Page 31 of Alec’s Dream

I knew by the look on Alec’s face he was thinking about something. And when his mouth tipped down into a frown I knew he’d figured it out.

Embarrassment burned.

“I’ll go turn up the heat.”

Before I could move away, Alec grabbed my hand.

“Don’t.”

“I don’t want Jocelyn to get cold.”

Alec glanced at his daughter snug as she could be, then his eyes came back to me and struggled not to look away.

He saw too much. He always did and it made me uncomfortable.

“Joss is just fine. Let’s sit and eat.”

The delicious smell of cheeseburgers from the Freeze had not gone unnoticed. The yumminess invaded the room and I couldn’t deny I was hungry the way my belly rumbled, but I still didn’t want Alec to know.

“Do you need a plate?” I asked, trying to buy a little more time.

“Nope. Sit.”

“I’m sure you’re used to snapping your fingers and having women obey your every command but you could try a please.”

Alec’s brow bowed up into a perfect arch and he had really nice eyebrows.

“Please take a seat, Macy.”

He gestured to the couch and I couldn’t help but giggle at the absurdity of being invited to sit on my own couch even though I’d asked for just that.

Once we were both seated, Alec dug into the bag and handed me a white paper sleeve of greasy, salty fries. There was no way I could pass up my favorite food.

“Thank you,” I murmured and greedily shoved a few in my mouth.

Perfection.

“So, you were telling me you were worried about Caleb,” Alec prompted and unwrapped his burger.

After what he’d shared about his first days with Jocelyn, I felt compelled to answer. He’d opened up to me and it would be rude not to reciprocate.

“When I told Caleb I lost my temper and hit his dad he told me it was about time and maybe Doug wouldn’t yell at me anymore. But it was more than that, it was the way he looked at me. He was angry but no sadness.”

“No sadness?”

Gah. I was screwing this up.

“I can’t explain it. I don’t want my son to hurt, but when I see those flashes of sadness it reminds me he cares. That he loves Doug and wants his dad in his life. It reminds me why I’m knocking myself out trying to facilitate a relationship. I’m scared for Caleb. I don’t want him to be resentful and angry. I don’t know how to put it into words.”

“Babe, Caleb’s not a kid anymore, he’s starting to come into himself. His eyes are open, he understands what’s going on around him and he’s finding he doesn’t like it much.”

Oh no.

No, no, no. I felt it coming and I couldn’t deal with it.

“Please don’t. I can’t handle another truth bomb.”

“Don’t need to deliver one seeing as you already knew Caleb’s smart and aware of who his dad is. The good news for you is, he also knows who his mom is, and he loves her, and is happy to see her coming into herself.”