Page 9 of Bearly Taken

I tried to put space between us as I started working, but mymatetook it upon himself to stay close to me, explaining to all of my curious, regular customers that I was training him.

By the time my shift was over, I wasdone.

Wiped out from trying to put space between us.

Exhausted from the change to my status quo.

Dreading the questions and everything else that would accompany him following me to the bookstore next.

I’d come up with a way to potentially avoid that, so after we left the diner, I stopped outside my car.

He did too, remaining within arm’s reach.

“We can’t do this every day,” I said, weariness in my voice.

“Why not?” he sounded upbeat.

Way too upbeat.

“Because we can’t. I have an alternative idea. I don’t love the idea, but it’s better than this.” I gestured between us.

He lifted an eyebrow, as if asking me what, exactly, it was better than.

I couldn’t tell him that it was better than forcing me to spend time with him. That would only make him fight harder. Reed was a good man, but he was a bear shifter. He didn’t do sly or sneaky. If he wanted something, he made it happen. Hence the way he’d justshown upat the Grill the night everything went to shit.

“Despite keeping Parker a secret from you, I know you could be a decent dad. I trust you to that extent. And I want the court to have evidence that I’ve been reasonable, if it comes to that. So while you’re in town, I’ll bring Parker to your house in the mornings instead of my mom’s. He sleeps most of the time, so you’ll need a crib, but you’ll also have breakfast with him. He’s the happiest during breakfast, so that’s good for you. I’ll pick him up after my shift here.”

Reed blinked, apparently surprised by my offer.

My stomach clenched when he didn’t accept immediately, like I expected him to. He was in Cub Lake for our son, after all.

He finally said, “I would love to take him for breakfasts and mornings, but I won’t be able to do that until you’re living somewhere safer than your apartment. Until you either let me move you to another place, or move in to my house, I’ll be working here too.”

So he could get Lennie to make me take the money.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a slow breath. His hand brushed my elbow, and I fought every instinct in my body that pushed me to lean against him and put myself in his arms.

As much as I wanted to maintain my independence by staying in my apartment, that wasn’t my highest priority. Deep down, I knew Reed would never take me to court. His childhood had been too rocky to put his son through that.

And truthfully?

The apartment was shit.

My body ached constantly from sleeping on my crappy couch, and I’d never felt safe there.

All things considered, his request was actually pretty reasonable.

So, I said, “Fine.”

His forehead creased.

I pulled my apartment’s key off my keychain and handed it over. “Move my stuff. I’ll meet you there tonight.”

The creases deepened. “You’re giving up too easily.”

“My apartment sucks. My son deserves a better place to live. And I’m tired of fighting with you.” I ran a hand through my hair, pushing it off my face and out of my eyes. “So, move my stuff. You have three bedrooms—just put mine in your office.”

He still looked unconvinced, but he took the key. “Alright. Text me back when I message you, so I don’t worry that you’ve made a run for it.”

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