Lily
My hand shakes as I bring it up to ring the bell. Once I take it off the button I shake it out to help release some of the nervous energy flowing through my limbs. A loud thumping sounds from inside. Next comes a deep voice making monster 'roars' followed by some childish shrieks of excitement. I can't stop the smile that breaks loose even through the buzzing tension.
Before I know it, the door swings wide, revealing the cause for all my jittery crack addict like behavior.
Jared Donovan.
God, he looks positively edible.
His dark hair is pushed back revealing those bright, emerald green eyes. His full lips part in a colgate commercial worthy smile. The little angel currently propped up piggy back style on his back completes the whole drool worthy picture.
Is it any wonder why I have such a deep obsession with this man? Who would blame me? Well, maybe his wife.
"Lily!" His voice carries a small laugh, a leftover from his playtime with Sammy.
Sammy yells and smiles excitedly as she shimmies down from his back and runs over to me, hugging me tightly around the thighs.
"Hey, munchkin!" I say, picking up the happy squirming three year old. I look back to Mr. Donovan to say, "I decided to get here a bit early, I hope that's alright?"
"Of course it is! Come on in," he says, ushering me inside. "Vicky's not ready yet, so it'll be just a few minutes, then we'll take off." His smile breaks through the tension casing my body as effortlessly as a hand cracking an egg on the side of a pan.
"Sounds good." I say, making my way to the kitchen to set my bag down as Sammy runs to the living room to play. "So, where are you guys headed tonight?"
"We have to meet some of my clients for dinner at La Chante." The lack of enthusiasm in his tone tells me more on his feelings for the plans of the evening.
"I'm guessing this isn't something you're looking forward to?" I ask with a laugh.
"It'll be boring as hell. In all honesty, I think I'd rather stay here." He grins at me and I wonder if I imagine the twinkle in his right eye.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be almost as bad here. Sammy goes to bed in an hour. After that, it'll just be me and the good old calculus textbook." I say with a self deprecating smile.
"That doesn't sound so bad." His voice is soft and low, the timbre sending a shiver down my spine.
Heat creeps up my cheeks the longer he stares at me. "So, Sammy had dinner already?"
He clears his throat and tells me she has when a click click clicking sounds from down the hall. Mrs. Donovan sways in, making an entrance in her sky high heels and designer coochie dress. He looks to his wife as she walks into the kitchen to meet us.
"I don't know why you had to rush me, Jared. I barely even had time to finish my hair." She flips her bottle blond hair over one shoulder with a flick of her wrist. Her blood red lips curl into a smile. "Well, how do I look, honey?"
"I think maybe the dress is a little short for a business dinner," Jared says a little acerbically.
"Don't be silly." She laughs with a condescending wave of her hand. "This dress is worth like eight hundred dollars. You don't know fashion."
"Ah, well. I'll count myself lucky for that," Jared says, looking to me with a raised brow and a cheeky grin.
I'm unable to hold back the snicker at his comment which earns me a sharp glare from Mrs. Donovan. I quickly smother my smile.
"Let's just go." She says sharply, grabbing her clutch and heading for the front entrance, slamming the front door as she exits. Jared turns back to me, rolling his eyes. "Don't worry about her. She's dramatic." He offers a warm smile. "We shouldn't be too late. You've got my number, so just call if you need anything, OK?"
