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“But nothing can happen between us. He’s married and has a daughter who’s friends with Love. I can’t go there.”
After glimpsing his wedding ring sparkling on his left hand, my heart sank. I should have known he had a wife waiting for him to come home. Just my luck. I moved to a new town in another state to start over, and here I am, back at square one, lusting after a married man again.
“Is that your only excuse?” Selina tents her hands in front of her face, her eyes locked on me.
“Excuse? It’s not an excuse. I’ve already been the other woman before, Selina, and I refuse to do that again. I’m not a homewrecker.”
“Good thing Connor isn’t married. Well, he is, but he also isn’t.”
My eyebrows pull down in confusion, trying to make sense of what Selina said. “Please explain. How cansomeone be married and not married at the same time? Is he going through a divorce or something?”
“His wife died during childbirth. So, while he’s married and completely devoted to his deceased wife, he is, in fact, single.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. He has his parents and all of us, just like you, but he’s been raising Jade all alone. She’s a good kid, and he’s an amazing father, but he doesn’t notice women. The fact he noticed you at all is a miracle.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I roll my eyes at her before crossing my arms over my chest.
“I don’t mean it as a snub.” Selina scoffs, “You’re gorgeous. Any man would be lucky to have you, but Connor doesn’t notice anyone of the opposite sex. Lydia, Connor, and I had been friends since we were younger. They got married after graduation, got pregnant with Jade, and we all thought they’d grow old together, but it seems the universe had other plans.”
My heart aches at the thought of losing someone who meant so much to me. I’ve been searching for that kind of love my entire life and haven’t even come close. I used to go to bed every day hoping that the next day I’d find the love of my life, but I’ve realized that might not be in the cards for me. I have Love, and that’s enough. Connor is probably the same way. He lost the only woman he’s ever loved and has now devoted himself to raising their daughter.
“We’ve tried for years to set him up on a date, but he’s never taken an interest in anyone. Until today.”
“You think he’s interested in me?” I scoff, trying to think of any other reason for our awkward conversation in the café. “He was just being neighborly. You are all friends. Of course, he’d make it a point to help me feel welcome.”
“Almost kissing someone goes beyond being neighborly,” Love chimes in as she comes strolling toward us. “Emersyn is finishing up. It seems like I arrived just in time.”
“No one asked you.”
“No, they didn’t, but I have eyes. The way Connor looked at you meant something.”
“Just give it a chance, Audrey.” Selina pushes to her feet, throwing her arm over my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “There’s no harm in being nice to someone.”
“No, there isn’t, but I’m not dating. Not now or ever again. I need to focus on Love. She’s entering a very important time in her life, and I need to be there for her, not chasing after some pipe dream of finding true love.”
“Don’t use me as an excuse, Mom. You always tell me that sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find a prince.”
“I’ve kissed my fair share of frogs. I don’t think my prince is ever coming.”
“You never know. He might be right in front of you. All you have to do is open your heart,” Selina responds without missing a beat.
“I could say the same about you and Vance.” I’m fully aware that I should know nothing about her relationship with him, but thanks to Leia, I know some of the details.
“We aren’t talking about me or my ex-boyfriend.”
“Fair enough, but regardless of Connor’s relationship status, I refuse to be a replacement for someone else. Been there, done that.”
“Just get to know him, Audrey. See what happens. I promise Connor is nothing like Ian.”
“How about we get Love signed up for classes?” I change the subject, not wanting to talk about Connor Bennett any longer. “Thanks again for allowing Love to sit in on a class. Leaving her last studio was hard for both of us.”
“No problem. Love is an amazing dancer. She must take after her favorite aunt.”
“Already fighting for the favorite aunt title?” I shake my head as Selina hands me a stack of paperwork to fill out.
“I don’t have a favorite. Well, unless telling you that you’re my favorite aunt is to my advantage.”
