“No?” I can’t believe the nerve of him. “One week ago, you sat in my boardroom and said, and I quote, ‘I won’t hang with criminals.’ Does that or does that not sound familiar?”
There’s a tick in his jaw as he clenches his teeth. “It’s not like we went out for beers and then broke into houses.”
“Move, Luke.”
“Not yet.” He studies my face for a moment. “Do you believe some people deserve second chances?”
For fuck’s sake. “You’re not honestly advocating for me to help Owen Spencer get out of prison, are you?”
“No! Hell no. That’s not what I meant at all.”
“Then what did you mean?”
He frowns, scratching his chin. “Just that there’s stuff I’m not allowed to talk about.”
“Spare me,” I snap. “And get off my car.”
“Hazel, look. We both have secrets. I’m not asking to know all of yours.”
“Actually, Luke, you were. Last night in my hotel room? I spilled more secrets than I’ve told anyone, ever. I thought I could trust you.”
“You can.” He holds on to my arm when I try to pull it free. “Being a good father became the most important thing to me the moment you told me you’re pregnant. I would never do anything to jeopardize that.”
“I need to go.” But I don’t. God help me, I stand there soaking up the heat of his big, warm hand on my arm.
Luke keeps talking, those copper-flecked eyes sincere and imploring. “Being the best co-parent I can possibly be for you? That goes with the territory. And I will never, ever, do anything that doesn’t have your best interests at heart.”
My own heart flops over, wooed by his flowery words.
The rest of me tugs my wrist free. “I need to go.”
“I’m still going to be part of the girls’ lives, right?”
The pain in his voice makes me stop in my tracks. “Yes, of course.”
He sags with relief. “Thank God.”
I feel like I need to say something else. “I stand by the legal documents we’ve drawn up to spell out our platonic co-parenting plan.”
“Okay.”
“And I promise I’ll never use our children as leverage. But I need to be clear, I won’t have them exposed to criminal elements.”
His jaw tightens. “Neither will I.”
“Good.”
“Great.”
“Then it’s settled.” I stick out my hand, and he frowns as he takes it. “Platonic co-parents. Nothing more.”
His big hand engulfs mine, warm and solid and secure. “Fine.”
“Okay then.” As I pry my hand from his grip, the chilled air seeps through my skin. “I’ll see you back in Cherry Blossom Lake.”
“All right.” He watches me stomp toward the driver’s side door. “I’ll follow you home. Make sure you get there safely.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
