom!” she says excitedly. “We had so much fun on the field trip. We got to see all kinds of animals. Zebras, lions, giraffes. Oh, and we saw some monkeys too, but they were doing something funny with their privates and we had to leave.”
I can only imagine what that was, but I’m glad the teachers and chaperones did just that. I don’t want to have that kind of talk with Macy at her age, especially with everything else I’m about to tell her. “I’m glad you had fun, honey,” I say with a smile in the rearview mirror. “Did you have a good time at Maddie’s last night?”
“It was the best,” Macy declares. “Her dad bought her a new princess bed and it’s big enough for us both to fit. Can I have a princess bed, Mom?”
“We’ll see,” I say noncommittally. Macy changes her mind on what she likes all the time, so I have found it best to wait, and eventually she’ll either insist and I’ll give in, or she’ll move on to something else and completely forget about it.
“Can we get pizza for supper?” Macy asks sweetly, completely changing the subject.
Nerves jump in my belly. “Actually, I want to talk to you about that,” I tell her as I stop at the light. “How would you feel if we met Shadow at the new family spot you wanted to go to for supper?”
Her face splits into a grin. “Really? Yes! Of course yes!” Then she stops. “Is it like a date?”
“Yes,” I answer carefully. “But if you’re not comfortable with that, I can tell him so and it will be just you and me.”
“No, I like him,” Macy assures me. “And then you won’t be bored when I leave you to go and play.”
You have to love a child’s logic. “Uh-huh. So you’re okay with us going on the date?”
“Wait, am I on a date with him too?” Macy asks in confusion.
“Sort of. He asked me, but then said that he would like to invite you too.”
I see the glint in her eyes as she tries to work out what this means and how it’s going to benefit her. Finally, she nods and says, “I’m good. Maybe some of the kids from school will be there so I have someone to play with.”
“Maybe.” And with that, Macy has accepted I’m going on a date. No meltdowns, no questions about what he is going to be, nothing. I’m almost a little disappointed but also relieved that she feels so at ease. Though I suppose it could be that she’s more excited about the play spot than the actual idea of her mother on a date.
My nerves ratch up as we get closer to the play center, and I glance at the time. It’s almost five, and we should get there a couple of minutes early. Does that mean we should wait outside or inside? I already know Macy is not going to want to stay in the car.
Gah, this whole dating thing is far too complicated. I need to get out of my head and relax.
When I pull into the parking lot, I let out a soft sigh of relief when I see Shadow already there waiting for us. He’s sitting on his bike, wearing his cut, a dark pair of sunglasses, and looking far too sexy for my already frazzled mind. He’s wearing his regular attire of dark jeans, black t-shirt, and motorcycle boots, and I want to drool all over him. The ink on his arms is much more noticeable in the sunlight, and it gives him that bad boy edge that makes me a little weak in the knees.
Thank God I’m parked.
“Shadow!” Macy cries in excitement, practically bouncing in her seat as she waves at him.
Shadow climbs off his bike and smiles at her as he reaches her door. He opens it and drawls, “Well hello, Ms. Macy. I hear we have a date today.”
She grins up at him, green eyes sparkling. “That means I get all the pizza and ice cream I want, right?” she flirts, unbuckling herself and climbing out to stand next to him. I roll my eyes and climb out myself.
Shadow’s smile widens to a grin. “Only if your Mom says it’s okay,” he corrects her. “I want her to like me, not be mad at me, remember?”
Macy pouts and then looks over at me thoughtfully as I round the car. I can see that little mind of hers working. “Mom, I can have all the pizza and ice cream I want right?” she asks sweetly after a moment. “Or I’ll tell Grandma that you’re on a date.”
Shadow chokes back a laugh, and I arch a brow at her. “Well, unlucky for you, she, Grandpa, and Aunt Peyton all know. You can have the same amount of pizza and ice cream you normally have, Macy. You’ll be busy playing for most of the time, anyway, right?”
Macy pouts, then shrugs. “Fine. Can we go inside now?”
Shadow nods. “Lead the way,” he tells her, which makes her smile and skip to the double glass doors. Shadow falls into step beside me. “Hi,” he says softly.
“Hi,” I reply bashfully. Last night’s kiss rushes back into my head and I can feel my face flame before I firmly push it aside and focus on not falling on my face or running into something. This man is hell on my concentration.
I swear I hear him chuckle as we follow Macy inside, where we’re hit with cool air from the AC instantly, followed by the sounds of laughter, kids shouting and playing, and the smell of pizza. Macy’s eyes widen as she takes in the play area, the arcade games, and the large ball pit. I glance at Shadow and see him grinning down at her. “I take it you’re okay with this place?” he asks Macy loudly so she can hear him over the noise.
