Page 17 of Don't Lie to Me

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop a smile from breaking out. “That doesn’t sound like talking.”

He crossed his arms and I watched his eyes darken. It was the same lust filled stare he gave me earlier and almost left me melting in a puddle on the floor.

“I told you I feel completely out of control around you. I can’t explain it.”

“Well rein it in,” I said drily and pointed a finger at him. “I’m serious, Jack. I’m not doing this tonight; not with Logan there especially.”

“Fine.” But he didn’t look happy about conceding. He almost looked wounded or hurt but I didn’t want to spend the time thinking about why that could be. “Tomorrow.”

I exhaled slowly and overdramatically letting him know how much his bossiness and assumptions were getting under my skin. “Logan has a sleepover tomorrow night,” I muttered, mostly thinking out loud.

He grinned victoriously. I was frankly shocked he was asking me about the very next night already. That wasn’t his typical MO with women he was with. I lightly grabbed his hand when he offered one out to me and let him pull me back to the living room.

“Are we going to Mr. Jack’s now?” Logan asked when we reached the living room.

I shook my head. “Just for dinner.”

He frowned and I was instantly annoyed that Jack had got my little boys’ hopes up. But I was even more shocked when he answered Logan.

“Another time, little man. We can play Paper Mario tonight, though.” I stumbled over my feet when Jack said it, spoken with such conviction and promise.

I turned to him and whispered harshly, “Stop getting his hopes up.”

His eyes darkened in anger and I wondered what in the world he had to be angry about. I didn’t have time to be dealing with someone, even Jack freaking McMillan, making promises to my kid, only to let him down in the future.

“I’m not.” He spit the words out so forcefully, leaving me knowing that he fully intended to have Logan at his house. And what…with me? How long did he expect this little charade of ours to last?

My confusion from earlier bubbled to the surface all over again. My stomach tightened into a thousand different knots. This was going to be a really bad idea.

Jack’s voice whispered in my ear as Logan went to find his shoes. “I told you to tap that shit down, Emma.”

I couldn’t help it. This could all just be a fun and wild game for him, screwing around with the young housekeeper for who knows how long, but this was my life. It was my career and my family and I had every right to be bothered by how fast everything had happened today.

“I can’t help it,” I said quietly to him. “I don’t know if dinner is a good idea anymore.”

This time there was no denying the wounded expression and even possibly, fear that flashed through his eyes. I shook my head and looked away to Logan who was happily skipping down the hall, shoes in hand, talking to himself about Mario. I couldn’t tell him no.

I turned back to Jack, “Fine. I’ll come tonight.”

“Oh….you’ll come.”

And suddenly, I desperately wanted to.

SIX

Watching Jack lounge in his media room, in his large comfy chairs and playing a video game had to be the absolute highlight of my day. Actually the entire night felt like a fantasy that I rarely bothered dreaming of. I was so young when I got pregnant with Logan that it effectively ruined my dating life for years. Guys in college, law school especially, didn’t want the burden of caring for some other man’s son. Even now it was difficult finding someone worthy enough to be around, knowing eventually it could lead to introducing the new guy to my most important little boy. The sacrifices were well worth it, but most nights, over weeks and years, it was a long and lonely road with very few supporters. Thankfully, I always had Macy, and then eventually Tate, and I guess even Jack to a degree.

Tonight I experienced the semblance of what normal family dinners would be like, talking about our day – at least the parts that were kid appropriate – laughing at Logan’s jokes and antics while he talked about chasing girls around the playground. That had led Jack to give him a very serious discussion over manicotti about the importance of only chasing the girls that were worth it.

I had rolled my eyes. Jack didn’t chase anyone; women fell at his feet everywhere he went. I had witnessed it first-hand. But now, he was mine.

The only question was for how long.

Watching Jack smile, laugh and have the patience of a Saint while teaching Logan how to play his new game only increased my yearning for something more. Something permanent.

I wanted that. I wanted a dad for Logan and a partner for me. Someone to stay up with on the long lonely nights when our child was sick and we could share the duty.

I wanted the hugs and kisses, the hello’s and good-bye’s every morning and after work at night, and I wanted to cook my favorite meals and not leave them behind at my job every day, knowing someone else would be enjoying them.

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