Chapter Six
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, a warm summer morning, perfect to spend at the beach. School had ended the day before, so Jamie was in an exceptionally good mood, looking forward to seeing friends and to spending the day with Jake.
At nine a.m. sharp, Jake arrived, wearing a pair of navy board shorts and a gray tee shirt and a pair of sunglasses, giving him a sexy look. Phoebe couldn’t tear her gaze from his body, well-toned from manual labor.
She’d chosen a one-piece that went straight across her chest, no ties, with side cutouts, deferring to the mother in her but still wanting to look good when Jake saw her in a swimsuit for the first time.
They headed off together, Jake making conversation with Jamie about the end of school and his summer plans, which included day camp during the week and a lot of swimming on the weekends at his aunt’s pool behind the main house. Jake didn’t let conversation lapse, obviously over the worry of what to say to his son, and Phoebe was able to sit back and relax while the two developed a rapport of their own.
A little while later, they were set up on towels, relaxing on soft sand.
“Mom! I see Matthew! Can I go play?” Jamie gestured to where another family had spread their things out on a large blanket.
She glanced at Jake for approval to let Jamie go off with a friend, knowing he’d come here to see his son.
He gave her a quick nod and an understanding smile.
“Go ahead,” she told him. “Just check in with me and don’t go far.”
“Mom!” He rolled his eyes at her overprotectiveness but that was too bad. It came with the mother territory. She laughed as he ran off with his friend.
“So much for quality time,” she said, meeting Jake’s gaze.
“It’s fine. I just want him to have fun.”
She reached into her beach bag and pulled out some sunscreen, then began applying it, aware of Jake’s gaze on her as she slid her hands up and down her arms and legs, rubbing in the white lotion.
“Need help?” he asked.
“Sure. Get my back?” She handed him the bottle and turned away, sliding her hair off her neck.
His big hand brushed the cool lotion on her neck, rubbing it into her skin before he moved on to her shoulders. The glide of his fingers felt good against her flesh, and she stifled a moan at the sensations that rushed through her courtesy of his touch.
His hands slid down to the cutouts in the sides of her swimsuit, his fingers easing over her bare flesh, working their way forward until he slipped his fingers around the front opening.
She sucked in a shallow breath at his teasing touch, the jolt of awareness going straight to body parts she shouldn’t be aware of on the beach. Her nipples tightened, desire sliding its way to her sex. She shifted on the blanket, only succeeding in rubbing her thighs together and making herself even more aware of the man behind her.
“I think that covers everything,” he said in a gruff voice.
“Yes. It certainly does.” She took the bottle back from him, flipped the top closed, and stuffed it into her bag.
“What about me?” he asked. “Aren’t you going to get my back?”
She swallowed hard, wary of running her hands along his bare skin. “Sure.” She retrieved the bottle and poured some lotion into her hand.
He turned his back to her and she came face-to-face with his tanned, muscular frame. She rubbed her hands together and began to massage the lotion into his skin, feeling the hard stretch of muscles across his back and arms flexing beneath her fingertips.
“Damn, that feels good.” The low growl in his voice sent ripples of awareness throughout her veins.
He waited until she finished, then turned to face her. A glance down and she realized he was just as affected as she was, his erection tenting his shorts. He cleared his throat and lifted one leg, blocking others from viewing his state of arousal.
Grinning at her, he shrugged, not embarrassed in the least. “What can I say? You get to me.”
She blushed but admitted her own truth. “You get to me, too.”
“Now that’s a damn good thing to know.” Jake began to reach for her.
“Mom!”
Jamie’s voice broke into the heated moment and she guiltily glanced away. “What’s up?” she asked her son.
Jamie was bouncing in front of her oversized beach towel. “Matthew’s mom invited me to come home with them and have a sleepover. She said to ask you. And guess what? They got a puppy!”
She knew any chance of them having a family-like day was shot now that a puppy was involved. “I can take you over there later,” she told him, hoping to buy some time for him with Jake.
He looked upset, pouting like the boy he was. “But they have to leave soon because Rover needs to be walked and fed. They said I can come with them. Can I, Mom? Please?”
She sighed, torn, but she didn’t think forcing him to hang out with the grown-ups was fair in the summertime, especially with a dog as a lure. “Sure, honey. Say good-bye to Jake,” she told him.
He looked at his father. “Bye,” he said shyly, ducking his head and running off once more.
She glanced regretfully at Jake. “Well, so much for a day at the beach.”
