Page 86 of Mister Mom

“What happened?”

“In a nutshell, she’s a crazy, insecure woman and when she saw a make-up artist flirting with me on set one day she lost it. No matter how many times I told her there was nothing going on, a major fight ensued where I told her exactly what I thought of her petty, childish behavior. She didn’t much like that and said it was either her or me. They picked her.”

I knew I didn’t like Gwen. She sounds like a total bitch. Damned if I’ll let him know that though.

“Are you giving Carver another chance?” Vance asks before I can even respond to his story about Gwen. His sweet voice has turned venomous.

“To be a father. That’s all.”

“Still. You forgive him. After everything he put you through.”

“He’s the father of my kids.” I sip the coffee.

“So, you aren’t getting back together?”

The cup clanks when I place it on the table. “No.”

He nods. “What can I do? Surely there’s something I do to can prove to you how sorry I am.” He reaches for my hand and for a second, I let him hold it. I allow the warmth of his touch on my skin to electrify my body like a good night kiss.

“Nothing.” I slide to escape the booth, my hand falling from his grasp.

“Layla, don’t go.” He grabs my wrist, but I never turn around.

“Bye, Vance.” He releases me and I shuffle through the crowded coffee shop.

Once outside, cameras click and paparazzi block my way to the car I ordered. I knew I had to get out fast and didn’t need to be fiddling with my keys.

“Who’s the mystery man?” one screams.

“Looks like you broke his heart?” another one asks.

“Is it because Carver’s back?” the first one asks.

I slide into the back of the car and the driver closes the door, shutting out all the questions, all the pictures.

I’m not sure if Vance’s heart is broken, but mine sure is.

22

Vance

My phone rings with my sister’s ring tone for the third time this hour. Since it’s clear she’s not going to take the hint—how Charlie of her—I answer.

“What?”

“Jeez, who pissed in your Corn Flakes? I’ve been calling you for days,” she says.

“Can’t you take a hint when I don’t call you back?” I mute the television with the hope she doesn’t think I have no life. Even though I don’t.

She huffs and I can envision her rolling her eyes in my head. “I’ve known you your entire life. You know that’s not going to work with me. What the hell is going on?”

I sigh. “Actually, you’ve known me your entire life. Let’s remember who’s older, okay? And nothing, just a bad week.”

“Does it have something to do with the mom of the little boy and the shit storm of a baby?” There’s sympathy in her voice and if I can confess my failure to anyone, it’s to my little sister.

“Ding, ding, ding.”

“Since the Seattle Seahawks aren’t in the Super Bowl, I figure it’s a woman issue.”

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