Page 27 of Single Dad's Second Chance

Ann wasn’t done. “He should just get out of the way and stay far?—”

Jason clung to me tighter. “I don’t want to go anywhere, Mia!”

I smoothed down his hair. “You’re not.” Jabbing my finger at Ann, I hardened my stance and readied to tear into her. “Don’t speak like that to him, ever,everagain!”

This poor boy. Already struggling with a workaholic father, an absent mother. He just wanted love, to be loved and give it to those he deemed worthy. And here she was, acting like he was an unwanted pest to send away.

“I will talk however I see fit. He’s in the way?—”

“He’s not in anyone’s way.” I stepped closer, wishing I could jab my finger at her hard enough to knock her over. “And if you think he’s inyourway, when you don’t belong here at all, good riddance.”

“Idon’t belong here?” She exaggerated a stupid bark of laughter and rolled her eyes. “Uh, yeah, I do. With Henry.”

“The hell you do.”

“Are you implying that I needyourpermission?”

“No. But I will be damned if you’ll come here uninvited and say such a horrible thing like telling him he needs to be shoved aside at a boarding school.”

“Who’s going to a boarding school?”

Ann froze at the sound of Henry’s voice behind her. She blocked my view of him as he’d entered. I was so focused on consoling Jason and standing up for him that all the other details about the room faded to nothing.

“Um.” Ann dropped her scowl as she turned to face Henry.

He stood behind her, furrowing his brow at Jason crying and hanging on to me. Ignoring Ann’s suddenly sweet smile, he strode toward me.

My heart broke when Jason held me tighter and cried. He turned a bit to see Henry as he crouched down to be at his eye level.

“She said I should just go away. And be at a boarding school,” Jason sobbed, pointing at Ann.

“No. No. He misunderstood,” Ann argued in a sugary tone. “Oh, goodness. I’d never say anything like that.” With Henry’s back to her as he picked up Jason, she glared daggers at me.

I felt defensive of Henry on the principle of her being just another gold digger going after him, but now, I felt rabid to fight her away to keep Jason safe.

“There was no misunderstanding.” I crossed my arms, and Henry held Jason and stood. “I was right here. I heard every word.”

“Nonsense,” Ann said.

“Jace, no. You’re not going anywhere.” Henry smoothed his hair down while I rubbed the boy’s back. “Never. You hear me? You’re never going to a boarding school. You’ll always be with me.”

“And Mia?” he asked, lifting his face from Henry’s shoulder.

The sight of his tear-streaked face shattered my heart. This poor boy. He had been afraid of the concept of boarding schools ever since he watched a movie about a pair of brothers being sent to one and getting trapped there.

“I’m here,” I told him, continuing to rub his back.

He moved, twisting out of Henry’s arms to reach for me. As soon as I held him, he sniffled. “I wish you were my mommy.”

Oh, God.I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. I’d had that dream many times, wondering how sweet it’d be for us to be a family, a real one. Focusing on consoling him, I started to walk away with him.

“I don’t have time for you, Ann. I’ve made myself clear,” Henry said.

“Oh, I know how busy you are. But I made reservations for lunch for us?—”

“No.” Henry stated that one word clearly. “I’m…” He gestured at Jason. “I’m concerned about my son. I had plans to have lunch with him, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Mia? Will you come?”

I nodded, resting my head on top of Jason’s.

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