Page 20 of Tart
He nodded and pursed his lips. “I can’t say that I even remember much about them anymore, which is to be expected, but it is still hard for me to accept. My grandparents have both passed now, too, so there isn’t much left to the Halla name. It’s just Athena and me.”
“Athena sounds like a badass warrior, though, so I know she’ll carry the name proudly for many years to come.”
He laughed and winked, his long lashes coming down to brush his cheek. “Maybe forever unless she takes her wife’s last name in the future.”
“Her wife’s?” My mind caught up to my mouth, and my lips made an O. “Her wife’s.”
“She’s been out for years, and I know that all parents say that they always knew their child was gay, but her mother and I did. I swear we knew since the day she was born.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I don’t question any parent who says they know their child that well. I don’t have kids, but when I have one, I figure I’ll understand right quick what they’re talking about.”
He pointed at me and smiled. “You can become a parent without even thinking about it, but you can’t raise a child without thinking about every single thing you do with and for them. It’s the hardest job in the world. That’s saying a lot when I take care of other people’s children for a living.”
“I’ve heard that before—from my mother,” I said with laughter. “I suppose I better go to bed. I have to be at the bakery early tomorrow.”
He stood and walked around my chair, picking up my cane for me and then steadying me by my elbow. “I’ll walk you home. It’s dark, and I don’t want you to trip.”
“It’s okay. I left the light on,” I said, taking a step and almost falling into the fire.
He grasped my arm and held it tightly until I righted myself. “You sure about that?”
I sighed with resignation and hung my head. “I’m not sure about much anymore, Bishop, other than I had a nice evening. I’m glad we got the fence down with no one suffering any further splinters.”
He smiled, and in the low light of the fire, my heart flared to life a little bit. I made sure to pour a bucket of cold water on that feeling instantly. I couldn’t fall for this guy. He was too hot, too educated, and way too out of my league to find me interesting for very long. Considering that he was helping me walk across the grass to my apartment, he would lose interest faster than most guys.
We arrived at my apartment, and I was glad I’d left the light on over the door. It’s easy to pretend you don’t want to kiss someone when a harsh light is making you squint.
“Thanks for the steaks and the company. We should do this again. I enjoy being able to sit outside and listen to the lake with a friend. There’s something to be said for nature and a nice campfire.”
I nodded and slid the door open, ready to step into safety. “I agree. Thanks for helping with the fence. I can’t wait to show Haylee what it looks like tomorrow. She’ll be jazzed that the eyesore is gone.”
He smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets, bouncing up on his toes. “Jazzed, huh. Well, I’m glad I could make her happy.”
“You made me happy, too.”
He laughed and shook his head, staring at his shoes. “Well, you could have fooled me, but if I brought even a little bit of a bright spot to your day, then it made my day worth living. Sleep well, Amber.”
“Thanks, Bishop. Have a good night,” I said, stealing into the house before I kissed him like the fool I wanted to be. Thank God enough of the alcohol had left my system to keep me from making a bad decision.
He waited until the door closed, and then he turned and walked back to his yard. While he busied himself putting out the fire, I stood in the darkness and watched him work. Bishop Halla was less of a mystery than he was eight hours ago. Unfortunately, what I knew about him now made me want to turn the next page even more.
The truth was obvious. I was crushing on Bishop Halla. I shook my head as I limped to my bedroom. I was in so much trouble.
