His gentleness threatened to undo her. This wasn't Shane the Bad Boy with his cocky swagger. She knew how to handle thatShane, not this careful one who was treating her like she might break if he said or did the wrong thing.
She wasn't sure if she liked the change in attitude or hated it.
The bell chimed as they entered Riversong, the familiar scents of coffee and cinnamon wrapping around them like a hug.
Sonny looked up from the register, his quick scan of Kevin shifting from worry to relief.
"Sonny, can you cover for a bit?" April asked. They always used first names in the coffee shop in front of customers. "We need a minute in the back."
Sonny's gaze moved between his grandson and Shane, still guarded but not openly hostile. Progress at a glacier’s pace.
“It’s fine, Sonny,” April reassured him.
Sonny nodded curtly and returned his attention to Kevin. “You hungry?”
Kevin nodded. “Can I have a black-and-white cookie?”
“You’ll have a sandwich,” April answered for Sonny.
Shane looked solemnly at Kevin. “And do me a favor? Keep Pete company while your mom and I talk.”
Kevin's face lit up. Pete duty was serious business. "Yes, sir."
"And don't give Pete half of your sandwich," April added.
Kevin rolled his eyes. April rolled hers right back. Shane chuckled, the sound warm and familiar.
"Back office," she told him. "Follow me."
The air in the back office was different—less cinnamon, more roasted beans and old wood. April left the door propped open a crack and turned to face Shane, her heart hammering against her ribs.
If Kevin needed a ‘man-to-man’ talk, why not with his grandfather? Why not Gabe, or Ben, or any of the good men who would drop everything to stand between her son and harm? The answer stung hotly behind her eyes.
Because I taught him I can carry anything. Maybe he thought he had to carry me.
“Before you say anything,” she blurted, edges fraying now that she was safely out of sight, “if Kevin needed to talk to a man about something. If some adult—” Bile rose. “If something happened and he didn’t want to tell me, I can take it. I won’t make it about me. I just need to know.”
“No.” Shane shook his head firmly. “Nothing like that.” He reached out and gently gripped her upper arm. His touch calmed her at once, just like it used to. "No one else hurt him. The only person who attacked Kevin was HRH Regis, that little shit.”
Relief flooded her so fast it made her dizzy. She couldn't help the giggle that slipped out. "HRH. You remembered my nickname for Leslie."
Shane chuckled. “How could I forget? It was too perfect.” He paused. “I remember everything you said, April. Everything you did.” His gaze went soft and warm, the look that used to signal he was about to lean across their homework and kiss her. Her lips parted reflexively. She bit the lower one as soon as she realized what they were doing, but it was too late. Shane’s gaze darted to her mouth and his eyes smoldered. April felt her legs turn to jelly again but for completely different reasons.
Shane seemed to catch himself. He let go of her arm and grew serious again. “You have an amazing kid there. He loves you,” Shane said simply. “He’s worried about you.”
That didn't compute. She was the one who did the worrying. She looked down and realized she was clutching a Sharpie. When had she picked it up?
"Worried about me why? I'm fine." She tried for a convincing smile. "Well, except I need to come up with a few grand to fix the espresso machine."
Shane saw right through it. "April, stop. I know you. You're not fine." His voice gentled. "I need you to trust me, if only for today."
April closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Do I even have a choice? No, she didn't. Not if Kevin was scared. A kid his age should never have to worry about his mom; it was her job to worry about him.
She nodded. "Okay. What did you guys talk about?"
"He asked if he could hire me as a bodyguard for you."
"A bodyguard for me?" April's voice pitched higher.