“I’m not complaining.” He propped himself up on one elbow. “I had a great conversation with my son earlier today, the sun is out now, and the company is good. What else could I ask for?”
She nearly melted under his intense gaze. “If you’re happy, I’m happy. Let’s enjoy.” She lay back on the towel, allowing the sun to bake on her face. Except she couldn’t stop feeling like he was watching her.
Opening her eyes, she turned to find his gaze steady on hers.
“This is the answer to my dreams,” he said, and her mouth went dry. “I just never thought it would be my reality. That you could be my reality.”
“Jake,” she whispered, his words going straight to her heart because she’d often thought the same thing. She’d hoped to see him again, but she never thought they would be together.
But here they were.
“Jamie’s with a friend, right?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Come home with me later,” he said, his tone husky and filled with desire.
* * *
Jake knew he was moving quickly, but so much time had passed, could there really be such a thing as too much, too soon? He didn’t think so, and when Phoebe put her hand in his, his heart kicked into high gear. Everything he wanted was within reach.
During the car ride over, he’d had his son talking to him like he was already a part of his life, filling him in on the last day of school and his baseball practice, no awkwardness to be found. The only thing missing was Callie, and he intended to integrate her very soon, introduce her to her new brother, and begin spending time with his son alone and as a family.
And then there was Phoebe, the woman he’d never gotten over, now wary but apparently willing to give them a try, which was the answer to every prayer he’d had since foster care.
After he suggested they return to his place, neither of them had been able to relax and enjoy the sun. As if on the same page, they cleaned up their beach area, tossing Jamie’s things into her bag and rolling up the towels, their sole focus on being alone.
The ride to his apartment was quiet, the hum of sexual tension ever present between them. And by the time he opened the door to his apartment and let them inside, he was ready to devour her.
The door slammed shut and he turned to face her.
She’d covered that sexy swimsuit with a lace cover-up. Grasping the hem, he pulled it over her head, then backed her against the nearest wall and sealed his lips over hers.
Kissing her was like coming home, revisiting the best piece of his past and the most exciting part of his future. He slid his lips back and forth over hers before gliding his tongue into the deep recesses of her mouth. With a moan, she tangled her tongue with his. He cupped her face in his hands, holding her in place while he took what he wanted, giving back at the same time.
She trembled in his arms, and he slid a hand up the open cutout of her bathing suit, gliding his fingers beneath the material to skim the underside of her breast. Her hips arched against his, her needy sex skimming the hardness of his cock, which was ready and throbbing beneath his board shorts.
Ignoring his own need, he lifted his hand higher and cupped her breast over the material of her suit. Her nipple hardened, and he played with the distended tip with his fingers, his mouth still consuming hers.
She rocked her hips against his, the moans coming from deep in her throat, increasing his need.
He moved, gliding a hand from her breast downward, edging a finger beneath the elastic of her bathing suit, his fingertips slicking over her pussy, coating him in her arousal.
“You’re so wet for me,” he said, his voice gruff in her ear.
“Only for you. It’s been so long.”
At her words, he stilled, tipping his head back to meet her vulnerable gaze. “How long?” he asked.
“Over a year. I told you I have walls I don’t let many people get past.”
“Let’s break them down,” he said, trailing his finger over her wet folds until he found her clit and began a steady circular motion, pressing on the tight bud, building her desire. She rocked forward into his hand, and from her soft cries, he knew she was close.
He slid her bathing suit down her body, helping her to step out of it, leaving her completely bare to him. Which was a good thing because he intended to shatter all her walls and have her open to him completely.
He dropped to his knees, braced his hands on her thighs, and slid his tongue over her needy sex. She let out a startled cry. Her hands went to his hair, pulling on the strands as he began to lick and lap at her pussy, moving his tongue over and around her slick folds.
“Oh, Jake.” Her thighs shook beneath his hands, and he took her higher with each lap of his tongue. She began to grind herself against his mouth, heedless of anything but the sensations rocking her body.
He wanted to give her more. He wanted to give her everything. Easing one hand between her thighs, he slid a finger inside her, curling his finger forward and finding the right spot to make her cry out in surprise.
Relentless, he pumped in and out while flicking his tongue over her clit. He sucked it into his mouth, grazed her with his teeth, then soothed her with loving laps of his tongue.
Suddenly she clenched around him, her inner walls grasping his finger, her entire body a shuddering bundle of need as she came hard. He slowed his ministrations, bringing her down slowly until her knees buckled and he caught her, lifting her into his arms.
