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eighteen
scarlett
“Were you ever going to tell me you had a son?” Kellen asks once we’ve parked ourselves on the bench outside Books A Latte.
Greyson continues to watch us from afar. It’s clear he doesn’t approve of Kellen, but as I glance back to the confused contractor beside me, I can’t fault him for being irritated at me. I kept my son a secret. What kind of person does that make me?
“Yes. At some point, I would’ve told you about Theo, but we haven’t known each other long. I don’t bring a lot of men around him. I was being cautious.” As if my books will shield me from the conversation, I hold my bag close to my chest.
“And Greyson is his dad.” Annoyance bleeds through his voice and my hackles raise.
“He’s a great dad to Theo. And important to me. Any man who wants to be in my life has to understand that.”
“I meant no offense, Scarlett. It complicates things.” The shrewd expression on his face a direct contradiction.
“How so?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He sighs, rubbing his hands down his pants. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“No, tell me.” I persist. I’m tired of skirting around issues. I already have one child. I don’t need another one in adult form.
Kellen rubs at his clenched jaw before facing me. “I’ve never dated a woman who had a kid before. It’s new to me. It threw me, that’s all. Sorry if it came across as rude. He seems like an awesome kid.” The words seem forced past his lips, the tick in his cheek twitching.
“If this isn’t working for you, we don’t have to keep it up.” I hold my breath for his response.
He scoops my hand in his and holds it tight. I note how clammy they are. “No, I like you. I think it’s great you have a son. I’d love to really meet him sometime.”
Something close to disappointment hugs my stomach. Iwantedhim to let me go.
“He’s an amazing kid. Smart with a sharp tongue and a soft spot in his heart for his mom.” My chest swells when I think about Theo and his tender personality.
“Who wouldn’t? You’re a fantastic woman, more than deserving of those best mom ever mugs.” He takes my hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my palm.
I wait for the clouds to part, for the singing cherub to descend, arrows locked and loaded.
Nothing but the sound of an exhaust pipe as the car next to us belches out fumes before it drives away.
My pulse doesn’t race, my skin doesn’t heat, my hand hangs limply in his. This is my sign. There’s no chemistry, so why am I forcing something that isn’t there?
One glance back to the ice-cream parlor and I have my answer. I’m creating a complication to mask another.
Sighing, I pull back my hand and accepting defeat, I reach into my bag for the tiny cake. “Want to share my cake?” I break it in half, and he takes it graciously. He doesn’t appear to notice my unenthusiastic response to his kiss, and that should tell me all I need to know.
We eat in silence, but it’s not comforting. It’s laced with tension and not of the good kind in meeting someone new. Now, as I sit here, watching another man enjoy my cake, my only wish is to be across the street with my little family.
* * *
“Here you go, girl scout.”I toss the box of cookies onto Grey’s lap after I let myself in to pick up Theo for the night.
“What’s this for? I feel like I owe you, not the other way around. That was super awkward, by the way.”
I plop down next to him, acutely aware of him as I lay my head on his thick bicep, holding out my hand for a cookie. He opens the package and palms the chocolate and peanut butter treat into my waiting hand.
Greyson chews and then swallows. I let out a sigh. “I should’ve just left you alone. I don’t know what came over me.” He puts his arm around me and draws me in tight and it feels so right, my chest threatens to explode. Fireside and wilderness envelopes me as I ponder the predicament I’ve gotten myself into.
“How did he take the news of Theo?” His voice rumbles in his chest, those vibrations settling deep into my body, and I ignore the dips in my belly at how close we are.
I blow out a breath. “Fine, I guess. I don’t even know what to do about him anymore. There’s no spark with him and I feel like I’m leading him on.”
