Page 58 of Perfectly Complicated
“Which is exactly why I’m going out with David,” I say calmly. “And not you.”
“Tell me,” he goes on, “what are you going to do with Aria while you’re out?”
I lift a shoulder before putting away the props. “I’ll figure it out.”
His jaw tics. “I could watch her.”
I huff out a laugh. “You…babysit? Now,that’shilarious.”
“Why do you find that funny?” His brow creases.
“Because—”
I can’t trust myself to come home to you holding my daughter.That image is exactly what I can’t let myself want.
But I can’t admit that. So instead, I blurt out,“…It’s a bad idea.”
He blinks quickly, trying to hold back his frustration. “Why? I’m already living at your house. And someone has to make sure Aria’s okay while you’re out partying with your teacher friend.”
My mouth drops. “What kind of teacher parties do you think we have?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” He crosses his arms, and I don’t miss the accusation in his expression. “I bet some teachers get pretty wild. You know, tossing a few desks, getting into fights because their love life has less action than a scoreless hockey game.”
I rest a hand on my hip, glaring at him. “Rourke, this is crazy.”
“Obviously. But so is refusing to let me help. Why is this so hard for you to accept?”
I hesitate before saying the thing I know will put distance between us—needed,necessary distance. “Because that’s not who you are. You’renotthe domestic type. You do hockey and parties and…women who don’t want commitment.”
Hurt flickers across his face. “You think that’s what I am?”
“I think you’re exactly what you’ve always been,” I say, without flinching. “And I can’t afford toforget that.”
For a second, he looks devastated as the words hang between us. I can’t let myself get hurt again, for Aria’s sake and my own.
He stares at me for a long moment, then nods once, sharp and final. “Message received.” Then he backs away slowly, his mouth a tight line. “Enjoy your not-a-date with Peterson. I’m sure you’ll have a very educational evening.”
I want to stop him, to tell him the truth even though I know what’s best for Aria and me. Whatever happened the weekend we went to Santaville has to end now.
He’s at the edge of the stage when he turns back one more time. “For what it’s worth, Bennett, you’re wrong about me.”
I keep my face neutral. “Oh, really? How?”
He takes a step toward me, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that makes me quake inside. “You think I want a fling? I don’t. I was just waiting.”
“For what?”
His gaze never leaves mine as he delivers the final blow. “For a woman who would make me want to come home every night instead of avoiding it.”
My heart trips in my chest.
“You want to know what type of man I am? The type who would choose the woman I love every single day. Who would put my family first,always. I wouldn’t just stay. I’d never want to leave.”
It’s everything I’ve wanted to hear. AndnothingI can let myself believe.
He shakes his head, bitterness filling his tone. “But you’ve already decided I’m not that guy. So have a great time with Peterson. Hope he’s everything you think you need.”
Then he turns on his heel and walks out.
