Page 62 of Pucking Fate

I don’t bother responding by text. I’m out of the car a second later and hurrying up to where Maya’s holding open the front door for me.

26

Maya

The next day, Elle and Preston leave, heading back to North Carolina as the sun dips low in the sky. It casts a warm glow over the living room where Christian helps Finley with a puzzle. Their laughter fills the air, light and carefree, and it tugs at something deep inside me. Seeing them together like this, everything out in the open, makes my heart swell with a strange mix of hope and fear.

Finley fits a piece into the puzzle and cheers. “I did it, Dad!”

Every time he calls Christian “Dad,” it feels like a jolt straight to my heart. Christian, for his part, looks like he’s about to burst with pride and bawl like a baby every time Finley says it. I can see it in his shimmering eyes—the way he’s trying so hard to be everything for our son.

But when Finley calls him Dad, I’m reminded that we’re still not the family I dreamed of as a teenager. Not yet. Not fully. I want Christian to be here every day and every night. Which is why I caved on letting him stay until the morning.

The gorgeous man glances over at me, a soft smile tugging at his lips, either from Finley’s use of the fatherly term or because he’s still thinking about last night.

God knows I am.

We made out and fooled around for hours after everyone went to bed, unable to get enough, but not crossing that final line before he held me, and we fell asleep together.

I feel a pang of guilt for keeping him at arm’s length in the bedroom, even though I’ve let him back into Finley’s life. I know he wants more. He wants to be with me again, to make up for the failed first try. But that’s easier said than done.

As I pour myself a glass of water, my phone buzzes on the counter. I glance at the screen, and my stomach twists when I see Spencer’s name. I hesitate, knowing that right now isn’t the best time to answer the call, but I can’t just ignore him. After all, he’s been nothing but kind to me and Finley, and he may have helped me find a job.

I swipe to answer and press the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Hey, Maya,” Spencer’s voice comes through, smooth and a little uneasy. “I heard your interview went well.”

“It did! Thank you. Your aunt told me her boss would make a decision soon.”

“After hearing her rave about you, I have no doubt you’ll get the job.”

“Thank you,” I tell him with a smile.

“So,” he starts. “I was wondering if you’re free this weekend. You, me, and Finley could grab dinner or something on Saturday? As friends, just casual...”

I glance at Christian and Finley. Christian’s attention is still focused on the new puzzle they’re starting, but I feel his presence in the room like an anchor. I swallow hard, torn between the two men in my life. Spencer deserves to know the truth, that I’m still hung up on my ex.

“That sounds nice, Spencer,” I say quietly, unsure of the words as they leave my mouth. “But, um, I can’t Saturday.”

“What about Sunday, then?” he asks, his voice filled with hope. I hate to hurt him, even if we’ve barely got to know each other.

“I’m sorry, and I know you said we could just keep it casual, but I’m actually seeing someone at the moment. I don’t want to upset him by having dinner with another man,” Christian’s gaze meets mine, relief in his eyes. “Especially since it could be turning into something more serious.”

“Oh,” Spencer says. “Well, I’m disappointed, but I’m happy for you. You have my number if you change your mind. And you know that I still hope the job works out, too.”

“Me too. Take care,” I tell him before ending the call, knowing Spencer isn’t the type to be petty enough to urge his aunt not to hire me just because we’re not going to be dating.

Grinning over at me, Christian mouths “Thank you” and I nod back at him. If I’m going to expect him to be faithful, to not see any other women, then I can’t be going out on any dates, even friendly ones. Not that I ever really wanted to…

When I return to the living room, Christian is watching me. His eyes flicker with curiosity, and I can tell he wants to ask about the call, but he doesn’t. Instead, he stands up and stretches, giving Finley a pat on the back before he comes up to me.

Speaking low enough that only I can hear, he says, voice light, “Do you want me to head out tonight or do you want me to stay?”

I smile and tell him equally quietly, “Stay. If you want.”

“Of course I want,” he whispers, his heavy-lidded eyes lowering to my lips, warming my belly.

“Until the morning like last night?”

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