Page 4 of Other Side Of Never
Despite the gravity of his current situation, the laugh lines around his eyes made one thing clear.He was a man accustomed to laughter.
When he offered a slow smile back, his relief obvious, my heart lifted as if I’d won something both rare and valuable.Drawn to him like a tightly wound curl that’s been stretched and desperately wants to return to its natural shape, my body leaned into the space between us of its own volition.
It had been years, no, decades, since I’d experienced such a pull.
A small voice snagged my attention and stopped me in my tracks.
“Hi!I’m Isaiah.”
Looking down, I met wide, bright blue eyes set in a sweetly piqued face.He stared up at me expectantly as he extended his small hand.
My heart plummeted.Because I did not date single dads.I would never date another single dad.
Though my shoulders sagged, considering who he was, it was just as well.
With his connection to my sweet friend, Wren, getting involved with him could easily lead to unnecessary complications.
And the last thing I needed were unnecessary complications.
With a quick questioning glance at Kian who answered with a ready nod, I took Isaiah’s hand in mine.“Hello, Isaiah.Is this your first time at Mary Lou’s?”
Grinning up at me, his gap-toothed smile sent a sharp pang deep into my heart as he shook his head.“Nope!Dad and me come here every morning.Dad says there’s wheat and milk and eggs in cinnamon buns which makes them plenty good for breakfast.”
Kian groaned and rubbed a rough hand over his hair, the apparent cause of that sleepy, sexy, bedhead look.
Enchanting me with a crooked smile, he explained, “I’m not a great cook.”Wagging his head back and forth, he smiled wryly.“And I think I’m addicted to Anita’s cinnamon buns.”
Chuckling, I agreed, “You wouldn’t be the first to succumb.They should come with a warning.”
Anita cleared her throat.
All three of us turned toward her at the sound.
Gesturing to the tray she held in her hands, she ordered, “Bridget, take this tray like a good girl and settle Kian and Master Isaiah at the corner table.And take a break,” she barked.“There’s coffee and a bun on there for you as well.”
I rolled my eyes affectionately at my aunt’s rather obvious interference, though mentally I laughed.If there was one thing I was not, it was a ‘good girl.’
I was also not a girl who would push myself on someone who didn’t want me.
I faced Kian with a smile.“If you don’t mind the company?”
Stepping forward to rescue the tray from my aunt, he assured me, “Not at all.Lead the way.”
Once seated, I apologized for her shenanigans.
He held up a hand.“Don’t apologize.She’s been more than kind to us.”
“Hm,” I hummed, lifting my coffee to my lips before taking a sip.“How long have you been here?”
He cleared his throat.“Just a couple of weeks.”
“And how has the rest of Sage Ridge been treating you?”I prodded.
His soft eyes met and held mine.“So far, so good.”
I couldn’t look away.In the space of ten minutes I’d seen those eyes laugh, twinkle with mischief, slam shut like storm doors, soften with relief, and now, I saw those hazel depths fracture with a pain that went too deep to ever be fully exhumed.
I opened my mouth, but the words would not come.
