Page 21 of Chasing Love: The Owens
“Did you?”
She holds my gaze as if she already knows the truth I’ve worked hard to hide—especially about what happened seven years ago. My stomach sours at the thought of anyone knowing my carefully crafted story about my marriage to Kristie is a lie.
“Jeez, Aunt Darla. I was here to push him to make a move.” Emmett being stunned is rare, and honestly, I’m a little relieved that even he thinks my mom’s behavior is weird.
Mom picks up her coffee. “Poppy gave her a job?—”
“We gave her a job.”
“Oh sorry, they gave her a job.” My mom’s eyes widen, and Emmett purses his lips to stop from smiling.
“To be nice. You’d do the same.”
“All I’m saying, and Emmett can attest to this, is she’s a mother, going through something very public with that husband of hers. Don’t just go trying to get into her pants.”
Emmett’s head swivels toward me. I stare at him for a second, utterly dumbfounded.
This is not my mother. Usually she’s full of sarcastic jabs, not handing out heartfelt warnings as though I’m some guy looking for a rebound.
“It was never just about that,” I mutter. “First of all, it’s her soon-to-be ex-husband. And just… don’t worry about it. I’m not sleeping with an employee, nor would I ever do that to her. But it’s nice to know what you think of my character, Mom.”
I down the rest of my coffee, rise from the table, and set my mug down with more force than necessary. “Have a great day.”
Emmett’s laughter trails behind me as I walk away.
I really hope this is my mom’s way of playing a game and not her actually thinking I’d ever put my own wants before Delaney’s needs.
Chapter Ten
Delaney
I climb back into my dad’s truck after dropping Leia at school. She complains every day that she’s the first one in class and has to sit and read until someone else shows up. I half wonder if Mrs. Martinez will be calling me at some point, instructing me she needs to come closer to the bell time.
But this is best if I want to avoid Bennett at drop-off time—which I do.
The white piece of paper in my center console draws a groan from me. It’s Leia’s field trip form that’s due today, otherwise, she can’t go to the zoo for the end-of-year trip.
You can do this, Delaney. A quick run to the office. In and out. No lingering. Head down.
I spring open my door and walk steadily toward the main doors. Only a few parents are arriving now, and I know Bennett isn’t one of those parents who comes right before the bell, even without knowing it. He’s punctual and timely and annoyingly anal about being early to places.
I’m buzzed in, and I practically toss the form in the secretary’s lap, leaving with a fleeting thank you and a wave before speed-walking away as if I’m in a race back to the truck. A relieved breath flows out of me as soon as I’m safe and secure inside the cab.
But then I look through the windshield, and there he is.
Bennett stands by his truck, one hand braced on the open door, the other gently guiding Wren to the ground. He holds out her backpack, and she’s talking to him the entire time her arms slip through the straps.
She looks like him… like… I let the thought die. If I keep denying it, maybe the secret will die inside me. Especially after I came so close to revealing it the other day in his office. My confession was right on the tip of my tongue.
Wren skips off with his hand secured in hers, crossing the drive-in front of the school. When they hit the sidewalk, he crouches and tucks her hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing her cheek with a look so tender, my chest tightens. She swats his hand, and he shakes his head, but his smile and laughter crinkle his eyes.
Her little arms wrap around his neck, and he buries his head into her, whispering something before she draws back and runs for the school doors.
I remain there, engine running, the air conditioning rattling the vents. My palms sweat against the steering wheel as I imagine what if for the millionth time.
In my head, I’ve run a thousand versions of the moment I tell Bennett that Leia is his child. The conversation. My confession. The explanations that aren’t enough.
But Leia needs security right now. She needs stability and peace after losing Sean. Her life is in chaos, and I’m finally starting to see my little girl come back to me.
