Page 19 of Twice Shy

Morgan looked more distant than last time they’d met. Restrained. Handsome too, in a serious way. Ollie’s stomach gave a little cramping squeeze. “Good. Dried out from the car wash. I, uh, have your sweatshirt. Thanks for the use of it.” He slid the bag over the table. “I washed it.”

“Oh, thanks.” Morgan took the bag. His fingers tapped against the table. After a pause, he said, “Um, how are the boys? Is Nia babysitting again tonight?”

“Yeah. Rory likes her, but he was a little—” He made a wobbly gesture with his hand. “Hopefully he’ll be okay.”

Morgan tipped his head in query. “A little what?”

“Anxious.” He sighed, glanced around the table but nobody was listening because they were still busy organizing drinks. In a lower voice, Ollie said, “Rory was with a babysitter when his mom— When the accident happened.” He pressed his lips together, fingers gripping the edge of his seat. “His parents died in a car accident.”

“God,” Morgan said. “That’s awful.”

“Yeah. He’d just turned four, so… He remembers. Sometimes he worries that I won’t come home.”

“Poor kid.” Morgan blew out a breath, looking genuinely moved. After a moment he said, “Rory told me, actually.”

That was a surprise. “Really?”

“Well. He told me his parents were in heaven.”

“Interesting.” Very interesting. “He doesn’t often do that.”

Morgan smiled. He had a nice smile, it started in his eyes and filled them with warmth. “He’s a great kid. He seems happy, despite everything. Which I assume is your doing.”

“Me?” Ollie shook his head. He didn’t even know where to start with his own doubts—and the Palmers’ doubts—about his ability to provide the boys with the home they needed. “He still sees a therapist. His grandparents pay for it. She’s been great, really helped him deal. I’m just—” Embarrassingly, his emotions slipped out from under his control and he had to pause before he said, “I’m just making it up as I go along.”

Morgan watched him, frowning slightly. He looked so certain, so solid, it made Ollie want to grab his certainty and hold on for dear life. “Well, looks like you’re doing a good job to me.”

“I hope so.”

A jostle at his side tore Ollie’s attention away from Morgan, and he realized the woman next to him—Sandra, was it?—needed to get out. He stood up to let her pass, and Jackie cooed at him from the far end of the booth.

“Ollie! Are you boys joining us for wine?”

He glanced at Morgan who had a set look on his face. His teacher face, Ollie realized. “I’ll just grab a soda,” Ollie said. “I’m driving. Mr. Morgan, you want anything from the bar?”

“Soda for me too. I’ll get them.” Morgan stood and headed to the bar with Sandra, leaving Ollie to slide back into his seat. He felt wobbly—always did when he talked about Jules—but lighter too, fizzing after Morgan’s praise. Nobody except his mom ever told him he was doing well, so to hear it from a guy like that meant something. It meant a lot.

“What a gentleman,” Jackie sighed from the back of the booth. “Sucha shame about his wife. Whatwasshe thinking? I’d snap him up in a heartbeat.”

“Good grief,” Alyssa muttered, while some of the other moms laughed awkwardly. “She’s shameless.”

Ollie smiled, watching Morgan standing at the bar, one hip cocked to show off a rather nicely shaped ass. “She’s got a thing for Mr. Morgan, huh?”

“And you. And every other guy who crosses her path, apparently. You haven’t noticed?”

“Well.” He hesitated, trying to gauge Alyssa’s reaction. “Flirting with women isn’t exactly my thing.”

She laughed. “I guess not, but don’t worry, you’re safe. Mr. Morgan’s Jackie’s real crush.”

“Can’t blame her for that,” he said, and then flushed. “Shit, sorry. That’s inappropriate. I didn’t mean— That is, I don’t—”

“Honey, relax. Half the parents in school have a crush on Joel Morgan. I think it’s all that brooding reserve and dedicated home improvement he’s got going on.” Her gaze drifted over to the bar. “Either that or the cute butt.”

Ollie flushed. “Oh my God, shh!”

Alyssa’s expression changed, her smile falling away. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m kidding.”

“I know. Sorry.” Embarrassed by his overreaction, he nudged her elbow and dropped his voice to a murmur. “I wastotallychecking out his ass. But also—I shouldn’t be, I guess?”

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