Chapter 4 Facing My Blast From The Past

• Julia
• I flipped through the clothes in my wardrobe, unable to settle on the right dress. Nothing seemed quite attractive enough. I tried to convince myself that I just wanted to try something different today. I wasn’t trying to look good for my son’s handsome best friend, who was staying with us for the summer. I just wanted to look good for myself—or at least that’s what I told myself. But who was I kidding? I never second-guessed what I wore every morning. Yet here I was, struggling to find the perfect dress that would make me feel confident.
• I gave the wardrobe one last glance, and there it was—a stunning black gown my friend Beatrice had given me for my last birthday. I had never gotten around to wearing it. I hadn’t felt the need to—until now. It seemed so revealing, but I didn’t care anymore. It had been a year since Michael and I had last seen each other. I had to look as hot as I did on the day we met.
• Why did I care so much about what he thought of my looks? I wondered as I wore the dress, staring at my reflection. I remembered how Gilbert would always tell me I was too old to be sexy whenever I stood in the mirror like this. But Michael had been different. He thought I was sexy that night. With my looks, I had to make sure he still felt the same way about me today.
• I checked myself out in the mirror. I definitely felt sexy—finally ready to face my blast from the past.
• Just then, Justin knocked on my door. “Mom…?”
• “Yes, honey. I’ll be down soon,” I called back.
• “Cool,” he said before I heard his footsteps retreating.
• I took a deep breath, giving myself one final look from head to toe. I ran a brush through my hair, debating whether to tie it up but ultimately letting it flow over my shoulders. I had worn my hair down the night Michael and I met.
• Why am I so bothered about looking attractive for Michael?
• The only validation I needed was my own—I had learned that the hard way after years of Gilbert talking me down.
• I smiled at myself in the mirror, feeling confident, and headed downstairs.
• Michael was setting the table, while Justin and Olivia sat, ready to eat. I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face.
• “Good morning, Mrs. Jameson. I made breakfast,” Michael said, flashing his charming smile—the one that reached his eyes. His gaze ran over me, and I saw it again. The same look he had given me the night we met. He clearly liked what he saw. His eyes lingered on me, and I couldn’t pull mine away from him either.
• “Mrs. Jameson, you look…” His words faded as he stared at me, dazed. Just the way I wanted.
• My eyes darted to Olivia and Justin, who were watching us awkwardly. I had to snap out of it.
• “Good morning, Mr. King,” I said, stepping closer. Michael pulled out a chair for me at the head of the table.
• “Thanks,” I whispered.
• “Good morning, Mom.” Olivia gave me a surprised look. “Mom… why do you look so hot today? Are you finally going out on a date?”
• I opened my mouth to respond, but Justin beat me to it.
• “Hell no. It’s too soon for Mom to be seeing anyone else. I’m not signing off on that,” he said, stuffing a forkful of pancakes into his mouth.
• Michael and I looked at each other instantly, both knowing that wasn’t the case. Justin didn’t know half of it.
• “Justin… I know you’re all grown now, but I’m still your mother, and I don’t need your permission to date anyone.”
• “Whatever, Mom. I’m just saying you’re better off without a man until dad comes back home. I’m not going to allow another man to come into our home and claim to be the man of the house over me.”
• “Here we go,” Olivia muttered, shaking her head as she and Justin started going back and forth.
• Always arguing, these two.
• I seized the moment, stealing a glance at Michael, who was seated across from me. He stared right back with rugged confidence. His dark gaze had me melting like ice already.
• “Mom, tell her where you’re going so we can settle this once and for all,” Justin said as he and Olivia turned their gazes to me. I forced myself to look away from Michael.
• “I’m not going anywhere,” I finally said, watching the puzzled looks on their faces.
• “Then why are you all dressed up?” Olivia asked.
• My gaze met Michael’s chivalrous smile. He probably knew I had dressed up for him. His dark eyes were fixed on me with a seductive sparkle.
• No! I had to stick to my lie. I couldn’t let it unravel now.
• “Oh yeah… I mean, I’m just going shopping with my friend Beatrice. There’s no date or anything like that.”
• I watched their faces relax. They bought it.
• The truth was, Beatrice and I hadn’t spoken this morning, and we hadn’t made any shopping plans. But that was the only excuse I could think of to explain why I had put so much effort into my appearance.
• “You both could come with me if you’d like?” I added, hoping to drive away any remaining suspicion.
• “Nah, I’d pass,” Justin replied.
• “Unless you’re buying me more clothes, I’ll pass too, Mom. I have other plans,” Olivia said, her eyes darting to Michael with a smile.
• “I’ll come with you,” Michael said, much to my surprise.
• I wanted to refuse, but Justin jumped in before I could.
• “Great idea. That way, Mom, you get to know him better. You always said you wanted to.” He sounded pleased.
• Olivia looked a bit disappointed but didn’t say anything.
• Michael looked pleased with himself. He’d scored some time alone with me.