Never Say Never (8 page)

“What did you tell him?” Grace asked.

“The truth.” Hayley frowned.

“Which is?” Grace looked at her.

“That his dad left and that we don’t need him.” Hayley said.

“And he didn’t ask any questions after that?” Grace asked.

“No, but I’m waiting for him to drop a question bomb on me.” Hayley sighed. “I can see it on his face that he is loading up his ammo.”

“How can you tell?” Grace asked.

“I know my son, Grace. I know when he’s keeping things to himself and I know when he is getting ready to shock me with his profound questions.” Hayley said and looked over at him.

“I suppose.” Grace frowned.

Hayley let out a little laugh and turned to Grace. “He asked me this morning if we could invite Lucas to the park with us today.”

“What? Are you serious?” Grace exclaimed.

“I’m serious.” Hayley chuckled.

“Well, that’s got to be a good sign.” Grace smiled.

“A good sign for what?” Hayley frowned.

“If he wants him to come with, then he likes him, and if he likes him, he wants him around.” Grace said. “Owain doesn’t like a lot of people, Hales.”

“I know, but what makes Lucas so special?” Hayley asked.

“Because as much as you hate to admit it, you want Lucas around too.” Grace grinned. “And Owain is smart, he most probably picked up on that.”

Hayley opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut instead.

Grace smiled smugly and sat back in her chair. “And as much as you hate to admit it, you know I’m right.”

“Whatever.” Hayley muttered and playfully smacked Grace on her forearm.

Grace dug around in her handbag and handed Hayley her phone. “Use my phone and call him.”

“I can’t do that.” Hayley frowned.

“Of course you can.” Grace nodded.

Hayley reluctantly took the phone from her and shook her head.

“Just do it. The sooner you call him, the sooner you can see him again.” Grace smiled.

“And when do you propose we have dinner?” Hayley asked.

“Tomorrow night. The sooner the better.” Grace nodded.

Hayley sighed and scratched in her bag for her wallet. She took out the business card and dialed his number. “It’s ringing.” She whispered and for some strange reason, she felt butterflies in her stomach.

“Lucas Donovan?”

“Good afternoon, is that Lucas?” Hayley asked, realizing too late that it was indeed him. She slapped her palm against her forehead and shook her head in disapproval.

“Yes it is.” He answered, sounding a bit puzzled.

“Hey, Lucas. This is Hayley.” She said.

“Good afternoon! I was beginning to think you accidentally lost my number.” He laughed.

“Why would I do that? If I did, it would definitely not be on purpose.” She smiled and Grace narrowed her eyes at her.

“Well, that’s good to hear. How are you today?” He asked.

“I’m great, thank you. How are you?” She asked.

“I’m much better now. It sounds like you’re at the park.” Lucas said.

“Yeah, Grace and I brought Owain for the day.” Hayley nodded. “Listen, are you busy tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night. That would be Monday, right?” Lucas sounded amused.

“Yes, it would.” Hayley asked.

“Are you taking me up on my offer to take you and Owain to dinner?” He asked.

“Yes, I am.” Hayley rolled her eyes.

“That’s the best news I have heard all day.” Lucas said. “I’ll pick you two up at seven?”

“Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll see you then.” Hayley smiled.

“Can’t wait.” Lucas said.

Hayley closed Grace’s phone and handed it back to her.

“Was that so hard?” Grace smirked and took her phone.

“Whatever.” Hayley looked at Owain on the swings and smiled slightly.

“So what are you going to wear?” Grace raised a cocky eyebrow at her.

“It’s just dinner, Grace.” Hayley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“If its just dinner, then why are you blushing?” Grace looked at her with a grin.

“I’m not blushing.” Hayley looked at her redhead friend. The expression on Grace’s face showed that she didn’t believe a word she was saying. “I’m not.”

Grace raised her hands up in the air in defeat and laughed. “Okay, you don’t have to get all defensive.”

“I’m not getting all defensive!” Hayley exclaimed. She froze and ran her fingers through her hair with a sigh. “Oh my god. You’re right.”

Grace looked at her with a smirk and
crossed her legs. “Hales...”

