Chapter 7

A few days passed by, things were somewhat normal and suffice to say, I was used to it. Nate and I were busy with our jobs during the weekdays and we only hung out during the weekends. We spent our time mostly exploring the tourist spots in the city.

It was one of those weekends again but Nate offered me to hang out with his friends instead. I wasn't interested so I shot him down and decided to go on my little adventure. I got dressed wearing a peach summer dress and let my hair loose. I applied minimal makeup and grabbed my sling bag, shoving my phone inside it. I locked the apartment behind me and started to walk down the streets and noticed a small cafe around the corner. I made my way towards it to have my breakfast.

"I'll have a Spanish omelet and a cup of coffee," I smiled at the waitress and took out my phone. I started to google some places that were nearby and was so lost in my phone that I didn't notice someone sitting in front of me until the person cleared his throat. I looked up from my phone to see a pair of gorgeous blue eyes staring back at me. I was startled for a second and rested my back against the seat, letting out a nervous laugh.

"Wow, didn't see you there, Xavier," I scratched my forehead, not meeting his eyes.

What was he doing here?

"I saw you sitting alone so I thought we could join you. I hope you don't mind," he gave me a friendly smile and I looked around for Hannah.

"Not at all, unless you are following me," I blurted out, making him raise his eyebrows. I realized what I just said and my cheeks turned a deep shade of red.

Why the hell did I say that?

We were soon distracted by Hannah who came running towards our table with her backpack on her shoulders.

God, I must be the visual representation of the word 'embarrassment'.

"I can safely say that me and Hannah have been coming to this cafe every Sunday for the past one year. So no, I'm not following you, Rebecca." he pursed his lips, trying to control his smile.

"I was just kidding," I let out a shaky breath.

Kill me already!

"You look beautiful, Becca," Hannah chirped, sitting down in her seat. I blushed, giving her a small smile,

"So do you, sweetheart,"

She grinned widely and I looked at Xavier who was gazing at me intently. I tried to pick my phone, to keep it inside but it slipped out of my sweaty hands. He picked it up with a small chuckle and held it out to me. I grabbed it from his hands and placed it in my bag safely. Fuck, why was I always making a fool out of myself around him?

Get your shit together!

"So where are you headed, looking all pretty? Having a date or something?" he asked, genuinely curious and all I could think about was the fact that a hot guy like him called me 'pretty'. My high school self would be so damn proud right now.

"No, I'm new to the city so I just thought of exploring and sightseeing a bit," I replied, looking over at Hannah who busy, playing with his phone.

"I knew it. I would have known a familiar face. So where are you from?" he asked with the same curiosity, his eyes roaming all over my face, trying to figure me out.

"New York, what about you?"

Jus then, the waitress brought our orders and I noticed that he had ordered scrambled eggs and bacon for himself and pancakes with choco chip cookies for Hannah.

"I'm from Seattle," he spoke with his mouth full of food which made his lips pout and I swallowed hard, brushing away my dirty thoughts. Hannah was surprisingly quiet, enjoying her pancakes and he saw me glance at her.

"I know what you are thinking, she is a sucker for pancakes and brownies and would do anything for it," he added, gazing at her fondly. I could see how much he loved her from the way he looked at her, "So you live around here?" he asked and I peeled my eyes from her to look at him.

"Yeah, with my friend. We share an apartment,"

"We live close by too, a few blocks away." I nodded as I ate and my gaze fell to his hands.

No ring.

"Where are you guys headed?"

"To the park and then the aquarium," he stated, wiping his mouth.

"Ohhh...like a family outing?" I grinned widely. It was so nice to see him spending time with her.

"Yeah, something to that effect," he said, giving me a panty-dropping smile.

Damn, how could a person look so fucking hot?

"Will Hannah's mom be joining later?" I blurted out, not able to hide my curiosity any longer. I noticed his face go rigid, his smile no longer visible on his beautiful face.

"Uhh...it's just me and Hannah. I'm a single parent," he gave me a small smile and for some reason, I sensed that there was something more to it. I didn't know what to reply to that and just nodded in understanding. Single parent huh? Was he divorced or was he widower? I started thinking of all possible scenarios and had no idea why I was so damn curious in the first place.

"Dad, can Becca join us?" Hannah spoke, interrupting my thoughts and my eyes went wide.

"It's like you read my mind, sweetheart," he grinned, looking at me expectantly for my response.

"Oh no, I don't want to intrude your family outing. I mean, it would be inappropriate and Hannah is my student. I should get going, Xavier." I started to ramble and collected my things to leave. He watched me silently as I stood up to leave, "I'll see you tomorrow, Hannah," I kissed her forehead and gave Xavier a small smile before walking towards the counter to pay the bill.

