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I tried to stop the smile at his obvious consternation that I thought school was hard for him. “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do.”
He toed the floor with his shoe. “It sucks.”
“It does. But it’s important you do your best.”
He nodded.
“You’d better get to work. Your dad will want to see how far you got today.”
That got Corey in motion. He wanted Ryan to be proud of him. It was a good sign. A contrast to when he first moved here and got his father’s attention by getting into trouble. And I didn’t think it was just the threat of his court case looming over him or the judge’s opinion. He wanted to impress Ryan and Reid.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll have my phone nearby.”
He nodded before turning back to the paint can, opening and mixing it with the stick.
Heading back downstairs, I mentally went through the list of things I could give him to do when he was done painting the whole apartment and cleaning it from top to bottom, especially the bathroom and kitchen.
I liked having him around. Work probably gave him a sense of responsibility and purpose. And he was too young to work anywhere else. I ignored the thought that I looked forward to seeing Ryan at the end of the night.
For the next two hours, I was busy with customers. When I asked one group how they heard about my shop, they said it was the barista at the coffee shop.
I’d have to thank Brooke for the referral. Over the years, I’d probably sent more people in her direction than she’d sent in mine, but only because most tourists didn’t ask where the spices were sold.
I was cleaning the spice counter when Ryan arrived. I wiped my hands on a towel before moving to greet him.
He smiled. “Hailey.”
My heart rate sped up at the sound of my name on his lips. I could almost imagine him saying it in bed. My imagination was going haywire. There was no way that would ever happen.
I paused in front of him, his gaze gliding over me, warming my skin. I almost wished he were here because he wanted to see me, not because he needed to pick up Corey.
My mind was all over the place today. I needed to focus on why he was here, and it wasn’t to ogle me.
I should show him up to the apartment so he could take Corey home, but I wanted to tell him what Corey said. “I should let you know that Corey apologized for breaking in and damaging the store.”
Ryan let out a breath. “Oh, good. I was hoping he would.”
“You put him up to it?” That deflated me a little. I’d hoped that Corey had taken that step on his own.
“Not exactly. He mentioned feeling bad about it, and I suggested apologizing might help.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I mentioned how I was once the new girl in school, and I understood a little of what he was going through. I was younger when it happened to me, but that feeling of being left behind is the same.”
Ryan stilled. “Is that how he feels? That his mother left him?”
“More like sent him way. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make anyone feel badly, or make it seem like I’m judging you or Tiffany. I’m sure raising a kid is difficult.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Especially when the parents live so far apart.”
“You’re doing your best, and trust me, he sees that.”
“Does he?” The expression on Ryan’s face was one of vulnerability.
“How could he not? You’re here. You care what he’s doing, what he eats. Kids notice those things.”
His eyes filled with concern, and he opened his mouth like he was going to say something before he seemed to think better of it and closed his mouth.
Suddenly uncomfortable at what I’d just revealed, I rushed to add, “I just wanted him to know he’s not alone. I hope I didn’t overstep.”
