“I-I don’t know what to say.” My trembling fingers dance over every element of the stone, taking a bit longer on the little fingers and, of course, the shooting star. “I love it so much.” Bending, I pull Jett in for a hug. “Thank you, sweetie. It’s the best Mother’s Day gift ever.”
To Jesse, all I can do is smile, with tears gathering quickly in my eyes. “Thank you.”
Jesse nods toward the house, his throat working as he swallows, almost like the moment caught him off guard, too. “You’re welcome. Do you want me to put it on the porch for now?
“Please.” Jett and I follow as he sets it on the little table where I have my morning coffee. “You two have perfect timing. In fact, I think we’ll put it in the garden first thing tomorrow. What do you say, sweet pea?”
“Uh huh.” He nods and then suddenly his eyes go wide. “Uh oh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Gotta go potty.”
“Well, get inside, silly boy!” I swat his butt as he hurries away, leaving the front door open behind him. “Does he really need to grow up so fast?” I sigh. “I mean, can’t we just hit pause for awhile?”
Jesse chuckles. “Right? Are you still thinking about putting him in preschool this fall?”
“Definitely. The socialization will be good for him and I think he’s more than ready. He’d write his name all day if he could.”
“Not a bad thing.” Jesse smiles. “Is there anything you need me to do for that? Paperwork to sign or something?”
“No, but we’re supposed to tour the school in a few weeks when classes are done for the year. You’re welcome to come with if you want.”
He nods. “Absolutely.”
“I mean, if you’re busy at work, don’t feel obligated. It’s not going to look any different than any other school.”
“Yeah, but it’s the school our kid is going to go to.”
God, the way he says our kid…
I gulp hard and lock my hands together in front of me. “Great. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Please do.” He holds my gaze for a long beat, making my mouth go dry.
Without thinking, I lick my lips and, when those blue eyes drop to the movement, I bite the corner of my mouth to keep from doing it again. “I never said thank you.”
“Actually, you did.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Heat fills my cheeks and I blink so nervously that I can actually feel my lashes brush my cheeks. “Too much sun today, I think.”
“You do look a little pink.” He reaches up and runs the back of his fingers along my cheekbone. “Feel a little warm, too.”
My breath lodges once again inside my chest. I’m definitely overheated, but I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with the sun.
I’m also keenly aware that it’s been years since he’s touched me, and I like it far more than I have any right to.
That doesn’t stop me from reaching out and curling my fingers around his wrist where his skin is inked over thick bands of muscle. “Jesse…”
His gaze drops to the connection and the tendons in his neck flex as he swallows. There’s a tension between us… a crackling in the air…
And then the sound of tires crunching to a stop in the driveway slices through the moment, and I drop my hand at the same time Jesse takes a step back.
He scrubs a hand over his face and clears his throat, as if to say something, but Jett comes running back outside instead.
“Hey, little man, come give me a hug,” he mutters. When Jett jumps into his arms, our eyes meet once again and I look away.
Whatever just transpired between us probably shouldn’t have. Their affection is also my weakness and, if the last few minutes are any indication, it’s not my only one.
Lane approaches with a manila folder and a guarded smile. “You made it home, huh, bud?” He reaches out and playfully jostles Jett’s leg, but instead of responding, he buries his face in Jesse’s neck instead.
“Hey, man,” Jesse says, somewhat tense. “How’s the investment business these days?”
“Can’t complain.” Lane chuckles, his arm sliding naturally—and maybe a little possessively—around my waist.
“Good to hear,” Jesse replies, but his focus is back on Jett. “Time for me to go. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Jett nods and I can’t help but notice his little fists balling tight in Jesse’s T-shirt. “Love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too.” Jesse presses a kiss to his ear, and Jett’s little body shakes with silent emotion.
I can’t watch what comes next. I can’t watch him set Jett down. I can’t watch him ruffle his hair like he always does. I can’t watch him walk away while our little boy sits on the porch steps with sad, puppy dog eyes as he drives away.
I can’t do any of it without falling apart and I wish I could say that I don’t know why.
The truth is I’ve held it together for four years, nine months and a handful of days because of two weeks.
Two weeks that meant more to me than I’ve ever told anyone.
Chapter 6
JESSE
What the hell was that?
I scrub a hand down my face and crank the truck toward the northbound exit, my foot heavy on the gas.
I knew something was off the second I saw her today. Her eyes were a little wild and she’d clung to Jett a little harder than usual. I automatically assumed something was going on with her and Lane, and that same old switch flipped without hesitation.
The gift was just a convenient coincidence, but telling her she was beautiful? Touching her like I had the fucking right?
That was one-hundred percent me seeing an opening and taking it. Just like the greedy prick I was five, even six, years ago would have done in hopes the pretty city girl would give him just a few minutes of her time.
I swore I’d never do that shit again.
She had a man in her life then and he’s still in her life now, and, if getting her pregnant and her still choosing him wasn’t enough to get it through my thick fucking head that it’s him she wants, then the ring on her finger sure as hell should be.
And it was. Until I took one look at her today and it was like the past few years never even happened. I was right back to that first night with her at Amber Lake…
SEVEN YEARS EARLIER…
“Kinda late to be out by yourself, isn’t it?” I ask when I find her sitting on the beach, her knees pulled to her chest.
The rest of her group—a bunch of college kids I saw her in town with earlier—live it up in her family’s cabin on the hill behind us.
“If I were a child, maybe, but clearly I’m not.” She glances up at me with a smirk, as the silver moonlight sets her pretty face aglow in ethereal tones. Her long blonde hair, hanging loose around her shoulders, looks almost lavender and her dark eyes the deepest obsidian.
I noticed Hayden years ago, when her family first bought the cabin behind us, but it isn’t just her beauty I find so intriguing—it’s the air of class and confidence that lingers around her. She carries herself differently than most of the girls I know. Her shoulders are always back, she has a smile for everyone, and there’s a quiet confidence about her that draws me in.