Page 59 of Mr. Flirt

“Wow. That’s a lot to unpack.”

“Now you know why I have a heart built as thick and cold as an iceberg.” Her eyes pointed on mine.

“But ice melts.”

“It can, but if it’s thick enough, it can survive in very hot temps and reshape when it hardens again to withstand the heat even more.” She studied me closely to see my response like I was on a witness stand.

So, I gave none.

“I’m good with a chisel. When was the last time you saw your mom?”

“Last Christmas. She found someone and is living in Arizona. He’s a good guy. I think. I hope. I have no idea, actually.” Lucy laughed and glanced at the picture. “Anyway, how did I wind up telling you all about me when I askedyouthe question?”

I propped my elbows on the table and studied Lucy. She was just so damn attractive and so... broken. Yet, you’d never know. She never let anyone know.

But she let me in.

A little.

“My father cheated on my mother and basically decimated our family. My mom raised us knowing my father was an asshole, but she didn’t want to screw up our idyllic idea of family. So, she let herself be emotionally tortured by a man who had another woman who he supported and took to our own lake house and spoiled her like she was our mom. Not to mention, he had others as well. My mom waited until Winter was out of high school to file for divorce, but we knew earlier. He’d come home smelling of another woman’s perfume. He’d miss dinners with us so he could wine and dine the other women.” My teeth ground together as I thought about my father. “At times, I can separate my father from being a husband. I can tell myself that he showed up to my baseball games and was there to play catch with me, but then I’d be lying to myself. I’d be blocking out the times I’d hear my mom crying in her bedroom with the door closed or the times he couldn’t make it to my games or my sister’s dance recitals because of the other women. As I got older, but I wouldn’t say wiser, I saw a side of him I despised.”

“I’m so sorry, Shep.” She reached over and held my hand. “That’s awful.”

“It is, and I don’t ever want to be in a situation where I hurt someone or someone else hurts me. That’s why women know there can’t be more. I’m incapable.”

Until I met Lucy.

I nodded, letting go of her hand.

“Then it sounds like the arrangement we have is the best for the both of us,” Lucy added.

My heart shattered as I nodded my head and stood to leave because I couldn’t do this with her.

I couldn’t play games.

“Don’t go,” she said softly, “or I’ll read the rest of the article.”

And I realized there was something this woman could do better than anyone.

She could make me a fool for believing in something that was never meant to last.

Chapter Twenty

I’m Not Your Therapist

Lucy

“Great.” Danni laughed, nestling her little bundle against her chest. “You’ve found someone else just as screwed up as you. How much are you charging me again?”

I chuckled and winked at her. “I’m your lawyer, not your therapist. And this is pro-bono.”

I sat on Danni’s couch across from her as she rocked her little one asleep, and my chest tightened. I’d always thought I’d be a good mom, and I had a great practice run with my sister, but I also doubted it was in the cards for me.

“I have some big news aboutmyBlair Lucy,” Danni said, eyeing me cautiously.

“What’s that?” I asked, relieved the topic of Shep was getting dropped. “She’s been voted most beautiful baby of the century?”

Danni’s eyes turned dopey.

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