“Good, baby?”
“The best,” she murmured.
He grinned, carried her into the bedroom, and laid her down on his bed.
“Someone’s overdressed,” she said, eyeing his bathing suit shorts and tee shirt.
His gaze raked over her naked body in return, taking in milky white skin, full breasts, and neatly trimmed sex. God, she was spectacular.
He pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the floor. “Better?” he asked.
“Getting there,” she said in a teasing tone.
He stripped off his shorts and kicked off his shoes, leaving him as bare as she was.
“Now that’s what I wanted to see.” Her hungry gaze raked over him. “Join me? I want to take advantage of whatever time we have.”
“You say that like it’s limited.” If he had his way they were working toward something with a real future.
She shook her head. “I’m just saying we have to take the free time when we can.”
“I’m all for that.” He grabbed condoms from his nightstand drawer and tossed them onto the bed beside her.
* * *
Phoebe lay naked on the bed, her heart beating hard inside her chest. She’d never felt more bared to anyone than she did to Jake in that moment. Her body had been sated, but one look at his gorgeous physique and she was revved up all over again.
She meant what she’d said, they needed to enjoy while they could. She didn’t want to think too far into the future. Now was enough for her. The future was always uncertain.
Jake stood at the side of the bed, eyeing her like a treat he wanted to devour. One hand was on his cock, gliding his palm up and down before he climbed onto the bed and came down over her, his thick erection gliding over her damp sex.
“I waited years for this,” he said, almost as if in awe.
She slid her fingers through his hair, gazing into his blue eyes. “Me, too.”
His lips caught hers in a long, sweet kiss that quickly morphed into a hot, tongue-dueling one. He rolled his hips, the motion pressing his cock against her clit, waves of sensual pleasure traveling over her. With a moan, she arched upward, but he lifted himself off, depriving her of the friction of his body.
Instead he reached for the condom and tore it open with his teeth, then rolled it over his stiff erection. He knelt and brought his cock to her entrance. She was wet for him, and with one long thrust, he took her completely. She moaned, his silken thickness filling her until she felt every delectable inch of him.
A full-body shudder shook her, his fullness causing tremors of awareness to vibrate through her. She wanted friction. She wanted him to move. “Jake, I need you.”
He groaned, gliding out slowly before sliding back in. “You have me.”
A lump formed in her throat at his words, words that she’d needed to hear.
And then he began to move and she stopped thinking at all. His big body took command of hers, thrusting in and out, taking her higher every time they connected. She grabbed his shoulders, holding on as he picked up tempo and rhythm, taking her harder and higher with every drive home.
She gripped him tighter, nails scoring his back, her legs wrapping around his to hold him against her. She arched up, grinding herself into him, letting the waves take her over.
Her climax built, slowly at first, then a blinding burst of white stars sparkled behind her eyes, warmth and explosive sensations rocking her to her core.
A little while later, she lay curled in Jake’s arms, flooded with gratitude for his return to her life. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she murmured.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with you.”
She propped herself up on one arm. “I need to ask you something. And I’m not sure it’s the right time, but I don’t think there’s ever a good time for this.”
“Go for it. I have no secrets from you.”
She drew a deep breath. “Why did you get divorced?” she asked.
He jerked as if surprised by the question. “That’s complicated,” he said eventually. “It ties to why I got married.”
“Okay. I’m listening if you want to tell me.” She laid her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, sensing it would be easier for him to tell her if he wasn’t looking into her eyes.
He blew out a rough breath. “When I met Lindsay, I was at a low point in my life. I’d just gotten out of jail, but over time, things were looking good for me. Brent, her father, had taken me into his home and under his wing. She’s a good woman and I wanted the kind of life we could have together.”
“You haven’t said you loved her,” Phoebe said quietly.
He stroked the back of her hair with his hand. “I loved Lindsay. I’m just not sure I was ever in love with her.”
Phoebe remained still and silent, processing his story and how it made her feel. A combination of sad for him and relieved for herself.
“Looking back, I was more in love with the idea of what we could be together. And the fact is, I hadn’t gotten over you and Lindsay knew it.”
“Jake.” Phoebe sucked in a startled breath and pushed herself up to meet his gaze.
“It’s always been you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “It always will be.”
Her heart squeezed tight at the admission, and she brushed her lips over his mouth. He slid his hand to the back of her neck and held her in place for a long, hard kiss. As selfish as it made her feel, she was glad he hadn’t ever fallen deeply only to be hurt. That she’d had a hold on his heart, because he’d always held hers.
