It was an oddly intimate moment.
At the park, I caught Sammy as she hurtled down the slide. Pushed her as high as I dared on the swing, listening to her squeals of delight. Made her and Liv laugh as I hung from the monkey bars, holding my legs as high as they would go, my feet still hitting the ground. I made funny monkey noises, then chased Sammy around the trees, threatening to catch and tickle her until she begged for mercy.
Finally, we grabbed ice cream cones and sat on the bench eating them. Sammy still had lots to tell me, although she had talked nonstop the entire afternoon.
“Sammy, take a breath,” Liv admonished her. “Stop talking Van’s ear off, and eat your ice cream.”
Sammy frowned, tilting her head from side to side to study me.
“He still has both ears, Mommy. I can’t be talking that much,” she replied.
My laughter was loud, making Liv jump and causing Sammy to giggle.
“It’s all good, Liv. I like hearing Mouse talk.”
Sammy finished her ice cream and jumped to her feet. “Can I go back on the swings?”
“Yes,” Liv said. “Make sure I can see you at all times.”
“Okay. Watch me, Mr. Van!”
“I will, kiddo.”
I slid over on the bench closer to Liv. I finished my ice cream and stretched, letting my arm rest on the back of the bench. We watched Sammy soar high, leaning back so her hair trailed low into the dust of the sand below her.
“Oh God, she is gonna need a bath and a shower tonight,” Liv muttered.
“Is she always this full of energy?”
“Feels like it. She’s a busy little girl.”
“She’s awesome.”
Liv smiled, looking downward. I noticed she did that a lot when she smiled. As if she didn’t want to share her smile. I wanted her to share it with me.
I stretched, stifling a groan at the effort.
“Are you still in pain?” she asked quietly.
“I always am. Some days are worse than others. I’ll survive.”
“You shouldn’t have played on the monkey bars,” she scolded. “Sammy is old enough to understand the word no and why you couldn’t have done so.”
I waved my hand, dismissing her concern. “It’s fine, Liv. I try not to let it affect my life. If I give in, I’m done for. Swinging a little on the monkey bars didn’t harm me. Mouse got a kick out of it, and I enjoyed it.”
She pursed her lips and stayed silent. She finished her cone and wiped her fingers. “Thank you for being so kind today, Van.”
“Not a problem. It was fun.”
Liv made a strange noise in the back of her throat but didn’t say anything else.
I watched Sammy for a few more minutes. She jumped from the swing over to the monkey bars, chatting with another little girl. Both of them hung upside down, swinging and talking as if it was normal. I had to chuckle.
Liv groaned. “I hate it when she does that, but she does it anyway.”
“She’s being a kid.”
“Hmm.” She leaned back and crossed her legs. Her hair brushed against my arm, the strands soft. I had to resist bunching it in my hand.
I cleared my throat. “Her dad around?”
Liv scoffed. “No.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’re better off without him. Both of us.”
The bitterness and pain in her voice were blatant.
“Then I’m glad he’s out of the picture. How long ago did you divorce?”
Liv shifted, turning toward me. “We were never married. I was young when I met Chris. Looking for myself, for love. He seemed great—charming and nice. Interested.”
“But?” I asked.
“It took me a while to see the real him. He was very good at hiding it. He was anything but nice underneath. Demanding, exacting, controlling. Mean.”
My hands curled into fists. “Did he lay hands on you, Liv?”
“No. He used words to hurt.” Her eyes focused on something behind me as she gathered her thoughts. “My mom said I was following in her footsteps. My father was the same way, and it took her a long time to walk away. When I discovered I was pregnant, I told Chris. He wasn’t happy.”
“So you split?”
“Yes. He walked out.” She laughed, the sound bitter. “When I found out it was a girl, I went to see him. I thought he would see the ultrasound picture, realize what he was missing, and we’d try again. I was still in denial about his real self.”
“I assume that wasn’t what happened.”
“No. When I told him, showed him the picture, he informed me he didn’t need another weak, clingy female to look after. He told me to get rid of it.” Liv’s voice shook. “He looked at a picture of his daughter, a tiny little being growing inside me, and called her an it. As if she was nothing. As if I was nothing. Right then, I realized how stupid I was being even wanting to give him a chance. I walked away and never looked back. My lawyer sent him papers, and he signed away his rights.” She wiped at her cheek. “Last I had heard, he left town. I have no idea where he is, and I hope never to see him again.”
“Bastard,” I growled, looking over at Sammy. How could anyone walk away from their child? It was inconceivable to me.
“I can’t believe I told you my sob story. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I asked.” I wrapped my hand around hers, holding it tight. “I think you’re amazing, Liv. Sammy is a great kid.”
She stared down at our hands. “What are you doing here, Van?”
