Page 78 of A Way Out
But she followed him down the stairs anyway.
Sitting at the island, she watched as he filled two mugs and then plopped the container of creamer on the counter in front of her. She added the creamer to her mug and stirred for longer than was necessary.
Vic leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “I’ve had to learn how to do a lot of things since you left. I knew you ran this house, but I honestly had no idea what all that entailed. Your leaving has been good for me.”
“It has?” She hadn’t expected him to admit such a thing. He’d wanted her to leave, but he hadn’t really; he’d been reacting to his frustration over the divorce. Or so she’d believed.
“Don’t get me wrong. If you said you wanted to come back, I would not hesitate to welcome you with open arms. But I know that isn’t going to happen.”
“You do?”
Vic nodded.
They both sipped their coffee in silence. Maria thought back on all the times they’d done this exact same ritual over the course of the last ten years. It had been friendly. Relaxing.
Comfortable.
It had never been sexy. She did not eye Vic the way she eyed Oz when they drank coffee together. She did not covertly admire his butt. She did not think about the next time she could get naked with him.
Maria slumped in her seat and took another sip of the dark brew.
Vic cleared his throat. “I, uh, I don’t want full custody.”
Immediately, Maria straightened. “Really?” That was the best news she’d had all day.
He shook his head. “I don’t even know my daughter. How could I possibly take full responsibility for raising her?”
“You could if you had to,” Maria said slowly. “But you don’t have to.”
“I do want some time with her, though. I don’t know what you are planning to do or where you intend to live…”
“Me neither,” she admitted. Her feelings for Oz were complicated. Two days ago she wouldn’t have given them such a label, but now, everything looked different. Felt different.
He’d kept information from her, and it hurt. She’d offered him everything—mind, body, soul, and, yes, checkbook, and he’d given only a small portion of himself in return.
She’d lived in a relationship like that for ten years. She was done with men who didn’t give 100 percent.
“Do you think we can work something out?” Vic asked. “Split custody?”
Maria canted her head and studied him. “You aren’t upset about all those pictures Tim printed out?”
“You mean the pictures of you all having fun at your sister’s wedding?”
She blinked rapidly and then cleared her throat. “Yes, um, those.”
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
“Who?” Maria said stupidly.
“Oz.”
“I’m not in love with him.” She wasn’t.
Was she?
“I…” She shook her head and sighed. “I don’t even know what’s going on in my head right now.”
“It’s obvious he comes from a different world. And it’s just as obvious that the two of you appear to be blissfully happy together. And Riley clearly adores him. And somebody named Izzie. Who is that?”