“I haven’t done something like this for a long time, Grace. What if I…?” Hayley frowned.

“You’ll be fine.” Grace said simply. “It’s just dinner, right?”

“Just dinner, yes.” Hayley nodded.

“And Owain will be there, so you won’t be alone with him.” Grace said.

“Yes.” Hayley nodded again.

“So then there’s no problem.” Grace smiled.

“No problem at all.” Hayley nodded and looked at Grace for a few seconds. “Oh my god, who am I kidding? I am so nervous I can throw up on myself.”

Grace looked at her and burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny, Grace.” Hayley frowned and shook her head. “The last time I was on a date was…”

“Was when?” Grace stopped laughing and looked at her.

“Before Owain.” Hayley said softly and looked at her hands on her lap. “Long before Owain.”

“Well, it’s not the end of the world.” Grace sighed. “He wouldn’t have asked you to have dinner if he didn’t like you, or Owain for that matter.”

“True.” Hayley frowned and looked at Grace. “He is really hot.”

“Smoking.” Grace winked at her. “You’ll be fine, Hales.”

Hayley sighed nervously and looked at her friend. She nodded slightly and looked over at Owain hanging upside down on the jungle gym. “We’ll be fine.”

Chapter 5
- Dinner for Three

After arriving home from the park and dropping Grace at home, Hayley was in the kitchen, making dinner while Owain was sitting on the carpet in the living room, watching cartoons. She had been trying to figure out how she was going to tell Owain about their dinner with Lucas tomorrow night. She stirred the spaghetti and looked over at him. She was looking at her, his body turned towards her and his head resting on his knees.

“Are you okay, baby?” Hayley frowned and placed the wooden spoon on the counter.

“Is something wrong, Mom?” Owain asked.

“Nothing is wrong.” Hayley shook her head.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“I’m sure, but there is something I need to talk to you about.” She smiled at him.

Owain stood up from the carpet and walked over to her. He leaned against the counter and looked at his mother.

Hayley took a deep breath and looked at him. “What do you think of Lucas?”

Owain frowned and looked at her. “I already told you that I like him.”

“Well that’s good to know. He wants to have dinner tomorrow night.” She said after a
slight pause.

“Can I stay with Grace? Please?” Owain whined.

Hayley felt her heart melt and knelt next to him. “No, baby, he wants you to come along tomorrow night.”

“He does?” Owain smiled.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Why?” He asked.

“He obviously thinks you’re awesome.” She said, smiling at him.

“He’s a smart guy. Where is he taking us?” He asked.

“I don’t know, baby.” She smiled at him.

“Can I wear my Spiderman suit?” Owain asked and she laughed.

“I don’t think so.” She shook her head with a smile and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Okay.” He dropped his head and watched his mother stand up and walk to the stove. “What are you going to wear, Mom?”

“I don’t know yet.” She tilted her head at him. “Any suggestions?”

“You should wear that blue dress that you never wear.” He said after thinking for a second.

“The short one?” Hayley frowned.

“Yes.” Owain nodded.

“I don’t know about that.” Hayley shook her head.

“Then I think you should ask Grace for some help. I am all out of ideas.” Owain shrugged and walked back to the lounge.

“I think I will do that.” Hayley grinned at herself and stirred the spaghetti again.

“You actually want my help?” Grace sounded shocked the next morning.

Hayley tilted her head and looked over at Owain drawing a picture at his red table. She looked back at Grace and nodded. “Yes.”

“Interesting…” Grace mumbled and looked over at Owain.

“Oh come on, you know you want to help.” Hayley sighed.

“Of course I want to help. You’re my friend.” Grace grinned at her.

“Good.” Hayley nodded.

“Final bell?” Grace asked.

“Yes, I’ll wait for you at my car.” Hayley nodded.

“You’re going to be late, Mom.” Owain said from the other side of the class.

“I’m going already.” Hayley rolled her eyes at him and he giggled. She turned to Grace and gave her a slight nod. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later, honey.” Grace winked at her and turned to her class.

