Page 46 of Second Chances

He’d never meant any statement more in his life.

If he could enjoy the two of them for a while longer, then he was going to take that chance. Even if it meant heartbreak in the end.

Chapter 13

In the end, it took three days for the flu to run its course. The day after Simona had gotten sick, Olivia had spent the day in bed herself.

It had been so sweet of Todd to drop off some soup for her, though she’d left it untouched since just the smell of it caused her to rush to the bathroom.

While she’d soaked in a hot shower, Todd had entertained Simona, who was feeling much better. It warmed her heart to hear her daughter in the next room, giggling at something Todd had said or at the movie they were watching.

Todd had even helped her get Simona to bed and then stuck around and lay on the sofa with her watching a movie until she fell asleep. She hadn’t heard him leave but felt him carry her to her bed and kiss her goodnight.

She’d wanted to pull him down, to snuggle up against his warm chest, but he must have known that when her daughter woke in the morning, there would be too many questions. Questions she wasn’t prepared to answer at this time.

What she needed was to have a chat with Kayla and find out just how she’d let CJ know she was dating Rowan. There were no manuals or books on how to explain to your young child that you were sleeping with a man and why.

The following day, she and Simona spent the entire time lying around the house, playing board games or watching her daughter’s favorite movies. By the end of the day, she was feeling back to her normal self and decided she needed to do something to thank Todd for helping her out.

One of her favorite pastimes was baking, so, with Simona’s help, she baked a large tray of brownies, the gooey triple-chocolate kind with fudge frosting and chocolate chunks and nuts all throughout. Then she became concerned that he might have a nut allergy, and she baked a second tray. She and Simona could enjoy whichever one he didn’t eat.

The following day, after dropping Simona off at day care, she drove out to the point and knocked on his door.

She noticed instantly that the dark SUV was no longer parked across from his place and wondered if that was a sign that he’d found out that the message had been from Brock. She was determined not to ask him the moment he opened the door.

She didn’t have to worry about that because, when he opened the door, she was distracted by the fact that he looked as green as the robe he was wearing.

“Oh no,” she groaned and pushed her way into his place to feel his forehead and see if he had a fever. “Why didn’t you call me and tell me it hit you too?” She set the tray of brownies on his countertop and then gasped at the destruction around his place. “You’re living here? With the place like this?”

He groaned and, instead of answering, rushed from the room. She heard him close the bathroom door and sighed. She wanted to be there for him, like he’d been there for her, so she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Kayla.

“Is it okay if Simona spends the night with you? Todd’s sick and I’d like to repay him for taking such good care of us when we were down.”

The response was almost immediate.

“Sure, we can swing by your place and pack her some clothes after lunch.”

“Thanks. I owe you one.”

“Rowan and I are wanting a night away. I’ll hit you up.”

“Any time.” She tucked her phone back in her pocket. There was a large pile of dishes in his sink, so she got to work.

He hadn’t been joking—his house was a disaster at the moment. What seemed like every piece of furniture he owned was sitting in the living room and dining room.

He’d started building the wall she’d helped him come up with but hadn’t gotten far. There were two-by-fours sitting in the area and some already in place, laid out where the wall would be. He had a roll of electric wire sitting with his tools along with other items he’d need to close in the section to build a mudroom and pantry.

By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, she’d cleaned his entire kitchen and had the brownies put away, since she remembered how she’d felt about any food being around her when she’d been sick.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

He groaned and she motioned to the spot she’d cleared on his sofa.

“Rest. I’ve arranged for Simona to stay at Kayla’s for the night.” She nudged him down onto the sofa and, after putting his feet up, covered him with a blanket. “You weren’t kidding when you said your place is a disaster.”

He sighed. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She sat gently next to him and looked at him. “Your color is a little better than it was when you opened the door.”