Page 118 of Playing Mr. Perfect

“I’m sorry. Does he still see the kids?”

“No. Things got ugly before he left. I have no idea where he is, and I don’t want to know. But the kids and I got through it, and we’re stronger because of it.”

“That says a lot about you. You seem very resilient.”

“I had to be. Thank goodness for Ben. He loves the little ones so much, and he’s always there to help with them. When he was sixteen, he started working to help with the bills. I didn’t ask him to. He just did it, and thank goodness he did. With kids, there’s always something that costs more than you anticipate. Do you have children?”

“No, but I come from a big family. I know how expensive kids can be.”

“It’s the unexpected things that take a toll, some that are optional, like my boys loving football. Let me tell you, that is not a cheap sport, even when they’re little. I know those expenses must seem frivolous, but I’m determined to make sure their lives are the best they can be.”

“I don’t think supporting your child’s love of anything is frivolous, and it’s paying off, at least for Ben.”

“Yes, it is, and he deserves it. He is the first person in our family to go to college, and I am so very proud of him.” That pride radiates in her brown eyes. “Then there are the expenses that aren’t optional, like a medical diagnosis that sucks the wind right out of you.”

“Are you referring to yourself? Are you ill?” How much pressure can one woman take?

“I wish it were me. Trina had a seizure in the bath a few months ago. I’ve never been so scared in my life. That’s when we found out she has epilepsy.”

“I’m so sorry. My younger sister Amber has epilepsy. She was eight when she was diagnosed, and it was scary for all of us. How are Trina and your other kids handling it?”

“Trina had a hard time accepting it. No child wants to be different than their friends. But she’s a strong little girl, and she’s doing okay now. Her brothers worry about her, of course, but we try really hard not to treat her differently.”

“My parents taught us to do the same. It wasn’t easy, though. We all wanted to protect Amber, but I’m sure it was even more difficult for our parents.”

“Difficult doesn’t even begin to describe it. I want to wrap Trina up in Bubble Wrap and carry her around with me.” Clare smiles. “But my daughter would never put up with that. You saw her attitude over missing her brother’s sleepover.”

“She seems like a pistol. Are they able to control her seizures with medicine?”

“We thought they were, but she’s had two seizures while she’s been on it, and they’re making adjustments.”

“That’s not uncommon. They’re called breakthrough seizures.”

“Yes, that’s what they called them. We’re hoping that’s all it is. The doctor said there is a type of epilepsy that’s drug resistant, which scares me even more. Life is hard enough. I don’t want my baby to have to deal with that.”

“Hopefully the medication will work. Do you know what we do here?”

“A little bit. I read that you do research and development for medical devices.”

“That’s exactly what we do, and one of our current projects is a device to help people with drug-resistant epilepsy. It’ll take time before it’s ready for trials and to be put on the market, but there are other options if it comes to that. I’m sure her doctor will go over them with you.”

“Yes, he mentioned that. But…if this isn’t fate, I don’t know what is.”

Before Clay and I came together, I might have rolled my eyes at that comment, but so much has changed over the past month, I’m starting to believe in fate. “It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?”

She presses her hand to her chest and takes a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. I was so nervous about coming here, and I just realized I’ve rambled on about my family’s problems. I’m sure that makes me the last person you want to hire, but please know that I have accepted that I have terrible taste in men, and I will not be going there again.”

“You are not the last person I’d want to hire, and don’t be too hard on yourself. We’ve all made mistakes and chosen the wrong partners.”

“It seems like you have a great guy.”

“Clay is wonderful,” I say honestly. “But I had to kiss my fair share of frogs, too.”

“Well, I’m done kissing frogs.” She emphasizes her proclamation with a swipe of her hand. “I am happily single, and I have more than enough on my plate to keep me busy and happy.”

I thought I did, too. “I understand where you’re coming from, but you never know when someone remarkable will walk through your door. Like you walked through mine.” The smile that earns warms my heart. “What are you looking for in a job? What’s important to you?”

“Stability and working with honest people who appreciate the work I do. It would be nice to use my brain and maybe learn a little something along the way. I don’t mind some overtime, but I’d really like to be home with my kids at night and earn enough money so Ben can focus on his life and not ours. I know that’s asking a lot, but if you give me a chance, I promise I will be a dedicated, hard worker. I’m a good problem solver, too, and if I can help it, I’ll never leave you hanging.”