“I guess they meant well,” she says, voice soft, almost reluctant. “And they’re looking out for my best interests, but I’m their mother. I should have been their first call.”
“Hey,” I say, shifting my chair. “You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. I told you before, I can help out.”
“Tuck, I don’t want to rely—” Her words trail off. That’s fine. I get it. She knows I’m not the man for her, and it only cements the truth that I shouldn’t get close.
But I lean in, lowering my voice, quiet enough that it’s just for her. “How about tonight?” I begin slowly. “Tonight, you rely on me.”
She blinks at me, eyebrows lifting. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Once we get the boys to bed, let me take care of you. Because, Maria, you look like you really need taking care of and I want to be the guy to do it, okay?”
Her brow arches, teasing. “What are you suggesting?”
“Bubble bath, back rub…”
I reach for her shoulders, fingers pressing lightly into the tight muscles. She flinches at first, then relaxes under my touch. “Tonight scared you. It scared me too. Let me help ease the tension.”
“You want to play doctor again?” she teases softly.
“Always.”
“I…I think I’d like that.” Her voice is low, hesitant, but there’s warmth in it, and she glances past my shoulders. “The boys…”
“They’ll sleep well after all that excitement.”
Her face tightens a little, and I catch it. “Speaking of tonight…” she winces. “My car. I need to call the insurance company, figure out the costs.”
“That can all wait until tomorrow,” I say firmly. “I had it towed to a place Ash recommended. We’ll get the estimates then. Tonight, there’s nothing you can do. Not a thing.”
“Was there a lot of damage?”
“Enough that you’ll be without a car for a while.”
Her fingers curl around the stem of her wine glass. I can see it—the tension, the worry creeping into her posture, the mental calculation of unexpected costs and setbacks.
“You can use my car,” I say, tilting my head slightly. “When I’m away, and even when I’m home and don’t need it.”
“Tuck—”
“The guys all live around me. I can get rides anytime. And when I can’t, and do need the car, I’ll drive you. Or the boys. Wherever you need to go.”
Her lips twitch into the faintest smile, just enough to make me feel like I’ve scored a small victory. “That’s…the sweetest.”
I bring my fingers to my lips, mock conspiratorial. “Shh. Don’t let that get out.”
She snorts, a humorless little laugh, but the way her shoulders drop from around her ears tells me she’s breathing easier and I’m happy I made that happen.
I lean back. “Now…tell me. How was your double date?”
She eyes me carefully, a spark in her gaze. “Why do you sound jealous?”
I shrug, casual, cracking my knuckles just enough to make her chuckle. “Beats me,” I lie. But the truth is written all over me.
And she knows it.
“He was actually a really nice guy,” she says, lifting her eyes to mine. “He really seems to love kids too. He said he was looking forward to meeting the boys.”
Her gaze lingers on me, waiting for some response—maybe for me to say I love kids too, which I totally do. Every single one of them. But I can’t risk getting close, not again. Been there. Done that. Lost it all. Never again.
