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“Yes, yes, I do. I’m sorry. There’s so much I have to do. You know school’s starting soon. I haven’t gotten her school supplies and she’s going through another growth spurt so I need to get her new clothes.” I slam my lips shut. I’m babbling like an idiot. I need to get myself under control.
He nods but he studies me carefully and I see his eyes slide down to my hands.
“Chris specifically requested you be his liaison, Carinna. I didn’t think it would be a problem.” Hattie’s eyes have that damn twinkle in them that means she’s fixing to cause trouble. Damn, I hate that twinkle. The interfering busybody just can’t help herself.
“I know that ten is a big thing for any child. I mean she’s about to be a preteen. That’s so much for a young girl to handle.”
“Ten?”Shit, shit, shit!
I glare at Hattie, my eyes filling with tears. Sympathy lights up her own eyes and I know. She knows. She probably knew all along. And she thinks this is going to fix something that she feels is broken.
But it’s my life. And she shouldn’t interfere. My choices, my future.
“Hey, mom! Can I go over to see the new playground equipment they’re putting in.”
A wobbly smile tugs at my lips when I turn to see my knobby-kneed, precocious and precious daughter. “Sure, baby. You go right ahead. I’m going to be a few more minutes here with Miss Hattie.”
She smiles at the mayor and Hattie grins at her. “Hello, darling! How are you doing?”
“Good.” My daughter’s eyes slide over to Chris and I know the exact moment he sees. His beautiful eyes widen and his mouth drops open. Then he snaps it shut and fury blazes in the bright blue. The same bright blue eyes that are currently fixed on him curiously.
“I think we have some things to talk about, Carinna!” he growls and I flinch, my heart hammering in my chest.
Hattie smiles at Maddy, holding out her slim hand covered with rings. “How about I walk you over and we get an ice cream to eat while you take a look at what they’re building.”
“Yay! Is that cool, mom?” She’s bouncing in place on her fuchsia and orange tennis shoes. My heart wants to tell her no. Tell her to stay close. But my head knows that this is not the time or place to have the discussion that’s coming. Not in front of her.
Lord! I blow out a breath and let it slowly leak out. Like I can slow time down just by wishing it.
But it doesn’t happen and I nod to Hattie and Maddy. “Sure, baby. You go have fun.” I glare at Hattie. “I’ll talk to you later.”
She nods slightly but I know it’s useless. I was living on borrowed time and I should have known sooner or later my life was going to blow up in my face.
Maddy skips off, chattering a mile a minute to the mayor who watches her with a slight smirk.
Then I turn to look at Chris. His tall, lean and muscular body is practically vibrating with rage.
“Why didn’t you fucking tell me, Carinna?”
