When she opened the door, she smiled at him and he caught her up in his arms, kissing her and spinning her around.
She laughed. “What was that for?”
“You’re just perfect,” he said, setting her down. “How was your morning? Ready to do something fun?”
“It was fine. I’m feeling a little tired, though. Maybe we could sit down and talk for a minute.”
He followed her to the living room, and they sat on the couch. She moved away from him and turned to face him. “I feel like I hardly know anything about you.”
His eyes narrowed. “I guess I’m not much of a talker. What do you want to know?”
“I don’t know. Anything, really. What was your childhood like?”
He sat back, resting his arms along the top of the couch. “Where should I start? My dad died about ten years ago. Actually, I think it’s eleven or twelve now. I’ve lost count. But before that, there were four of us — Mom, Dad, Sophie, and me. We were really close. We grew up in the lake house where Mom lives now. It belonged to my grandparents and we were raised by them too, in a way. Mom has a café, so she and Dad both worked a lot. My grandparents were there to watch us, so it was very much an extended family type of situation.”
“That sounds really nice,” Jessica said.
“At the time, I kind of took it for granted, but looking back now, I can see how great it was. I miss my grandparents and my dad. Mom has done really well keeping going since then. I know losing the three of them close together was hard on her, especially since she also lost her sister before that. She’s been through so much grief. I’m pretty protective of her these days.”
“Wow, your poor mom. That must’ve been hard on her.”
“Yeah, she’s suffered emotionally, but also with her health. She was working all the time and didn’t really take care of herself. Last year she had a cancer scare, but she’s in remission now.”
“That’s good news.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. And I was still in the military, so I couldn’t see her very often. It’s one of the reasons I got out. I didn’t tell her that, of course. But I hated that she was so far away and there was nothing I could do to help. I wanted to come home and be nearby. I don’t know how long I’ll have with her, but I want to be around. You know?”
Jessica’s throat tightened as he spoke. His words were calm, gentle, loving. He was genuine—she could tell it wasn’t for show. He loved his mother. It was a good sign.
“That makes a lot of sense. I’m already homesick for my family, and it’s only been a few months.”
“You’ll get used to it,” he said. “Oh, and by the way, I got you this pepper spray. I promised to get it for you a while back.”
He handed it to her and she turned it over, then set it down on the table. “Thanks, I’ll keep it with me.”
“Good idea. And I decided to get a German Shepherd pup for myself. I’ve never been able to get one because I was in the military, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Dogs can be good company.”
“Just what I need.” His smile faded, and he looked nervous. “Since we’re opening up, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He cleared his throat. “We’ve been dating for a little while now, but I’ve been keeping something to myself. And if we’re going to be in a relationship, I think you need to know.”
He was starting to scare her. Was he married? An ex-con? Part of the Mafia? He looked so serious, she was worried about what he might say. Her heart thudded against her rib cage.
“Okay . . .?” She swallowed.
He inhaled a quick breath. “I have a daughter. Her name is Cici.”
“Oh… okay.” Her mind struggled to take in what he was saying. A daughter? With who? Where was she? Why hadn’t he said anything before now?
“It’s new. I mean, she’s not new, she’s four, but her mother kept her from me. I only found out about her last year. I’ve been getting to know her. I’m not really sure how all this works — dating as a single dad because I’ve never really been a single dad before. Anyway, that’s what I am now, I guess. And… what do you think about all that?”
She tipped her head to one side and peered at him closely. His blue eyes were darker than usual and fixed resolutely on hers. “I wish you’d told me sooner.”
She wasn’t sure what else to say. But it suddenly came rushing back — Hilton’s lies, the way he’d kept the truth of who he was hidden for so long. She couldn’t do this again, couldn’t build a life with someone who kept things from her — important things like a child. A wave of panic rushed over her.
