Page 21 of Curves and Cradles

“I didn’t mean to make light of...”

“No. That’s not what I meant. I come from nothing, Janie. Your family thinks you’re this hot mess, and I think all I’ve ever been good at is lining something up in the crosshairs and pulling the trigger.” I turn my body to face her completely and cup her cheeks. “So, ignore your family. You’re amazing.”

Then I kiss her with all the hunger I feel. Her soft lips part in surprise, and I take full advantage by deepening the kiss and plunging my tongue into her hot mouth. She kisses me back, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I go slow, taking my time to explore her mouth, but suddenly she pushes against my chest and shakes her head.

“No, Kevin. We can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

chapterthirteen

Jane

“Jane, hey. Jane, wait up,” a voice comes from behind us.

Shit. I’m not ready to see anyone from work until Kevin and I have worked out all the details of our relationship. He’s only been back in my life for a couple of weeks. I slowly turn, forcing a smile.

“Logan, hi.”

He smiles broadly, and his eyes fall on Kevin with Stella perched on his shoulders.

Logan shoves a hand out. “Logan Roger. I’m a math teacher and golf coach at the high school with Jane.”

“Hey.” Kevin takes the man’s hand and grips it tightly.

Logan grimaces at Kevin’s squeeze.

“I’m Kevin. Janie’s baby da... uh, babysitter.”

“Oh, like a manny? A male nanny.” Logan nods as if he’s in on the joke. “Very progressive of you, Jane. So, when are you going to let me take you out? You can only make excuses for so long. Now that you’ve worked out your childcare issue, are you free tonight?”

“Uh...”

“Yeah, Janie. Now that you’ve worked out childcare, you’re free to date. Go. I’ve got this.” Kevin looks up at Stella. “Right, baby girl? We’re a good team.”

She squeals and tugs on Kevin’s hair, which only makes him laugh. God, he looks good with his daughter—ourdaughter. It makes my heart squeeze. But he isn’t staying. He said as much to my dad. As soon as he’s medically cleared, he’s leaving. I’ll never know where he is, what he’s doing, or if he’s safe and coming back. It’s not the life I want for Stella.

“Who coaches golf? I didn’t even know that was a thing,” Kevin says once we’re in the car. He finished buckling Stella into her car seat and took it upon himself to jump in on the driver’s side. He holds his hand out for the keys, which I obediently give him.

“We have a boys’ and a girls’ golf team. He coaches both.”

Kevin makes a disgusted noise in his throat. “He also has two first names. Makes him sound like a jackass.”

I toss up my arms. “Then why did you force me to go out with him?”

“Hey, I’m just the manny, remember?”

“You almost introduced yourself as my baby daddy,” I say with a bark of a laugh.

“Yes, I did. I’d prefer to introduce myself as your fiancé or your husband.”

“Kevin, we’re not discussing this again.”

“Yes, you’ve made that abundantly clear. How long has he been asking you out?”

“I don’t know. A year or so.”

“You won’t date me, so you may as well date the man with two first names.”

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