AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Actually, he doesn’t. I’ve never seen him that warm to anyone, my ex-wife and me included.”
Her face drops. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“You didn’t. Thank you. It was wonderful to see him that way. It’s good to know he has it in him. If you get him to speak, you officiallywillbe superwoman.”
“I didn’t realize it. I thought he was just being shy because he didn’t know me.”
I shake my head. “It’s a little deeper than that. His doctors don’t seem to think it’s anything more than social anxiety. Despite my protests, my ex-wife wouldn’t socialize him. I think that’s part of it. She’s also a bit cold.”
“How were you married to a cold woman? When I met you, you were anything but cold. You were incredibly warm.”
She places her hand over her mouth in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. That slipped. It’s not my business.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. Yes, I consider myself warm. We weren’t a match. Let’s just say that she’s nothing like you.”
She pinches her eyebrows together, as if in thought. “He’s great with Trex, our cat. Valentina said you don’t have any pets. Have you ever considered getting one?”
“No. It’s hard with the kids normally splitting time between our houses. Why?”
“I think they’re supposed to help kids with anxiety. There is a lot of science on it. It’s soothing. Perhaps that’s why he was comfortable here. He definitely latched on to Trex right away. I originally got the cat when my ex-husband stopped spending time with Luke. I think he helped Luke cope.”
“I never considered it. Perhaps I’ll look into a pet. That might be a good idea.”
She smiles. It warms my heart.
I can’t help but take her hand in mine. It’s soft and feminine. I see her cheeks flush and her breathing picks up. She’s as affected by my touch as much as I am by hers. I get a thrill from that. She’s staring at my lips. She wants me to kiss her. I desperately want to.
But then I look at her trusting, sweet face and pull my hand away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I wasn’t complaining, Dominic.” She visibly swallows. “I’m…I’m still very attracted to you.” She moves her eyes down, as if she’s embarrassed by it.
I tilt her chin back up so our eyes meet and give her a small smile. “I’m attracted to you too, princesa, but I’m not the right man for you. You’re a kind, amazing woman. You should find a nice guy who will commit to you and treat you well. I’m not him.”
“You seem nice to me.”
She’s so beautiful and innocent when she says that. She has no idea.
“I’m not. I have issues. You deserve better.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know that I’ve ever been with a nice guy who treats me well.” She smiles in a way that doesn’t quite reach those beautiful eyes of hers and sarcastically adds, “Maybe I should find one and give it a go.”
“Your ex wasn’t nice?”
“Nope. Even at our best, we were never great, and he wasnevernice to me. I was just a kid when we started dating. I didn’t know any better. It was doomed from the start, but I was too young and naïve to see it.”
She motions toward the room where the kids are doing the puzzle. “He doesn’t make time for Luke. He’s in and out of his life. I’m sure it’s confusing for Luke. You know what pisses me off? He’ll be gone from our lives for months at a time, and then he’ll just walk in the front door like he owns the place. No call ahead. No knocking. He’ll simply walk in and plop down on the couch as if he owns the place.”
“Maybe it’s time to change the locks.”
“As you know, it’s a code, which happens to be Luke’s birthday. Part of me feels bad changing it because he should have access to Luke, but the disrespect drives me nuts.”
“If I were you, I’d change the code.”
“Maybe I should, but I still hold out hope for a relationship between him and Luke.”
I let out a small laugh. “Like I said, you’re too sweet for me.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
