Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,77

appealing than staying here with me.’ She swallowed, like the admission stuck in her throat. ‘And I’m afraid of feeling redundant and alone when she’s with you.’

Hell. He hadn’t expected her to be so blunt but a part of him was glad she’d opened up. It meant they had hope, that they both had Isla’s best interests at heart and would do whatever it took to ensure their daughter came first.

‘You’ll always be her mum and this town is her home. Travel will be glamorous for her but I’d never try and sway her to live with me permanently. You have to know that—right?’

After a long pause, she said, ‘I don’t know anything anymore. The moment you showed up here my life turned upside down and I’m still spinning because of it.’

‘Are you sure that’s not because of my kiss? Because I’m damn good at it, apparently.’

‘Idiot.’ She whacked him on the arm with her free hand, but at least her eyes had lost their haunted look. ‘So exactly how many recommendations have you had over the years?’

He released her hand. They were nothing more than friends now. Who’d kissed. Once. And it couldn’t happen again.

‘I’m on the road most of the year and I’m the lead singer in a well-known band, so suffice to say I haven’t been a monk.’ He wiggled his eyebrows, determined to make her laugh. ‘Jealous?’

Her gaze swept him from head to toe. ‘Been there, done that.’

He laughed. ‘You haven’t lost your sense of humour. I like that.’

He liked a lot more than that but it wasn’t the time or place to pursue whatever interest he may have in reigniting the spark between them. Because that kiss, and her response to it, suggested it would take little for them to fall into bed together and the last thing he needed was a fling before they’d settled their custody issues.

‘I know we’re joking around,’ she said, her expression suddenly guarded, ‘but I worry about Isla being exposed to … uh … the kind of lifestyle you lead.’

‘And what kind of lifestyle is that? A healthy sexual relationship where both parties know the score?’ He shook his head. ‘I’m not an idiot. I wouldn’t be parading women through my dressing room right in front of her. And that’s even if I get back to touring.’ His voice had risen and he hated the pity he saw in her eyes. He’d rather have her staring at him with interest, curiosity, even passion, than feeling sorry for him.

‘You’re playing guitar again, that’s a start.’

‘I wouldn’t have done it for anybody but Isla,’ he said, sounding grouchy and out of sorts and needing to rein it in. ‘But I took your advice, and Yanni’s, and have been chatting to a professional online.’

‘That’s great.’

‘Anyway, I’m due to check in with the boys—’ He didn’t want to get into a discussion about it and he sensed that’s exactly what she wanted.

‘I’ll get out of your way.’

A flicker of hurt crossed her face but he couldn’t be swayed by it. Tash couldn’t be his confidante, no matter how easy it was to talk to her. She’d always been a good listener and revealing his dreams to be a rock star hadn’t seemed so ludicrous when spoken out loud to her. Ironic that, in telling her the truth about his ambitions, she’d chosen to not tell him the truth about her pregnancy because of how badly he craved success.

‘No worries,’ he said. ‘I really enjoyed spending time with Isla today so if she could check her study schedule and squeeze me in more often, that’d be great.’

‘Okay.’ She paused. ‘See you later.’

When she reached the back door, he said, ‘Tash?’

She turned, hand on the doorknob. ‘Yeah?’

Here went nothing. ‘I like hanging out with you too. For Isla’s sake, we need to be friends and if you can squeeze me into your busy schedule, I’d like to spend more time with you.’

‘As friends.’

‘That’s what I said. Friends.’ He winked. ‘Who kiss occasionally.’

‘You’ve always been a bad influence on me.’ Her smile warmed his heart. ‘But okay. What’s the worst that can happen?’

He didn’t want to contemplate that because he knew deep down spending time with Tash in a friendly capacity had the potential to morph into so much more. And damned if he was ready for it.

CHAPTER

28

‘I’m really glad you wanted to meet for a coffee.’ Jane raised her latte to Louise. ‘Here’s to many more catch-ups.’

Louise hesitated, before tapping her mug against Jane’s glass.