Page 31 of The Best of Us

“We don’t need your money.”

“Too bad. You’ve got it.” He thinned his eyes as a challenge not to object.

The fact that he didn’t ask for a blood test to prove he was his son made me feel better. I was sure most men would have requested one, and I’d have obliged, but still.

He looked down at the chipped white paint on my dresser, and I couldn’t help but notice scars on his arms I didn't remember being there in Aruba. “Are you seeing anyone?” he asked, catching me off guard.

“Colin has a pesky habit of scaring off every man who’s tried to stay in my life for the long term. I gave up dating years ago.” I wasn’t about to let him in on the secret that I hadn’t been kissed in five years, either.

We remained silent for nearly a minute before he broke the quiet, changing gears and asking, “You left the picture in the locket on purpose, didn’t you? You were testing to see if it was me, and if I would recognize you?”

“Guilty.” I lifted one shoulder. “I wasn’t even sure yet myself. My gut said it was you, but my gut is usually wrong.” Memories from the time he’d touched my body forever ago filled my mind, and a warm, tingling sensation slipped up my spine.We still have chemistry, that’s for sure.“Are you, um, seeing someone?”

“If I were, I’d never have let a beautiful woman sit on my lap, mother of my child or not.”

Oh.

Double OH.

“So no”—he let the words sink in—“I’m not.”

AndI was feverishly warm all over again, yet I shifted around to face him.

He didn’t move and kept up with the sexy lean thing he had going. I wasn’t in a rush to change the fact that he was occupying my personal space. Being this close to him awakened more memories of our time together.

His free hand went to my waist like it belonged there. “What are you thinking about?”

How we made our son. And thank you, thank you to my mouth for keeping that as a thought only.“Just remembering.”

His fingertips bit into my flesh, but before he could say—or do—anything, the sound of the front door opening sent me bumping into the dresser and him letting go of me.

“He can’t find you in here. Bathroom is across the hall.”

A flicker of a smile ghosted his lips, but he followed orders. Something told me he wasn’t used to being told what to do, but he didn’t mind listening to me.

I quickly checked my appearance in the mirror. Thankfully, I rarely wore makeup to my overnight shifts, so I didn’t need to clean up any smudged mascara beneath my eyes.

“Mom?” Colin filled the doorway, a brown bag cradled in his right arm.

I quickly spun around to face him, hoping I didn’t blurt the truth he’d waited his whole life to hear.Your father’s here.

“Everything okay?” he asked before turning when the bathroom door opened. “Oh, you. You’re still here.”

I didn’t have to see his face to know he’d just eye-rolled the hell out of his father.

Constantine stepped into my view, engaging in a staring contest with Colin. “I should probably go,” he said a minute later.

“What about breakfast? And, Colin, you owe him his change.”

“I’m good.” Constantine lifted a hand, waving away the idea of staying. “Don’t worry about the change.”

“Is something going on with you two?” Colin lowered the bag to his side before snapping to Constantine, “You told her about the ring, didn’t you?”

“What ring?” I blurted out, stepping forward.

Constantine shot Colin a funny look, lightly shaking his head.

“Er, uh, nothing.” Colin hoisted the bag back up into the crook of his arm. “I meant the locket.” He grumbled something under his breath, then took off for the kitchen.

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