Page 58 of Single Dad's Second Chance

I raised my brows. “I was a criminal. I’m a ‘lowlife loser’ of a dancer.”

“Ann said that. Not me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can I fall any further under your judgmental eye?”

He sighed, dipping his chin to his chest. “No, Mia.”

“I’m not one of your rich and proper women that Eddie pushes in your face. I’m not the kind of daughter-in-law he’d want in his family.”

A slight tug on his lips made me wonder if he was hiding a smile, but that would be too cruel, for him to smirk or make fun of my heartache. I was only speaking the truth, dammit.

He shook his head. “Can I come in, please?” Tipping his head toward my door, he indicated that he wanted to talk to me in there, privately and alone.

I recalled what we’d done the last time I let him past this door. He’d made me come. We’d kissed and bonded, showing each other how good it was to give in.

Not anymore.

I was determined to stay strong and protect my heart. He wouldn’t hurt me again.

I was too guarded to let him in. My heart, my thoughts, and my home.

“That’s not a good idea,” I told him.

“I—”

His phone rang, and he growled.

“Go back to your life, Henry. With your family. Your blueblood and wealthy women.”

“That’s not—” He scowled, nearly dropping his phone as he grabbed it from his pocket. “Laura? Hello?”

She replied, but since it wasn’t on speaker, I didn’t know what she said to make Henry’s face go pale.

I tensed, fearing bad news. I could guard my heart from this man, but it didn’t stop me from caring and loving him. I didn’t wish him ill.

“What?” He lowered his phone, putting it on speaker as he reached for my hand.

I didn’t flinch, too nervous about his fearful expression.

“He’s gone, Henry!” Laura said tearfully. “Jason ran away!”

23

HENRY

My heart stopped. It skipped a beat as I heard the scariest news a parent could ever be told.

“He ran off, Henry. One second, we were at your place so he could change his shoes, and then he took off while I was in the bathroom!”

“Calm down, Laura,” Mia said. She lost her aloofness, twining her fingers with mine and holding my hand tighter. I clung to this support she offered, aware that I hadn’t earned any right to have it anymore. I’d hurt her. And still, she put me and my son first.

“Mia?” Laura asked.

“Calm down and explain what happened,” Mia said, taking charge while I locked down in temporary panic. Jason was all I had. He was my son, and I loved him more than the earth itself. The thought of his beinggone, in any capacity, nearly knocked me over.

“I took him to get ice cream, and then we went to the movies. He asked to go home in the middle of it, saying he wasn’t in the mood for a movie. So we came home, and I suggested going to the park even though it was late. He likes that splash pad. We got here, and he said he wanted to change from his shoes to hissandals. I went to the bathroom, and when I got out, he was gone. He left a note that said he wanted to find you, Mia, and to bring you back in his life.”

She covered her mouth, worried and moved. “When was this?” she asked.

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