Our eyes locked.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“I can’t-I can’t do this. I don’t date.” Liv slid her hand from mine. “I like you, Van. I think you’re wonderful. But only as a friend.”
I felt a frisson of sadness at her words. I heard the pain and finality in her voice.
I also heard regret. Somehow, it made her words easier to take and made me push a little more.
“I don’t date, either, Liv. But we can be friends, right? Maybe grab a sandwich and an ice cream with Mouse on occasion?”
“I don’t want to confuse Sammy.” She moved her fingers restlessly on her lap. “She likes you, and she tends to become attached.”
“I like her. I don’t plan on going anywhere, Liv. We’re friends already, and we can stay friends. The occasional sandwich or ice cream isn’t going to confuse her.” I played the best card I could think of at the moment. “Men and women can be friends. Hang out on occasion. Surely, you want her to understand that?”
She paused.
“I love kids,” I admitted. “I like her. I would enjoy seeing her every so often, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“I sense there’s a story there.”
I nodded, not meeting her eyes. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”
She was quiet for a moment, seemingly contemplative. “Maybe one day you will.”
She turned and faced Sammy again, ever watchful. I copied her posture, my head filled with thoughts, swirling with odd emotions.
All of them stemmed from the pretty woman beside me and the child laughing across the playground.
I knew Liv knew how to drive but didn’t own a car, so I drove them home, the feeling of regret pulsating in my chest as I pulled up in front of her building. I had enjoyed the simplicity of the afternoon and their company. Both of them. I didn’t want it to end, even though I knew it was for the best.
Liv was cautious. She had to consider Sammy, and I understood her trepidation. I understood that more than my own desire to spend time with her. Get to know what made Liv tick. It made no sense. I wasn’t in the market for a relationship, but somehow my heart hadn’t gotten that message.
I was more confused than ever.
* * *
Liv
I watched Van drive away, still unable to believe we’d spent the day with him. It didn’t seem real. He didn’t seem real.
From the moment I met Van, he was larger than life. And not on
ly his size. Tall and broad, he was a wall of muscle. All his shirts stretched tight over his wide biceps. His preferred denim overalls hugged his torso and showed off his tight ass. His waist was thick, his long legs powerful. The first time I had seen him, I’d stepped back as a shot of alarm tore through me. Then I met his gaze. Warm, kind, and calm, his deep brown eyes showed the compassionate soul that lurked under the massive build. His handshake was gentle and his voice soothing. He put me at ease right away and had never given me any concern to be wary of him.
I had never seen him lose his cool. He handled every problem or issue that occurred with the same patient mind-set he had shown Sammy earlier.
The longer we worked together, the more my admiration for him grew. He was thoughtful, concise, and could build or create anything. His talent was endless. He treated his crews with respect, and they worked hard in return. He expected nothing less than the best, and he led by example. He wasn’t the kind of manager who sat back and let others do the work. He toiled as hard as his crews, if not harder. He was a great listener, and a supportive coworker. Working with him was a pleasure, and I enjoyed our interactions.
Another added layer to his talent was his music. I had gone with some people from the office to hear him play at a bar one night. Watching the way his fingers coaxed the haunting notes from his guitar was enthralling. I felt his passion as he played, lost in the nuances and scope of the song. He stayed in the background, seemingly content to let others take the spotlight, but I was unable to take my eyes off him. The lights cast shadows on his face and highlighted the glints of silver in his hair and scruff. His muscles rippled as he played. A small, sexy grin curled his lips.
And when he sang…
I thought my heart would explode in my chest. Low, raspy, and sensual. Filled with passion and desire, his voice made me feel things I hadn’t felt in years. It created a sense of longing that left me breathless.
Now, when I could, I went to see him. I never told anyone, and he didn’t know I was there. I would sit in the back, cloaked by the darkness and listen, filled with my own longing I knew would never be resolved.
I would never risk myself that way again.
Sammy tugged on my hand. “Come on, Mommy!”
We walked into the apartment building, and Sammy ran to her room. I heard her talking to her dolls, telling them about the park, lunch, and the bookshelf Mr. Van had drawn for her. I made a cup of coffee and sat at the small kitchen table, sipping the brew and thinking more about the day.
Lunch had been fun, Sammy, of course, being her usual direct self when talking to Van. He was wonderful with her, always answering her questions, and responding with humor.
He had leaned forward at one point, asking me if I was okay since I had been quiet. I was surprised he had noticed, but I hastened to assure him I was fine.
“Yes, of course. I was, ah, thinking about the design I had been working on.”
“Well, lunch will be here any moment. Forget about work and enjoy the day.”
“Then we go to the park!” Sammy exclaimed, grinning as she lifted her head from the place mat she was coloring with the crayons the waitress had given her.
Van grinned at her, his eyes twinkling. “The happy place.”
