AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"So why bother wearing the earbuds?"
"Because I could tell something was wrong with you and I'm not stupid. You only talk to Aunt Lyla about grown-up stuff when you think I'm not paying attention."
"When did you get so smart?"
"My mama made me that way." He flashed his charming smile, the one that I hated to admit came from his father. It was the same smile that got me into trouble in the first place. Fortunately, Lucien was a much better man than his father would ever be.
A knock on the door stopped any further discussions.
"I'll get it." Lucien was up off the stool before I could tell him to let me do it instead.
Before a month ago, I never would've thought twice about who could be on the other side. I practically knew everyone on the block and the few newcomers who came to town weren't strangers after the first day. The welcoming committee—that wasn't their actual name, but they were the people who initiated contact—had all the information within hours because they were that nosy.
But now, I had to worry about my past making a comeback and trying to take away my sweet boy.
"Mom, it's the security company."
All I could see was Easton. Cargo shorts, a fitted t-shirt, and a baseball hat tipped low enough that it was covering some of his eyes. Each part individually probably wouldn't have meant anything, but the whole package …
Yeah, that was doing a lot to my girly parts.
It wasn't the same thing he had been in earlier. Damn the man.
"I see that."
Way to keep things smooth, Kati!
My voice was ten octaves too high and there was no way the two men standing on the front porch didn't hear it. Although they were gracious enough not to comment or smirk about it.
Lucien, on the other hand, wasn't so nice. The look on his face said it all. He was curious about what was going on with me. Thankfully he didn't say anything, not in front of Easton at least. I had a feeling there would be a discussion later though.
The awkward silence continued. Lucien stared at me. Easton stared at me. I did my best not to look at anyone. Nolen's eyes bounced back and forth between Easton and me, as he tried to figure out what was happening.
Same, buddy. Same.
It was Nolen who finally broke the tense moment. "We'll just get started out here with the cameras and motion sensors. It will take some time before we need to come in to set up the control monitor. Feel free to act like we aren't even here."
Like that was even possible. Easton had only to be in the vicinity and my body immediately came alive. The traitorous bitch didn't seem to understand that he was off-limits. All men were, if I were being honest. I didn't have the time for the complication in my life. Not when I needed to learn to be a better mother to my son.
"Thank you. Feel free to knock if you need anything."
The awkward silence was back. Easton was looking at me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve.
Good luck was all I could say to that. After thirty-five years I didn't have the first clue what I was doing with my life, so I sure as hell didn't think another person would figure it out.
The stare-off only ended when Nolen tugged his co-worker away and Lucien closed the door.
I needed to escape. I needed five minutes to compose myself before my son started asking questions.
"I'll be right back."
I didn't wait for Lucien to answer, or for him to question why I was running away.
Five minutes. I would give myself five minutes to mentally break down and then the mask could slip back on and no one would be wiser to my internal struggles.
I really need to stop lying to myself.
CHAPTER EIGHT
