Page 65 of Playing with Temptation

He’d call Kendra’s mother to let her know her ex-husband would be at the party. He owed her that. On the other hand, it would be best not to tell Kendra in advance about her father’s visit.

A sense of dread suddenly crept over him like kudzu vines climbing a pole.

What if Kendra resented his interference?

He heaved a sigh, releasing the tension knotting the muscles in his neck and shoulders.

Only one way to find out.

CHAPTER 22

Kendra dusted her face with a little powder, then applied a matte lipstick.

They’d actually pulled it off. Nate had inked his new two-year contract with the Memphis Marauders and generous deals with both his previous sponsors—a soft drink company and a rapidly growing athletic wear company poised to overtake the market within a few years. Two other sponsorships were in the works—a Memphis car dealership and a home builder based in the Carolinas.

Once Nate was ready to hang up his cleats, the sports network had already expressed interest in adding him to their parade of former players turned sports analysts.

Several months remained on her contract with Nate, but Marcus had already requested that she work with two of his other clients. The only thing that wasn’t settled was her relationship with Nate.

Kendra slipped in diamond studs Nate had bought for her birthday the year he signed his first pro contract. She put on her high heel boots and a light coat, thankful the unusually cold weather had finally abated. Kai was already at Nate’s, where he’d spent the night. She got in her car and swung by to pick up her mother.

Anna Williams looked lovely in a black pantsuit, her salt-and-pepper hair in pin curls, fresh from the salon. She greeted Kendra as she placed the tray of heart-shaped cookies she made for the holidays in the backseat, then got inside the car.

“Everything okay, Mama?” Kendra pulled out of her mother’s small drive and headed toward the opulent beach community where Nate lived. “You’re awfully quiet.”

There was sadness in her mother’s eyes. “You know I would never do anything to purposely hurt you or Dash?”

“Of course.” A knot formed in Kendra’s gut. “Why would you even have to ask?”

“Because I didn’t do right by you two when it comes to your father.”

“Dad made his choice when he walked away from us.” Kendra’s heart beat faster.

“He walked away from me. He loved you two. Wanted to be in your life as much as he could. It was me who made it hard for him. I was so angry. I shouldn’t have talked about him the way I did in front of you kids. It made you resentful and ruined any chance of either of you having a good relationship with him.”

Kendra released a long, agonizing breath. She couldn’t disagree with her mother there. It was the primary reason she’d been careful to never say anything disparaging about Nate in front of their son. She didn’t want him thinking ill of his dad the way she did of hers. Of course, it was easier for her. Nate hadn’t been the one to walk away.

“We all make mistakes, Mama. That was a long time ago. Dash and I are adults. How we deal, or don’t deal, with Dad is our choice now.”

“You don’t think things would’ve been different between you and your father if I hadn’t filled your heads with the bitterness I felt toward him?” Anna’s voice broke.

Kendra grimaced, her chest heavy with regret.

“I don’t know. But I understand why you were so angry with him.” It felt as if a weight was on her chest, compressing her lungs. “It’s the same reason Nate resents me.”

Her mother put a hand on her shoulder. “He was angry before, but isn’t it clear how much he loves you?”

“Does he, or does he just want to keep the Johnston family tradition going?”

“Family is important to Nate, sure. But you can’t honestly believe he doesn’t love you. It’s in his eyes when he looks at you, when he talks about you.” A wistful smile broke across her mother’s face. “Been there since he was a little boy. It’s a special thing to have someone love you like that.”

“I love him.” Kendra sniffed, refusing to let the tears fall. “But I don’t think things will ever be the same between us.”

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