Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) (14 page)

“I’m sure. But maybe some ice cream later.” Amber giggled. “When is the game going to be over?”

“It’s only the 4th inning, sweetie.” Jennifer answered her quietly, hoping she wasn’t ready to leave already. “That means there are still 5 more innings.”

“Are you ready to go home?” Adam’s voice held no irritation.

Jennifer held her breath for her reply.
Please say no!

Amber was looking up at Adam and he was looking down at her. It was an adorable sight, and she could feel the shivers run down her spine. “No way! I’m watching the whole game.”

“Okay, just checking. You let me know if you get too tired and want to go.”

Adam’s sincerity made Jennifer look at him with newfound respect. Throughout the whole game, she watched his interaction with Amber. He took time to explain the game to her, telling her all about bases, the players and the plays. He also answered several questions she asked about the game with utmost patience.

Jennifer was having a hard time concentrating on the game. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him look her way several times. At one point she looked over and caught him staring. She didn’t look away for several seconds and his crooked smile caused her heart to pound.

What is wrong with me? It’s not like he’s interested. Is he?

The rest of the game flew by as Jennifer watched the Twins win the game. She laughed while she watched Adam and her daughter high-five each other, cheering loudly.

Amber surprised them both when she did a fist pump, yelling “Woop! Woop!”

Adam chuckled and looked at Jennifer. “Where’d she pick that up?”

Jennifer shrugged her shoulders and grinned.

*****

After the game, they headed back towards the train. Jennifer was surprised Amber didn’t fall asleep on the ride home. Instead, she watched people get on and off the train at each stop, and watched the scenery speed by.

By the time they got back to the car and were on their way back to Jennifer’s house, it didn’t take long for Amber to crash.

She glanced at Adam and sighed. “Today was really fun.”

“You sound surprised.” He chuckled. “But yes, it was. I really enjoyed spending time with you both.”

She nodded and they rode in comfortable silence for several minutes.

“So…I…would you go out with me again? Maybe just you and me?” Adam’s voice carried hesitation.

Jennifer searched his face.

What does he want from me? Friends? More?

“Um...hmmm.”

Adam raised an eyebrow and cocked his head. “Is that a yes, or…?”

She almost snorted. She wasn’t even sure what her answer meant. She just knew she was nervous and had so many conflicting feelings. “Okay, sure.”

Adam’s smile lit up his face. “Really? Great! How about Saturday night?”

“Well, you’re sure not wasting any time, are you?” Jennifer laughed when he shook his head. “I’ll have to check with either my parents or find a babysitter.”

“Let me know if for some reason it doesn’t work out. Otherwise, I’ll plan on picking you up at about 7:00.”

“What should we do?”

“Leave that to me.”

Adam gave her a wink and a grin wide enough to show his dimples and it just about did her in.

Well, it’s official. I’ve gone crazy.

*****

The week leading up to their second date was the longest Jennifer could ever remember having in her life. She had to find things to keep her busy to try and keep her mind off Adam.

She was missing her friends from Arizona, so she called Tera and Lily on a 3-way call. Jennifer filled them in on things that were happening at her new job and they told her how it was without her there, including what her sexy doctor was up to. She had to admit she’d thought about him a few times since leaving, wondering if he missed her. For the most part, however, Minnesota kept her pretty busy, especially now with her impending date with Adam.

After she got off the phone, she had to do a few of the tasks she hated. Dishes, laundry and scrubbing the bathrooms were her least favorite things to do.

Later, as she balanced her checkbook, she thought about how the move back to Minnesota was good for more than just being home with family. Being a single mom meant she couldn’t always afford everything she wanted. She wouldn’t give up Amber for the world, but she had to admit sometimes finances were hard. Luckily, the promotion came with a very nice increase in pay.

Additionally, her house in Arizona sold for more than she expected, which meant she had more to put down on her new home in Minnesota. That meant lower house payments than she budgeted for plus Zimmerman was less expensive than Mesa.

She was thankful for the extra funds to make things not quite as tight each month. However, it also meant she could afford to splurge just a little more than she allowed herself to do before.

