AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, that would be nice.” Mandy brushes her hand on Mae’s shoulder, but Mae’s tight smile and stiff spine tell me that her walls are firmly stacked.
As soon as I close the front door, I apologize. “I’m really sorry. I just can’t leave them like this.”
Mandy gives me a sad smile. “It’s good to care about people. You’re a great guy, Remington.”
“I really did have fun tonight before all this. Maybe I can get a redo?”
Her cheeks flush. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Consider it a date.”
The cab pulls up, and it’s that awkward moment of should I or shouldn’t I.
I’m on the fence. I stall by walking her down the steps, but fuck it. It was a date, after all. I open the cabbie door and give her a small kiss on the side of her mouth before she climbs in. Waving as I walk back up the steps, I rub my lips together.
As far as first kisses go, it was nice. A little perfunctory, maybe—not that I expected fireworks on the first date. But…
No buts. It was nice, and it will be even nicer the second time. I’m determined to date this girl because I cannot—will not—pursue something unrequited. Something that will surely be my undoing. Something I won’t recover from.
When I get back to Mae, she’s tidying up the family room. There are toys thrown everywhere, so I silently help her.
“Remi, you’re amazing. Truly. But I need you to go. I’m tired, and I nee—”
“I need to stay.”
We have a stare-off. Neither of us willing to surrender. Both of us wanting what’s best for the other.
She doesn’t realize how deeply they are rooted in my life. Hell, I didn’t realize it until that call tonight.
“Do you have any idea what went through my head when you called? The panic in your voice. The agony in Isabel’s…” Putting the last of the stuffies away, I face Mae. “Fuckin’ ripped my heart right out of my chest. So please, for my sake, let me stay.”
I’ll beg if I have to.
But why? They are fine now. Isabel needs me and so does Mae, nothing more.
Stiff shoulders release as green irises glow emerald. “Fine.” Even though she relents, there’s reluctance in her tone. “There’s a guest room down the hall, but I’m paying you overtime.” Without another word, she turns off the lights and heads for the stairs.
I’m not ready to let her go. She needs to understand this is more than my duty as a caregiver. Just because it isn’t in my job description doesn’t mean it isn’t my concern. I care … too much.
“Not so fast, Queeny. We need to talk.”
“What about?” She sniffs, halting her steps but not turning around. She’s so heavily guarded, but I see it for what it is—fear. She’s afraid of relying on anyone outside of herself. Afraid of disappointment.
Mae doesn’t know the lengths I’d go to to make her and Isabel happy.
I step in close, my hands ghosting over her back but not daring to make contact. “About you dismissing me earlier, when I said I wanted to stay.”
She shivers, and something akin to satisfaction settles in my gut.
“Because you’re not obligated to stay. You weren’t even obligated to come. I feel like shit for messing up your date.” She rakes her fingers through her naughty hair. “You have your own life, Remi. I don’t want you to get caught up in mine.” By her sharp tone, I can tell she’s going to shut me out.
Not this time.
Awareness of what I’m about to do thrums through me. My thoughts are reckless and frantic, my limbs aching with a need so powerful it silences everything else. I yank her back to my chest and wrap my arms around her, almost sighing in contentment. There’s that warm, fuzzy feeling again.
She doesn’t hug me back, but she doesn’t push me away either.
My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t break a rib.
