Page 10 of Absinthe Minded

“Chloe asked if we could keep it a while longer. This is their first Christmas without their parents. How could I say no?”

“You couldn’t…I guess.” Gabe stared atmethe same way he had the living room—assessing the mess.

In bleach-stained sweats and an oversized T-shirt, I looked like I’d rolled out of bed—at dinnertime. I ran a hand over my head to smooth the loose strands back into my ponytail. “I was about to get in the shower.”

“Need someone to wash your back?” He flashed me a crooked smile.

An unwelcome memory of our previous bath time activities danced through my mind.Four years. It’s been four years, and he acts like we’re still a couple.“I’m seeing someone. We have a date. I have a date tonight, with myboyfriend.”

“A date?” He tilted his head.

“Yes, Gabe. That’s what normal people do, go on dates.”All right, it was the third time I’d gone out with this guy, but we’d talked for hours on the phone, often late at night. That had to count for something… Nevertheless, Gabe didn’t need to know any of that. I sat on the edge of the love seat, though every fiber of my being screamed to get him out the door.

“Right.” Gabe stared for a moment, sighed, and looked at his hands. “Can Ella and I stay here for a couple weeks?”

“Here? Why? I mean your place is fifteen minutes away.” My mouth went dry. Was he serious? No way could Gabe-freaking-Marchionni live in the same house as me and the kids. He was my ex, and much to my horror, my body liked the idea of having him under my roof—a lot.

He met my gaze. “I’d like to spend some time—”

“With the kids? Really? It’s been a year since their parents died, and none of their so-called uncles have bothered to visit them.” I had no idea why I blasted him, but I refused to take it back.

“I was grieving, too. And I’ve seen them at my folks…”

“We were all grieving.”

Gabe sighed. “You’re right. I should have been there for them after the accident.”

“Why come here? Why not go to your parents?”

“My father’s sick.”

The sadness in his voice made me second guess myself. “I’m sorry. I heard that he’s ill, and he didn’t look good the last time I dropped the kids off.”

He sat on the couch, rested his elbows on his knees, and bowed his head. “I’ll be taking over the business soon.”

The business? What about his bar? He loves that place.I clasped my hands to keep from fidgeting, or worse, touching him. “Where’s Ella’s mother?”

“Not in the picture. It’s a long story.”

“I have a few minutes.” I told myself I asked because I needed information for the article. My curiosity had nothing to do with jealousy. Too bad I didn’t believe my own lies.

“I met her at a hospitality event in town. Went out a couple of times, nothing serious. She started acting strange, and I ended things. Then a couple of weeks ago she showed up demanding I take a paternity test.” He laughed, a hollow sound that had nothing to do with amusement. “I thought no way it’s mine. This afternoon, she handed me the test results, a diaper bag, and the baby.”

I held up my hand and took a minute to process what he’d said. “She left the baby with you?”

“Said she didn’t want to be a mother and left.” His expression reminded me of Cocoa begging to come inside.

Nope. No sad faces. No belly rubs. No feeding strays. I turned my head. Looking into his green eyes felt like looking into the face of a cobra—lulling, mesmerizing, deadly. I didn’t know if I wanted to slug him or cry. I went with the safer choice, anger. “And the first thing you do is come here?”

“I figured since you are so good with the kids, you—”

I stood and backed away from him and the infant. “No. No way. I’m not taking responsibility for another kid. Rebecca’s three are enough. Jesus, Gabe. What do you think this is? The Baby Humane Society?”

“It’s not like that.” He grinned. “I’m planning to stay here, too.”

Part of me wanted to grab him by the ear and throw him out. I refused to entertain what the other part of me wanted with kids present.

Gabe sighed and pushed to his feet. “Look. You need help with the bills and to get my folks off your back. I need help with Ella. It’s a win-win.”

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