Dominique shrugged as she sat. “Maybe the white is symbolic of a hurricane... you know, the wind, water...”

“Miss Dom, that outfit is more symbolic of the aftermath!”

Dominique laughed, the warm, throaty sound spilling over the packed crowd. While checking her e-mails and texting, she continued being entertained by Reggie’s commentary, totally unaware of a pair of smoldering eyes that kept darting in her direction.

Soon, Reggie poked her again. “There he is, Miss Dom!” He pointed toward the group of players dressed and running from the locker room to the sidelines. “Your son looks ready to play in the big leagues.”

Dominique smiled and waved as she caught Justin’s eye. Reggie was right. Justin did look rough and rugged outfitted as he was in football gear. And was it her imagination or had he grown a couple more inches in the last month? Her little boy was growing up, fast. In a few short years he’d be gone. Dominique batted back unexpected tears and a wave of melancholy. Since he’d been born, Justin had been her anchor. While men, jobs, and circumstances came and went, her son was the constant in her life, her primary focus for eleven years. Dominique watched him warm up with the other boys: jumping jacks, push-ups, and short sprints. How will my life look once he’s spread his wings and left the nest?

Her eyes drifted from her son to the sidelines where Jake, surrounded by assistant coaches and other personnel, held a clipboard in one hand and marker in the other. He was scribbling, pointing. What he was explaining Dominique could only guess. Whatever it was must have been important as Jake had the men’s undivided attention. He had hers as well. Dominique watched his gestures, remembering how skilled were the fingers that had massaged even as they’d explored and become familiar with every inch of her five-foot-nine frame. Her body warmed as she watched him talk, remember how good those lips felt... everywhere. She scanned his back, buttocks, thick strong thighs, and her hands longed to do the same. She’d willed herself not to think about what could not be, at least not now. But there was no denying the facts and the fact was... she missed him.