"Can we invite Leo to play today?" The twins begged when they ran downstairs.
"We have swimming lessons after school." I said, patiently.
"After swimming?" Luke asked.
"I don't know." I hesitated. "It'll be half five by the time we get back."
"Can't he come over for tea?" Liam pleaded.
I faltered.
"I'll ring Charlie and ask." I caved.
The twins jumped up and down excitedly.
"I'm not making any promises." I said, but I doubt they actually heard me.
I smiled. It was nice that they got on so well with Leo and it was even better that I got to spend more time with Charlie. And why is that, Liz? Is it because you love him? A voice in my head asked.
"I don't know." I murmured out loud.
"Don't know what, Mummy?" Liam asked, looking up at me.
I laughed.
"Nothing, baby." I wrapped my arms around the boys and rocked them back and forth.
"Ok, let's get ready for school." I said. "I'll ring Charlie whilst you get dressed."
The pair ran upstairs and I heard them bickering whilst I went upstairs and showered and dressed. I headed back downstairs to make breakfast.
My phone rang and I answered it.
"Hey." Charlie said.
"I was going to call you." I said, surprised.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, are you free this afternoon?"
"Yeah."
"The boys want Leo to come over for a playdate." I explained. "If he wants to, he can come over and I can make him dinner. What does he like? You're more than welcome to come too."
"That sounds great." He said. "Could I bring my daughter with me, too?"
"Sure. It would be great to meet her." I said. "Is spag bol ok?"
"That's great."
"See you at six?"
"Perfect." He said.
I hung up and the boys looked at me as a goofy smile spread over my face.
"Leo's coming over this evening." I explained.
The boys cheered and capered around the room.
"But only if you get yourselves ready for school." I said, before they got overexcited.
They hesitated for a minute.
"Come on, teeth, dressed, bags. Go, go, go." I clapped my hands as they ran out of the room and up the stairs.
I leaned back in my chair and rested my eyes for a minute, soaking in the silence. I couldn't fight my smile at seeing Charlie again and I could almost hear Archer's voice in my head.
When a girl likes you, her mouth smiles. When she loves you her body smiles.
My whole body was smiling right now, it fizzed with excitement and I wanted to twirl around the room like a teenager on her first date.
Be careful, Lizzie. Don't fall too hard. That's how you crash and burn.
But I wasn't falling. No. I was floating. Up, up, up. Surely nothing could go wrong?
YOU ARE READING
His Heart
RomanceCharlie's wife died seven years ago. His children have been his moon and stars since. Lizzie is a single mum to her twin boys. Her life hasn't been her own since the divorce. The two meet unexpectedly one day and coach each other along the journey...
