Page 28 of Casita Casanova
He looks around, one eyebrow raised, then focuses those pretty pale green eyes on me, waiting for more of an explanation.
“We’ve had this beach house forever. It was always our summer place, but—” I stop myself abruptly before the rest of my life story tumbles out of my mouth. He gives me nothing and I ramble on and on anytime he asks me a simple question. I’ve always been an open book.
His eyes hold mine, big and green and… curious. “You live here full time now?”
“Yes.”
Cas rests his hips against the opposite counter, mimicking my stance. “You said we. Do you have a husband?”
“Ex.”
A slight smile pulls at his lips. “He doesn’t live here?”
“No.”
Another nod. “So it’s just you and your daughter.”
“Mhm.”
“How old is she?”
“Nineteen.”
He nods slowly. “Is she hot?”
His words make me rock back. “I’m sorry?”
Cas smirks, giving me slow a once over. “I mean, does she look like her mom?”
Oh my God, is heflirtingwith me? While asking if mydaughteris hot? I push off the counter. This was a terrible idea. An absolutely terrible idea. I’ll go back to my original plan: get a few jobs and hang in there until the market circles back. “This isn’t going to work. I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing, but—”
“Whoa.” He raises his hands in surrender. “You’re not kicking me out, are you—”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” I place my hands on my hips and watch him pointedly, waiting for him to take the hint and head back to whatever place he came from. I’ll just tell Ari and Danielle that the renter never showed up. No harm, no foul. I’m certainly not letting some playboy Casanova stay in my casita so he can prey upon my baby girl.
Casanova. Cas. Ha. Maybe that’s what his name is short for.
“Look, I’m sorry I asked about your daughter. It was meant to be a compliment, but—”
I snort.
“It came out wrong.”
“Yes, it did.”
He pushes off the counter and steps toward me, stopping abruptly when I take a step backward. He lowers his hands to his sides, sighing deeply as he stares at the floor. “Please don’t kick me out. I need this.”
“You need what?”
“This… vacation.” He looks back up at me and drags a hand through his dirty-blond hair. “Things are…” He sighs, meeting my gaze with regret in his eyes that wasn’t there before. “Full disclosure?”
I nod, bracing myself. “Please.”
He pulls in a deep breath, then hits me with it. “I’m a fucking asshole.”
My eyes widen.Okay. Guess who wasn’t expecting that?
“Like, arealjerk.”
