Page 35 of Just One Kiss

“We survived our new launch, and now we wait for people to make those in-app purchases. Passive income and all that.”

“Must be nice to be able to take off whenever you want.”

He didn’t tell her he spent most of his night poring over emails from Rebecca. He wrote code and worked out some of the kinks his new programmers couldn’t untangle. He’d say, all in all, he was running on about three hours of sleep a night.

The business was important—but not more important than Jaden. If she knew any of that, she’d likely try to convince him to get back to the city.

And right now, that wasn’t what he wanted.

“I’ve got a good team,” he said absently.

She waved him off. “I don’t get it at all, but I’m happy you’re successful.”

“Thanks.”Maybe one day I’ll be good enough to win you back.

Spending time here, seeing them both every day, it had solidified something in his mind—he wanted another chance. He was older now, more responsible, not a total screw-up like he’d been back then.

Plus, he had faith in something bigger than himself. God had helped him change, maybe even forgive himself a little.

But would that ever be enough? Would she ever let him back in?

“Hey, could you maybe hang out with Jaden tomorrow evening?”

Jaden walked through the entry and into the living room, carrying a plate piled high with at least four slices of pizza. “You eating, Dad? You said you were starving.”

He avoided Carly’s eyes. Did it count as a lie if he was simply trying to escape unscathed and not put her in the awkward position of kicking him out?

“What time do you need me?” Josh asked. “Tomorrow night, I mean.”

She pressed her lips together. “Maybe seven?”

Jaden muted the television. “I thought you were off at three tomorrow.”

Carly shifted. “I am.”

Both Jaden and Josh stared at her.

“I kind of have a date,” she said.

Jaden stopped mid-bite. “A what?”

Now it was Carly doing the avoiding. She walked into the kitchen, leaving Josh and Jaden staring at each other.

“Did she just say she has a date?” Jaden asked.

“Yep.” And Josh was staying with Jaden so the date could happen. What a cruel twist of fate.

“Mom doesn’t date.” Jaden shrugged, then clicked a button on the remote, filling the room with sounds of some YouTuber demonstrating how to play Josh’s new video game.

Josh stood still for several seconds, running through his options. Did he act like it was no big deal—like it meant nothing to him if she went on a date with someone? Did he ask her questions about the guy, like he was a friend who wanted all the details (when he absolutely did not)? Did he walk out the door and end this charade that there would ever be a place for him here?

He moved through the dining room and into the kitchen, where Carly stood at the counter, eating a piece of pizza. She must not have heard him come in, because she didn’t turn toward him or acknowledge him.

He stole the moment to admire her.

He hadn’t thought it was possible for Carly Collins to get any more beautiful than she was in high school, but here she was. And she was even more beautiful.

He’d been doing really well ignoring the longing that seemed to accompany his days and especially his nights ever since he’d purposed to redeem himself with Jaden a little over a year ago. His intention had been solely to repair the nonexistent relationship between his son and himself, and he hadn’t counted on old feelings for Carly resurfacing.

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