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She hissed through the line. “Ooh, nice? That’s the kiss of death.”
“There was just no... oomph,” I said, using the same word I had the night before with Ford. Nowhehad definitely shown me some oomph.
Damn it, Hardin,I silently scolded.Get your head out of the gutter already.
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I thought for sure you two would hit it off. But don’t worry. I’m not giving up. I’ll find you someone else. I promise.”
“You don’t have to do that, honestly. I think...” I needed to come up with a believable lie. It wasn’t that I thought anything more would happen between Ford and me, I wasn’t going to sign myself up for that kind of disappointment again, thank you very much, but I didn’t feel right about dating when I just had sex with someone else. It just wasn’t me. “I think I want to focus on myself for a bit. I’ve put so much time and energy into the restaurant and being a mom, I’m going to try and carve out more time for me.”
“That’s a great idea,” she readily agreed, and I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for misleading her. However, if I did what I said and really did try to take some me time—whatever the hell that looked like—it wouldn’t really be a lie. Problem solved! “You do what you need to do. You deserve great things, Hard. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, really.”
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll let you get back to your cleaning. I’ll let the other girls know it didn’t work out so they’ll stop hounding you.”
“I love you. You’re the best almost-sister in the whole world.”
She let out a snort. “Girl, don’t I know it.”
We said our goodbyes, hung up, and I got back to work.
It was funny how good sex could energize you, because I managed to clean my house faster than I ever had, and I actually contemplated cleaning out the shed that had needed it for years. Every month I said I was going to take care of that damn shed, finally getting rid of all the paint cans and broken-down lawn equipment, and every month I found a reason not to do it. Hell, even Keith, the picture of irresponsibility, had gotten on me more than once about how dangerous the shed could be, but so far, the whole “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy had worked wonders.
The shed had been on the property when I bought the house and hadn’t exactly been in the best condition. The previous owners had stashed old gas cans, cardboard boxes, and other bits of trash inside, and I’d only added to the chaos over time. It was mainly a catch-all storage for junk I didn’t want but the trash men wouldn’t haul away. Of course, as I stood at the kitchen window, staring out at it, I remembered that the thing was probably full of rats and snakes and spiders and decided I’d wait until next month.
I was in the middle of folding the last load of Hazel’s clothes when Keith’s truck pulled into the driveway.
My girl came flying through the front door like a whirlwind, throwing her arms around my waist and rocking me backward. I returned her embrace with a laugh. “Hey, honey.” I scooped her up into my arms and spun in a circle, squeezing her tight. “Oh, I missed you so much.”
She let out a giggle and hugged my neck tightly before pulling back. “I missed you too, Mommy.”
“Did you have fun with Daddy?”
I noticed her eyes cast downward and her smile dimmed a bit, which was so unlike my bright, shiny girl.
“We had a great time, didn’t we, honey? Me, you, and Hayley.”
My whole body went tight at the mention of Hayley, but I quickly unlocked my muscles before Hazel could notice. As much as I disliked the woman, if Keith was serious about her being in his life for the long-run, and Hazel’s by association, I wasn’t going to put my daughter in the uncomfortable position of feeling like she had to choose between me and them. As long as she was okay, I’d keep my lips sealed.
“Uh-huh,” she repeated with a little less enthusiasm than before.
“Good, baby. I’m glad.”
I placed her on her feet as Keith handed me her backpack. “Why don’t you go put your stuff up while I talk to your mom, yeah?”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Love you, love bug.” He pulled her into one last hug, then stood to his full height as she took off toward her bedroom.
I watched over my shoulder as she disappeared, only looking back at him, my smile long gone, once she was out of sight and earshot. I crossed my arms over my chest, the move more protective than anything. I was still pissed about our last meeting. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to him, but I couldn’t exactly kick him out of my house and cause a scene in front of my girl.
“So, what do you want to talk to me about?” I asked, getting right down to it.
“Well, first, I wanted to give you this.”
I took the check he handed me and unfolded it. The hundred dollars didn’t even come close putting a dent into what he owed, but laughing in his face wouldn’t have done any good, so I opted for the high road. I refolded the check and stuffed it into my back pocket. “Thanks,” I said flatly, resuming my earlier position. “If that’s all—”
“I know you said it wasn’t going to happen, but I’d like to reopen the conversation about custody.”
