Twist of Fate (Taking Chances #2) - Tia Louise Page 0,54
last few years.”
“It’s sexy.” He lifts my hand, and I see a silver skull ring gleaming on his index finger. “I’ll say what I came for. I’d like to apologize for my behavior.”
“What…” You could knock me over with a feather.
“I was a jacked-up motherfucker, and I’ve learned a lot since then.”
I take my hand away, crossing my arms. “What have you learned?”
“For starters, I joined NA. That’s narcotics anonymous—”
“I know what it is.”
“I did the steps. I did the work to make myself a better person. It’s why I’m here.” Looking up, he captures me with his gaze. “I want to make it up to you, Daisy May. Will you let me do that?”
Everything in me knows this guy is bad news, but it’s been four years since I’ve slept with a guy—since I was with Scout—and my little girl dreams have started to hurt when I have them.
Maybe Sly is right and there’s no such thing as soul mates.
My eyes narrow as I study him. “What did you have in mind?”
A smile splits his cheeks, and his voice lowers. “Let me take you to dinner tomorrow night. We’ll have a few drinks and then just play it by ear.”
Melody’s laugh rings outside like a bell, and I’m snatched back to reality. “I’m sorry. That’s not a good idea.”
“No? I think it’s a great idea. We could go to the Blue Crab, catch up on old times. It’ll be fun.”
Stepping back, I shake myself. “Thanks, but No. I’m not looking to get involved with anyone right now.”
“That’s not what you said last time I was here.”
The last time he was here, I was depressed and lonely. Sly was in Charleston, and I felt intensely like an outsider in this small, beachfront hamlet. I was a single mom, and I ached for Scout so badly.
“Like I said, I’m not that girl anymore.” I’ve got my head on straight.
He gives me a crooked grin. “You’re not afraid to have dinner with me?”
“I’m not afraid of anything.” When have I said those words before?
This time I mean them.
“Then have dinner with an old friend. You’ve got to eat.”
“We were never friends,” I say through a laugh. “And I’m sorry. I’ve got Melody to consider. I don’t have a babysitter—”
“Sorry I’m late!” Donna Walsh chooses that moment to burst into the store, breathless. “Lindsey kept trying to put raisins in her nose, and I got a late start.”
Donna is the shared bookkeeper for all of us in the storefronts, and the designated babysitter for Emberly and me.
Her hair is wild around her head, and she’s struggling with the strap of her diaper bag while balancing her own daughter Lindsey on her hip. “Goodness, Donna. Take a breath.”
“Okay.” She breathes dramatically, as if she’s trying to calm down. “I planned to pick up Coco before I got Melody, but Emberly had a baking crisis and wasn’t able to get her clothes together.”
Coco marches into the room, her light brown hair in a ponytail, pumping a plastic recorder in front of her. Melody is right behind her, carrying her football, golden curls bouncing, and my chest warms at the sight of them.
“I’ve brought my didgeridoo!” Coco waves a plastic recorder over her head.
“Didgeridoo!” Melody cries, hopping in time. “Didgeridooooo.”
I look at Donna. “What’s all this?”
“Liam’s making grilled shrimp, so I told them we could pretend to be in Australia for dinner.”
Coco is five and thrilled Melody is finally old enough to play with her without being a fussy toddler. The two of them are little besties, and Lindsey squirms to get down and follow them.
Travis steps back, watching the commotion—which is totally ruining my “no babysitter” excuse.
I slide the diaper bag strap onto Donna’s shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not too much having all three of them?”
“Of course not!” Donna calls to the girls. “We’re off to the Down Under, Mates. The shrimp is on the barbie!”
“I don’t think it’s the Down Under,” I whisper. “I think it’s just Down Under.”
“Down Underwear!” Melody squeals hopping straight to me. “I’m a kangaroo!”
I can’t help a smile. Her pixie silliness melts all the tension in my chest, and I drop to my knees to catch my bubbly baby.
“Listen to me.” My voice lowers, and she stops jumping. She puts chubby little hands on my cheeks and looks into my eyes very seriously. “I want you to mind Miss Donna and be sweet to Coco and Lindsey.”
“No biting Coco! Coco is not chocolate!” She blinks hard, nodding her