Mandy's nervousness turned into full-blown panic. "I'd have to see if someone could watch Colton first. But, otherwise, I think that would be," it would be what? Great, marvelous? "Nice," she finished with; anything else would have been too eager.
"Oh right." He'd forgotten about her son, or else he thought she'd bring him along. She wasn't going to ask which. "That's fine. Why don't you take my number? And you can let me know later if that works for you."
Mandy swallowed hard. That meant she'd have to phone Kip. She'd always had trouble calling him. His parents weren't particularly fond of her. They looked down on her as the shy, fat loser and wondered why their popular, sports fanatic son would hook up with a girl like her. She was always on edge, hoping they wouldn't answer the phone. His younger sister Maggie didn't seem to mind her.
"Sure, I could do that. I can find someone."
"His dad maybe?"
That took her by surprise. It shouldn't have. Kip would want to know where she stood with the father of her child. "Eric doesn't live in town. I have some friends to ask. I'll let you know when and where we can meet, if the date works out for me."
"That's great."
Mandy rubbed her hand over the place her heart was pounding against her ribs. It was just Kip, good old Kip. The man she loved once, with all her heart. Just because having him for those two years was her dream come true, didn't mean she wanted to get back together with him. Right?
And, it wasn't a real date anyway. She hadn't date in six months, but it was Kip. It didn't count. She didn't need to worry about making small talk. He knew all the details of her life, except for the past decade.
"Okay, give me your phone number. And your cell, in case I forget to get it later and then something comes up. Things always come up when you don't plan ahead."
"Sure."
"I'll give you mine as well. You know. Just in case." She was repeating herself like an idiot now. She needed to end the conversation. "I'd love to talk and catch up, but I have to get Colton to finish his homework. I will let you know by the end of the month."
"Sure. Hey," he said. "Can I call you Christmas Day? Just to wish you a good holiday." His voice was husky and full of raw emotion. She barely knew who the thirty-year old Kip was, but he seemed as nice as the twenty year old Kip. If that was true, she was going to fall for him all over again.