"You know we don't bite right, I mean Hannah does sometimes but other than that we are totally harmless," I heard his deep sexy voice behind me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes. Please, please join us. Dad promised me that we are going to see the fish from 'Finding Dory'," she spoke with so much excitement. Awww! I didn't want to turn them down again and make her sad.

"Come on, it will be fun," he added and I sighed, giving in finally.

"Alright, I'll come," I smiled at both of them and Hannah squealed in excitement.

"I'll take care of the bill, you guys wait for me outside," I opened my mouth to protest.

"Shhh," he placed a finger on my lips, making me gasp, "Don't fight with me on this now," he winked, removing his hand to get his wallet out. I swallowed hard and turned around, stunned at what just happened. He winked at me. Why did he do that? I traced my lips with my fingers, still feeling his touch. I shook my head, swooping Hannah in my arms, and walked outside.

We got in his truck and I sat in the front seat with Hannah on my lap. We were having small talk and I came to know that he owned an Automobile repair shop. That explains his causal attire all the damn time.

"So why did you want to become a teacher?" he asked as he drove towards the park.

"I don't know. The same reason why you do your thing. Passion I guess," I stated and his lips curved into an adorable smile. I kept staring at him for a good thirty seconds before peeling my eyes off his face.

Man, it was a sin to look so hot, that too being a father.

"Did you have fun today?" Hannah asked as we walked out of the aquarium and I noticed that it was dark outside. Wow, I totally lost track of time. I had one hell of a day with Hannah and Xavier. She was a curious little kid who kept questioning at each and everything and Xavier was patient enough to answer all her questions. It was so beautiful to watch them together.

He was a perfect dad and a really great guy.

"Yes, I had so much fun," I bent down and cupped her cheeks, kissing them softly. She threw her chubby hands around my neck, taking me by surprise. I hugged her back and smiled against her hair.

"We can hang out next week also, right dad?" she looked at him and he nodded with a huge grin on his face.

"Okay, see you tomorrow at class, take care," I caressed her cheeks one last time and stood up to find him looking at me with an unfamiliar look in his eyes.

"Uhh...Alright, Hannah, time for you get in the truck. It's getting cold,"

"Okay," she yawned, rubbed her eyes. This was the first time I was seeing her drained out of energy. He opened the door for her and she climbed inside quickly. He finally turned towards me, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets.

"Thanks for having me, Xavier. I had a really great time," I wrapped my arms around my body as a gush of cold air embraced us.

"Me too. Hannah doesn't warm up to anyone so easily. I'm happy that she feels comfortable with you,"

"She is something else, isn't she?" I chuckled, as I looked at her through the window. She was already falling asleep in the front seat.

"Yeah, she makes me go crazy at times but I love her so much," he sighed, rubbing his perfectly chiseled jawline.

"I can see it," I stated and he looked at me, wetting his lips. I felt my mouth go dry and wondered how it would feel to kiss those lusicious plump lips.

Here we go with the dirty thoughts again!

"Umm... I--I should get going," I said as his gaze was making me feel hot. I felt the hair on my arms stand. Must be the cold air. He stepped closer towards me and I felt my heart race in anticipation.

"Did you really think I was going to let you go on your own?" I blinked, my eyes focusing on the way his lips moved. I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his gaze which made me drown in those beautiful eyes with thick eyelashes. Oh god, why was I feeling this way? I thought I would feel such things only for Nate but this was way intense than that. Maybe I was just horny.

Yup, that must be it.

"No?" I replied which came out more like a question and he shook his head with a small smile.

"Get in the truck," he said casually and walked towards the driver seat. I gave him my address and got in the back seat as Hannah was sitting in the front. The ride back home was silent yet comforting. I enjoyed his company a lot but my inappropriate thoughts were sexually frustrating me. Now, that I knew he was a single parent. It was much worse than before.

I really didn't want another mess in my already messed up life.

Once we reached my place. I got out as fast as I could and tried to escape him by saying a quick goodbye.

"Woah...hold on, gorgeous," he laughed, pulling me by my arm. My skin burned against his touch, "Are you seeing anyone?" he asked bluntly and I was taken aback by his question.

"Uhh...no," I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion.

"Good," he smirked, pulling me closer and kissed my cheeks softly. I could smell his deep musky scent with a hint of minty aftershave which made me drool. He let go of me and stepped inside his truck while I stood there, speechless.

"See you tomorrow, Rebecca," he winked through the window and drove off.

Oh boy, this was bad!