Page 43 of Waiting for Friday Night

The frustration she’d felt in that moment and the rush to take back control of her life returned in a surge. She lifted her chin and crossed her arms. “I just want to make sure we’re all clear. That we have boundaries.”

Quinton’s eyes narrowed. “Is this really about boundaries or is it about Gregory’s feelings?”

“It is coming from me. Don’t you think we need to come up with boundaries? Some type of schedule or rules about ways to make this work?”

He shook his head. “I think we’re going to have to feel each other out. See what does and doesn’t work. I’ve never been a parent, but I promised myself that if I ever had kids I would be there for them. I don’t have a game plan for co-parenting, but I’m ready to come up with our own rules.”

“I don’t have a game plan either. I may have had help from my cousins and friends with Shania, but I’m the only parent. My word is the last word. You showing up unannounced today undermined my wishes. Is that what you’re going to do with Shania? If I say no, you’re going to say yes?”

The challenge left his eyes and his shoulders relaxed. The look he gave her was apologetic. “Look, I’m sorry I showed up like that today. I felt pushed aside when you told me you didn’t want me around your family. I’m not good with that.”

His words stopped any quick retort she had. She’d expected him to argue or say he had a right to just show up, not open up a part of himself and admit he was wrong. “And, you’re right, I may have been pushing you aside, but it’s only because I’ve been on my own. I don’t know how to share. My life, Shania, any of that. I wanted this to come out on my own terms.”

“It felt like you were trying to keep it a secret, but sorry, that won’t happen. Not in this town. I’m a deal-with-it-head-on type of guy.”

“So am I.” She didn’t usually back down from a challenge or push back uncomfortable situations. Life had taught her that bad things didn’t wait to happen when you were ready for them.

“Then we’ll tackle this head-on. Together,” he said. “And as for Shania, your word is still the last word. At least until you trust me. I’m not trying to butt in and change the way you raise Shania. I just want to get to know her. See how I fit into her life. Which means I’m going to have to fit into your life.”

He was going to have to fit into her life. He wasn’t going anywhere. Which meant if she wanted the break to end with Gregory, she’d have to find a way to include both of them. “Fitting into my life means respecting the people in my life.”

“People like Gregory?” He didn’t sound impressed.

“Yes, Gregory.”

“Is it serious between you two?”

“It’s serious enough.” Once she convinced him that Quinton’s being in her life wouldn’t affect her ability to start a relationship with him. She’d have to convince herself of that, too.

“If it was serious enough then you wouldn’t be over here handling his insecurities for him.”

“He’s not insecure. He just notices a threat when he sees it.” Halle pressed her lips together as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

Quinton tilted his head. “A threat? How am I a threat?”

“He wants to build a relationship with Shania. Now it’ll be harder. That’s all I mean.” The words were true, but they both knew that his standing with Shania wasn’t what she meant.

“Is that all you mean?” The words may have been a question, but his unflinching gaze dared her to admit the truth.

Halle could ignore his meaning, but she wasn’t the back-down type. If she really was going to put up a boundary between them then she couldn’t ignore the sparks between them. She had to put them out. “I thought we already dealt with this that day at the bar. I’m not your type and you’re not mine.”

“I believe having a type is limiting,” he reminded her.

“Maybe so, but you were very clear that even with your lack of a type, that I’m not someone you’re interested in.”

“I said that because you insisted you weren’t attracted to me.”

The evenly spoken words threw her off course. The words in Halle’s brain scrambled and then came back together in a picture she didn’t recognize. This was supposed to be an easy boundary because he wasn’t interested in her. “Wait. What?”

“You said you weren’t interested in me, so I did the same. What was I supposed to do?”

“Tell the truth,” she blurted out and stood.

Quinton rose slowly and stepped toward her. “Do you really want the truth?”

Halle’s heart rate picked up. Did she want the truth? Yes! a daring voice screamed. No! caution yelled back. She was supposed to be over here putting space between them, not making it worse.

She held up a hand. “About the rules.”

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