CHAPTER SIXTEEN #3
I shake my head, raising a brow. “All for show. Maybe she’s realised that once her affair gets out, and that she hasn’t seen her son in weeks, she won’t be too popular.
” I shake my head. “I don’t know. I thought sorting custody out for Oz would be a good thing so he never has to worry about where he belongs or if he’s going to be left with the nanny for days on end.
Not that Connie isn’t amazing, but he needs his parents, and Chelsea has to learn it isn’t a job she can pick up and drop whenever she chooses.
Ozzie needs boundaries. He needs routine, and most of all, he needs both parents in equal measures.
I’m just not sure Chelsea will ever be willing to give him the kind of love and attention he deserves from her. ”
Angie leans forward, placing her hand on my thigh. My muscles tense under her touch, her beautiful blue eyes lock with mine and the air crackles between us. “You’re an amazing father, Tom. I hope you know that.”
I nod. “Thanks.” Our connection never breaks. Fuck. Here we go again. We’re locked in the moment, just the two of us, and when her tongue brushes across her bottom lip, my eyes drop to her mouth. I can’t help it.
I wish I knew if she had just an ounce of feeling left for me and, if so, would she act on it? Would she let me in?
Maybe this shouldn’t happen; it’s all kinds of wrong.
Scott was Ash’s best friend. Would Ash hate me if I acted on my feelings for her?
And the guy she’s seeing, what about him?
I’m trying to fight it. With every argument I can muster, I try to find reasons why this should not happen.
But what if there is more than one soulmate out there for everyone?
What if this was always meant to be, but the stars had to align perfectly?
This girl has always been special to me.
Everything about her is beautiful; the way she fights, the way she cares, and especially the way she loves.
My heart hammers against my chest while a sense of euphoria is ready to burst out of my body.
These feelings don’t happen every day. In fact, for me, the last time it happened was a long time ago.
With Angie. Jesus, I’d forgotten how she made me feel.
Now those feelings are all coming back, but this time, I’m not afraid of them.
On instinct, my finger slides along the outline of her jaw, and her breath hitches while our eyes remain connected. I urge her closer. She’s just a moment away and her gaze is so intense, like she’s waiting for me to deliver a silent promise.
Slowly, I push her long hair away from her neck and over her shoulder.
Her chin lifts a little, as if she’s giving me permission to go ahead and place my lips to her skin.
She wants this too. My senses take in her soft scent, like spring flowers, while I comb my fingers through her long blonde hair, cupping the back of her head.
We gaze into each other’s eyes while my heart beats out of my chest. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I can hear hers too.
My hands slip down her arm, finding her hand before I pull her onto my lap and when she circles her arms around me, the rapid rise and fall of her chest, becomes obvious.
She cups my jaw, bringing me closer still. Her lips almost brush mine. Almost. I don’t force it. I want to take this at her pace.
My eyes search hers once again and I’m about to finally press my lips to her mouth, when a noise upstairs jolts our bodies apart. Without warning and all too quickly we hear footsteps.
“I’ve settled Oz down for a nap and Josh is watching a movie. They’re exhausted…”
Connie’s voice fades as Angie practically jumps up from my lap and strolls over to the window.
There’s a silence I have trouble filling, but Connie digs me out of that hole. Either she saw us or realised something was going on. I look towards her.
“I’ll just…” She gestures with her thumb over her shoulder while Angie turns her head the other way. I get up and walk around, trying to control my breathing while combing my fingers through my hair.
“Yeah, thanks, Connie,” I say, but she’s already gone.
“Angie—”
I don’t know where I’m going from here. Her blue eyes shine towards me, but all I do is rub my brow with my fingertips.
“I’d better collect Josh and go.” Angie pauses at the bottom of the stairs. Maybe she wants to say something. After a few seconds, she finally climbs them in silence.
Fuck. What have I done?
Angie is up there for a while but when she eventually comes down with Josh, he runs straight for me, grabbing onto my legs. “Thank you for having me, Uncle Tommy.”
Ruffling his hair, my eyes focus on Angie. “No problem, buddy.”
“Get your toys from the garden, Josh. I’ll be there in a second,” Angie says, not meeting my gaze.
He nods and runs out the back door.
There’s another brief pause. “Thanks for having Josh over,” she says, following him.
I should ask her to stay and talk or see her tonight, but instead, I blurt out a question that’s been playing on my mind. “Are you still seeing that guy?”
She pauses, with her fingers on the door handle.
“It’s a simple question.” I don’t want to put pressure on her, but I need to know.
Silently, she opens the door and leaves without another word.
Her silence speaks volumes and gives me the answer I was dreading. I’ve lost her before we’ve even begun.