Page 25 of Safe With Me

“You meanmyhouse.”

“I’m living here.”

“I agreed you could stay on for two years, which is almost up.”

“I can’t afford another house.” The whining was back.

“With the settlement I gave you? I beg to differ.”

“I can’t make decisions like that yet. My mind is still…with him.” Her voice cracked on the pronoun. She was mentioning his dead son to wear him down.

He forced himself to suppress his emotions. “You have to find a new place to live. I’ll let you know when we want to show the house.” And he clicked off.

Damn the woman! She had to get herself together. Scotty had been dead two years and she still couldn’t function. She’d lost her job and wandered around that house with his blanket in her arms. She didn’t want to move past that awful time in their lives.

He had. Unless you counted waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat because in his dreams, he’d been right back at the playground where everything fell apart.

* * *

Meeting with Nick Redmond had sparked a tiny kernel of pride inside of Pax. Buoyed by it, he went home and took a shower, dressed in clothes he’d packed away years ago but kept for some reason, and headed over to Steph’s apartment. For one thing, he had to pick up Mutt, but he wanted to see her too.

When he drove into her parking lot, he was hit with images: Of them in the front seat…of her on his lap…of the feel and scent of her bare skin against his mouth.

Though they made him physically uncomfortable, he had to smile at the memories. He got out and rang the bell to her place. Mutt barked inside and the door opened.

She was dressed in a pink sweatsuit, her damp hair back into a ponytail, her face shining with exertion. Mutt was at her heels and jumped up on him. He knelt and nuzzled the dog.

Steph watched him. “You seem better. Everything go okay with the lawyer?”

Pax stood and faced her. “He has the information to get started on my case.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Do you want to come in?”

“Yeah.”

Inside, he found an open floor plan, with lots of windows. Furniture—expensive he knew from his former life—was strategically placed for access and views to the backyard woods.

“Your place is beautiful, Steph.”

“Thanks. Want to sit?”

“Yeah, I have some things to tell you.”

After they settled on the couch, he just stared at her.

“Do I have egg on my face?”

“No. You look cute like that.”

She studied him. “You’re in a good mood.”

“After talking to Nick, I decided I can’t wallow forever. And like he said, with this lawsuit I can’t act guilty. If I’m going to start over with the clinic, I have to be stronger.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Yeah?” He studied her unlined face bare of makeup. She was just as pretty without it. “When have you felt helpless?”

“I can think of a few times.” Shadows crossed her face. “But you’re right, I’ve led a pretty uncomplicated life.”

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