Page 91 of Hello Tease

“Emily was happy to see you,” I said, breaking the silence.

His expression was tortured as he said, “Jackson hardly recognized me.”

My heart hurt for him, just for a moment, because he was in a mess of his own making. “It’s hard to know someone you hardly see.”

He looked down at the sidewalk again. “Guess I deserved that.”

I folded my arms across my chest, waiting for him to explain what we had to talk about.

Finally, he said, “I was wondering if I could start taking my visits every other weekend? I feel bad about the dad I’ve been, and I know I need to do better. They’re growing up... without me.”

Fear squeezed my chest. Seth had hardly ever watched the kids by himself when we were married, and now it had been months. That didn’t sound good for the kids or my anxiety. But I also knew he was legally entitled to his visits. Divorce fucking sucked.

“Is there a chance you could do the visits at your parents’ for a little while? Save them the driving back and forth?” I asked. It would make me feel better if Seth had some backup and the kids were closer to home.

Home. That’s what Cottonwood Falls was for me now.

Seth nodded. “It would be nice to have some help with them too. Mom said Jackson’s still waking up at night?”

“He was when she was watching him, but he’s been sleeping through the night for months now,” I said, relieved I could sleep through the night too. That first year it took him to find his rhythm had been exhausting.

He nodded. “So next weekend we can do the visit?”

“Sure,” I said. A chilly breeze blew my hair over my face, and I tucked it back behind my ears.

We stood silently for a moment.

“So Knox.” He nodded toward the house.

My protective defenses came up, especially after Seth had insulted him last time. Knox had been there for me and the kids in a way Seth had never been. “What about him?”

“He’s the one you want?”

My lips lifted into a smile of their own accord. I glanced back toward my house, and through the front window, I saw him helping Nancy back up and then dancing with Emily in the living room. It wasn’t wholly accurate to say Knox was the man I wanted.

It made it seem like I was picking out a handbag from a department store shelf. But I didn’t need him either. I knew I had what it took to stand on my own two feet. And yes, I loved Knox, but one thing I learned from my failed marriage with Seth was that a relationship took more than love.

So I settled for the truest words I knew. “He’s the one I choose.”

53

LARKIN

THANKSGIVING

“TAYLEE!”I yelled, running to my sister and hugging her as soon as she opened the door to her fancy Parisian apartment. My arms were tight around her, and there was no chance I was letting her go. Every bit of me relaxed, nearly succumbing to tears at how good it felt to be with my sister again. I’d missed her so much, and I was so damn glad to finally see her again.

She stroked my hair like she did when we were kids. “It’s so good to see you,” she said, her voice full of warmth. When we pulled back, I noticed moisture shining in her eyes as well. We were all that was left of our family, and now we were together.

Grinning through the tears, she kissed both my cheeks and then said, “Let me see those babies!” She got on her knees, seeing Emily and Jackson walking toward her cautiously, as Knox followed them into the flat.

“Hi, Aunt Tay,” Emily said.

Taylee gave her a squeeze, then letting Emily go, said, “Is that Jackson? He is so big!”

Emily nodded. “He just turned two.”

“Good thing I have presents for both of you.” She held out her hands, and Jackson walked to her like he instinctively knew Taylee was our people.

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