Page 16 of After the Vows

I rub a hand over my beard as I consider how things would have gone had I been the one to handle things. I’m not prepared for my little girl to become a woman. Menstruation? Puberty? Nope. Not even close to being ready.

“If the other kids give her a hard time about getting her period, let me know. I’ll talk to their parents.”

“Thanks, man.”

He glances over at me. “Did your wife not prepare your daughter?”

“My ex,” I growl, “did not enjoy being a mother.”

“Good thing Chloe was there to handle everything.”

At the mention of Chloe, the memory of how it felt to touch my beautiful neighbor surfaces. It was electrifying. I’ve never experienced anything remotely similar before. I long to touch the rest of her body to discover how electrifying things can get.

But it’s not meant to be. My focus needs to be on my daughter. Especially now.

I lift an eyebrow. “I thought Chloe was a wild child I should steer clear of.”

“There’s no need to worry. Chloe would never date a man with a kid anyway.”

I scowl. “What do you mean? She’s great with Natalia.”

And she is. Not only did she help my daughter through her crisis, she turned the situation into a celebration. In addition to the manicure, Chloe bought Natalia a bracelet as a present. Not an expensive bracelet like Holly would have bought. But a cute charm bracelet with charms of a mermaid, seal, and surfboard.

“Shit. Of course. Me and my big mouth.”

“Now, I’m curious. You can’t leave me hanging.”

“Sorry. It’s her story to tell.”

I frown. Did something bad happen to Chloe? I did wonder if there was a story when she cut herself off yesterday. But I didn’t want to pry. She’s entitled to her secrets.

“I thought there weren’t any secrets on the island,” I push because my curiosity is piqued. I can’t allow myself to have my neighbor but I can learn everything there is about her instead.

“And I thought you’d understand a person’s need for privacy. You’ve avoided all questions about your wife.”

“Ex-wife.”

The idea of Holly being my wife makes me sick to my stomach. I madetheclassic mistake of marrying her when she got pregnant. I thought she wanted to be a family. What she wanted was a sugar daddy. Why she thought me being a police officer was her ticket to the lazy life is beyond me.

The woman I thought I fell in love with while dating was not the woman I married. Not by a long shot.

“When did you—”

His question is cut off when my phone rings. I glance at the display and grunt. “Speak of the devil.”

“The ex?”

I nod before answering my phone. “What do you want?”

Weston parks on the street and motions to the bakery before climbing out of the car.

“I’ll have a coffee.” He gives me a thumbs-up before strolling away.

“Who are you talking to?” Holly asks. “Is it another woman? Have you replaced me already?”

I don’t dignify her questions with an answer and repeat my question. “What do you want?”

“Is that any way to greet your wife?” Holly’s voice is no longer accusatory. It’s sugary sweet instead. It’s the voice she uses when she wants something. I no longer care what she wants.

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