“So what’s your relationship with Lindsay like now?” Phoebe asked when they finally parted.
He groaned. “That’s complicated. Lindsay never got what she should have from me and eventually she became tired of looking for more. She asked for a divorce. It wasn’t something I would have sought on my own. I’d have kept my family together, but when I realized I was making her unhappy, I agreed. Unfortunately, she was hoping to shock me into fighting for her. That didn’t happen and she’s been… hanging on to me in other ways ever since.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the day I had to leave work because Callie had a stomach virus? She actually had a light stomachache and Lindsay basically sent me for a ginger ale run,” he said with a frown. “It got me there, and when I realized the truth, I was pissed.”
“You’re a hard man to give up, Jake Nichols.”
He treated her to a wry smile. “Look, would it be good if Callie could grow up with two parents who loved each other in one house? Yes, but that’s not the way it’s going to be.”
He pulled Phoebe on top of him. “So now can we focus on us?”
“My pleasure.” She kissed his lips, his chin, then steadily worked her way down, her lips following the light sprinkling of hair that led down to his groin.
He groaned, threading a hand in her hair as she licked, nipped, and made her way down to his straining erection. She grasped the thick shaft in her hand and slid her lips over the head, tasting the salty pre-come on the tip. She pulled off him, using suction that sounded like a pop, then licked the long stalk, palming his balls as she worked her way around him, tasting every last surface, coating him in damp warmth.
A phone rang in the background, but since it wasn’t her ringtone and he didn’t seem inclined to stop her, she continued her ministrations, pulling him deep into her mouth once more.
Wrapping a hand around the base, she glided her fingers up and down, sucking and swirling her tongue, twisting her grip around him at the same time.
He rocked his hips, thrusting upward into her mouth. She opened wider, accepting him deeper, and allowed him to slake his need inside her.
He pulled at her hair, groaning as he hit the back of her throat. Her eyes watered but she was determined to get him off this way, reveling in the power she had over his sexy body.
A few more swallows over him and he tugged on her hair. Ignoring the warning, she continued to suck until he came hard, spurting long streams of come into her mouth and down her throat.
She licked him clean, then crawled her way up his body, unable to hide the satisfied grin on her face. “Was it good for you?” she asked cheekily.
“Brat.” He grinned and pulled her in for a kiss, obviously not caring that he could taste himself on her tongue.
The phone sounded again and he groaned. “That’s mine,” he muttered, sounding annoyed by the interruption. “I should check.” He kissed her once more and climbed out of bed.
She couldn’t tear her gaze from his fine body, taut ass, and well-muscled back.
“Lindsay,” he bit off, answering the call. “Is Callie okay?”
Phoebe sat up in bed, pulling the covers over herself.
“Yeah. What was she doing on the damn thing? Never mind. I’ll meet you there.” He was reaching for his shorts before he ended the call.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He glanced up and met her gaze. “Callie was on a swing set and fell off. Lindsay’s afraid she broke her arm. They’re on their way to the hospital.”
* * *
Jake did his best to remain calm while inside he was in utter panic. His baby was so little. What if she’d done real damage? Was she in pain?
Phoebe jumped out of bed, not missing a beat. “I’ll get dressed.” She glanced around and ran out, obviously realizing her swimsuit was in the other room.
Jake met her in the entryway, car keys already in hand, to find her fully dressed and ready to go. As a mother, she understood the urgency of the situation. He didn’t need to explain, and he was grateful for her calm presence.
“I can take a cab home or get an Uber,” she said, reaching for her cell phone in her oversized bag.
“No.” He shook his head, not wanting her to take herself home alone after what they’d shared. “Come with me. I’ll get you home after.”
She met his gaze, as if making sure he was certain, then nodded. “Okay.”
On the trip to the hospital, tension vibrated through him, worry for Callie the only thing on his mind. Phoebe placed her hand on his thigh and supported him silently, not saying a word. He pulled into the parking lot of the emergency room, and she ran out of the car, rushing to keep up with him as his long strides ate up the asphalt as they headed to the entrance.
He pushed through the heavy doors, and before he could process anything, Lindsay barreled into him, wrapping herself around him like she belonged in his arms.
Shit, he thought, suddenly aware of the thing he should have considered and would have if he hadn’t been consumed with thoughts of his daughter in pain. Lindsay. Phoebe. Meeting for the first time. He was such an idiot.
