AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I raised a hand. “I’ll pick up oranges.”
She grinned. “You’re a lifesaver, Jacob. See ya!”
If Carly’s head wasn’t attached, she’d forget it. Lucky for both of us, she had herself together when it came to taking care of Sage. We’d been teens when she was born, and while I’d walked around in a daze the first couple weeks of my little girl’s life, Carly had stepped right into her new role like it had been as natural as breathing. I’d gotten there eventually. Wouldn’t trade my girl for the world. But I hadn’t even been eighteen when Sage had come squalling into the world.
Now that she had entered her teen years, I was right back to that same place, wholly unprepared, but this time for my little girl to start growing up. Hell, she’d be in high school next year, only a couple years younger than I was when she’d been born. Crazy to fathom, and if I thought about it too often, I’d go apeshit.
I ran up the stairs and grabbed my phone, right on the verge of texting Clara an explanation or at least an apology. I wish she’d stayed in bed like I’d told her to, but then what? There was no future for us, not when we both had kids we were protective over. I wasn’t about to introduce Clara to Sage only for her to disappear from both our lives.
Tossing my phone aside, I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting it heat up. It was better this way, and with how reticent Clara had been to go there with me again, I was pretty sure she’d agree.
I took a quick shower, ignoring the claw marks on my thighs and sides of my ass. They’d fade, just like this heat between Clara and me. It’d been good, but I was letting it go.
We’d play things how she wanted.
Easy.
Uncomplicated.
This would be better for both of us.
Chapter Fourteen
Clara
Lunch with Luca was next on my calendar. My brother hadn’t informed me which restaurant we’d be going to, so when it was time to go, I knocked on his office door, my stomach growling. Hopefully he’d made reservations at Green Station. I dreamed of their salads on particularly sad, lonely nights.
This past week had been full of those. I’d heard nothing from Jake, not even a “fuck off, loser,” and I would not be the one to break the silence. We were very obviously done, but the least he owed me was an explanation.
I wasn’t holding my breath on getting one. In fact, I was actively working on forgetting him entirely.
“Come in,” Luca called.
I swung the door open and couldn’t quite comprehend the scene in front of me. I blinked a few times, and even still, it didn’t make sense.
Sitting on the floor atop a checkered picnic blanket was my brother and his wife, Saoirse, with Nellie between them, munching on a baby carrot.
She waved. “Hi, Mommy.”
I closed the door behind me, frowning at the grinning trio. “Hi, honey. I didn’t expect to see you here,” I managed to squeeze out through raw panic.
“We helped her escape from behind bars,” Luca explained.
Saoirse lightly slapped his knee. “Also known as signing her out of preschool.”
They were both on my official approved pickup list at Nellie’s day care, but I never imagined they’d use that permission to do…this. The only times they’d picked her up was when I was running late at a meeting—when I’d asked them to.
Luca wiggled his fingers. “Surprise!”
When I didn’t move, Saoirse rushed out, “Don’t worry. I’ll take her right back after lunch.”
My sister-in-law truly was wonderful. Tall and honey blonde, she was so gorgeous. At first glance, a lot of people were intimidated or expected her to be a bitch. The fact was, she was more down to earth than anyone I knew and would give the shirt off her back to a stranger. I reminded myself she was an incredible aunt and I trusted her with Nellie.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to tamp down the whirling, whipping emotions cycloning in my chest.
Luca’s brow dropped. He must’ve seen something in my face I didn’t want him to.
“Hey,” he said gently. “We just wanted to surprise you. I’m sorry if it was an overstep.”
