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“Don’t get me wrong. She’s everything to me. I wouldn’t trade her for the world. And I would love to give her a positive female role model. A…a mother who’s actually around. But it’s hard to find someone willing to step into a ready-made family.”
“That’s crazy. I don’t get why someone wouldn’t want that. Like, as long as a guy wanted more kids, I wouldn’t care. You know?”
My smile faded as I realized how his gaze had heated. And he was looking at me so intently.
I downed the rest of my wine.When will you learn to shut up, Cara?“I should go.” I hurried out of the kitchen, into the front hall, and pulled on my coat.
Wesley followed, much to my chagrin. “Let me walk you out.”
He wouldn’t take no for an answer, I was sure of that. Wesley followed me out to my car and stepped in front of me to open the door.Aw hell, he’s a gentleman, too.
“Hope I didn’t keep you too late.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s…” I trailed off. “I know I haven’t known Lucy very long, but I think we’re really getting along well.”
Wesley nodded. “I think so, too.”
“She’s a great kid.”
“Thank you.”
A cold January wind danced around us. Wesley wasn’t even wearing a coat. Goose bumps broke out on his skin, but he didn’t flinch.
“I know you have so many responsibilities. But I know she’d love to see more of you. I don’t mean to overstep or anything, but —”
Wesley interrupted quickly. “I’m working on it, Cara. That’s why I’ve brought you on. I’m working really hard to have everything automated for the summer so I can take some time off and be with her. It’s hard when I’m on my own.”
“I know, I didn’t mean to —”
“I know you didn’t.”
I grabbed his hand. “Thank you for trusting me with her.” I hadn’t meant to do it, but once I had, the warmth of his hand in mine shot through me.
Wesley glanced at our hands and then back at me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I fought not to close my eyes, lean into him. “Let me know when you get home, alright?”
“I will.”
After I got into the car, Wesley waited on the curb until it started, and I drove off. I watched him in my rearview mirror until the very last moment, when I turned off his street.
And I didn’t stop thinking about him the rest of the night.
Chapter10
Wesley
I awoke to my phone buzzing on my night stand, its vibrating even louder and more ominous than usual.
I cracked my eyes open and groaned. I’m no lightweight when it comes to drinking, but four glasses of wine had left me with a horrible headache. I’d need coffee as soon as possible to avert a hangover. I couldn’t afford hangovers with Lucy around, especially on the weekends.
I grabbed my phone and looked at the screen to see who was calling.
No. No fucking way.
Lisbeth. My ex-wife. Lucy’s mother. The only time she called was holidays and Lucy’s birthday. She and I hardly ever spoke if we could help it. There was never anything to say. We’d made it through the divorce by the skin of our teeth. That meant we were done. That’s how I’d always seen it.
So why was she calling on a random Saturday in January?
I let it ring and buried my head under my pillow. Maybe I could eke out just a bit more sleep before —
