Page 179 of Beautifully Scarred

“Thought I’d surprise you guys.”

There he goes with the "you guys" again.

He steps into the house, and I close the door against the few prying eyes.

“Well, Monica will be excited to see you.”

“What about her mom?” He spears me with the full force of his dark gaze, and it’s clear I’m not the only one who’s been strolling down memory lane since we parted.

Before I can answer, Monica bounds down the hall. “Daddy!”

“Hey, sweetie.” He lowers himself to one knee and scoops her up when she reaches him. “How’s the best girl in the world?”

She giggles and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re silly.”

“We were just about to leave in a few minutes,” I say.

“I thought I’d drop you lovely ladies off at your destinations this morning. Seth can follow in his car.”

“Yay!” Monica cheers.

Jimmy sets her down and looks at me, though I can’t protest now.

“Okay, let me grab our stuff and we can leave.”

I make myself busy gathering our lunches and my purse, double-checking that I have everything I need, then we all head out to Jimmy’s car—a dark SUV not unlike the one Seth has been driving us around in. I’m quiet as we make our way to the school while Jimmy and Monica chat away.

When we reach the school, I hop out of the vehicle. “I’ll take her. I’m not sure the rest of the moms are ready for the likes of you just yet.”

Jimmy nods, says his goodbyes to Monica, and tells her he’ll see her after school.

I guess we have plans I’m not aware of.

Before we slept together, I wouldn’t have minded, but now I can’t help but feel awkward around him, which is ironic because it’s only due to the fact that I want him evenmore. Like I have permission to want him now with Adelaide out of the picture. So why do I want to see himless?

A minute later, I’m back in the SUV and the air hangs heavy with unspoken words.

“So, what are you going to do all day?” I ask as he pulls away from the curb.

He shrugs. “Probably get settled in my new place.”

My back straightens. “What place?”

“I got a place nearby so that I could be around more.”

While I don’t have any issue with him wanting to be around Monica more, I can’t deny that he’s taken me by surprise. “Where is it?”

“It’s in the next county over. It was the only gated place I could find so the press wouldn’t be using zoom lenses to look in twenty-four seven.”

“What about your life in LA?”

He turns onto the street where the dental office is located. “I told Keane I won’t be taking on any jobs for at least another six months. My only job right now is to spend as much time as I can building a relationship with my daughter.”

I shift in my seat. “Monica will be really excited to hear that you’re going to be so close.”

“And what about her mom?” He stops the car in front of my work.

With a sigh, I look at him. “Jimmy, we already talked about this.”

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