After her checkbook was balanced, Jennifer got up and danced around her kitchen. For the first time in a long time, she could afford to treat herself to a new hair style and a new outfit.

Jennifer’s one guilty pleasure was getting her hair done. She also didn’t buy a lot of extra clothes for herself, seeing as though she wore scrubs to work on a daily basis. She didn’t have all that much in her closet to wear on a date.

She made an appointment at Bella Salon with Katie. She was her longtime friend who used to do her hair before she moved to California, even back in high school. She trusted her completely and was really happy to be able to go back to her.

Jennifer’s appointment was on Wednesday evening, so Jennifer brought Amber along. It was a long time since Amber’s last trim, so while Jennifer had a complete makeover another stylist was taking care of her daughter.

Jennifer missed having Katie do her hair when she lived out of state. She was thrilled to find out what Katie would do to her hair.

After the initial hellos and the hugs between the girls, Katie got down to business.

“So, what are we doing today? Looks like whoever was doing your hair took nice care of it, at least!” Katie spun Jennifer around in her chair and looked at her through the mirror.

“Well, to be completely honest, I don’t really know. I know that doesn’t help, so, you can pretty much do what you want.” Jennifer watched in the mirror as Katie’s eyes lit up and a grin slowly formed on her face.

Jennifer raised her finger in the air and continued, “Before you go completely crazy, I have a couple rules. My hair needs to stay long so no more than an inch off, and no crazy purple or orange or blue anything. I want to knock Adam’s socks off.”

Katie was tiny at only 5 feet 2 inches and was as cute as could be. She had a very short pixie cut, something only she could pull off with her cute little heart-shaped face. She had a smile that lit up her entire face.

“Are you serious? I know exactly what I want to do!” Katie started clapping her hands, getting the attention of everyone else in the salon.

Jennifer took one more peek over at Amber before Katie got started. It was the first time she brought Amber to a fancier salon, and she was enjoying herself at the next station. The stylist was just taking Amber back to the shampoo bowls. The kid was in girly heaven, just like her mommy.

As she enjoyed getting her hair done, because having someone do her hair was pure bliss, she let her thoughts roam. She had experience many firsts with Adam. She thought about their first date and her first kiss.

Fourteen years ago…

“What did you think about dinner?”

Adam was smiling but looked a little unsure.

“I thought it was amazing. I can’t believe you cooked this yourself.”

Adam’s smile grew, his face glowing with pride making him look even more handsome. She glanced down at his mouth.

“I got a few pointers from my mom, but yes it was all me.” Adam stood up from the table and said, “Be right back.”

As Jennifer waited for Adam to return, she got nervous. Would he kiss her tonight? It was their first date, so perhaps not yet. If he did, it wouldn’t only be their first kiss, but her first ever. It made her anxious for the end of the date to find out.

Adam said as he came back in the dining room. He was holding a cake platter with a decadent cake on top. The entire cake was covered in chocolate ganache and had chocolate covered strawberries strategically placed in rows where the cake would be cut.

“Ta-dah!”

“That looks delicious!”

Jennifer was full, but she definitely could make room for that.

“I hope so.”

Adam carefully cut a piece of cake and put it on a plate. Inside contained red velvet cake and a middle layer of chocolate fudge.

Jennifer pretended to wipe drool from her mouth and it made him laugh.

She was surprised when he didn’t cut another piece. Instead, he took a strawberry off the top of the piece he cut and brought it to her lips.

“Take a bite.”

His voice was deep sent shivers down her spine.

As she stared into his eyes, she took a very small bite. He shook his head. “You can do better than that.”

This time, he shoved it in further and she was forced to take a much larger bite. He stared at her mouth while she chewed. She moaned at the flavor of the chocolate and strawberries on her tongue.

“You have a little chocolate on your lip.” Before she could wipe it off, he leaned in and covered her mouth with his. It was so unexpected she didn’t even have time to be anxious. Instead, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feather-soft kiss.

When he pulled back, she looked at his mouth and started laughing.

The corners of his mouth fell. “Why are you laughing?”

