He smiles and turns away before walking down the steps. I let out a deep breath and shut the door. Instead of heading back to the couch, I stand there in complete shock, tracing the edge of the book. I breathe in and out, trying to calm my pulse that always seems to spiral when I’m around him.
I should not be feeling this way about Henry, but my body doesn’t seem to care about silly things like reasoning and practicality.
The sound of tiny feet scampering across the floor pulls my attention back to the present. Milo runs to me and holds up the package Henry just gave him. Little bite marks decorate the edge of the wrapper, and I shake my head.
“Okay, but just a couple. It’s almost bedtime.”
I sprinkle some of the gummies into Milo’s hands, and he grabs them before sauntering back to his toys in the corner. A quiet laugh escapes my mouth, and thoughts rattle my brain.
My attention is pulled back to the book in my hands when a realization washes over me—I have a whole-ass English professor living above me. Asking Henry for help would be simple, and based on our interaction, he would be more than happy to.
My thoughts trail off to the last time we were in the library together when his hand caressed my cheek. My heart flips at the intimate moment.
The only con was I already had a hard time remembering why my friend-zoned him and spending more time togetherwould make it even harder to reinforce the walls that I had rebuilt after my divorce.
Milo lets out a little squeal from across the room, and I blink hard, trying to refocus on what’s important. I needed to suck it up and pass this class for my son and our future. I needed to ask Henry for help.
I paint a big smile on my face and use my arms to push my body up from the couch. I walk over to Milo and crouch beside him. “Okay, bud. Let’s get ready for bath time, and then maybe Mommy can muster up the courage to ask for help.”
Milo reaches up with a huge grin before I scoop him off the floor. The brightness flickering in his eyes almost makes me believe I can do this.
CHAPTER 6
Iwas a chicken. A big chicken.
When I started the week, I had every intention of asking Henry for help with my English class. But something funny happened. When his writing group met Wednesday night, I was glued to my seat.
He walked past the front desk and smiled politely before heading to the corner of the library where his group met. My heart lurched when he didn’t stop to talk, but part of me was also relieved. I was terrified of asking him for help.
Every time I tried to peel myself back from behind my desk, my legs would twist into knots. The one time I finally got up the courage to walk over to him, I managed to knock over an entire stack of books and gain the attention of his entire writing group. I was so embarrassed that when I ducked down to pick up the books, I stayed crouched below the circulation desk until I heard soft footsteps heading toward the door.
I was almost in the clear until I popped my head back up, and Henry stood there with an amused smirk on his perfect lips. My face instantly heated up, with shades of dark red dancing across my cheeks.
Of course, being the irritatingly sweet man he is, he asked if he could help me pick up the books that had toppled over ten minutes ago. I just shook my head, and thankfully, his phone rang, pulling him away from the disheveled mess I call my everyday life.
All I can do is replay my actions in my head while spending my Saturday afternoon pushing Milo around town.
It was a perfect summer day in Honey Grove, and I always feel much better in the fresh air. I love being outside. Something about our small town in the summer rejuvenates my senses after months spent hidden away.
I peek over the front of the stroller and smile at Milo’s tiny feet, swaying back and forth. He loves people-watching as much as I do, and the town square was the perfect place to do it. However, I feel like we’ve been on the other side lately.
As we pass by the coffee shop, I can feel stares feathering the back of my neck. Divorce was still a taboo thing in towns like ours. Even in this day and age. Most people stayed with their spouses until someone died or cheated. Then again, cheating rarely broke up marriages in places like Honey Grove.
A surprising feeling of confidence swells up, and I make eye contact with some of my spectators before giving a gentle smile and a polite nod. They could judge me all they wanted, but when I was with Milo, my mama bear senses kicked in, and I felt an overwhelming need to protect him.
Like most fake people in this town, the two old ladies sitting outside one of the storefronts smile back and give me a small wave. I keep my lips curled up until I turn the corner, and I can relax my war paint.
Once Milo and I make it to the rectangular patch of greenery that sits in the middle of town, I find a park bench and decide to sit down while soaking up the early afternoon sun.
I was killing time until I had to drop Mi off at Colt’s housefor the weekend. Colt usually picks him up on Friday nights, but he had to work out of town this week and couldn’t take him until today. Which was fine by me.
Milo had been helping me keep my mind off of my upstairs neighbor. Or at least, I was hoping he would. Every time I let my mind wander, it drifted back to two dark, auburn eyes and a smile that could outdo any summer day.
I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes as I let the warmth of the sun glaze my pale skin. I loved how the sun brought out the freckles scattered across my shoulders.
“Mama,” Milo fusses, trying to wiggle his body free. My little guy hates his stroller now that he can walk. The bad part is I’m only one person, and he’s fast for someone with short legs.
I sigh and decide to keep pushing him so he’ll calm down. I would have plenty of time to relax later.
