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I rest my hand on his. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
He nods, a smile touching his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve come to terms with it. That’s all you can do. We may not have been romantically involved at that point, but she will always be family.”
“I respect that.”
“I’ve not been with a woman in a very long time. Nothing has felt right, and though sex is pretty basic, that’s not how I work. Despite the rumors.”
Holy cannoli.
And yes, there has been a lot of gossip, but my heart feels less heavy, hearing that.
“How long?”
His eyes graze up my body, meeting my stare. “Years.”
“Clearly, that’s by choice. You’re a handsome man.”
He gives me a chin lift, his lips tipping up. “What about you?”
I blink in surprise. “What about me?”
“Why are you single? If you don’t mind me asking.”
My breath catches in my chest. Okay, I wasn’t expecting that…
I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Well, like you, I stayed friends with my ex. We have a good relationship, but it broke me in half as well.”
“What went wrong, do you think?”
“I guess we just grew apart.” I sigh. “It happens to the best of us. I’m lucky that he gets to be in Mahini’s life. There is zero animosity between us. I’m thankful for that, and he doesn’t shirk his responsibilities.”
“That’s how it should be.”
“I agree. I’m sad when I hear that people can’t get their shit together and be civil; if not for the sake of being a decent person, do it for the kids.” It’s then I realize my hand is still touching his.
He looks down as I pull back, a smile crossing his face. “You’re a good person, Pearl. I knew that the first time I met you.”
His appreciation makes me tingle all over.
Get a grip! Phoebe’s dad. Phoebe’s dad. PHOEBE’S DAD!
“Because I brought the uniforms over to wash?”
He chuckles. “No, because you have a kindness that radiates from within. I can feel it.”
I don’t know what to say to that, but a warmth envelops me. “Decker—”
“I know, trust me. You’re my daughter’s best friend…” he starts, then trails off.
There’s a truth here that can’t be denied between us.
“We can’t,” I whisper. “Can we?”
He swallows, then shakes his head. “You’re too young for me; we both know that.”
“I’m thirty-four. You’re not that much older than me.”
“Try twenty years.”
