His jaw is lined in dark stubble, and with the one light shining brightly by the door, his features are more on display than I’ve ever seen before. His nose to his cheekbones and even his lips are so defined. Almost perfect.
He drops his head on the back of the swing, and his Adam’s apple protrudes, casting a shadow. Barely turning his head, he lets out a deep breath.
“I bought the house because of this swing,” he says before turning his gaze up at the stars that peek through the overhang.
“Couldn’t you have added a swing to your last place?”
He shakes his head. “This is the first place I’ve bought. I’ve been living out of hotels and high-rise apartments until now. It was easier to hide Cailin that way. We knew the secret would come out with her enrolling in school, so I decided to finally get a place and settle down.”
“I’m impressed you were able to keep her a secret for that long.”
His head turns toward me again, but he keeps it resting down on the bench. It’s not in an exhausted way or lazy way. He just looks content, and it’s helping me to feel the same way.
“I’d do anything for that little girl,” he says almost breathlessly.
“I can tell.” I take a sip of my coffee, and he sits up to do the same.
I have so many questions I want to ask but know I shouldn’t—at least, not yet. Linda’s words of getting to know him as Adam and nothing else ring through my head. But every question I can think of comes back to his career.
He licks his lips before taking another sip, and my mind goes right in the gutter, not helping my current predicament.
“So, you grew up here?” he asks, thankfully, taking me out of my lust-filled thoughts.
I take a sip and nod. “Yep. Born and raised. Swore I’d leave and never come back, yet here I am.” I hold out my arm to my side with a sigh.
“Doesn’t seem to be a bad place. Linda likes it here.”
“I’m surprised I don’t know her better, she’s lived here for a while though, right?”
He nods, keeping quiet for a few seconds before saying, “As long as I’ve known her.”
“Did you grow up around here?” I ask, hoping I’m not digging too far.
He sighs and shrugs his shoulders. “A few towns over.” He’s quick to change the subject. “So, tell me more about Cailin. Do all kids read as good as she does?”
“She’s one of my top students. Except for her little singing habit.” I playfully eye him.
He lets out a throaty laugh, hitting me deeply into my soul. “What can I say?” He grins from ear to ear like the proud father he is.
“It’s pretty cute how you guys make up lyrics together.”
He perks up, excited to share his story. “It was hard, connecting with a little girl, you know? I didn’t know much about kids, and even with the help of nannies, I wanted to be as hands-on as possible. I didnotdo dolls”—his eyes lower, making me laugh—“and we could only be together inside, so music was my go-to.”
“Music is a great way to connect with anyone.”
He tilts his head and tries to hide the tug on his lips. “You mean, you like more than just religious songs?”
I teasingly slap his shoulder. “Yes. Just because I sangJesus Loves Mewith your daughter doesn’t mean that’s all I know. I enjoy church, but it’s not my entire life.”
“What is?”
I eye him, not sure what he means.
“What’s the best part of your life?” he asks.
I glance over my shoulder at the playground he installed for Cailin and then back at him. “Not sure yet.”
His hand reaches out to touch mine. “I think you found it already.”
