Page 33 of Hello Tease

The text bubble appeared for a long moment then disappeared and came back again.

Larkin: It’s been a long time since someone asked me that.

My heart clenched in a way I wasn’t used to feeling.

Knox: I’m here when you have an answer.

I hoped maybe I could be a part of it.

16

LARKIN

I was eatinglunch alone in the employee break room, watching a video about yoga for seniors, when the call from Nancy came through. Worry immediately hit me because she usually didn’t call throughout the day, only sent a text or two to let me know if something happened out of the usual or if I needed to restock diapers or something like that.

“Hello?” I answered. “Is everything okay?”

I could hear the choppy, robotic sound of music from a child’s toy in the background as she replied, “We’re fine here, but I just realized I can’t keep the kids overnight for your date tonight.”

I waited for her to explain further, but then it hit me. She saiddate. And I hadn’t told her the reason for the sleepover was a date—I’d just said I needed some time to myself.

What they said about small towns was true. Everyone knew everything about everyone here. There was no such thing as a secret.

My heart sank, because even though I’d been nervous to go out with Bennett, I’d been looking forward to going on my first date since the divorce. And getting some distance from Knox, since our text conversation the night before had my heart even more involved than it should have been. Everything about him screamed tenderness and care, two things I desperately desired and yet had no business dreaming about getting from him.

“That’s too bad,” I said, my voice coming out a whisper.

“It’s really too soon for you to be dating anyway,” Nancy said. “Especially with two small children at home. You know some men target single moms because of their children?”

My lips parted in shock, and the familiar sting of anger hit my veins. Was she really questioning my judgement as a mother, telling me it was too soon to date? I wanted to tell her that her son hadn’t thought it was too soon when we were still married, but I bit my tongue. She and Jerald were doing me a huge favor by watching the kids for free while I worked. So I simply said, “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll pick them up after work.”

Hot, angry tears stung my eyes as I hung up the phone. I set it down on the table and got up, irately pacing the break room.

It wasn’t fair. Seth was off doing whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted. He didn’t have to do anything more than write a check. Meanwhile, I was watching the children, making a new home, working full-time, staying up with Jackson at night, comforting Emily when he wouldn’t call. It was all so much.

I needed a break. And a lot more coffee.

I shoved my meal aside and decided to walk to the diner to get some space and a fresh coffee. As soon as I was out of the building and on the sidewalk, the hot midday sun beat down on me. I wished my sister was here to talk with me, but I did the next best thing, taking out my phone and calling her. I put my earbuds in and listened to the phone ring. At least I knew she would be there for me no matter what.

After a few rings, she answered, “Hello, gorgeous.”

“Hey.” My voice broke.

“What’s going on?” Her concern nearly broke me, but I held my head high, walking along the wide sidewalks.

“My in-laws found out about my date, so they won’t babysit anymore. I think I’ll have to cancel.” I wiped at my eyes, the tears mingling with fresh beads of perspiration.

“Damn it,” she muttered. I could hear her turn off the TV in the background. “There has to be another person in town who will babysit. What about—”

“Don’t say it,” I muttered.

“Your sexy, tatted neighbor?” I could hear the Cheshire grin in her voice.

That definitely distracted me from the tears. Because hehadsaid I could ask him anytime. But this last minute? For a date? Would that be awkward?

Only if he actually had feelings for me, I thought.

But judging by how happy he acted about my date, he didn’t have feelings for me like I did for him. And then I remembered the text Bennett sent me earlier today.

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