Phoebe fell back as Lindsay, hysterically crying, remained latched on to Jake.
“What happened?” he asked his ex.
She sniffed into his tee shirt. “Mom’s neighbor got a new swing set. She invited Callie over to play with her daughter. I was there, talking to the mom. Next thing I know, she’s up too high and she lost her balance. She fell onto the ground, her arm at an odd angle. She was screaming, Jake.”
He patted her back, trying to extricate himself as he spoke, shooting an uncomfortable Phoebe a remorseful glance. “Where is Callie now?” he asked, pulling at Lindsay’s arms.
“Taking X-rays. They wouldn’t let me come in with her.” She sniffed and kept her head on his chest.
“Well, let’s sit down and wait,” he suggested, finally succeeding in peeling her off him.
Instead of taking the hint, she shoved her body beneath his arm, so he was holding her, as she turned and laid eyes on Phoebe, who waited in silence for the drama to end.
“Who are you?” Lindsay asked in a cool voice.
Jake managed to step away and regain his personal space. “Lindsay, this is Phoebe Gifford.”
“Ward. Phoebe Ward. I took my aunt’s last name when she brought me to live with her,” Phoebe said quietly.
Funny how that hadn’t had a chance to come up before now, Jake thought.
“Hello, Lindsay.” Phoebe extended her hand politely.
Lindsay’s gaze raked over Phoebe, taking in her swimsuit and cover up, cataloguing everything about her. “Phoebe. That’s an unusual name,” Lindsay said, ignoring Phoebe’s outstretched hand until Phoebe finally dropped her arm to her side. “It can’t be… You can’t be that Phoebe…” Lindsay trailed off.
Jake did his best not to wince at her rudeness… and the fact that with the utterance of Phoebe’s name, everything obviously clicked in Lindsay’s mind.
When they’d first met, he’d told her everything about his long-lost love, before they’d gotten together as a couple. And she’d held it over his head throughout their marriage, the fact that he couldn’t give enough of himself to her because he’d never gotten over Phoebe.
“Jake?” Lindsay’s voice took on an edge of panic as she looked up at him, silently begging him to deny the obvious.
“Relax,” Jake said, his voice the epitome of a calm he didn’t feel, kicking himself for causing this scene. “This isn’t the time or the place. I wanted to tell you, but you canceled my weekend with Callie so I wasn’t going to see you. But I planned to discuss… things… with you.”
Clearly now wasn’t the time to mention his son.
“How could you bring her here?” Lindsay asked, her hysteria still clear.
“I should go,” Phoebe said, gathering her bag closer to her but straightening her shoulders, refusing to get in the middle of a situation she hadn’t created.
“Yes, go. You don’t belong here,” Lindsay stated.
“No. Stay. You’re with me.” Jake knew the words would hurt his ex-wife, but there was no way to help it. “Lindsay, Phoebe and I were together when you called about Callie. I didn’t want to take the time to drive her home before coming to see about my girl.”
“Our girl,” Lindsay reminded him. “Yours and mine. Not—”
“I’m looking for Callie Nichols’ parents?” A doctor had stepped into the room and called out, looking around.
“Here,” Jake said.
“I’m her mother.” Lindsay rushed over to the man.
The older man had a chart in his hand as he faced them. “She has a fracture in her forearm. The good news is the growth plate wasn’t impacted. We’re going to put her in a cast for three to four weeks. I suggest you follow up with a pediatric orthopedist on Monday. In the meantime, you can be there when we do the cast, if you’ll come with me.”
Jake nodded. He turned to Phoebe, who gestured for him to go with the doctor, and Lindsay, who was pulling on his hand, urging him to go with her immediately.
He wished he had time to go to her, to make sure she was okay after the scene with Lindsay, but the hard truth was, his daughter needed him now. Phoebe was a mom and she’d understand where his priorities had to be. But that didn’t stop him from looking back over his shoulder to see her pulling her phone out of her bag.
“Phoebe, wait for me,” he called out.
She waved at him, gesturing for him to go, and having no choice, he rushed to see his daughter.
* * *
Phoebe waited until Jake walked through the swinging doors and into the emergency room proper before dialing her sister’s number. “Hey, Halley. I need a ride home from the hospital and don’t panic. I’m fine.” She went on to explain the situation, then settled in to wait for her sister to come pick her up.
