When Austin didn’t say anything, she busied herself by digging in her junk drawer for magnets to put her first ever Mother’s Day gifts up on the refrigerator.
When there was nothing left to distract her, she turned to him.
“Do you mind if I get myself a drink of water?” Austin tugged at the collar of his t-shirt.
“Help yourself?” Debbie waved a hand toward the cupboard that held the glasses.
A good hostess would get it for him, but she held back. He’d come here for a reason, and he was obviously uncomfortable. Maybe he’d feel more at home if he helped himself, like he used to.
He left the file folder on the counter while he got ice water from the fridge. When he turned around, she kept the counter between them.
If she didn’t, she might throw herself into his arms before he had a chance to say whatever it was he’d come here to say.
She pointed at the folder. “So is that another Mother’s day present for me?” She joked, but her own laughter fell flat.
He slowly pushed the folder toward her. “This is me swallowing my pride.” When she reached for it, he kept his long, strong fingers on it, holding it in place. “First, I need to ask for your forgiveness. I said some horrible things to you last week, and I’m sorry.”
She opened her mouth to say he was forgiven, but he kept talking.
“This…” He tapped the folder before pulling his hand back. “Is me asking you for help. I’m tired of being in debt. Tired of feeling inadequate and deficient. I want a relationship with you because I’m madly in love with you, but I don’t want to go into it feeling incompetent and defective.”
The butterflies in her stomach turned into thousands of hummingbirds darting every which way looking for sweet nectar. Their fluttering pushed upward, causing her chest to swell. So many emotions filled her; she didn’t know what to address first.
“You are in no way defective or deficient,” she said vehemently. “I’ve never doubted your abilities as a father or as a provider, and you shouldn’t either.”
He acknowledged her words with a nod, then pointed to the folder. “I’m laying all my cards on the table. The most recent credit card statements with their balances are in there along with my bank statements, and pay stubs. Oh and my truck desperately needs new tires.”
She put her hand on the folder and leaned over the counter. “I don’t care how much you make or what you owe. I’ll gladly help you in any way I can.”
“Thank you.”
“I know how difficult this was for you. It means a lot to me that you would ask me for help.”
He cleared his throat. “The truth is… it’s not your money I want—except maybe for new tires.” He ducked his head briefly before raising it again. “I want you. In my life. Forever.”
She grinned as she slid the folder to the side. “Well, since I forgive you and because I love you too, I’d really like to hear more about this relationship you’d like to have with me.”
He rounded the counter so fast he took her breath away. Grinning, he pulled her into his arms. “I want a relationship that lasts forever and involves lots of kissing, hugging, and…” He lowered his voice to a seductive whisper. “And other things.”
She laughed. “That sounds like exactly what I’m looking for.”
His lips met hers, and a million tiny sparklers ignited inside her, flooding her whole body with the most amazing sensations. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with everything she had.
He groaned and tightened his embrace, pinning her against the counter.
After another long moment, she pushed back, gasping for air. She burst into laughter. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He buried his face in her neck and inhaled. “I missed you too. I never thought I’d say this, but I missed the smell of your expensive perfume and your big house where we can send the kids upstairs—or downstairs—so we can be alone together.”
His breath tickled her neck, sending shivers down her spine. It wasn’t long before his lips were on hers again, and warmth filled her body from head to toe.
When they finally pulled apart, Debbie let out a lengthy sigh. “I have an investment opportunity I’d like to discuss with you.”
His brow furrowed as he pulled back to look at her. “Investment? You realize I’m broke, don’t you.”
“You have three beautiful kids who love you. You’re wealthier than you realize.” She gave a soft smile before waving a hand. “Anyway, I want you to partner with me to build some affordable housing here in Providence.”
Austin’s eyebrows rose. “Really? Like apartments?”
