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He nods and waves at a woman who walks past with a stroller, then continues. “When my boy left her here, it was the best thing he could’ve done for her, but the worst thing I thought I’d ever see him do. Choose drugs over his baby. I was wrong. Finding out years later that he got clean, they both did, but they never came back for her was worse. They moved down to Florida, married, had two more kids and have decided to bury their pasts by pretending Maren doesn’t exist. Or me for that matter.”
I’m not even sure what to say. Drugs aren’t an excuse, but they are sometimes an explanation for why people do terrible things. But to recover and still not care? “Have you ever spoken to your son again?”
“I reached out a few times over the years, but he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to hear from me. I figured they were ashamed, you know? Of what they’d done. That eventually they’d get past it and want to meet their daughter, introduce their other kids to their sister and grandfather. It didn’t work out that way.”
“I’m sorry. That’s awful. Heartless.”
“It is. We got on well enough without them, but when the first people meant to love you don’t, it creates a hell of a void in a person. I’ve done my best to fill it, but it’s not a coincidence that Maren goes for men who can’t hold a job or have a steady housing situation. Whether she realizes it or not, she chooses men who would have a hard time abandoning her. Because she provides their basic needs.”
Years of hard won wisdom reflect in his eyes when he looks at me. “She doesn’t want to depend on you, just the opposite.”
“She wants to know I won’t leave.”
“Now you’re getting it.” Ronnie gets to his feet with a grunt. “I like you, but it goes without saying that if you screw her over, not even the best investigator will find your body.”
Ronnie may not be her father, but Maren definitely gets her personality from him. “Understood. I’m headed back home. Can I give you a ride?”
“No thanks. I’m enjoying my walk.” He starts down the walkway to the street, then looks back. “Don’t wait too long to tell her how you feel. It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.”
“I won’t.” After he’s gone, I sit for another few minutes, thinking over the things he’s told me. Maren has been through so much. It makes sense that she’d be insecure in relationships, despite her confidence and healthy self-esteem. She doesn’t doubt herself. She doubts everyone else.
There are more ways than financially that a person can be needed and no matter how long it takes, I’ll make sure Maren understands that I need her too.
When I return to the office, she’s helping Theo who locked himself out by loaning him a spare key. As soon as the door closes behind him, I slap a sheet of paper down on the desk in front of her.
“Today’s the day!”
“The day for what?” She scans the paper, then looks up at me. “You got a doctor’s note to have sex?”
“The doctor offered to give me a note for my employer, stating that I could return to duty. Instead, I asked for a note for my employee stating that I could return to booty. He was happy to do it.”
“You’re an idiot,” she giggles, but she grabs the page and tucks it in her desk when I try to retrieve it. “I still owe you a date. Tonight?”
“Of course. Did you think I’d put out for nothing?”
“Ha! You’d strip naked right here.”
“Also an acceptable plan.”
“Nope. Seven o’clock?”
“Okay, I’m driving.”
“Fine, but I’m paying.” When I open my mouth to protest, she glares at me. “I’m the one who asked you out so save your bullshit argument.”
Fuck, I can’t wait to get her into bed tonight. “Where do you want to go? The bar? Movie theater?”
“No, I have another idea. You’ll see.”
Her grin is adorable. Whatever it is that she’s planning, she’s excited about it.
CHAPTER
TWENTY
MAREN
Cooper’s truck pulls into the driveway at seven p.m. sharp, and I meet him at the door. “Did you really drive across the street to pick me up?”
