Page 18 of Doctor Black

“If I could ask a sensitive question.”

“I guess.” Her voice shook as she sat up and held the nearest pillow to her chest.

“What happened last night? I mean, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

She threw her hands in the air in surrender. “You were right. I got booted out of my apartment because I was behind on rent. Landlord had something against me because I got the house through my ex-fiancé. But he found a chance with this whole rent fiasco.”

“But that’s wrong. He can’t just throw you out,” I seethed. “There should be some law against shit like that, and I will have my lawyer look into it.”

“You don’t have to. It’s his house. I’ll just, yunno, work something out.”

In my instant leap to protect, all finesse was lost as I scuttled closer to her. “No, Zoey. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. I will see to it that you get an apology. In the meantime, this room is yours.”

Her eyes teared up a little, “you would do that for me?”

Something about the way she looked up at me so innocently gave me the sudden, overwhelming urge to claim her plump, kissable lips. My eyes pinned hers down in a hungry gaze. As though propelled by some stronger external force, we drew in closer and closer. Until her warm breath framed my face. She was trouble, and I was entranced by the flame-haired enchantress. Just a little bit more and...

“Daddy, Daddy. Rose has all the food, and she wouldn’t share.” Aurora raced into the room with Jason and Rose hot on her heels.

The interruption ruined the moment as we both jumped apart and straightened.

“I have an idea. So, thing is, I can take the day off. What say you we go out to the park with the kids? That’s, of course, if you’re up for it.”

“I’m not sure I can—”

“Who wants ice cream?”

The delighted squeals of the kids were enough affirmations. I turned to her with a smirk. “You were saying?”

She tucked her hand between her thighs and looked around helplessly. “Come on. It will be fun. Plus, you need some time out to enjoy fresh air and maybe, watch the sunset.”

“Mom, please,” Jay pleaded.

Her shoulders sagged in pleasant defeat. “Fine. You win. Let’s do it.”

“Yay.”

An hour later,we were at the park, nestled on a furry blanket, eating sandwiches and drinking soda while the kids ran around, chasing a butterfly. The air was clean and refreshing.

She inhaled deeply with closed eyes. “This is really refreshing. I’m glad you talked me into coming along. This is somewhat therapeutic,” she said, pulling her jacket tighter. The breeze toyed with her hair, making some locks stray. I reached out and tucked the stray locks behind her ear. I felt it again, that jolt of electricity. Her gasp showed I was not alone.

“Thank you,” she said with an awkward chuckle, swatting my hand away. A few feet away, Aurora tackled Rose to the ground in a tickling duel. She made to leap to Rose’s rescue, but I put my hand on hers.

“They’re just having fun. There, see. She has Jason for the rescue,” I pointed at Jason, who was doing a good job of wedging himself in between the girls.

“He’s beautiful.”

At my statement, her face lit up with pride. “Isn’t he? He is my whole world. Despite all that has happened, I just take a look at him, and I feel better. Like I can weather any storm as long as I have him.”

“You love him.”

“Of course, I love him.”

“I love my girls too. But I can’t help this gnawing feeling that I’m doing something wrong. My dad is an amazing man. An even better father, and since I was young, I vowed to be better for my kids,” I blurted. She made my tongue loose.

“I get that feeling sometimes too. But the trick is to not let it define you. You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re doing your best and what’s best for them.” She fiddled with her jacket button, even as she kept her eyes on the blanket as if she thought it was the most interesting thing in the world. “Speaking about what’s best...” she trailed off.

“Okay? Talk to me.”

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