Page 32 of Billion Dollar Dispute

I move to open the door. My mouth falls open as Harvey stands there, wearing a wolfish grin, dressed in blue jeans and an olive-green long-sleeve top, clutching bags of… groceries.

Just as I’m about to ask him what he’s doing here, Chad squeezes beside my thigh.

Shit.

Harvey's eyes widen into the size of saucers, staring at Chad. The look on his face makes me laugh. He’s spooked.

Has he never seen a kid before?

He juggles the bags clumsily, so he can extend a hand out to Chad.

I frown. What on earth is he doing?

“Mommy, what's he doing?”

“I have no idea,” I say.

“I’m offering to shake his hand,” Harvey says.

Chad is hesitant. Ever since his dad went to jail, he’s been protective of me. I’ve never uttered a bad word against my ex, but kids are smart. They sense things.

Without thinking, I slide my hand into his and shake it. The instant our skin touches, electricity shoots through my hand and up my arm, causing me to pull my hand away. I don’t know whatthat was. Is my body somehow sensitive to him now that I have touched… other parts?

I pull my hand from Harvey's grip, feeling a tingle linger as I curl my fingers around Chad’s smaller hand. My gaze stays on Harvey, wondering why I stupidly enjoyed it.

I need to have a serious talk to my body and get it on the same side as my head, which will never let a man back into my life.Ourlife.

“Who is he?” Chad’s innocent voice cuts through the tension, his wide eyes fixed on Harvey.

“Harvey. A work... friend. What brings you here?” I ask, in a soft voice for Chad’s sake, though I’m battling the urge to bite out the remarks that sit on the tip of my tongue. I never intended for anyone other than Danny and Molly to meet Chad. Harvey and my personal life aren’t supposed to mix.

So why is he here?

Harvey glances at me, concern flickering in his eyes. “Checking on you. You fainted and after the doctor?”

I shake my head at his words, already anticipating Chad's.

“What doctor, Mommy?”

“I’m fine, honey. Could you go play with your toys while I talk to Harvey?”

“Will he play basketball with me?”

“I don’t th?” I begin, but Harvey cuts me off with a reassuring, “Yeah. I’d love to.”

Chad’s eyes lights up. His squishy face melts me and makes it so hard to say no. I shoot a pointed glare at Harvey, silently communicating a well-rounded,fuck you.

“Come inside, and then we’ll walk to the neighborhood courts,” I say.

As Harvey steps past, that familiar pine smell hits me like a truck. Did he cover every part of him in that scent so I woulddrown in it? As if I haven’t had memories of his chiselled stomach and his smell.

I scratch my temple, observing Harvey make himself at home at the kitchen island. Closing the door, I take in the clutter of toys scattered across every room of the apartment, cursing inwardly at the mess.

He lowers the bags and scans his surroundings. I move to the first bag and start unpacking. The quicker we play basketball the quicker he can leave. His rich ass has to be judging me hard. His penthouse versus my peeling walls and leaking faucet.

I unpack the water bottles, as he pulls out the snacks, a variety of fruit, bars, and breads. When he opens the fridge and comments that I have nothing in an accusing tone, it hurts. It’s as if he’s judging me as a mother and my ability to care for Chad. It causes me to sneer, masking the sting of his judgment. “I haven’t had time to shop. I was planning to go later, but then you showed up.”

It’s a lie, but I don’t want him to know just how bad things are.

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