Current Day

“Son of a—” My jaw clamps tightly to stop the string of curse words itching to release. I toss the curling wand on the bathroom counter and shake my hand vigorously. Did the inventor hate his mother? It has to be designed by a male whose sole purpose is to inflict pain on females. It’s as if he woke up one day and asked, “How can I make women suffer? Oh, I know. Make them wrap their hair around a hot stick. They’re sure to get burned.” Seriously! How do people use this on a regular basis?

Once the pain subsides, I inspect the damage. A pink diagonal line brands the inside of my left index finger. Even though the mark is small, it stings like crazy. I blow out a puff of air. No wonder I don’t curl my hair often. I clearly haven’t mastered everyday beauty skills.

With a shake of my head, I glance back at my reflection. Long, natural-looking curls drape my shoulders perfectly and remind me why I sacrificed my digits.

All for the sake of impressing a man.

Speaking of said man, Jax should be here in—I check the time on my phone—an hour. I place the cell in the side pocket of my skirt and tidy the counter. When everything is spotless, I step into my bedroom and scan for anything out of place. My gaze lands on the bed, and I ignore the sudden flutters taking over my stomach. No kids. No interruptions. Tonight will be perfect. Holy crap, I’m going to have sex tonight.

A stab of guilt clenches my chest at my excitement. Being alone comes with the price of spending Thanksgiving without the kids. It still hasn’t settled well spending the holiday without them, but I haven’t had any alone time with Jax. It would be nice if I could have it both ways.

The doorbell interrupts my thoughts. Someone’s early, I think as I beat a path to the door. My heart pounds with excitement when I reach for the doorknob. Don’t appear overanxious. I take a calming breath and then swing the door open.

“Mommy, guess what? Daddy has surprise.” Trenna stands on the front porch, big-eyed and holding a carryout sack half her size.

My jaw slackens but transforms into a lopsided grin when my gaze darts to Carl. How could it not? Melanie clings to his side, right arm tucking behind his back, head leaning on his chest. Left arm extended, her dainty fingers open and close, a sure sign for me to take her.

“W-w-what’s going on?” My voice crackles like a pubescent boy. I clear my throat and step aside as the twins barge inside.

“Easy, don’t spill the food.” Carl’s stern voice slows the twins’ gait. He passes Mel to me, and when she’s secure in my arms, he gives me a once-over. “You look nice.”

“Thanks, but—”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten you work tomorrow. The kids are going back home with me when we’re done.”

He plans on staying?

“I’ll get the turkey.” He winks and turns on his heels. Anger rolls through me the farther his legs carry him away. How can he do something so considerate and self-serving at the same time? Him assuming I wouldn’t have plans isn’t the worst part. No. That accolade goes to the gleam in his eyes as if he still has the right to check me out.

“Daddy thought we’d bring Thanksgiving to you, so you’re not by yourself.” The smile on Tristan’s face lightens my annoyance. Carl meant well, I’m sure, but he should’ve called. Like I need to call Jax before he fights the traffic to get here.

“That’s really sweet of you, honey.” I place Melanie in her high chair while Trenna pulls the containers of food from the bags. There’s no leaving now. “Everything smells so good.”

Carl grabs a hot pad and places it under the foil pan.

“Can you watch Mel? I need to make a quick phone call.”

His eyebrow quirks, but nods in agreement. I pull my phone out and quickly hit Jax’s number as I escape to the privacy of my bedroom.

“Hey, Carl surprised me with kids.” My words come out rushed and are met with silence. I pull the phone back to check if the call has dropped. “You there?”

“Yeah. Sorry. The kids are there now?”

“Yeah, they were upset because they thought I was by myself.” The mattress dips beneath me. “Carl brought them back home. Along with food.”

“Okay, I’ll just… I’ll turn around and head back to Nana’s.”

“Jax, I’m so sorry. I feel awful.”

“No, no. No worries. It’s actually sweet they’re concerned.”

“Come by later?” My pulse races, the end of my thumbnail becoming a new chew toy. I’ve crossed into uncharted territory with him, and I can’t predict the outcome. Ten days have passed since he went back to Philly, and as much as I hate to admit it, I miss him. A lot.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t, did you?”

“I hate to assume.”

“Babe, nothing can keep me away. Not tonight. Not ever.” His voice deepens. “I have plans for you, and none I’d consider sweet.”

Heat curls down my spine at his suggestiveness. “Don’t make empty promises, Mr. Carrigan.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deliver.”

