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She made a face at him. “I was so looking forward to a time when I wouldn’t have to worry about locking a door. Having the house to myself. A life for myself.” She shook her head, strong in her conviction. “I’ve enjoyed raising those kids, and even on the worst days I’ve really loved having a family. But it’s time for me now. I need to find myself and my place in the world. I never got that chance.”
On the one hand, she was upset with Cal for ruining her plans. And for his knee-jerk decision to defer university, plunging his whole future into question. But on the other, what had she done wrong as a parent figure to prevent Cal from moving on? To start his own life free of her hovering and warden-like tendencies—or so he always told her? What did she have to do to help him cut the ties and take responsibility for his own life? She couldn’t be his security blanket forever. Nor he and Ali, hers.
As if he couldn’t get away fast enough, Finn scooted away from her to the edge of the bed. “So, it’s true. And here I thought Mark was mistaken.”
“What do you mean? About what?”
“Last I heard, you wanted kids of your own. Like I do. But Mark seems to think that isn’t the case.”
Why was her whole family suddenly all up in her business? “Mark talks about me?”
Finn shrugged. “It just sort of came up.”
“Well—” Mark was right. He’d been around for some of her major kid rants. Finn didn’t see the behind-the-scenes action. “I already have my family. And I’ve also seen what marriage and babies can do to people. To relationships. I want a man who will walk beside me and enjoy life…just the two of us, without all those complications.”
He shook his head. “I know you, Veronica. You confided in me, remember?”
She remembered. Growing up, he’d needed to be sure she wasn’t enduring horrible things at the hands of creepy foster parents. So he’d pried. Probably a lot more than she should have let him.
All those years ago, she had wanted a family, wanted the normal life orphan and foster children dreamed of every day and every night. But things change. People move on. And her eight-year stint with motherhood was all she needed.
“I gave up on that idea a long time ago. When I was little I dreamed of being whisked off my feet, saved by a man who’d deliver me from my life of neglect and isolation. But that didn’t happen. I delivered myself. And as for children… Hell, teenagers are tough enough. I can’t even imagine babies. I gave Cal and Ali everything, eight years of my life, and I’m so glad I did. But now it’s time for me to go back and fulfill my other dreams—travel the world, grow my business, have fun on my own for a while without the ever-present responsibility. Maybe in another decade or two I’d be ready again…but it’ll be too late then.”
He looked genuinely mystified. “Don’t you want to be happy?”
“Shame on you.” She sat up, hugging the blanket to her chest. “Pretty arrogant to think I can only be happy with a husband and children in my life. Are you going to marry me? Sweep me off my feet and take all my troubles away?”
His silence told her everything she needed to know. “I didn’t think so.”
But she had a feeling there was more going on inside that beautiful head of his.
He said with an oddly neutral gaze, “You’re right. We’re just?
??fucking. Nothing more, nothing less.”
She nodded. “That was the plan.”
“In that case…” He reached out and pulled down the sheet she had tugged to her chest. “When can I see these again? I mean, you. When can I see you again?”
She laughed and smacked him on the arm. “Jerk.”
“I’m working at the restaurant the next two nights, but maybe after that?”
She frowned. “I’ll be in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a consultation. I won’t be around for a few days.”
He sat up straight. “I’ll come with you.”
Her stomach fluttered at the possibility of spending more time with him. Alone. No complications. No one walking in on them. But it was a business trip. “That’s not the best idea. I’ll be working all day. And you have to make sure Cal does his job at Carmel, and—”
Finn shook his head. “It’s probably best if I stay away from him for the next few days. Seeing as he’s seen us together. Naked. In bed. It’s a little traumatizing, don’t you think?”
He made it sound like leaving town was a good idea, but she had no intention of taking him away from his business, his life. “What about your restaurant?”
“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a vacation? I could use one.”
She snorted. “Niagara isn’t exactly a vacation.”
“Are you kidding? It’s the honeymoon capital of the world.”
