As I place the pancakes and bacon on the table, I see a folded-up piece of paper with my name written on it. I pick it up as I lower myself in the wooded chair and proceed to open it curious to read what is written in it.

Dear Erin, Chris got up early this morning to go to the gym to work out, I didn't go with him so we could have at least a few hours alone together. I know you're thinking I set this all up to seduce you once again, but that isn't my intention. Please, wait in the kitchen for me...Eli.

"Oh my god, I hope he's telling the truth about his intentions."

"I am telling the truth, Erin. May I sit with you?" I look towards the kitchen entrance and see him looking sincere.

"Yes, Eli, you may sit with me," I pull the chair next to me out for him to sit in.

"Okay, so, I'm going to be completely honest with you, Erin. I am so attracted to you, I would like for us to get to know each other better, but I know you're having a hard time getting past the fact I'm your son's friend. I will once again point out the fact we're both full-grown adults, but I do respect how you feel. If you feel you can't go to the forbidden place with me, then I will respect that and back off. I'm truly sorry I made you feel uncomfortable."

"Thank you for the apology, Eli. I have to think of how this could make Chris feel, but then again, I know you and I are full-grown adults, and we wouldn't be breaking any laws, but there is the part of us barely knowing each other. There is just so much we have to consider."

"I get that, Erin, I do. And I know I may have come on a little strong when we first met."

"A little strong, Eli?"

"Fine, I came on way too strong, but have you seen you?" He winks as his hand slides over to mine.

"Thank you for that, it's nice to hear how attractive I am once in a while," he leans over and pecks my lips. I don't stop him, and I don't want him to stop.

"You are so beautiful, any man who can't see just how beautiful you have to be blind and dumb. I'm going to go take a shower," he says leaving me here to rethink us getting to know each other. Part of me wants to go there with him, but then Chris is what's stopping me.

"Damn, Erin, you need something to do to keep your mind off of that forbidden place with Eli," I say and hear my cell phone. I rush into the living room grabbing my purse.

"Hello?" 

"Erin?"

"Yes, this is Erin, who am I speaking with?"

"Lance Jennings. You remember me?" He asks. I freeze in disbelief.

"Lance, oh my god, I thought you moved out-of-state after college?"

"I did, but Karen and I divorced a few years ago and my daughter just enrolled in the community college here and I was wanting to move back here, so I got a transfer."

"Oh, sorry to hear about your divorce, believe me, I know how that is. How is your daughter, Jodi?"

"She's great. Erin, I did hear about you and Ross and I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I guess every couple just aren't meant to last."

"Believe me, I know what you mean. Hey, there is another reason I called you."

"I kind of thought there might be. What is it you're wanting?"

"I want to know if you would agree to have dinner with me in the very near future?" He asks me. I turn to see Eli walking down the steps wearing only a pair of basketball shorts. My eyes become glued to his smooth bare chest and soon travel down to his toned legs.

"Dear Lord have mercy," I whisper.

"What, Erin?" 

"Oh, Lance, umm, yes, I would love to have dinner with you soon."

"Great. How about next Friday at the new Italian restaurant right off of harbor view?"

"Sure, that sounds great," I say before biting my lip as Eli struts past me.

"Is seven-thirty fine with you, Erin?"

"Seven-thirty is fine with me, Lance," I say and spy on Eli as he bends over to pick up the bottle cap from his water bottle.

"I now need a cold shower," I whisper.

"Why do you need a cold shower, Erin?"

"Oh, no reason. I'm looking forward to our date," I reply. Eli looks back at me with a frown

"You're going on a date?"

"Yes, Eli, I'm going on a date next Friday with someone my own age," I inform him. 

"Are you? Well, okay then. So if you can go out there and date someone your own age, maybe I should consider at least asking someone my own age to go out on a date?" He smirks. I fold my arms next to my chest trying not to look angry.

"Yes, you sure can. I'm sure there is plenty of college girls your own age out there waiting to be asked out."

