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Yet here he stood, talking to her and eagerly awaiting her answer.
“It was perfect,” she said, a soft smile dancing across her lips. “Lily looked exactly like the pictures I’ve always seen of my mother on that day. My father teared up, so I know Lily and Max hit that scene beautifully.”
Ian wiggled his finger, making Emily giggle as she tugged on him. He took a step forward, now being drawn in by two intriguing ladies.
“I think the fans will fall in love with this film,” he told Cassie as his eyes settled on hers. “And your family.”
The pulse at the base of her throat quickened and Ian couldn’t help but smile. Good to know she wasn’t so unaffected. What they’d shared the other night was nothing short of amazing. No matter what transpired afterward, he couldn’t deny that had been the most intense night of his life.
Damn it. Cassie and her innocent daughter were the exact picture of the commitment he could never make.
So how could he be drawn to this woman?
“I just want my father to be happy with the end result,” she told him. “I want people to see what a hard worker he is and that everything didn’t get handed to him.”
Ian couldn’t help but admire her for wanting people to see the other side of Damon Barrington. The man was a phenomenon, and Ian had no doubt whatsoever that this film would be a mega blockbuster.
Emily let go of his finger and started patting her mother’s cheeks. Instantly Ian missed the innocent touch, but he stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Was there something else you wanted?” she asked.
Clearing his throat, Ian shoved pride aside and nodded. “Actually, yeah. I’m sorry for how I handled the other morning.”
Cassie’s brows rose as she reached up to try to pull Emily’s hands from her face. “I never expected you to apologize.”
He hadn’t expected it, either, but he couldn’t deny the fact he’d been a jerk. If he’d learned anything from growing up, it was to know when to apologize. He’d never seen his parents say they were sorry to each other, and he’d always wondered if such a simple gesture would have made a difference.
“I can admit when I make a mistake,” he informed her.
Those bright eyes darted down as she sighed. “This is a first for me.”
“What’s that?”
Glancing back up, she shook her head. “Nothing. I appreciate you apologizing. Since you’re going to be here awhile, I really don’t want tension. Between you working and me training, I just can’t handle more stress.”
Ian noticed the soft lines between her brows, the dark circles beneath her eyes. This single mother was worn-out and he’d added to her worry because she hadn’t wanted any awkwardness between them.
“Who helps you with Emily?”
Great, now he was asking questions before he could fully process them. He needed a filter on his mouth and he needed to mind his own business. The last thing he wanted was to worry about Cassie and her daughter. He certainly wasn’t applying for the position of caregiver.
“My family.” Her chin tilted as she held his gaze, unblinking. “Why?”
Yeah, why indeed? Why was this his concern? They’d slept together one night after days of intense sexual tension and now he was all up in her personal space...a space that hit too close to home and touched his heart way too deeply.
He pushed aside the unwanted emotions. He would be here only a short time. Even if his past hadn’t mixed him all up, he still couldn’t get too involved with Cassie Barrington.
Besides, she had her hands full and they’d definitely done a complete one-eighty since they’d spent the night together. That night had been full of passion and surrender. Now Cassie had erected walls, thanks to him, and the only thing he saw in her eyes was exhaustion.
“I’ll let you get in to dinner,” he told her, not answering her question. “See you tomorrow.”
When he turned away, Cassie called his name. He glanced over his shoulder and found two sets of beautiful blue eyes staring at him.
“We’re not having much, but you’re welcome to join us.”
The olive branch had been extended and he wondered if this was her manners and upbringing talking or if she truly wanted him to stay.
“I’d be a fool to turn down dinner with two pretty ladies,” he told her, turning back to face her. “Are you sure?”
With a shaky nod, Cassie smiled. “I’m sure.”
Well, hell. Looked as if he was getting in deeper after all. But he followed her through the back door like the lost man that he was.
They could be friends, he thought. Friends ate dinner together; friends apologized when they were wrong. That was where they were at now because Cassie and her little girl deserved a commitment, a family life—things he couldn’t offer.
