Page 27 of Defensive Indifference

“I know,” Koa whispers. “I never doubted that.”

My frame stiffens. Arms tighter, jaw clenched. “People often do. Those who can afford all the good clothing brands, the expensive shoes, the—”

“None of that matters.” Koa settles his hand on my shoulder. “None of it. I’ve had everything handed to me my whole life. I’ve never known a day of want, and yet when I look at what you and Dustin have, I feel poor.”

A tear breaks free and I move to swipe it away, but all it does is give the rest permission to fall in a relentless stream.

“My actions caused you to lose money for two days in a row. I would like very much, with your permission, to pay for Dustin to go to my friend’s camp.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Before you say no, think about it. It’s not a handout, but an offer of compensation. I believe in Dustin, so really, it’s a little selfish on my part, too.”

A chuckle breaks free and I manage to dry my face. “You want credit for making him pro?”

“Um, no.” He matches my chuckle and releases my shoulder. “I think we both know his amazing mother will be the reason he goes pro. My selfishness comes in the form of getting to spend time with said mother on the journey.”

The next morning, Annie works in overtime to convince me that Koa Keaton has feelings for me.

“For the last time, Annie, he is only helping us out because he still feels bad for what happened. At most, we’re friends. That is all.” I shove a tray of burned donuts in the trash.

“If that’s all he is, then why has your mind been wandering so much this morning? It’s not like you to burn perfectly good donuts. By the way, you threw the wrong tray in the trash. You…also…threw the tray in the trash.”

I glance down to see that I did, in fact, toss the baking sheet along with the not burned donuts. The burned ones stare at me from the counter.

“Can’t a woman just be distracted? Does it always have to be about a man?”

Annie adjusts her hairnet and washes her hands, ready to dive into the next batch. “Doesn’t have to be. Usually is.”

“You hush. I have things to do.” With nothing else said, I hurry to the front to prep for the day. I did not mention to her that I have a date in a few days. Not with Koa. My gut twists at the thought of going. If only I could go back in time and take it back, but it’s too late. Besides, Nick is a perfectly good option, where Koa is not.

Nick conversed with Dustin about the team and even caught a ball for him. As nice as Nick is, though, I have a feeling after one date, he won’t ask me out again. Most men aren’t really interested in dating single mothers, and once they realize we’re very involved in our children’s lives, they tend to back away into the abyss.

I mean, not that I’ve dated. But I’ve heard the horror stories from other single moms. On the internet. Still, it’s a totally logical and reasonable thing to expect.

I’ll go on the date, really lay out how much a part of my life Dustin is, watch him retreat, and move on with life. Once Sparkly’s closes, I’ll probably never see him again, so no harm, no foul. Now, if it were Koa, it would be different. He’s proven he likes my son, believes in his future, and is willing to do what it takes to…

No. No, I will not entertain even the slightest affection for a billionaire pro athlete who has far better plans for his future than what I bring to the table.

I glance down and notice I’ve put the napkins and cups in the display case, and the donuts are stacked where the napkins should be.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I grumble and work to fix my mistake, but Annie’s words echo in my mind, proving I might have a harder time watching Koa walk away when the time comes. There is no mistaking it will come. It always does.

Chapter Fourteen

Koa

Spencer frowns after I tell him that I’m going to pay for Dustin to go to the baseball camp. For the life of me, I’m not sure what my friends want. First, they thought I should do all I could to make amends, and now that I am, they hesitate. All I know is, the kid has talent, his mother is a good person trying her best, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t pay for his coaching. Katie sits silently on the sofa listening to our non-conversation.

“Is there something you want to say?” I ask, propping my feet on my coffee table. It feels nice to be in my own place, but these two giving me a full interrogation with their stare downs is less than pleasant.

“Only that you need to be careful. She’s a single mom, not a conquest.” Spencer shrugs.

Frustration flames in my chest, and I stomp my feet to the floor. “I never said she was a conquest. What gave you the idea that I’m on some sort of mission?”

Spencer leans back in his chair, hands up. “I didn’t. I’m only making sure you know how this appears to the news outlets that are still following your every move. They might not be in your face, but they still know what’s going on.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just this morning there was a story on the local news about you and the bakery owner,” Katie says, using air quotes around bakery owner. “I don’t want my brother’s name tarnished, nor do I want to see Evalina suffer for what our family may or may not have done. We got our stuff back, but this isn’t over.”

A deep groan escapes, and I drop my head back. “Are they ever going to let this go? I had nothing to do with whatever Dad did or didn’t do. Why is my daily life so exciting?”