Page 28 of The Ruthless and the Strong

I blinked away the sudden moisture building in my eyes and looked off into the distance over his shoulder. I believed him. Had I said the word, he would have come.

I didn’t know what I could have said to him at this point, and I didn’t need to worry, because the server came back with our food. I took Hunter’s menu away and placed his plate of food in front of him. His green eyes lit up as he shot me a smile. A lot of parents had to deal with picky eaters, but Hunter was anything but.

He would eat almost anything, except for strawberries. I got lucky in that regard, and I watched as he made a move to grab his chicken tenders. I held his fork out to him. “Careful. It’s hot.”

He shot me his dad’s smile. “Okay.”

He grabbed the fork out of my hand and stabbed at the meat. I made sure he got it before turning to Max, who was watching us. I had felt his eyes on me the entire time, and even that didn’t prepare for the reaction of my heart just from meeting those intense blue eyes of his.

I studied him when neither of us said anything. Olivia always said Max hung the stars for her, and I could see that now. I could see how a capable man like him would do whatever it took to ensure the happiness of those he loved most, even hanging the stars, and for a brief moment in time, I entertained the idea that he could love me as well.

That he could hang the stars for me, just as long as I asked him. I looked down so he couldn’t see the sadness in my eyes.

Max didn’t love me. I knew that. And I knew better than to build my hopes and dreams on the man, considering I had been burned once, very badly, for doing that very same thing.

We spent the rest of the meal talking about trivial things. I thought he knew I needed to not talk about the heavy shit anymore. Though there was still tension in the air between us, it wasn’t bad, and I found myself not wanting this time with him to end.

I wanted to be close to him, even if we were doing nothing more than eating in silence, even if we didn’t talk about the past or the heavy stuff, and even if I still craved him. Being near him hurt my heart, and still, I wanted to be near him anyway.

When we finished our meal, Max paid before I could even take out my wallet.

“Thank you,” I said quietly as we walked toward the door.

“Don’t mention it,” he said.

Hunter started struggling in my arms. I stopped, putting Hunter down on his feet. “What is it?” I asked.

“I have to go to the potty, Mommy.”

“Oh, okay.” I made a move to grab his hand, but he dodged out of my reach and grabbed Max’s hand instead.

“I don’t want to go to the girls’ restroom.” He shook his head stubbornly, tilting his chin up and looking so much like his father.

“Hunter,” I said sternly,

Max placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ve got this.”

I shook my head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

He smiled at me. “You’re not. I’m offering.”

Before I could say anything else, Max was leading Hunter to the restroom by the hand, and I watched Hunter chatter animatedly to Max, and Max nodding his head every once in while, as if what Hunter was saying was really important.

I watched them until they disappeared from sight. I didn’t know why my heart pinched.

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