“I do. I think we both know that it’s time for you to settle in. The kids have started school. They are starting to make friends and shit. This is your home, and it’s time you started treating it as such. Unless there’s something you haven’t told me.”
Unless you plan on taking off and haven’t said anything.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me hanging out with your friends? I-I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking over your life,” she says as she fiddles with the work order I handed her.
This woman.
After everything she’s been through, she still worries about everyone else.
“I’m sure.”
She nods. “Okay.”
Without saying anything, I leave her in the office and head back to my workstation. I know it shouldn’t, but it feels good taking the car thing off her plate, and it feels even better knowing that this weekend she will finally start to settle in.
I know I shouldn’t care this much, but I do. I really fucking do.
Pulling up to the gate behind the shop, I smile at the man there.
“Hello, you must be Jane,” he says.
I nod. I haven’t met him yet.
“I am,” I tell him.
“I’m one of the prospects. Mac said to tell you to park up front. He will meet you in a minute, so you don’t have to walk in by yourself.”
“Thanks.”
I pull through the gate to the only spot left up front next to the steps.
Getting out, I look around before helping the kids out. When I turn back to the clubhouse, relief fills me.
Standing there is Mac, looking intimidating as hell. I know what is hiding under all that facade, though. He’s a kind man at heart.
It’s weird how different he is from Evan. Evan looks like the perfect man—smooth and tailored from head to toe. He’s the type of man you would want your daughter to end up with. Inside, he is a black hole of pain and torture, though.
Mac is the opposite. Looking at him, you would think he is a criminal. There is no way he would be a good choice for your daughter. He would ruin her.
Yet he is the one who is slowly helping me pick up the shattered pieces of my life. He is sitting at my side, handing me piece by piece as we slowly rebuild my life.
I can’t believe that this is my life now. I’m not mad about it, though. I have never felt safer than I do now.
“Come on. Everyone wants to meet you. Sloane and Kelly have been asking about you too.”
I take Mac’s outstretched hand as he helps me up the steps, Emily and Tanner on either side of us. I smile when I see Emily slip her hand into Mac’s. Tanner looks stoic as ever, but I can tell he is a little nervous.
When we step inside, it is different than I expected. There really aren’t a lot of people. Mac doesn’t stop in that first room. Instead, he pulls me through the building, pointing out the restroom before stepping out back.
This isn’t what I expected.
In the middle of the open yard is a large bounce house with several kids playing on it. On one side are tables set up with food, while the other looks to be where the men are taking turns grilling.
“Mom, can I go play?” Emily asks, looking up at me.
“Of course. Be good,” I tell her.
She takes off running. Tanner looks up at me before nodding. He takes off after her. He will keep an eye on her.
