Page 46 of When I Had You

I could fall into character and lie, but it’s starting to feel natural to let my guard down with her. “I like you.”

When the phone goes quiet for too long, like five seconds or something, I pick it up to make sure it didn’t drop the call. “Hello?”

“I’m here.” Everything about her tone has changed. Shit. Did I fuck up by telling her the truth?

“Why so serious?”

“Not serious. I just think that was a really sweet thing to say, Cash. Just when I get used to the grump who doesn’t say much, you surprise me.”

“Sometimes I surprise myself.” Like every time I share something I don’t typically tell anyone, but feel free to do so with Marina. “Remember that reputation I’m trying to up—”

“Yeah. Yeah. The whole bad boy thing.” Her laughter trickles through her words. “I’ve been starting to question it. What made you so bad that they decided that title fit the best?”

I start to wonder if she can be scared off at this point. Nothing has worked so far. “A few accidents. An arrest. Bad relationship. The list goes on.”

“I think it needs to be revisited. I just don’t see you as bad as you want to be.”

Chuckling, I say, “You could start a campaign.”

“On it.”

* * *

Thursday . . .

I hate Thursdays.

Four days with my son isn’t enough.

He’s had me serving him ice cream well after bedtime and jumping in puddles because who cares about expensive shoes when I can ruin them with Cullen. Watching him go-kart at an indoor track in Jersey was the highlight. He’s going to be better than I’ve ever been.

I wish he could see me race, at least once, in person. I can already hear Terpidy arguing that it’s too disruptive to his schedule. I could challenge that argument, but that won’t change the fact that I need to respect her as his mother.

“Hop up, buddy.” My mom takes his backpack while I lower down so Cullen can jump onto my back. As much as I love his curiosity, I don’t think I can have another thirty minute conversation about the cracks in the sidewalk.

We start walking again. “We’re booking it today,” she says, eyeing me with a reserved smile.

“I can slow down.”

“You don’t need to do me any favors. I can keep up with you kids.”

I chuckle, knowing she’s the original speed demon in the family. I drive cars. She wears through sneakers.

Cullen’s hand shoots out and points across the street. “Daddy. Candy!”

As luck would have it . . . It’s not the candy I see, though. It’s the woman shoving a piece of chocolate in her mouth. The same woman I go to bed thinking about every night. That’s when our eyes meet. Even from across the street, I can see that pretty face blush and a smile creasing her cheeks.

I cross the small two-way street and step onto the sidewalk with her. She’s more beautiful than I remember, even with a spot of chocolate coating the corner of her mouth. I say, “Same time.”

Her smile blooms for me. “Same place. A happy coincidence.”

13

Cash

The sun is already too low to shine in Marina’s eyes, but they’re still bright blue, staring into mine. “Not sure if you know this,” she whispers, leaning in, “but someone is hanging on your back.”

“There is?” Since Cullen is holding on, I reach around and pretend to discover him. “Wow, there is.” Cullen giggles, his arms tightening around my neck. Playfully coughing because I’m not looking to scare my kid, I choke out, “Save me, Marina.”

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