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The conversation came to an end as Ann came out with all the leads. The dogs rushed to her side, and he watched her.
The instant he had seen her, he’d found her striking, no doubt about that. Even now as she bent down, and helped the dogs, she was … everything.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he looked at the other woman who merely smiled at him as if she knew the trouble his thoughts were giving him. This wasn’t what he wanted, far from it.
Fuck.
Why did she have to look at him like that?
“Is everything okay?” Ann asked, coming to his side.
“Perfect.” He took three of the leads and smiled at the women.
“Eli, a little advice,” Elizabeth said. “Don’t fight it.”
He walked down the street with Ann. No one else was awake yet, and the dogs were well trained.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, of course. Why?”
“You’re glaring.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“What did Elizabeth say? She believes in the houses thing. Don’t worry about her. She told me she’s seen the houses bring a lot of couples together.”
She might not be wrong.
Walking beside Ann, he found himself glancing her way, watching her.
No, he couldn’t fall for her.
This move wasn’t about him finding love. It was about offering Katie some stability. He didn’t get the opportunity to find love. It wasn’t in his makeup. Love was for people who didn’t run companies or didn’t want to settle down. His parents had the perfect marriage, and he knew he wasn’t going to find that.
They made it to the park, one he didn’t even realize was around. Ann bent down once again and let the dogs loose. They ran off, each of them chasing a ball he hadn’t realized she had.
He took her hand, wanting to hold her. Pulling her close, he grabbed the ball, and tossed it across the ground, watching as it landed on the ground. The dogs barked excitedly and came back.
“Do you like dogs?” she asked.
“Love them.”
“Have you ever owned one?”
“No. I’ve always been too busy to get one.”
“Oh,” she said. “I’m thinking about getting a dog.”
“You are?”
“Katie did tell you, remember?”
He vaguely had a recollection of it. With the ball back in his hand, he threw it again.
“I don’t want you seeing other men,” he said.
“I’m not.”
“I want to make this exclusive.” He felt her tense at his side.
“I’m not sure I know what that means. I’m not with anyone else but you. Have you been with other women?”
“No. What I’m saying is, I don’t want to hide that we’re a couple from Katie anymore. I want you to come with me to pick her up.” He didn’t know why the fuck he was saying this. It went against the rules he’d put in place.
“Oh, okay, sure.”
He threw the ball and turned to her. “Look, I don’t know what this is. I’m not promising you forever. I don’t believe the bullshit people keep saying about the houses, and I’m not acting on this because of that.”
“You’re acting strange.”
“I know that, but I don’t want to lose you, Ann.” He cupped her cheek.
“You’re not going to lose me. I’m right here.” She turned her face and kissed his inner palm.
He needed to talk to his dad, or someone. He didn’t understand what was going on with him. Love wasn’t something he wanted or believed in. Love was for fools who felt they needed a reason to marry or to stay together. For a long time, he’d settled for the pleasures of the flesh, but this was more than that. This was his life and he had come to find nighttimes were the worst. He would reach out and she wouldn’t be there.
Sleeping alone was his style, but after waking up with her in his arms, he had found it overrated. No, it couldn’t be love. He refused to fall for her, or even the notion of being in love. It was stupid. But what if he already had fallen? What if his feelings for her couldn’t be switched off? Was he too far gone? Had he already fallen in love with her?
“I don’t believe in the houses either, Eli.” She went on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I will follow your lead. Katie’s your daughter, and I will do what you ask of me, always.”
He kissed her back, harder.
He couldn’t promise her forever, but he could offer her a good time now. Closing his eyes, he let himself go, only for the dogs to come around his feet and start yapping at him to throw the ball.
Chapter Nine
One month later
With the graveyard in place, the bones protruding from the ground, and Halloween cookies on the kitchen counter setting, Ann stepped back and saw the display as Eli finished hanging the lights. Halloween was three days away, and they’d decided to decorate both of their houses.
