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“It’s my pleasure.”
“Do your kids play soccer?”
“Um, no. Lauren, my oldest, did, but she has a medical condition that doesn’t allow her to play anymore right now.”
“Oh, dear, I hope it’s not too serious.”
“We hope so too,” I replied, not wanting to get too deeply into it. I was pretty sure that she’d ask Brad about it later, and he could tell her what he wanted to.
Patricia turned to Brad. “Do you need me to take them this afternoon, or are you going to be able to?”
Brad winced, and I quickly jumped in. “Go take care of your kids. You have been doing so much for me. You should spend time with them.”
“You sure?”
“Yep, I am going to start working on colors for the other rooms and replace a couple of light fixtures that I got while the power is off.”
“Alright, then I’ll help you get this cleaned up.”
“No, I got it.”
Patricia said her goodbyes and said she’d see me soon, and then Brad turned back to me after he thanked his mom.
“I could drop them off at this party and come back for a little while.”
“Don’t you have other things that need your attention?”
He laughed. “Maybe I don’t want to do those other things.”
“Well, go do them. You have done so much for me.”
“It has been my pleasure.” He approached me and pulled me into his arms. “I happen to like working with you.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I think you like it better when we aren’t working.”
“You caught me.” He grinned and then kissed me soundly. “If you need anything, just give me a shout.”
“I think I’ll be alright but thank you.”
He stepped back slowly. “Okay, but the offer stands. Would you be interested in coming over to my parents’ for dinner tonight?”
“Thank you, but no. I have things that I need to do for school.”
“Okay, then I’ll talk to you later. I assume you are going to be working after school here this week.”
“I will, but you won’t be. Spend time with your kids,” I urged him nicely. It wasn’t that I didn’t want his help or for him to be here; I just didn’t want him to get too attached.
He laughed. “I feel like I’m getting the brush-off.”
Whoops! “No, not at all. I just think you should focus on your kids while you have them.” I took his face in my hands. “I promise I will ask for your help when I need it. I really do appreciate everything that you have done for me. I took this project on because I wanted to do it. So far, I’ve had everyone else doing it. It’s time for me to focus on my house alone.”
“Alright, I get that, and you’re welcome.”
“Now, get out of here.” I leaned up on my toes and kissed him one more time. As he walked out of the room, I sighed to myself.
I liked Brad more and more each time we were together, but I knew that I couldn’t ask him to be part of my family. I had to keep space between us so that I didn’t fall in love with him. That was the last thing that either of us needed.
Chapter Twenty
