Page 70 of Enticing the Fixer

“Babe, your dedication and loyalty to your dad and the company is a beautiful thing.”

I bite my bottom lip to keep from turning into a blubbering mess. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I inhale to steady my nerves. Talking about children is difficult. I’m getting older now. What if it doesn’t happen?

“When I told Jeffrey I wanted to start a family, he was distant. He said the timing wasn’t great for him and that he’d taken on another shift at the gym. He was working sixty hours a week as a personal trainer. With my schedule and his, we only saw each other a few hours a week.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” I shake my head. I’m okay. For once, I’m okay. It’s like telling someone else’s story. “A few months later, he told me he wanted a divorce. And almost before the ink was dry on the divorce decree, his first child was born.”

“That’s ridiculous. If he didn’t want to be married, he should have had the balls to say it.”

A slight smile curves up at the corners of my mouth. “That’s what I said. I don’t miss him. But I miss the opportunity to have a family.”

“You’ve brought that up before. Why can’t you have a family?” His hands stiffen on the steering wheel. “Is there something specific you’re worried about?”

“I’m thirty-five.”

“So?”

“A woman’s fertility starts to–”

“Stop.” He rolls his eyes, pulls over, and shoves the vehicle into park.

A man standing on the street corner glares at our intrusion of his peaceful sanctuary. There’s nothing tranquil about his shopping cart filled with recyclable cans and overcoat in the heat of the day.

Leo shifts to face me, cupping my face. “Sweetheart, if you want a baby, you’ll have a baby. I don’t care what I must do to make it happen. No amount of money or hard work is a barrier for me. I’ll make it happen.”

“Leo, I love you.”

“I’m serious.” He clears his throat. “Money is not a –”

My phone rings, vibrating on the console. “It’s Mark.” I click on the screen and lift it to my ear. “Hello?”

“Girl, I can see you and your man making out. Your daddy would disapprove of kissing on a street corner in broad daylight. It doesn’t matter how old you are.”

“Yes, Sir.” I scoot back. “We’ll be there in one minute.” I click off and rub Leo’s thigh. “We’ll finish this conversation later when we’re alone.” I waggle my eyebrows. “And I can show you how happy you make me.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Leo

As Kinsley introduces me to her father’s friend, I struggle to stay focused on the conversation. The pain in her eyes when she said she couldn’t have a family gutted me. Not because she couldn’t have children but because she was hurt. I can’t stand knowing she’s in pain.

I’ve never spent much time contemplating kids of my own, but if she wants a baby, I’ll ensure she has one. There are countless ways to have children. And the outcome is all that matters. I’ll make love to her until she can’t walk, and if that doesn’t work, which it will, I’ll toss money at doctors until someone makes it a reality.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you.” I shake Mark’s hand. He’s in his mid-fifties with a round belly and a receding hairline. His clothes are typical for the area– frayed jeans, a worn thin white T-shirt, and suspenders. The home is a small one-story structure with a well-worn living room set, but it’s tidy. It smells like lemon cleaner and grease.

“Have a seat.” Mark tips his salt and pepper-covered head toward the sofa as he lowers into his recliner. “You two can sit there as long as there’s no hanky-panky.”

“There won’t be any messing around.” Kinsley settles into the cushions, hauling me down beside her.

“And you?” Mark arches his eyebrows and watches me like a hawk from his recliner.

“Sir.” I tip my head toward him. “I won’t disrespect your home.”

“Good.” He eyes me up and down while leaning back into the cushions. “My damned feet are swelling,” he mutters and grasps the recliner’s handle, causing the footrest to pop upward. “That’s better.”

“Are you okay?” Kinsley’s face is etched with concern.

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