“Hey. It’s okay. Nothing happened.” She chuckles, the sunny sound a direct contrast to the tears that still dry on her cheeks. “Well, maybe not nothing. Milton might have some trouble conceiving children after what Winston did to his junk.”
I snigger at the thought of the busted-nut butter situation in Milton’s pants, before burying my face in Tina’s neck, breathing in her sweet and savory scent. Shit. She is perfect. The sound of her voice is a balm to my ears. Her ass in my lap is fucking heaven.
I can’t give this up. It’s been two weeks since I crashed into her on the sidewalk and I’m already so obsessed with this woman I can’t think straight. My brain spins with thoughts of how I can get her to agree to be with me, even with the boys in the picture. They’re both teenagers now, so it shouldn’t be as daunting as it would be if they were little. In a couple of years, they’ll both legally be adults. We could even keep our dating separate from my family for a while, if that helps her accept it. Not that Iwant her to be separate, but if she has serious reservations about having a family, I would wait. For her, I would wait.
But would that be enough for her?
I think she might come around. You can tell her family already loves Jared. I couldn’t even get close to him when I went down to the restaurant because Tina’s grandmother was talking his ear off. And then, while I was waiting for him, Tina’s mother and aunts swarmed me with questions. How did you meet Tina? Are you the one from the video? Are you the man she’s dating? I shudder when I remember that I almost didn’t hear the commotion from Tina’s apartment over their barrage of questions.
Not that I helped much. Winston had already taken care of it by the time I made it up here.
I squeeze Tina tighter, my mind flashing to the sight of Milton writhing in agony on the floor.
I owe Winston so much. How does one properly thank a goat for saving the woman you love?
Love?We just met, so I’m not sure I’m quite there yet, but as I hold Tina on my lap and think about what a disaster the situation could have been if Winston hadn’t been here, I know I’m not far off. Which is insane, obviously. But I’m a grown man with a rubber duck collection, so I doubt anyone would blink twice if I said I loved a woman after knowing her for a week. I wouldn’t say that, though. If there’s anything that would scare Tina off for sure, it would be that.
But I need to say something, before I drive myself crazy thinking about the possibilities. With a deep breath, I gather up my courage and begin. “Tina, I need to tell you something.”
In a flash, she’s off my lap, standing on the floor by the couch with a look of panic on her reddened face. “No. Not until I say something first.” She wrings her hands, pacing in front of the coffee table.
Shit. I’m too late. She’s calling the whole thing off right now, before I can explain. “Tina, baby. Please, let me say something before you do this.” I can’t keep the pleading tone from my voice, the panic I feel at losing her before I can really get to know her clawing at my chest.
“No, Nick. I know you came here today intending to break up with me, but you will sit there and listen to me first.”
Excuse me? Did I hear that correctly?
“So much has happened since you left last night, Nick. So much.”
“Okay?” I drawl, still not sure I heard her correctly.
“And it gave me a chance to think. I want to try this with you. With everything I have going on, it’s probably the wrong time, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t give it a shot, you know?”
My eyes go wide as my mouth drops open. So many words are on the tip of my tongue, the things I want to say all fighting for dominance, so instead of saying a thing, I jump off the couch. Tina watches me stalk toward her, her eyes going glassy as I wrap her in my arms and lower my lips to hers. The feel of her melting into my arms has blood rushing to my dick.
“Holy shit, Tina. That’s…that’s amazing,” I say on a breath, tasting her lips before continuing. “But there’s still something I need to tell you.” I rush to the next part without giving her the chance to protest again. “Jared is moving in with me permanently, but that’s not all.”
She steps back, her eyes lowering. “Shit. I’m too late, aren’t I? I knew it.” She shakes her head and turns away. “Stupid, Tina. You waited too long to realize you like people, and now you’re paying for it by losing the best guy you’ve ever met. Stupid, stupid.” She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and pushes her glasses up her nose, her shoulders rising and falling with each breath. When she faces me again, she squares her shoulders, looks me right in the eyes, and says, “Alright. Let mehave it. Rip this bandaid off so I can focus on fulfilling the foster parent requirements so I can get Carson out of that stranger’s house as soon as possible.”
“No, Tina. That’s not what I’m saying. I want nothing more than to try this with you. It’s just that...” I slowly stop speaking as her words sink in. Foster parent requirements? Get Carson out of a stranger’s house? He can’t be the same Carson, can he? “Tina?”
She huffs. “What, Nick?”
“Did you sayCarson?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Yeah. And?”
“How do you know Carson?”
She scoffs. “He’s worked for me for the last three years.”
“And what was that you said about foster parent requirements?”
“I’m becoming a foster parent so Carson can come live with me. I love that kid, and can’t bear the thought of never seeing him again. The social worker said he has somewhere to stay here in town, but who knows how long that will last? I need to find a new apartment and take all the classes so I can get custody of him.”
Holy shit. It’s the same Carson. It has to be. I snort a laugh before I can stop myself.
“Why is that funny? You think it’s funny for a kid to lose his sorry excuses for parents, then have to rely on a stranger for help on top of that? That’s sick, Nick. Maybe you’re not who I thought you were.”
