Page 48 of Tempt Me-

My heart warms at the fact that he notices.Why is he such a contradiction?A man who doesn’t want commitment on one hand, taking such good care of me and even noticing things no one else in my life ever paid attention to before?

“So how did things go with Kayla?”I ask, refusing to dwell on what I can’t change.

“It went just as I intended.She won’t be an issue for me or Bailey anymore.”But despite the good news, his smile holds a hint of sadness as does his tone.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you if you eat.”He gestures to the toast on the nightstand.

I can’t help but smile at his insistence.“Fine.”I pick up a piece of toast and take a bite.The sweetness from the jelly satisfies a craving I didn’t know I had.But Austin clearly did.

“Well?”I tip my head, indicating it is his turn to talk.

He breathes out a long breath.“When all was said and done, I was thrilled I got what I wanted and Kayla won’t be trying to take my daughter from me anymore.”

“But?”Because something is obviously on his mind.

His lips lift at my obviously correct conclusion.“But I couldn’t help but feel bad when the cops took her away.I don’t like her but this is my kid’s mother.I’ll have to explain things to Bailey when she’s older and it’s going to hurt her.”

I place the toast back on the plate.“Hey.You tried your best to make the marriage work.You didn’t tell her not to be a caring parent.”I don’t use the word abusive, although that’s what her actions were.“You only pushed when you had no other choice to protect your daughter.”I want him to see the facts and not feel guilty that he acted against Bailey’s mom.

“You’re right.”He runs a hand through his hair.“It doesn’t make me feel any better, but thank you.I did need the reminder.”

“Because you’re a good man.”

His lips curl in a warm smile.Then he tips his head again.“Now keep eating.”

I roll my eyes, pick up the toast, and finish both pieces, feeling much better once I follow that up with the warm tea.

Chapter Ten

Mia

The day ofthe party at Austin’s boss’s house dawns bright and chilly.I am still queasy, but I am living with it, knowing that eventually the virus will pass.Except it has been almost five days and I am starting to get nervous.Stomach viruses typically last a short time.Food poisoning isn’t possible.So there isn’t much of a reason for the nausea to persist except for the one I don’t want to think about.

So I don’t.Not yet.I will still hope for possibility that this is temporary and not life altering.

If I look ahead, thank goodness things are getting closer to wrapping up with my ex-boss.On Wednesday I will go to the city and go through trial preparation against Parker, and the thought doesn’t help my stomach issues, that is for certain.

I have no problem telling what I saw, what I taped, or what I heard and reported to the police.I just dread the cross-examination.It is brutal and ugly and I hate the whole process.But I know the district attorney will go over the usual suggestions: give short answers, only answer what they ask, don’t go off on tangents, and tell the truth.Right.While Parker glares daggers at me across the room.

I place a hand over my stomach and breathe in deep.It is time to get dressed.When asked, Austin insisted I should be casual for Dan’s party, but I am meeting Summer Michelle, a woman I’ve admired from afar since her days onStar Power.Her voice, her talent, and how she rose above a viral video that could have derailed her career but somehow only made it stronger, all are things to respect.Plus, she is famous.It is a cool thing, and I want to look good.

Not to mention I am meeting Austin’s friends and coworkers, and I hope to make a decent impression.So I choose a pair of jeans in deference to dressing casual, and my favorite cold-shoulder shirt and a pair of black boots.I pull my hair into a deliberately messy bun and add makeup to cover my pale cheeks.And then I head to meet up with Austin in the kitchen.

***

Austin

I pull upto Dan’s, a white house with black shutters, and from the cars along the street, we aren’t the first ones there.Mia was quiet on the way, and I am worried she still doesn’t feel well.But she doesn’t seem to want to talk, and I give her space until we pull up to the curb and I park.

“You ready to go in?”I ask.

“Yep.”She flashes me an obviously forced smile.

“Hey.”I place a hand over hers.“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nods.“I am.And I’m excited to meet Summer… and of course your friends.So let’s go!”