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I tried to hide my smile when Ashley simply stood there with a dumbfounded expression on her face. She finally turned around and looked at me. “You’d really make me leave rather than let me spend the night in your house?”
Palmer stood. “You’re more than welcome to stay here if you’d like.”
“What?” Ashley and I said in unison.
“There’s no way she’s staying in your place,” I said. “I don’t want her anywhere near Charlie.”
Ashley sighed. “Fine, I’ll go to the stupid bed and breakfast.”
Headlights shone through the front windows of Palmer’s house, signaling that Tim was here.
“Looks like your ride’s here,” I said as I moved to get Ashley’s coat. She grabbed it from me and hastily put it on.
“This isn’t over, Mason. I want to see Charlie.”
I balled my fists at my side. I was about to lay into her when Palmer stepped between us. “I’ll walk out and introduce you to Tim.”
With a huff, Ashley followed Palmer out of the house. The moment the door shut, I started to pace. I wanted to hit something. What in the hell was she thinking, showing up here? And on Christmas day of all days. I was glad Charlie had been exhausted and had already fallen asleep.
A few moments later, the door opened and Palmer rushed back in. “Okay, Tim is taking her to the Seaside Bed and Breakfast. Glad that is over.”
I walked over to Palmer and helped her take her coat off. When she turned to face me, I closed my eyes and sighed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
When I looked down into those ocean blue eyes of hers, I wanted to pull her to me and lose myself in her. I wanted to forget all about Ashley and whatever bullshit she was up to. I only wanted to think about the woman standing in front of me and the way she made me feel.
“I don’t know. It feels like I should say I’m sorry.”
“Not on my account,” Palmer stated as she picked up the tray and headed into her kitchen. “Do you think she’s really here to see Charlie?”
I rubbed at the ache in the back of my neck. “No, not at all. I mean, not unless she grew a conscience, which I highly doubt is the case.”
Palmer cleaned out the coffeepot, then put the mugs back into the cabinet before she leaned against the counter and studied me. “Then why do you think she’s here?”
I slowly shook my head. “I don’t know. My first guess is money.”
“Does she have any legal recourse to see Charlie?”
“No, none. As a matter of fact, I need to alert the school that only four people are allowed to check Charlie out. You, me, and my parents.”
“She had to have come here with someone. She didn’t walk to your house in those designer boots and coat.”
I nodded. “I’ll call my brother tomorrow and see if he’s been in contact with her. From what she says, he won’t speak to her or see her.”
Palmer gave me an understanding smile.
“Thank you for finding her a place,” I said. “You’re nicer than me. I wouldn’t have given two shits if she’d slept under a bridge tonight.”
She pushed off the counter and took a few steps closer to me. “You don’t mean that.”
“The hell I don’t.” I closed my eyes and cursed. “You don’t understand, Palmer. That woman brings out the worst in me. She gave up Charlie without even thinking twice. Which tells me one thing: she’s here for something other than Charlie.”
Her eyes went wide, and for a moment, I saw something cross her face that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. “Do you think she wants you back?”
I tossed my head back and laughed. “I highly doubt that. She knows I can’t stand to even be in the same room as her. No, it’s something else. My mom and dad are here, and she knew that and came anyway. She wants us all together for some reason.”
Dropping down onto the sofa, I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Why can’t she stay away from us?”
I felt the couch dip as Palmer sat next to me. She took my hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Don’t stress over this, Mason. It’s been a wonderful day, and I don’t want her to take that away from you.”
Smiling, I kept my eyes closed because it felt so damn good to relax. With Palmer sitting next to me, I could feel myself calming down. “It was an amazing day.”
I felt myself slowly relax more and more, until a peaceful contentment finally washed over me.
Palmer
Oh dear.
I stood and stared at Mason who had fallen asleep on my sofa. And he was in a dead sleep, snoring and all.
I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and found Mason’s number. I knew he’d left his phone in the kitchen at his place, and I was hoping it wasn’t on silent. Hitting the green button, I waited for either Jen or Dan to answer.
