Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,48
Marlaine made her feel foolish. How many women did he regularly sleep with? He’d acted as if he wanted to know her better and be a bigger part of her life. Said he’d been waiting for her for three whole years. Why? So he could finally sleep with a woman he hadn’t conquered yet?
But the things he’d said to her seemed so real.
Shame burned through her. Yes, she was attracted to him. Yes, she loved how he was with her daughter. But this was too much to deal with. She had Zoe to look after, and she wasn’t about to let Gabe become part of their intimate life only to leave when he got a better offer. But if he was still sleeping around while he professed to be crazy for her, what did that really say?
She couldn’t handle these types of games. Better to lock the door on any possibilities between them before it was too late.
She had too much to lose.
Chapter Ten
By the end of the dance, Gabe was tired but happy. Zoe and her friends had had a good time. He’d hooked up with Tony, Daisy’s dad, and a few other fathers to keep the girls happy and conversation at an easy level. He noticed the moms stayed on the other side of the room, running the various activities and snack tables, except for a few brave stragglers who crossed the invisible line.
Of course, the three women who did made a beeline straight to him.
He was polite but distant, just like at work. He tried to avoid locals in Cape May—it only made things awkward. Honestly, he was more embarrassed by all the female attention, hating how it put a spotlight on him when he wanted to show Bella he wasn’t like the man society had dubbed him. He’d tried catching her eye many times throughout the evening, but she had avoided his gaze and mostly stayed by Daisy’s side.
“Fun night,” Tony said, smiling at Meg as she leaned against him.
“Agreed. It was nice to see the girls have fun.”
“Zoe’s lucky to have you in her life,” the older man said a bit gruffly. “Daisy and Bella had some hard cards dealt to them. They deserve to have some good male influences. I heard you got a promotion over at Sunshine Bridal.”
He stiffened. He was used to older men like his father thinking his career was odd or flamboyant. How many times had his old man sneered and called him useless when he’d decided to go into wedding planning? He kept his response brief. “Yes.”
Tony nodded. “Good for you. About time there was some male influence in that industry. Must have taken some courage to carve a name for yourself. Congrats.”
Warmth spread through him. He wondered what it would be like to have his father say something like that to him. He smiled at Tony and inclined his head. “Appreciate it. I’m lucky the Sunshine women gave me a chance.”
“Gabe, my feet hurt from dancing. Are we ready to go?” Zoe asked, tugging at his sleeve.
He laughed. “Sure, but I should be the one complaining. Look at these fancy dress shoes,” he pointed out. “They pinch my toes.”
She made a face. “Mine are worser. These pink boots are not good for dancing. I think next time, I’ll get a pair of ruby-red slippers like Dorothy—she walked all the way to the Wizard in those!”
He couldn’t help it. Affection overcame him, and he picked her up to give her a hug. The scent of her strawberry shampoo and the open way she hugged him back were everything. “I’ll keep my eye out for them,” he said. “Let’s go get your mom. Maybe you can sneak in one last cupcake.”
Her eyes lit up, and they crossed the room, where the tables were already being cleared and the surplus was being packed away in organized Tupperware bins. “Need any help?”
Bella jerked as if surprised by his presence, then shot him a weird look. “Uh, no, we’re good. Did you have a good time, sweetheart?” she asked her daughter.
“Oh yes! Even though our feet hurted, we danced a lot and had fun. Can I have one last cupcake?”
“How many did you have tonight?”
“Just one.”
“Okay, but you have to promise to go to bed when we get home and not run around the house all sugared up.”
“I promise.” Zoe took the treat and immediately dove into the top, not waiting to unwrap the paper.
Gabe grabbed her some napkins, grinning. “Did the PTO