Page 58 of Silver Fox's Baby

“I’m sorry, Ms. Everett. I just lost my head. I’m not sure what I was thinking, to be honest. It was inappropriate.”

She gapes. “All because I haven’t been with someone before?” Her cheeks grow a muddy red color, and the guilt pommels me.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just... It’s for the best.” I do my best to keep my voice calm and careful, but the look on her face says it all. I’ve hurt her.

She nods. “I understand.” She shakes her head and then spins on her heels. She goes out the kitchen door, and then disappears. But I can hear her calling Dorian’s name.

My shoulders drop as I slip through the kitchen and into the dining room. The sound of the boys’ voices reach me, and I can hear them both whining about how short the time was. I nearly join them, intent on telling them that maybe they can see each other again. It’s just Melody and I who can’t be alone together.

Melody must say something that works because a few moments later, the front door closes.

“Man...” Connor enters the dining room, his shoulders sagging. “I can’t believe he has such a strict sister. I was hoping we could hang out like twice as long as we did.”

I purse my lips, feeling guiltier than ever. “I’m sorry, buddy. Maybe we can get together another time. I can take you guys to do something—”

“Yeah, right.” He snorts. “It was hard enough just having dinner together. I thought since you and Melody work together or whatever, you’d be able to talk to each other for a long time.”

My stomach knots up. “Well, I guess she had to go.”

“Were you mean to her?” The question catches me off guard.

“Why would I be mean to her? She’s my assistant and student.”

He looks up at me, his eyes boring into mine. “I’m not stupid, Dad. She didn’t look very happy when they were leaving. She lookedupset.”

I don’t know what to tell my son, but I don’t want him to blame it all on me, even if it is my fault. This entire custody battle has made me feel like I have to walk on eggshells when it comes to keeping the peace.

Especially with talk of Madeline moving.

“I didn’t upset her,” I say carefully. “We had a nice conversation and cleaned up the kitchen together. She just needed to go. I don’t think you understand the dynamic that I have to maintain with my students. I can’t do anything that might cause someone to think there’s more going on than there is.”

His face contorts. “That’s so dumb. Who cares if you like her? Or she likes you? I don’t get it. Besides, Dorian thinks she likes you a lot.”

What? No way. Right? This is just lust.

“Adults can’t be like that, Connor.”

He lets out a long, heavy breath and then turns away from me. “I’m going to bed. I don’t feel like staying up and talking about how weird you are anymore.”

“I’m not weird. I’m just an adult trying to make sense of everything. Sometimes, things just can’t be the way we’d like them to be, no matter how much we wish they could.”

He cocks a brow at me. “That makes it sound like you like her, too.”

Damn, this kid is smart.

I sigh, running my hands over my face. “Life isn’t always that easy, Connor. It’s not always as simple as two people liking each other.”

“That’s just dumb.”

I don’t know if it’s a good idea for him to think that I like Melody in any way other than professional, but he’s not around my workplace all that much.

And besides, I know what I have to do to make this alright.

My stomach continues to knot up as I make my way toward the stairs, climbing them slowly but surely.

The thought of Melody’s reaction to what I have to do makes my head feel light and chest feel heavy. It’s not going to go over well. I know that.

I just have to figure out how to do it, and still ensure that they get the monetary help they need. I don’t want to leave Dorian in the dust.

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