"I'm sure you're right, Erin. Maybe Chris and I can go on a double date. I know he must know plenty of girls from around here. Think I'll go call him to see if he can find us a couple of girls to have fun with," he grins before running up the steps.

"You're not about to play this stupid, childish, juvenile game with Eli, he is free to go date whomever he wants just like I am free to date whomever I want to date," I scold myself.

Friday comes quicker than I was hoping. All week I've barely slept wondering who Eli is taking on a date. Chris is beyond excited his dream girl accepted his dinner invitation, he's had a crush on her since the sixth grade. Eli really hasn't said much about his date, only Chris has known her since the first grade. I have no idea who it could be.

Once Lance and I get to the restaurant, I start rethinking this whole date thing. He pulls my chair out being a gentleman, I sit and cross my legs. 

"You look so beautiful, Erin. You have gotten even more beautiful during the years," he says as he gently pushes my chair in.

"Thank you, Lance. I have to say, you do look very handsome. The thin beard and mustache really suit you."

"Thank you. My ex never liked it, but I do."

So do I," I smile. 

"Good even Mr. Jennnings and Ms. Connor. Here are your menus. What would you like to drink?"

"We want your best bottle of white wine, and for starters, we would like the mozzarella  cheese stick."

"I'll go put your in now."

"I hope you're fine with me ordering that, Erin. I remember in high school you loved cheese sticks."

"I still do, it's one of my food weaknesses," I say as I look towards the entrance of the restaurant. I smile when I see Chris walk hand in hand with his date. but a glare soon washes over my face when I see Eli and his date.

"Oh my god, he's with Jodi?"

"Jodi, what, Erin?" Lance looks towards the entrance and sees Eli and his daughter holding hands."

"Mom, I had no idea this is the restaurant you and Lance would be at,"  I glare at Eli and he's smirking back at me.

"Hello, Erin, fancy bumping into you here. How is your date going?" 

"Jodi, what the hell are you doing here, and who the hell are you?" Lance's stern voice causes the other customers to stare. 

"Eli, I would like to speak with you outside in private," Once we're outside I glare at him.


"Have you lost your damn mind, Eli? Wait a minute, you just happen to show up at the same restaurant I happen to be on a date? This can't be a coincidence. You showed up here on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yes, I admit it, I found out what restaurant you would be at on your date, so I told Chris we should come here," he admits it. Before I realize what, I'm doing, I grab the front of his shirt and pull him down, our lips are soon pressed together.

"Damn, Erin, you really know how to turn a guy on. Careful now, we're literally out in public." 

"I can't believe I just kissed you."

"When you decide to take this further, Erin, I'll be waiting," he whispers and soon makes his way back into the restaurant. I turn to make my way back in, but I'm suddenly stopped in my tracks.

"Oh hey, Erin. I can't wait to share my good news," her annoying voice screeches. 

"Tammy, I don't have time for you right now," I snap.

"Well, you better make time because Chris won't be his father's only child, and we plan on taking you back to court to sue you for more money."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me. You delusional bitch, you and Ross are not entitled to have a penny of my money. You want to make sure your child is taken care of, get a fucking job like the rest of us." 

"We hired the best lawyer, Erin. Chris is no longer his father's only child, and our child also deserves to live a good life of wealth."

"That's all you care about, Tammy. Being filthy rich, living a lavish lifestyle. You better be careful, one-day karma just might bite you on the ass." 

"Erin, is everything alright out here?"

"Please forgive me, Lance, but I've seemed to have lost my appetite. Can you please take me back home and we will reschedule our dinner date." 

"Yes, of course," he says as he quickly latches his hand in mine. 

"Hello, Lance, how have you been?" Tammy asks him and he can barely look her in the eye.

"I-um, I'm fine, Tammy."

"You two know each other?" 

"No, well, not that well, Erin. Are you ready to go? I also have lost my appetite."