Page 95 of Challenged by the Single Dad

He blinked a bunch. “Wow. Uh, yeah. I mean, I hadn’t even thought about it like that, but you’re right.”

She pursed her lips and her eyes turned sad. “I feel for them both. And it does explain things. But there’s no excuse for that behavior. None. Not all abusers and people with trauma end up being abusers and serial killers. It explains things, but it doesn’t justify them.” The fire in her eyes spoke of more than just justice for Silas. Was her son the victim of bullying too?

He was about to ask her how her shift at the hostel went when Logan burst through the kitchen door, laughing with Renée right behind him. The two lookedverychummy.

Hmm.

Chloe actually seemed relieved to see Logan and get a breakaway from Dom.

That stung.

“I was thinking,” she started, turning to Logan as he wrapped an apron around his waist, “why don’t we swap tonight? You run front, and I’ll barback for you? You can close down. I’m feeling pretty run-down, especially after last night.”

Logan’s eyes lit up. “For sure. That works for me.”

She smiled. “Awesome.”

Logan lifted his chin at Dom in greeting. “Hey, cuz. How’s it going?”

Even though they’d been at this a month now, Dom never stopped feeling like a third wheel behind his own bar when Chloe and Logan were there. It also didn’t help that it was easy for the entire world to see that they were both better bartenders than Dom. Quicker, friendlier, and more talented. Dom was no slouch, but he wasn’t blind to natural talent either. “Good,” he grunted, removing his apron. “I guess you two have it covered then?”

“Your baby is in safe hands with us,” Logan said, grabbing a pint glass from behind the bar and putting it under the tap for the fan favorite winter wheat ale.

Chloe met Dom’s gaze from where she was busy making a Caesar at the other end of the bar. Her smile was tight, but there was something in her eyes that said maybe she didn’t want him to go, but sheneededhim to go. Or was he reading into things too much? Projecting. He wanted her to want him to stay.

He took a step forward, bunched his fingers at his side, and pinned his gaze on her face. Worry creased her pretty features, then her eyes slid down his body, her pupils dilating. She swallowed, licked her lips, and pulled in a breath through her nose, deep enough to make her tits lift and once again draw his gaze.

Fuck.

He clenched and released his fists, the desire to approach her warring with his need to leave. To get away from her. Get her out of his head.

Impossible. But he needed to try.

Fuck it.

He stalked behind Logan up to her where she was busy fixing two negronis. “Thank you again for standing up for Silas. It’s nice to know that more people than just my family have my kid’s back. Have my back. You’re a good …friend.” The word tasted like acid on his tongue.

Then he did something incredibly stupid.

He hugged her.

And it was the most awkward, stiff hug of his life.

She was as stunned as he was, and her hands were occupied with an ice shovel and a bottle of vermouth. He cringed, then released her and backed away, too embarrassed to even look at her.

This woman had rendered him to an awkward, horny teenager. He hadn’t acted like this around a woman since high school. Since Remy.

Growling under his breath, he shoved his fingers into his hair and tore out the elastic. “See you guys later. Have a good night.” Then he left via the kitchen, making sure to keep his gaze forward, and not even glance down toward Chloe’s cabin.

She wasn’t there. What the fuck was wrong with him?

He arrived home to an empty house.

Silas was over at Wyatt’s with his cousins again. So Dom took advantage of the emptiness and went into his office where he had a punching bag hanging from the rafters. He quickly slid his hands into the gloves, tied them, and started to just wail on the bag.

Every confusing, frustrating thought crashed through his fists and into the bag until sweat poured down his face, and the front and back of his black button-up was drenched.

He hadn’t even bothered to change out of his jeans. And now he was hot and gross and in need of a shower.

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