“Mommy!” My head turns to Trenna’s voice.

“Uh, I have to go.” I push to my feet and head to the hallway. “I’ll see ya tonight.”

After his goodbye, I place the phone on my dresser and beeline to the kitchen. My feet come to an abrupt halt at the sight of my family sitting around the table, smiling and talking. A weight settles on my heart at the remembrance of happier times. I straighten my shoulders and shake off the uneasiness Carl’s presence brings. “Wow, this looks great.”

“Sit, Mommy.”

“I can’t say no to that.”

Dinner passes without a hitch, but an awkwardness hangs in the air. I stay focused on the kids, but that deferment only lasts for so long. Once they finish, the twins skip off to play, leaving the three of us behind. I lean back in the chair and pick at the store-bought pumpkin pie. It’s decent, but the ones I make have a creamier texture.

“Not quite the same meal as the ones you cook.” He averts his gaze to the half-eaten slice of pie. At least he has the decency to look chagrined.

“Thanks, Carl. This was really thoughtful, but you need to give me notice so I don’t have to cancel plans at the last minute.” I stare at the man I had loved for eight years. His sandy-blond hair. Hazel eyes. He’s still attractive, but his actions have stained him. He may not have had a hundred percent of my heart, but I did love him. Once upon a time, he was my constant. My support. Gestures, like making sure I was taken care of, were what made me fall in love with him in the first place. I really thought I could depend on him.

“I knew you didn’t want to miss the holiday with the kids.” He lowered his head, and his next words are spoken so softly I have to strain to hear them. “I know I screwed things up, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I’m not sure if I ever told you that.”

Struck with sudden despair, I stare at my fork, picking away at the pumpkin filling. I’m tired of the fights, the arguments. “I don’t want to be angry anymore.”

“Then don’t.”

I raise my gaze to his. Those golden flecks that always captivated me beg for forgiveness. It would be so easy to go back to how things were. To roll over and forget the hurt from this past year. Bitterness fills my mouth as the image of the woman he cheated with flashes in my mind. Yeah, maybe not so easy to forget. But I’m tired of all this rage bubbling inside me. It sits and festers, consuming my everyday life. I release a long, steady stream of air.

“Truce?” I offer as a bargaining chip. “No more bickering back and forth.”

“I’d like that.” He draws a long breath. “I also want to discuss Christmas.”

Great. Here it is, the reason behind his kindness.

“Would you be opposed to me staying here Christmas Eve, again?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It worked out so well last year.”

“Yeah, but that was before…” I stop myself from saying Jax’s name. Jax acts like he wants to be serious, but I have no idea for how long. I half-expect our fling to end when he goes off to spring training. “Before the divorce was finalized.”

“I think the kids would benefit more from us being together. Less confusing for them.”

“You don’t think you being here would confuse them more?” I agreed with him last Christmas only because he was sharing an apartment with a friend. I didn’t want to burden his friend with the kids. For the most part, the day went well, but keeping my anger inside so the kids didn’t pick up on it was one of the hardest things I had to endure. This year, we’re officially divorced, and he has a permanent residence. It doesn’t make sense.

“Not at all. I know I deserve everything that comes to me, but I don’t want to miss our kids on Christmas morning.”

“I—” I flinch as the doorbell echoes into the kitchen. With a quick glance at the time, I’m a little confused. It’s too early to be Jax. I figured he’d come later after Carl would be gone. Of course, I never mentioned Carl staying.

“Expecting someone?” Carl’s eyes narrow as he asks the question.

“Mmm-hmm.” I stand but don’t mention names. Although I don’t know why. It hardly matters what Carl thinks. Jax is the one I’m more concerned about. Why didn’t I warn him about Carl staying to eat? The two despise each other. Then again, if Jax is up for dating me, he’ll have to accept the whole package—kids and an ex-husband.

“Hey.” Jax’s relaxed smile puts me at ease. His gaze slides to the driveway as I step aside to let him enter. “I take it I’m a little early.”

“Just a tad. I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you.”

“I can handle Carl.” His tone drips with arrogance. This should be interesting.

“How’s Nana?” I ask as I head back to the kitchen.

“She’s good. Wishes you well.” He stays a step behind and halts when he reaches the table.

“Jax.” Carl spits his name out as if he’s the black speck on top of bird crap.

Jax’s nostrils flare. “Carl.”

My stomach churns. Interesting indeed.