Page 25 of Ruined
CHAPTER TWELVE
As I greeted the ladies, I noticed Zoe’s back stiffen. I couldn’t quite grasp why I only knew I didn’t like her reaction to me one bit. Hell, I couldn’t even tell you what reaction I’d hoped to get. But that was the thing with this woman; my wires always seemed crossed whenever she was close by.
“Good morning, you two.” To add to my confusion, Kenzie was being overly friendly as well.
“Hi, Miss Kenzie.” Molly brought her hand up, waving enthusiastically. “Hi, Miss Zoe.” Instead of waving, my daughter slipped onto the stool beside Zoe. I followed her lead and took the seat next to her.
Over Molly’s head, I had a clear view of the woman who had robbed me of my sanity. Zoe turned to the side; her smile might’ve been aimed at my daughter, but it mademyinsides do funny things.
“Well, hello there, little Miss Molly. How are you today?”
It was hard not to grin at the sound of Molly’s excited giggle. “You forgot your butterfly. But don’t worry, I colored it for you.”
Zoe covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with surprise. “You did?” When my daughter nodded furiously, Zoe added, “You’ll have to show me.”
Molly went on to describe, in great detail, all the colors she used on the drawing while Zoe listened with, what seemed like, genuine interest. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. My daughter barely knew this woman, and yet, she was conversing with her as if she’d been a part of our lives for years.
I found myself wondering what it would be like to sit and have a conversation with a woman. As much as I tried, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d simply sat and talked with someone. Sure, I was a red-blooded man with needs, but I never needed a woman to take care of matters. Nothing wrong with self-love.
Besides, I had Molly to think of. I couldn’t bring women in and out of her life as the mood struck me; she needed stability. And sleeping with someone just because we needed to get our kicks off, didn’t sit well with me either.
I couldn’t be bothered with finding love because I knew there was no space in my heart for it. Melissa had taken all I had to give, there was no more.
Or so I thought.
Looking at Zoe and Molly had me wondering if it was possible that I’d given up too soon. What if I could still have what Pops and Mama have? What if I could still give my baby girl a whole family? What if I hadn’t walked away that day at the creek?
My brows furrowed at the last question…Was that why Zoe was still so firmly stuck in my head? A feeling of being watched crawled over my skin. I cocked my head and caught sight of Kenzie staring at me over Zoe’s shoulder, a knowing look on her face.
Embarrassment was a feeling I was very unfamiliar with, yet at that moment I wanted the ground to open up and suck me in. She’d watched me while I’d been staring at her friend for who knew how long.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket in hopes that it would distract me from the odd direction my thoughts had taken. No matter how hard I tried, though, I couldn’t shake it. I knew it was silly to be this fixated on a person after only one simple kiss.
But it wasn’t just a simple kiss.
Her lips were like a defibrillator to my heart, jolting it back to life. A feeling so intense, so consuming, it verged on the edge of being painful. As I stared down at the illuminated screen, my mind drifted to the dream I’d had.
Inconspicuously, I glanced sideways at the woman who was patiently listening to my Molly’s ramblings. Could it be that she really needed my help? I studied her; even though her hazel eyes were smiling, I could still detect a hint of something in them. I couldn’t tell if it was sadness, pain or what. I only knew it wasn’t there when I’d first met her.
She’d been completely carefree then. I’d envied her a little for it, too.
“Sorry it took me so long to get to you guys.” The sound of Lizzy’s voice forced my mind back to the present. “It’s a madhouse in here today. The usual?”
I looked over at Molly, who was still talking a mile a minute before I told Lizzy, “Yes, please.” Reaching forward, I touched my daughter’s arm. “Baby, you gotta take a moment and breathe. You’re chatting Zoe’s ear off.”
Her cheeks instantly turned rosy as her head dropped. “I’m sorry.”
Zoe put her hand on Molly’s back and leaned forward. “It’s all good, I like talking with you.”
My daughter tilted her dark head to the side. “You do?”
That smile that did those funny things to me graced Zoe’s lips again, I had to resist the sudden urge to smile with her. When she simply said, “Yeah,” I swallowed down a lump of something in my throat.
What the hell was happening to me?
While I was trying to make sense of the madness inside me, my baby girl turned my way and glared. It was one of those looks that had me scared shitless for her teenage years. Luckily, Lizzy came to my rescue when she slid a stack of pancakes onto the counter. Molly’s annoyance with me melted away as she eagerly tucked into her favorite breakfast.
“Zoe needs another coffee, please.” Kenzie aimed her question at Lizzy but kept her gaze on me. I felt a little like a schoolboy who was being stared down by the headmistress which was strange, to say the least, I was usually the one doing the staring.
