Page 35 of Mister Mom

“Hard day?” Vance asks and straddles the chair, picking up my feet and placing them between his open legs. His two hands mould one of my feet, hitting all the right spots.

“Probably not as hard as yours.” I don’t pull away even though I shouldn’t be allowing this to happen, but damn, his hands are magic.

“Payne isn’t bad. Just energetic. I don’t think I need to work out while I’m watching him.” He smiles at me and then concentrates back on my feet.

“Thank you.”

He nods, switching feet. “I don’t want to start trouble or anything, but I thought you said Carver was filming?” His attention focuses in on me to judge my reaction.

“He is.” As soon as the words leave my mouth I know I’m obviously in the dark about something. Something that’s probably splashed all over TMZ.

“He’s not.”

I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. “Just tell me.”

“He was spotted at LAX this morning with Gwen Sinclair.” The flirtatious eyes and smirk he’s been giving me all night are gone. Now it’s the ‘I’m sorry I’m the one who had to tell you’ look.

“I’m not surprised. The man never makes seeing his kids a priority. Of course, he’d pick the one actress I hate in this industry.” I pull my feet from Vance’s hands and walk over to the fridge, grabbing the bottle of wine.

“You hate Gwen?” he asks, following me to stand across from me, leaning against my counter.

“It’s stupid, but she got a part over me and I’ve always thought she did something sleazy to get it. I know I nailed that audition and I was told it was as good as mine, but then I got a call a few days later that they’d decided to go another direction.” I pour myself a hefty glass.

I shouldn’t have said anything to Vance, I don’t want him to think I’m difficult. What kind of actress holds it against another that she got the part? It’s just… something never sat right with me about how everything went down. Regardless, I shouldn’t hold her reputation of being everyone’s plaything against her. Who knows if it’s true.

He nods, not looking at me but down at the floor now. “Do you have any beer?”

“I have a few in the fridge for when my dad visits. Help yourself.”

The urge to pull out my phone and check out TMZ to see if they have the whole story on Carver is strong, but I resist—for now.

I lower my voice so Via or Payne can’t hear me. “You know the thing is, I don’t give a shit who he fucks—it’s the kids. He told me he would still be out of town. I mean, can’t he see his children at all? Not even to take them to get an ice cream cone or something?” I down a large slug of my wine just as the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get that.” Vance walks out of the room.

Should I have kept my mouth shut? He’s taking a chance on casting me in a leading role, I coerced him into being my manny, and now I want him to sign up as my therapist too?

God, get a grip, Layla.

Vance walks back in a minute later with a large pizza in his hand.

“Let me pay you.” I move for my bag, but he grabs a hold of my wrist.

“I got it.”

Payne runs in the room, free of all his Nerf stuff, and Vance raises his hand for a high-five. “Great job cleaning up, buddy. I had a fun day.” Payne smacks his hand and Vance looks over to me. “Same time tomorrow?”

I nod.

“Are you not staying for pizza?” Payne’s voice sounds like it does when his father leaves.

Could they really have connected that fast?

“Tomorrow, I’m thinking…” Vance puts his finger to his lips. “Trampoline park?”

“Yay!” Payne jumps around with his arms in the air.

While Payne celebrates my gaze finds Vance and we share a look. I have no idea what it is but it’s weighted with emotion. Almost like he’s apologizing, which is absurd. It’s not his fault my ex can’t take time away from his latest conquest to see his own kids.

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