Page 25 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

Jess’s eyes iced over, her stare piercing and cold.

I drew in a deep breath and let it out before I responded. I hated hurting her. Even if it was for her own good. “It’s your decision, but I’d like you to give us a few more weeks. If things get better and you want us to go, we’ll go.”

There was no way I was leaving, but if she needed to feel like she was in control right now I’d let her. I needed her to let me stay and the two of us fighting wasn’t about to accomplish that. Neither was me antagonizing her.

The amber eyes that had once expressed every emotion she felt flickered with fear or frustration. It was gone so fast I couldn’t be sure.

This whole thing was a fucking mess.

She gave me a curt nod. “Fine.” Then she left the room.

I slumped down in a nearby island chair, my palm on my forehead, my fingers digging into my scalp. Gage’s footsteps echoed as he entered the room and sat beside me.

“I hope you know what the fuck you’re doing, man,” he said.

I grunted.

I did too, because if I didn’t figure it out soon Jess would be the one to suffer.

Chapter Six

Jess

My fingers jabbed atthe keyboard of my computer. “Fucking prick,” I muttered under my breath.

Even though Alden was nowhere nearby to hear me, cursing him made me feel better. For months he was a stone wall. Barely showing me any emotion. Then over the past few weeks I’d seen cracks, leading me to believe the man I once loved was still in there.

I should’ve known better. Nine years ago I was a diversion from the stressors of his new life. Nothing more. I needed to remind myself of that or I’d get my heart broken. Again.

Reina meowed from her perch on a nearby sofa and jumped down only to re-reposition herself on my lap.

“Hello, sweet girl. You always know when your mama needs a little snuggle, don’t you?”

Reina purred and nudged my hand. As I pet her, I reached into the top drawer of my desk and grabbed her treats and fed her.

I stretched my neck, rolling it from side to side as I found a more comfortable position in my office chair. A notification popped up, letting me know I’d gotten another email from my favorite sponsor. As my finger rolled over the message to open it my phone rang. With a smile I tapped my screen and answered it, putting the call on speaker.

---