“Now you have chocolate on your lips.”

She continued to laugh until he shrugged and kissed her again, although this time by the time they were done, the chocolate had disappeared.

*****

It almost seemed like a second chance at a first date. Sure, they went to the game, but Amber was with them so she didn’t really see it as a date.

After daydreaming about their first kiss, she didn’t have much more time to think. She and Katie chatted and she kept her eye on Amber.

Two hours later, Katie announced it was time for the big reveal.

Katie made the whole process really fun. Jennifer wasn’t allowed to see anything, and was turned away from the mirror the whole time.

She glanced to the floor and saw some hair sitting there. At first she was a little shocked because some of the pieces were longer than she expected to see, but she could feel her hair was still long. Some of the hair on the floor was a dark chestnut brown while other pieces were more of a lighter golden blonde.

Katie told her she was her last client for the day. She curled her hair with some crazy spinning curling iron and she applied just a little bit of makeup to touch up her look.

Jennifer was so damn excited she couldn’t contain herself.

“Well, are you ready to see my masterpiece? Your hair looks amazing, if I do say so myself.” The excitement made Katie’s voice even higher than normal and Jennifer’s stomach dropped.

Jennifer nodded, and then her chair spun around towards the mirror, as Katie said to her, “Adam’s going to flip a lid when he sees you. You look gorgeous.”

Jennifer couldn’t believe her eyes. Her dark chestnut brown hair flowed into long curls with light golden blonde highlights. The colors made her eyes pop, with golden flecks she never noticed before. Her new hairdo was stunning, and it made her feel amazing.

“Oh, mommy, you look so beautiful.”

Jennifer turned her head towards her daughter, and gave her a wide smile, one that made Amber return it and run up for a hug.

“You like it?”

“I love it, mommy! So pretty!” Amber reached out to touch the curls, and was staring in awe at her hair.

“I’m so glad! I love it too.” Jennifer looked up at Katie, and then said, “Thank you so much! You’re a miracle worker!”

“I loved doing this for you,” Katie told her, waving her hands in the hair. “It’s great to have you back in Minnesota.”

A brilliant idea hit Jennifer. “Can I come back and have you do my hair and makeup on Saturday?” She had to go shopping anyway, so she could go on Saturday and then stop in here for her hair and makeup before heading home in time for her date. It would be perfect, if only Katie would agree!

Katie started to laugh, clearly thinking she was joking, and Jennifer continued. “No, I’m dead serious. I know you are always super busy, but do you think you could squeeze me in around 4?”

“You’ll be able to recreate this, honey, I know you can! You don’t need me!”

“No, really, I’m 100% serious! I want to look perfect for my date, Katie. Please!” She was not above begging or bribery, if necessary.

“Well, if you’re serious, of course I’ll make room for you. Let me just go pencil you in. You may have to wait or have me go back and forth between you and another client, but I’ll make it work.” Katie turned and walked away towards the front of the salon and receptionist.

“I’ll tip extra!” Jennifer called out after her. “Thank you! You’re the best!!”

“Mommy, what’s a tip?” Amber asked, reminding Jennifer she was still standing there and that she hadn’t yet said a word about how pretty her daughter looked.

“Sweetie, that’s a little extra money to show your appreciation for someone doing a good job. People give money to waitresses, people who park your car and other people who do services for you, including hairstylists like Katie!” It was a bit of a hard concept to explain, but she could see Amber’s face light up with understanding.

“Oh! Well you should give Katie a hundred million dollars for a tip, mommy, because she did the best job EVER!”

Amber was beaming, which made her feel pretty damn good.

“Well, I agree! And you know what? The girls who did your hair and your nails should get a tip too, don’t you think? You look so very beautiful, my sweet little girl!” She reached over and gave Amber a big hug.

Katie made her way back over to the girls and said, “Okay, girlie, I got you penciled in for 4:15pm for hair and makeup. You should wear whatever new outfit you pick out so I can see it and be sure to style your hair and makeup to match.” Katie reached out and tamed a curl that had gotten twisted with Amber’s hug.