Her day had been a roller coaster, starting with the nerves of being with Jake and Jamie in a family-like situation. Although it had been short, Jamie had relaxed around Jake, and for a second get-together as father and son, it had gone well. Jake had even mentioned going out alone with Jamie, and if her son was ready, it was okay with Phoebe. She trusted Jake.
And maybe that was why she’d been ready to go home with him. Because they connected on a soul-deep level and she had that trust for him she hadn’t had with any other man. Even the few guys she’d allowed herself to sleep with, it’d been more with the hope of getting closer to them and never reaching that point, even after being intimate with them. Whereas with Jake, she’d felt that closeness even prior to having sex. Sex had just cemented what she’d known since she was a young girl. Jake was special.
With Jake, she’d let go and felt carefree… until they’d reached the hospital. Before she could let her mind go to the scene with Lindsay, her sister pulled up in her red SUV.
Only once she was safely inside the vehicle did she text Jake and let him know she’d gotten a ride and he should focus on taking care of his daughter. She’d asked him to let her know how Callie was doing once he’d gotten her home and settled.
“Talk to me, Phoebe,” Halley said as she pulled out of the hospital parking lot. “You told me briefly on the phone that you met his ex. What happened?”
She gave her sister the rundown. “But I’m fine. I just didn’t think it was my place to stick around and pull Jake in two different directions. I’m a grown-up. I can take care of myself. He needs to be with his little girl.”
“And the witchy ex?”
Phoebe managed a laugh. “An apt description.”
“Hey, you told me how she clung to Jake and wouldn’t even shake your hand. That tells me all I need to know.” She frowned as she drove, her focus on the road.
“Honestly, Jake said she wants him back—on her terms—and he claims it’s not going to happen. But she’s not above using her child as leverage.” Although Phoebe had understood the other woman’s panic over her daughter’s fall, her drama hadn’t been about Callie. It had been centered on Jake, and that had been before she’d caught sight of Phoebe. And it had shaken her up, to see how much the other woman not only wanted him but how badly she’d act to get and keep his attention.
Phoebe believed Jake when he said he was over her, but they had a child together, they’d already lived together as a family, and who was to say she wouldn’t lure him back in?
Phoebe had a lot of life experience when it came to being left alone. First her mother, the one person who was supposed to love and protect her, had abandoned her to the state. Then, the foster family she’d trusted and liked had turned Jake out, showing her how easy it would be to disappoint them and have them drop her next.
And then she’d lost Jake, which had ripped her heart to shreds. Was it any wonder she hadn’t let any other man in? She was a textbook case of a woman in fear of being hurt and abandoned, not that she’d given it any thought before now. But she’d never been faced with being able to proactively protect herself before. She could now.
“Obviously Lindsay has issues,” Halley said. “It’s sad that she wasn’t happy in her marriage, and it’s even sadder that she’s still trying to hold on to Jake now that it’s over. And that was her choice, from what you told me.”
“Well, that’s because she wants him to love her the way she deserves. He said she didn’t get that from him, and maybe I should feel bad… but I mostly feel sorry for her because she can’t let go.” And her stomach twisted with the knowledge that the woman would constantly be pulling at Jake and making demands. She didn’t think she could handle living with what she perceived to be uncertainty.
“Do you worry Jake won’t be able to extricate himself from her? And can you handle the drama that comes along with him?” Halley asked, astutely echoing Phoebe’s concerns.
She bit down on her bottom lip. “Yeah, I worry he’ll feel compelled to choose her somewhere down the road. And no, I couldn’t handle that.”
“Oh, Phoebe,” Halley said as they arrived at the main house, pulling past the circular drive.
Phoebe shook her head, not wanting her sister’s pity. “I also have Jamie to worry about, and Jake hasn’t told Lindsay about him yet. You can imagine how that’s going to go over.” And she refused to let her son be subjected to Lindsay, her moods or her jealousy.
Halley blew out a long breath. “Okay, that’s fair but it’s not everything. You can work that out. Don’t use him as an excuse to pull away. Don’t you remember all my fears? And how you insisted I put the past behind me?”
Phoebe treated Halley to a wry smile. “And you didn’t find it easy, did you?” Her sister hadn’t moved forward until she’d been good and ready.
“Unfair, using my own weaknesses against me,” Halley said, laughing.
Phoebe chuckled at that. “We certainly were given reason to have fear of commitment.”
Halley nodded. “We were. But if I can figure out this love thing, you can, too. And deep down, you know what you want.”
But what Phoebe wanted and what she could handle—or was willing to risk—were two very different things.