Page 30 of Fifty-Fifty

"Whoa, that's not what I meant," Shane tries to console me. "All I'm saying is that Slater is wanting some kind of proof that you have a legit asset, or if you're pulling his dick like Ricky keeps saying."

Rubbing my face, I release a sigh. "Look. I'll figure something out. Just... stall him for a little longer, okay?"

I can almost see Shane nodding. "Yeah. Okay."

"Thanks."

* * *

She's not back, and I feel guilty as hell for leaving her at the coffee shop. I know she said that she and Mac would like to walk, but it still makes me feel like shit.

Or maybe I feel that way because of the conversation I just had with Shane. Things are falling apart at home, and I'm stuck here with my hands tied behind my back, unable to keep everything from crumbling.

My dream tattoo shop, the inn, Mac's unabashed affection, and Beau's hesitant trust.

I feel like I'm a circus clown tossing balls into the air while praying none of them fall to the ground. The only problem? I was never taught to juggle. I'm having to figure it out as I go, and I think the drop is inevitable. The question is... which one will slip through my fingers?

The front door closes, jarring me from my thoughts. I'm sitting on the couch in the family room with a book in my hand, though I haven't read a single word. My mind has been elsewhere.

I glance across the room to the front door only to see Beau with her arms full with a sleeping two-year-old.

I rush to her rescue before I can stop myself by offering to hold Mac for her. She hands over the comatose toddler with a grateful smile.

"Thank you. My arms are killing me." She stretches them over her head before swinging them side to side to help alleviate the pain. My gaze eats up every tiny movement, witnessing her flexibility and her curves firsthand.

Damn.

I clear my throat. "Uh… You're welcome."

She smiles softly but doesn’t acknowledge the fact that I got caught checking out her incredible rack. "Do you mind putting her in her crib for me?"

I nod. "Yeah. Sure."

I head upstairs slowly as I observe the little child nestled against my chest. Her long, dark eyelashes rest against her upper cheeks, and her lower lip is puckered out as she sleeps the afternoon away.

When I reach Beau's room, I hesitate before stepping across the threshold. This is her only personal space in the house, and it feels wrong to enter it without her. I try to keep my curiosity at bay as I walk toward Beau's crib like a man on a mission, ignoring the pictures hanging on the wall as well as the white comforter tucked into her full-sized bed.

I definitely ignore her lingering scent that smells like peaches, too.

And her lacy black bra and sexy underwear tossed on the edge of her dresser? Nope. Definitely didn't see those.

Not one bit.

Mac distracts my innocent perusal by shifting in my arms and effectively grabbing my attention.

She lets out a soft whimper that breaks my heart as soon as the sound hits my ears.

“Shh…” I whisper as I rock from side to side to calm her down.

Her rigid body relaxes after a few brief seconds, releasing the tightness in my chest right along with it.

Carefully, I bend at the waist to set her down in her crib. She rolls onto her stomach before tucking her knees into her chest so that her little bum is sticking in the air.

I find myself smiling as I watch her try to get comfortable.

Once I’ve decided she’s found her sweet spot and will get some solid rest, I head downstairs.

My steps slow as I see Beau talking with one of the customers. I believe her name is Bridget? She’s the one with the two kids and husband. I think.

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