His lips tilted up at the corners, and his dick pulsed against his zipper. Jesus, her attitude was like his own Pavlov’s bell.
“I should have called to tell you I was an idiot and to ask you out again.”
She pressed her lips together. “I won’t play games. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with bullshit. If that’s what you’re into, you can fuck all the way off, right now.”
Ding. “It’s not and I won’t. I fucked up once—I won’t do it again.”
A knock on the door interrupted them, and he had to settle for her noncommittal “Mmm hmm” when she pulled it open.
“Tinker. I thought that was your bike outside. I didn’t know you knew Abby,” Katherine said.
“We met when we did the school ride for Melanie,” he said.
She looked between him and Abby. Katherine was one of the most perceptive people he knew, so he knew she picked up on the tension between them. Especially when she asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yes.” Abby stepped aside. “Please come in. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” Katherine said.
He shook his head. Her glare said she hadn’t meant to include him in her offer.
“Okay. Let’s sit.” Abby gestured to the living room.
The main area was open with the dining room to the right of the front door and the living room directly in front of them. He saw a kitchen and a short hallway on the other side of the dining room with a hall leading to another part of the house. Large windows made the space feel bright and airy.
Abby sat on the love seat and gestured for him and Katherine to sit on the couch. He took the spot on the far end.
Abby laced her fingers together and took a breath. “I’m not sure how to explain the situation or even what help I need, so I’ll start at the beginning.
“I was married to a man I believed was child-free. Meaning he had no children and he didn’t want to have any children. We divorced about four years ago, shortly after I accidentally got pregnant. He didn’t want a baby, and I wasn’t willing to have an abortion. His name isn’t on the birth certificate, and he has no role in my son’s life.”
Tinker clenched his fists. Motherfucker.
Abby took another breath. “I recently learned my ex was not only married before we were, but that he also had a daughter.”
“How long were you together?” Katherine asked.
“Three years. Married for two,” Abby said. “He was adamant about not having children, so it never occurred to me to ask if he had any.”
“How did you find out about his daughter?” Katherine asked.
“She showed up on my doorstep this afternoon, asking for help.”
“What kind of help?” he asked.
She turned her attention to him for the first time since they’d sat down. She was barely holding it together. He recognized panic and fear creeping in.
“She wants to live with me. I don’t even know if that’s something I can legally do,” she said.
Katherine reached over and took Abby’s hand. “Okay, back up. What about her mother?”
“She died about six months ago. Olivia went to live with her mom’s half-sister and her husband. She didn’t share all the details, but I got the sense there was some neglect, maybe even abuse. That’s what made me think of calling you. I don’t know if this is something you can help with, but I didn’t know where else to start.”
“Do you have some paper and a pen?” Katherine asked.
“Of course.” Abby stood and went down the hall, returning quickly with a notebook and pen.
“Let’s move to the dining room,” Katherine said. “Tinker, make yourself useful and get us some water.”
