Page 22 of Married to the Frenemy

It’s a test in extreme restraint to be this close and not dart out my tongue to taste her.

But restraint is one of the things I had no choice but to learn over the past several years. My lack of restraint is what nearly cost Haley her life. What sent me to prison. It’s not a mistake I can afford to make again.

With that sobering reminder, I increase the space between us.

“Merry Christmas, Haley,” I say softly before jogging back toward the house.

After climbing up the front porch, I pause, if for no other reason than to give my erection a chance to go down before having to face the barrage of questions I’m sure my mother is desperate to ask.

I glance over my shoulder as Haley carefully slides into her car on unsteady legs, just as affected by me as I am by her.

One thing is certain. The next several months will be a test in self-control.

But it’s one I refuse to fail.

Not when I live with a constant reminder of what happened the last time I did.

CHAPTER TEN

HALEY

“Are you sure you don’t mind watching her tonight?” I ask Parker through the mirror in her living room as I check my reflection one last time.

“Of course not.” She hugs Maggie against her and tickles her stomach, eliciting excited squeals. “Miss Magpie and I are going to have an awesome time. We’re going to order a pizza, watch a movie, and roast some marshmallows for s’mores.”

“I love s’mores!” Maggie responds enthusiastically.

“Me, too.” Parker nuzzles her nose against Maggie’s, then stands, moving toward me. “Seriously, Hales. Don’t worry. Enjoy your night. And if you want, Maggie can always sleep here.”

“It’s not that kind of date,” I say in a low voice so Maggie can’t hear. Thankfully, her attention is now back on the Bluey episode currently playing on the TV. “It’s more of a business meeting than anything.”

Parker gives me a knowing look. “I seem to remember having a similar conversation a few weeks ago, although the roles were reversed. I tried to tell you the same thing when I was going to dinner with Callum.”

“That was different,” I argue, remembering all too clearly how I encouraged her to leave her options open with the sexy man who showed up with an offer to buy her property, since she was on the brink of foreclosure. She resisted at first, but eventually fell for the man she swore was her arch nemesis.

But neither could deny the attraction, and Callum Reed ended up being the Christmas miracle Parker needed. He not only gave her a reason to open her heart again but also helped save her beloved ranch.

“You and Callum have insane chemistry. I saw it the night you tricked him into swing dance lessons. It was straight fire.”

“And you and Beckham don’t have chemistry?” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and arches a disbelieving brow.

“It’s…complicated.”

“So what? That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means everything. I’m only doing this for Maggie. And because I stupidly quit my job.”

“It was a crappy job.”

“That was responsible for the majority of my income.”

“I’ll hire you when we reopen after all the renovations are finished.”

“I appreciate that.” I squeeze her hand. “But maybe this entire situation — quitting my job and Beckham’s proposal — is the universe telling me it’s time to turn my dreams into reality. If I have to suffer through a short marriage so I can finally fulfill those dreams and make sure Maggie’s provided for, so be it. But that’s the only reason I’m doing this.” I shift my gaze to my daughter, my heart warming with a love I didn’t think possible a few years ago. “For her.”

“Whatever you say,” Parker sings. “Just answer me this.”

I take one last sip of wine, smoothing a hand down my dress. I wasn’t sure what to wear tonight. I didn’t want to seem like I was putting in too much effort, but as a single mom who spends most of my free time taking care of my precocious four-year-old, I don’t often have a reason to dress up.

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