AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I didn’t see any regret on her face. I wanted more mornings like that. Her in my house, sleeping in my bed. It wasn’t possible yet, but I hoped one day it would be.
Abby grabbed the fresh pancakes and went to sit with the boys while I made coffee. By the time I’d sat down to eat, the boys had cleared their dishes and were playing video games.
“I let Brody play in the morning, so I can drink my coffee in peace.”
“I don’t mind,” Abby said, but she looked uncertain.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m just thinking about the photos I took last night. I’m eager to start editing.”
I knew what it was like to start a project and want to finish it. “Of course.”
She wasn’t ready for the thoughts and feelings swirling in my head. It was too much, too soon. I’d bide my time and ease her into things slowly.
“We have practice today,” I said more to myself than her. It meant I had an excuse to see her. It wouldn’t be like last night when I had her all to myself. But it was something.
“I’m hoping to get some work done this morning, then spend some time with Hunter.”
“I’d offer to keep Hunter this morning, but I know you said Sundays were your only day with him.”
“Speaking of, we should get going.” She cleared her dishes, and the words asking her to stay got lodged in my throat. I wouldn’t ask her again. She needed to come to me. And she needed time to process the thing between us. To realize we had more than a friends-with-benefits relationship. It had always been more.
“Yeah, I have things to do too.” Even though I didn’t. I didn’t need to work today, and other than baseball practice, we had no plans.
“Thank you for the pancakes,” she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
“Thank you for last night,” I said, my voice low.
Her eyes darted to the living room and back to me.
I didn’t dare kiss her or say anything more. She was clearly uncomfortable with the boys nearby.
Her face smoothed out. “Thanks again for watching Hunter yesterday.”
“Anytime.” I wanted to ask her if she felt the same, but I wasn’t stupid enough to ask her out loud. I kept repeating she needed time.
Abby moved into the living room to tell Hunter it was time to go. There were a lot of groans and protests, but Abby was firm that she needed to get home and do a few things before practice.
I suspected she wanted space and distance from what we’d shared. And I’d give her that. As I watched them gather their things and leave, I wondered how much time she’d need. Would she ever come around?
She arrived at practice late and took off as soon as it was over. I expected her to pull back, but I hoped last night would have brought us closer. I hated that feeling—that I wasn’t good enough for her.
During the week, I tried to focus on work. I looked forward to our afternoons together, but she’d texted to say she had meetings with potential wedding clients all week and wouldn’t be home.
I finished working on her books, typed up a summary of my conclusions and the health of her business. She was steadily growing, but I could see her refusal to pay for help would eventually limit what she could do and her income.
I thought about emailing the results to her, but I wanted an excuse to see her. I wanted time with her alone.
On Thursday, Austin’s case was in the news. He was going to court for his arraignment. There was speculation about whether he’d plead guilty and whether the shop owners would receive compensation for their damages.
Each time I heard it come on TV, I forced myself to listen. I wanted to be ready for anything that happened. Would the kids be talking about it at school? Would they connect the dots and figure out it was Brody’s father?
By the time Brody came home from school, my stomach was tight. I waited for him on the porch, looking for any sign that things hadn’t gone well at school.
Brody’s face was a mask. When we were inside, I asked how his day went. He washed his hands in the bathroom and moved to sit on the stool by the island while I set crackers and apples in front of him.
Brody stared at the food but didn’t take it. “Did Dad plead guilty?”