After school ended, Grace and Hayley headed over to the mall on Main Street, scanning the stores for an outfit for Hayley. Owain was in after care with the other kindergarten teacher, Miss Wilson, so the women could shop in peace.

“Too conservative. Too boring. Too pale.” Grace was scanning through the clothing rail with a frown.

“What about this?” Hayley held up a white blouse.

“Too professional.” Grace shook her head with a scowl. “You need something that says I’m a hot Mom, but without trying too hard.”

“I don’t think they have a section called that.” Hayley frowned.

“Then we are definitely in the wrong store.” Grace sighed.

“Come on, Grace. There must be something.” Hayley looked at the rail and flipped through the hangers.

“Oh my god!” Grace suddenly exclaimed.

“What?” Hayley’s head snapped up and she looked at Grace.

“Do you still have that blue dress? The short one?” Grace asked.

“Yes, why?” Hayley asked.

“Right! This is perfect then!” Grace smiled happily and clapped her hands.

Hayley was drying her hair in her bedroom when Owain walked in through the door. He had a pair of dark denims on, holding two shirts in his hands, a blue one and a white one.

“Mom?” He asked.

“Yes, baby.” She looked over at him, switching off the hairdryer.

“Which one?” He held the two shirts for her to see.

“The blue one.” Hayley said almost immediately.

“I thought you were going to say that.” He nodded and walked out of the room.

Hayley looked over at her clothes on her bed and chuckled to herself. She had not gone out to dinner with someone other than Grace in a very long time. She silently said a prayer that Owain will be on his best behavior tonight, hoping that Lucas won’t run for the hills afterwards. She finished with her hair, and put her dress on. As she sat down on the bed to put her shoes on, Owain walked into the room.

“I’m ready.” He announced and looked at her.

“You’re quick.” She nodded and smiled at him. She stood up and tilted her head at him.

“You look nice, Mom.” He said to her.

“So do you, baby.” She smiled at him and kissed the top of his head.

“Is he going to be here soon?” Owain asked.

Hayley looked over at her clock and frowned. “He should be here soon. Why don’t you go watch some Cartoon Network until he gets here?”

“Okay.” Owain nodded.

“It’s channel forty-eight.” Hayley said as he walked out of the room.

“I know, Mom.” Owain said.

Hayley smiled and looked at herself in the mirror. Her blonde hair was tousled and she needed some makeup. She stood up from the bed, quickly applied some makeup and as she was applying her lipstick, she heard the doorbell.

“I’ll get it!” Owain called out and ran to the door.

He slowly opened the door and looked up at Lucas.

“Hey buddy!” Lucas smiled down at him.

“Hey.” Owain greeted him. “Do you want to come in?”

“Sure.” Lucas nodded and Owain opened the door a bit wider and stood aside.

Lucas walked into the house, looking around him.

“My mom is still busy.” He sat down in the middle of the carpet and looked at the television.

“May I?” Lucas asked and Owain nodded.

Lucas sat down next to him on the carpet and looked at the television. “Are you watching cartoons again?”

“Yeah.” Owain rolled his eyes at him. “I’m a five year old boy, what else is there to do?”

Lucas chuckled and looked at him. “I completely agree. I also watch them, like all the time.”

“Isn’t cartoons only for kids?” Owain turned to Lucas and frowned.

“See, that’s the thing, little man. Guys like us, we stay kids forever. We never grow up, in our heads.” Lucas smiled at him.

“We never grow up?” Owain sounded shocked.

“Nope.” Lucas shook his head.

“But how is that possible?” Owain asked.

“Boys are born with the amazing superpower to stay young all the time. Even though their bodies grow older, they stay a kid on the inside.” Lucas gave him a crooked smile.

“Really?” Owain asked and his jaw dropped in disbelief when Lucas nodded at him with a smile. “That’s so cool.”

“Yeah, it is. That gives us the perfect excuse to watch all the cartoons we want, even if we’re grown up.” Lucas smiled at him.

“Because we’re not really grown up.” Owain said.

“Exactly.” Lucas nodded. He heard Hayley’s footsteps coming down the passage and leaned closer to Owain. “Don’t tell your mother….”

