Sexy Leather Jacket guy is holding up the carpool line today. It's not a bad thing, he's quite easy on the eyes. He doesn't usually do pick-up. I've only ever seen him at drop off. I'm not the only one enjoying the view. Several of the moms who walk to pick up their children have their mouths a gape. They are watching like it's the only action they get all day. I'm not any better. I find myself staring at his perfectly round ass in skintight jeans, sticking out of his gray truck.

"What's the hold up, Mommy?" my eight-year-old, Annabeth asks from the backseat.

I peek at her through the rear view mirror. Her long, thick mane of auburn hair is scattered about, sticking up in different places, and her lids are heavy from a long day of school.

"Yeah, mom, what the hell?"

"Jackson Christopher Clarke! Watch your mouth."

My ten-year-old son scoffs. He's barely listening, too caught up in his headphones and tablet to care. His eyes are covered with sandy blonde emo bangs, so he can't even see the face I give. I bite my tongue, holding back the urge to take away the electronics. Maybe I should, he hasn't had the best attitude since their dad left this summer. I hate the switch that was flipped inside him since it all went down.

"I have no idea what's happening," I say.

I blink furiously to push away the tears building behind my eyes. I crane my neck towards the passenger side. Leather Jacket starts to retreat from the side door of his truck when he smacks his head on the roof. Annabeth and I both cringe.

"Ooff, Mommy, I think that man needs help."

Glancing back over, I catch sight of him tugging at his raven black hair and staring into the van. Horns beep from behind, a man yells out for him to move his ass. While we could drive around, technically they don't want us to because it's a safety issue for kids crossing.

I unbuckle my belt. "Stay here, guys," I say, releasing the keys from the ignition.

My heart skips a beat as a red car nearly takes out my door when I open it. They zoom by, it's probably the guy that cursed, because as he drives past, he sticks his finger out the window. More parents follow suit, and not even the security guard or crossing guard can stop them.

I take a few seconds to let my pulse calm down before exiting the car.

"Are you alright?" Leather Jacket asks, as I hop the curb.

His dark thick brows knit together, as he scowls in the direction of the red car. He scans over me with his pale golden eyes. A color so rare and beautiful I can't help getting lost in them.

"I'm okay, but you looked as if you needed some help. Is everything-"

I stop when the stench hits my nose. My stomach churns. Looking inside the truck, I find a young boy with beautiful red hair sitting in his booster. He's staring down at the mess in his lap.

"I don't know what happened, he got into the car and just projectile vomited all over. My wife..." he shakes his head, eyes flickering to me, like he's gauging my reaction to either what's happening inside the truck or him saying wife.

Clearing his throat, he continues. "Ex-wife. She uh– she's better at the whole vomit thing."

That makes me chuckle. "Um – do you have any baby wipes or paper towels?"

"I uh– no I don't think so."

"I keep a bag of stuff in my trunk, hold on."

His shoulders fall forward, and he allows his eyes to meet mine. Something like relief passes over his face.

Hurrying back to my metallic blue explorer, I press the trunk button.

"Hey, can you guys hang in there for a few minutes, one of your classmates got sick."

Anna turns in her high back booster enough to see me.

"Ew."

I chuckle. "Ew is right."

I shut the trunk and start back towards them. Leather Jacket takes a few steps back, as I glance inside the truck.

"Hey there, I've got some paper towels and wipes, you think you can wipe yourself up a bit?"

The boy, still pale, nearly ghost white nods, and holds out his hand for the paper towels. I've also grabbed a garbage bag that I keep in my trunk. I hold it out for him, and with each wipe he places the dirty towels into the bag. Once he's got most of it up, I tie the bag and turn to leather jacket. Now he's the one who is pale.

"Here," I say, pushing a container of baby wipes at him. "You can keep this one if you need it."

As he reaches for it, his rugged tattooed hand grazes mine. Our eyes snap up at each other at the same time. A soft, kind smile starts at the corner of his lip. A small dimple forms under the dark scruff that covers his cheeks.

"Thank you..." He tilts his head.

"Nadine. Nadine Clarke."

His eyes sparkle against the shining sun above us. It's a beautiful early spring afternoon, warm enough for a light sweater, but under this man's gaze, it feels like a late August heatwave.

He hasn't let go yet. His lip's part, allowing his tongue to slide along his lips.

"Nadine, I'm Lawson Bailey."

"It's a pleasure."

We stand unmoving for several seconds, before the stench of reality awakens us both.

"I should throw this out."

"Huh– oh," he says, chuckling. "Right."

The garbage is only a few steps away. While I go and do that, Leather Jacket, now known as Lawson, starts to clean up his son.

"How you doing there, buddy?" he asks.

"I'm sorry I got puke in your car."

His wobbly little voice breaks my heart.

"I'm not mad, bud. Let's finish cleaning you up and get you to your moms, okay?" His voice holds a light caring tone and breaks a little when he mentions his ex.

I almost wonder how new the divorce is. It seems like it's fresh in his memory.

Lawson pulls himself out of the car after buckling Henry. He turns to find me standing close by.

"Do you have an extra bag in case he gets sick again?"

Lawson shakes his head. "I'm so unprepared for this," he says with a watery laugh.

"Nah. Being on your own after having someone there to rely on is hard. I get it. Let me get you a bag."

Thankfully I make sure to get extra paper bags from the grocery store. I hand it to Henry once I've grabbed it. Lawson closes the door, then puts all his attention back on me.

"You're an angel."

I shrug. "Nah. Was just in the right place at the right time. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Same. Crazy how we always end up at the same spot on the car line. Even for pickup it seems."

I can't help the giggle that escapes. My beating heart refuses to chill. Instead, it's about ready to burst from my chest. I'm surprised he's aware of me always being in the car behind him.

"Yeah. Crazy." I pause for a beat. "I should go. I have work in a few, but it was really nice to finally meet you."

He rubs at the back of his neck, his smile half-faded, but still charming and directed solely at me. "Yeah, same. Thank you again for your help."

The walk back to my SUV feels like an eternity. His truck is still there, even when I turn the key in the ignition. He pulls away first, his hand waving out the window towards me.

"Mommy? Are we leaving?"

I whip my head back at Annabeth. My cheeks are burning from the interaction with Lawson. Anna doesn't notice. She's too busy crossing her arms and scowling at me for taking so long.

"Right. Sorry sweetie. I'm dropping you guys off at Aunt Tara's house."

"Yay!" she squeals, suddenly livening up a bit.

My sister is by far Annabeth's favorite person. I don't mind working some nights because I know my kids are well taken care of when they are with her.

I pull away from the curb and start for Tara's. Turning the corner onto main street, a rumble from a truck steadies beside me. My eyes glance over for a brief second to find Lawson staring back at me. He rolls down his window. I fumble over the controls, but eventually get mine down too.

"Fancy meeting you here," he says, playfully as if we're best buds.

"I know right? Hope you don't want to race. I didn't bring my Mustang."

He chuckles. "Yeah, I forgot my Ferrari too, maybe next time?"

My cheeks hurt. An indication that I'm grinning like a mad man. I can't remember the last time I felt that. A horn honks behind us. We give each other one final wave before he makes a right, and I continue straight. The car line at school just got a little more interesting.