“And Olivia and Will have the same father.”
She nodded. “I still can’t believe I didn’t know about her. Who does that? Who abandons their child?”
“You’d be surprised at the number of assholes who do,” he said bitterly.
Her eyes, a deep whiskey color, searched his face. It felt like she was searching for his soul, cataloging every flaw and chink he had.
She smiled softly. “What about you? Why Charleston?”
The vat of rage he kept a tight lid on bubbled and hissed. He worked to keep his voice even and steady. “We moved for Dani when I was in high school. There was a dance coach here she wanted to train with.”
“Dance?” she asked. “I thought she was an MMA fighter.”
“She is, but when she was younger, she was an internationally ranked ballroom dancer.” He was still so proud of her accomplishments, but the anger and disappointment swirled and mixed with pride until he couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.
“How did she go from dancing to fighting?”
That he wouldn’t get into. Couldn’t. “It’s a long and complicated story for some other time.”
She searched his face again. “Okay. Thank you again for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” He picked up a strand of hair on her shoulder, rubbing the silky strand between his fingers. “I’d like a do-over. I know I messed up the first time. I want to make it up to you.”
Abby leaned back slightly and straightened her spine. “Why now? Nothing about my situation has changed. In fact, the situation is significantly more complicated than before.”
Tinker ran a hand over his short hair. “I…don’t have a good reason. Not one that won’t make me sound like a complete and total asshole, anyway.” He took a breath. “I’ve made it a point not to get involved with women with kids. Not because of baggage or exes or baby daddies.”
While he thought about how to say what he needed to say, Abby asked, “Then why?”
“Because kids get attached and then they get hurt. Adults go into things knowing there’s a risk. Kids? All they know is one day you’re gone. I’m not going to put a kid through that if I can avoid it.”
“But you’re willing to put Will through it?”
“I’m willing to take the risk.”
Olivia cleared her throat as she stood at the end of the hall. “Will is asleep.”
“Thank you, sweetie. Do you want to watch a movie?” Abby asked.
“I’m going to read in my room, if that’s okay,” Olivia said.
“Of course.”
Olivia turned, paused, and turned back. “I’ll have my earbuds in listening to music. Loud.”
Abby stared at her retreating form. He grinned as a deep blush spread across her cheeks as she realized what Olivia had implied.
She looked at him, wide-eyed. “Did she just tell us she wouldn’t be able to hear us making out?”
“I think she did.”
She lowered her gaze and the blush spread higher on her cheeks. “That’s not… We don’t…” She cleared her throat.
He was so far out of his depth. In any other situation, he’d drag her across his lap and kiss her until she forgot to be nervous or embarrassed. But implied permission or not, he wasn’t going to get X-rated on her couch with two kids in the house.
“And it’s not only Will anymore, it’s Olivia too. So why are you willing to risk hurting them?”
Her words doused every single iota of arousal building.