“Don’t tell me what?” Hayley came into view and Lucas looked at her.

She was looking gorgeous in a simple, yet feminine light blue dress, with a short black jacket and her blonde hair hanging down her shoulders. He stood up quickly and gave her another look-over.

“Hey.” Lucas said after a second, taking her in.

“Hey.” She smiled at him.

“You look really nice.” Lucas said.

She tilted her head to the side and felt her cheeks flush slightly. “Thank you. So do you.”

Lucas and Hayley stood looking at each other for another second and Hayley was the first to look away.

“Baby, are you ready to go?” She asked Owain.

Owain got up from the carpet and looked at her. “Yes, I was ready a long time ago.”

Lucas smiled at Owain and looked at Hayley. “Come on then, dinner awaits.”

“Good, because I’m hungry.” Owain said and walked over to the door.

“I’m with you on that one, buddy.” Lucas laughed and he and Hayley followed Owain to the door.

They left the house and Hayley looked over at the black Subaru standing in the driveway. She walked to the back of the car, but saw that it had already been repaired.

“That was fast.” Hayley frowned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yeah, I just thought that it would make a poor impression if I picked you up in a dented car.” He smiled at her and opened the door. She walked over to the back door and opened the door for Owain.

“Kids first.” She looked at him and he nodded in agreement. “Come on, Owain.”

Owain climbed in and sat down on the back seat, behind her and she buckled him in. She closed the door and looked at Lucas, still holding the door open for her.

“Thank you.” She nodded and climbed in.

Lucas jogged over to the other side of the car and climbed inside. “Everyone ready?” He asked and started the car.

“Yes.” Owain nodded on the backseat and
Hayley looked over at Lucas.

He had a pair of dark jeans on, a black button up shirt and his dark hair was spiked up slightly. His features seemed familiar somehow, but she did not know why. It was as if she had seen him before somewhere. She dismissed the idea, as she would definitely have remembered him if she has seen him before. He was striking, with his perfect jawline and his perfect smile. She frowned and shook her head slightly. He turned his face towards her and his eyes met hers.

“You okay?” He asked.

“Yes.” She smiled at him and looked out in front of her. “I was just thinking about something.”

“Where are you taking us, Luke?” Owain asked suddenly.

“Well, buddy. Have you ever been to Fat Harry’s?” Lucas asked, looking at him in the rear view mirror.

“Fat Harry’s is my favorite place!” Owain exclaimed.

“Is he serious?” Lucas looked at Hayley.

“Yes, it is his favorite place.” Hayley nodded.

“I want to have my birthday there!” Owain said.

“So do I!” Lucas looked at Hayley and they both let out a little laugh.

"You kind of look like me." Owain said to Lucas an hour later, while they were eating.

"You think so?" Lucas asked him and studied Owain's face.

"We have the same hair." Owain said.

"You are a smart kid." Lucas nodded. "Are you sure you are only five?"

"Of course I’m sure." Owain frowned at him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Lucas asked and looked over at Hayley for a brief second.

"Tell me the truth, Luke. Are you my long lost dad, that's only showing up now because you feel guilty for abandoning us?" Owain blurted out. "Because if you are, I'm not impressed."

Hayley dropped her hands onto the table and looked at Owain in disbelief. "Owain!"

"It's okay." Lucas laughed and shook his head.

"No, it's not." Hayley frowned and turned to Owain. "You’re being rude. You apologize right now."

"Why?" Owain glared at her with his dark brown eyes. "I just asked him a question."

"Now, Owain." Hayley said firmly.

Owain's shoulders slumped and he looked at Lucas. "I'm sorry for being rude."

"It's okay, buddy." Lucas smiled at him and leaned closer to him. "And just so we're clear, I'm not your long lost dad."

"Are you sure?" Owain asked and Lucas laughed.

"Of course I'm sure." Lucas nodded and looked at Hayley. "I would have definitely remembered that."

Hayley felt her cheeks flush slightly and she looked at Lucas.

"Remembered what?" Owain asked and Hayley and Lucas looked at him.

"Finish your dinner, baby." Hayley said quickly and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Owain nodded and looked at his plate in front of him.