Today, he sent me a couple of texts just to check in, something I wasn’t expecting him to do, but really liked more than I probably should have. As he shuts down the engine, I see him reach over to the passenger seat to grab something, then a moment later, his door swings open, and he gets out. How a man can make boots, jeans, and a thermal look so good is a news to me, but on him, it looks better than even the most expensive suit hanging in my dad’s closet.
I lick my lips as he comes up the steps and watch his eyes darken in a way that sends my pulse skittering. “I know I might have made a mistake not calling to ask what you wanted to eat for dinner, but I figured there aren’t many people who grow up in the south who don’t like fried chicken, corn, and mac and cheese.”
“You’d be right about that.” I shut my laptop and hold my breath as he bends to kiss me.
“What were you working on?” he asks, the question and the kiss both catching me off guard. “Aria.”
“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “A new series.”
“Yeah? You came up with something?”
“Yes, in the shower this morning, actually,” I admit, and he smiles a smile that makes my heart flutter.
“That’s great, babe. I’m sure your agent will be happy,” he says while we head into the house.
“She was.” I get down plates while he unloads food from the bag he brought. “I sent her a text this morning and gave her a rough idea of the story. She wants to pitch it Tuesday, so I have to get the outline to her by tomorrow evening.”
“I’m happy for you.” His hand rests against my back as his lips brush my temple.
“Thanks,” I say quietly, knowing without a doubt that I’m in trouble, because with him, I don’t think casual is going to work. Not when I could get used to the way he makes me feel.
Chapter 9
Tide
WHEN THE DOORBELL rings, I look over to where Olivia is hanging half on, half off the chair in the living room, and sigh when she looks at me and pouts. I know she knows her mom’s here and that she isn’t any happier about it than I am.
“I don’t want to leave, Daddy,” she tells me as I head for the door, and my chest aches when she flips off the chair and rushes to me, wrapping her arms around my hips.
“I know, angel. I don’t want that either.” My hand slides over the top of her soft hair before I palm the back of her head. “But in a week, you’ll be with me again.” I never wanted a life where I only had her every other week. That’s why, when she was little, I was determined to make things work with her mom, regardless of our issues. But with Anna, it was never that easy. She wasn’t happy and made that clear with words, actions, and eventually leaving. Looking back, I’m glad she had the balls to pull the trigger and jump ship, because I know I never would have. I would’ve stayed with her, even if I was miserable. The doorbell rings again, and my jaw clenches before I force myself to relax. “Go pack your toys,” I tell her, knowing she has clothes at her mom’s, so she doesn’t need to take that stuff with her.
“Okay, Daddy.” She ducks her head as she heads down the hall to her room.
I pull my eyes off her and open the door, and Anna places her hand on her hip. I know most men look at her and think she’s beautiful, with her girl-next-door blonde hair and blue eyes, but I’m no longer fooled by the pretty package she’s wrapped in.
“I was starting to think you weren’t here.”
I don’t respond. I open the door fully for her to come inside and watch her look around like she’s searching for something.
“I thought you might have company. Rumor around town is you’re seeing Aria Spencer,” she says casually, turning to face me and tipping her head to the side. “Is that true?”
“It’s none of your business.” I’m not surprised that rumors are going around about Aria and me, not when we’ve spent pretty much every day together since the first time we slept together weeks ago, and some of those days we’ve been in town, going out to eat, the movies, or just the store. The only time I haven’t seen her is when I’ve had Olivia, and even then I stopped by her place a few times for lunch while Olivia’s been at school.
“It is my business if she’s going to be around Olivia.”
“Don’t start that shit, Anna. You don’t tell me about all the dudes you’re hooking up with, and don’t try to lie.” I hold up my hand when she opens her mouth. “Olivia’s told me that she’s had breakfast with more than one of your ‘friends’—” I make air quotes. “—when they’ve stayed over with you.”
“Those guys were just friends.”
“Right.” I shake my head, knowing she’s full of shit. “When I decide it’s time for Aria to meet Olivia, I’ll give you a heads-up, only because I don’t need you freaking Olivia out when she tells you about it.” And Anna would lose her shit if Olivia came home one day to tell her she met my girlfriend, because even if she doesn’t want me in her bed, I’m somehow still hers.
“So you are going to introduce them?” I watch her brows shoot up in surprise and know it’s because I’ve never brought a woman I’m seeing around Olivia. Then again, none of them were women I could see a future with.
“Eventually, yeah,” I agree, and she starts to open her mouth to say something but stops when Olivia hops her way into the living room.
“Hi, Mommy.” She goes to Anna, and I watch the two of them embrace. I can’t say that Anna was good for me or that we get along, but I will admit she is a great mom to our daughter. Even with the drama that seems to constantly swirl around us, she puts Olivia first, and that’s something I’m grateful for.
“Did you have a good time with your dad this week?” Anna asks her, taking the purple glitter backpack she’s holding.
“I always have fun with Daddy.” Olivia looks at me and rolls her eyes, making me wonder what the hell I’m in for when she hits her teen years.
“Did you see Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Yes, and Grandma got me a new tea set for when I’m at her house.”
“That’s fun.” If I didn’t know, I’d think her smile was fake, but it’s not. Anna doesn’t have any kind of relationship with her parents—something she hates but is too stubborn to change, so she has always pushed for Olivia to have a relationship with her grandparents. It doesn’t hurt that any time she needs something, my mom and dad are there, regardless of the fact that they don’t get along. “Are you ready to go? We need to stop at the grocery store on the way home.”
Instead of answering, Olivia turns toward me, and the moment she’s close, I pick her up, and she wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a tight squeeze. “I love you, Daddy.” She leans back to look at me. “Will you come to my birthday party at school?”
“Will you let me eat some of your cupcakes?”
“You can have one.”
“How about two?”
“Okay, two.” She gives in as her cute little nose scrunches.
Smiling, I kiss her cheek, then place her on her feet, meeting her mom’s gaze. “Let me know what I need to bring for that.”