Page 73 of Changing Tides

Parker wraps his arms around the little girl and pulls her into a tight hug.

“Oh, Leia, grown-ups and their feelings can be complicated sometimes, but you know what? No one could meet you and not love you. I promise you that.”

I can see the weight of the words heavy on Parker’s face. That’s not a promise he can make for Leia’s father, but he pours all the reassurance he can into that embrace.

He looks over at me above her head.

His gaze conveys exactly what he’s thinking.This is what I meant by single mothers are different.

I swallow hard and nod at him.I get it now.

Avie

Sebastian acted strange after dinner. I don’t know if it was the island bunny comments Amiya made or what, but when we invited them back to the cottage for one more movie night before she left, Anson accepted, but Sebastian and Parker declined, saying they had plans to meet friends at the bar later.

Now, I’m not one to read anything into situations like this. People have plans, and they aren’t always available. He owes me zero explanation. We aren’t dating. We’re barely acquaintances. We aren’t even acquaintances with benefits. We shared one night. Technically two. Sure, he seemed extremely interested in us the past few weeks, but maybe all he wanted was to, as he put it, “punish” me for cutting out on him once. Now, he’s done with me.

That’s fine. I’m done with him too.

Still, the entire ride back to the house, I imagine just what kind of “friends” they are meeting.

Anson is no help. When Amiya casually asks about their plans, he just shrugs and says something about a bartender who’s hot for them both.

“A ménage à trois perhaps?” she jokes.

“Maybe,” he replies nonchalantly.

The thought causes bile to rise in my throat.

Shit, Avie. You can’t have caught feelings after one night with the man.

I mentally scold myself as I white-knuckle the steering wheel of the golf cart.

“I didn’t figure Sebastian to be that adventurous,” Amiya notes.

“More like Parker isn’t. Sebastian’s always been a playboy, but Parker is a romantic,” Anson says.

“Sebastian’s always been a playboy.”

If I wasn’t sure before that getting involved with the guy was a bad idea, that statement from a man who’s known him his entire life just drove the point home.

I’m glad he didn’t come back with us.

I let the anger drive out the jealousy and floor the golf cart as we make our way down the lamp-lit street.

Leia throws her hands in the air and screams, “Wee,” as her hair flies around her face.

Once we’re home, Amiya makes popcorn while I get Leia bathed. I only allow her to watch one thirty-minute cartoon before I scoot her off to bed.

She stomps her way down the hall in protest.

“But I’m not even tired,” she whines as I tuck her in.

“We talked about this. Tomorrow, Mommy starts her job, and we both have to get up early. So, we have to start going to sleep early now too.”

“Are you going to bed?” she asks through tears.

“Yep. I sure am.”

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