The waitress slid my grilled chicken salad in front of me and handed Sammy her new favorite—a bacon and grilled cheese sandwich. My eyes grew round as Van’s lunch appeared in front of him. Two double grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches along with French fries, a salad, and coleslaw filled his plate.
“Are you gonna eat all that?” Sammy asked, her eyes wide with awe.
“Sammy!” I admonished her.
Van only laughed as he lifted his sandwich. “I eat a lot, Sammy. I’m a big guy.”
She lifted her sandwich, biting into it, looking thoughtful. “I’m just a little girl.”
He threw me a wink. “Yep. A little mouse.”
She giggled, dipping her sandwich into the ketchup I added to her plate. “Mommy says I eat like a horse sometimes. They are way bigger than a mouse.”
He winked. “That they are, Sammy. Do you like horses?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Mommy took me to ride one once. It was awesome!”
He chewed slowly, then wiped his mouth. “Maybe we’ll go one day.”
Sammy’s face lit up. “Yeah!”
I sighed remembering how happy those words made her. I thought about his remarks as we sat on the bench. How nice it had felt to sit beside him—his sheer size made me feel safe, and his gentle demeanor was both appealing and sexy. My body had responded to him when he lifted me into the truck as if I weighed nothing. Being in his arms, even for a moment, had felt so amazing. I thought of the way he hovered over me, his warm breath drifting across my face as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Despite the fact that Sammy was behind me, I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his mouth on mine and taste him. To know how it would feel to be in his arms for longer than a minute. Sammy’s giggle had broken the moment, which was a good thing. Another second pressed so close to Van, and I might have lost my head and kissed him. We both would have been embarrassed.
In the park, the way he spoke, how he kept an eye on Sammy while talking to me was unexpected. His quiet words and the flash of anger when he asked about Sammy’s father surprised me.
I still couldn’t believe I had told him about Chris. Only a few people knew my history. I was a very private person, especially at the office, yet with Van, I opened up. He made me feel as if it was okay to tell him.
He was a good man, but what I had said was true. We could be friends and nothing more. He seemed fine with it, and it was for the best. I could work with him, admire his talent from the dark corner of a bar, and stay focused on what was important.
Giving Sammy a stable home and keeping her happy.
Still, my heart ached a little as I stood and dumped my cold coffee in the sink. I ignored the little voice in my head that asked what would make me happy.
In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t really matter. Only she did.
Liv
“Fine,” I said into the phone, frustrated. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“Make it fast. I need a decision,” Ben Campbell snapped and hung up.
I dropped my head into my hands, overwhelmed. I felt the stirrings of panic begin, but I had to shake them off. I ran through my list of options in my head, and as much as I hated to do it, I knew I had no choice. I stood, grabbed my purse and laptop, and hurried out of my office, strategizing as I rushed down the hall. I was so deep in thought I never saw the person headed toward me until I ran straight into him.
A hard, thick torso that belonged to Van Morrison stopped me in my tracks. I gasped an apology as I slammed into him, my purse and laptop clutched to my chest. His arms snaked around me, keeping me from falling.
“Whoa, Liv. Where’s the fire?”
I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. His deep brown stare was amused and curious. He frowned as he took in my expression, his voice changing, becoming concerned.
“Hey, what’s the matter?”
The urge to drop my purse and laptop and fling my arms around his neck was so strong it shocked me. To seek his comfort and feel the sense of safety he invoked when close. With a sigh, I shook my head.
“I’m sorry, Van. I didn’t see you.”
He chuckled. “That in itself is telling, Liv. I’m sort of hard to miss.”
I had to chuckle at his words. He was correct.
“I need to go get Sammy then head to the Miller place. There’s a huge issue, and the foreman is insisting I go in person before they proceed.”
He furrowed his brow, confused. “And Sammy is going with you because…?”
I stepped back, realizing I was still in his arms. I felt the loss of his warmth right away, my panic beginning to seep in again.
“My mom is unwell again. She has chronic migraines and is in the middle of a bad run. She
called me a while ago to let me know she couldn’t get Sammy from day care. I was going to head there and get her, when the foreman called, demanding my presence.” I passed a weary hand over my face. “I have to get Sammy, and I have to get to the house.”
“Hold up,” Van said, reaching into his pocket. “Campbell is the foreman, right?”
“Yes.”
“Stay here.”
He disappeared into his office. I shifted on my feet, looking at my watch. With traffic, I was going to be late getting Sammy. The day care by my place was good, but she was a stickler for pickup times. Then I had to get across town to the house and sort out the problem. I would also need to stop and get Sammy something to eat.
Ben Campbell was a crusty, demanding foreman, and he wasn’t going to be happy about being delayed. Sammy wasn’t going to be happy about being dragged around, and I wasn’t happy about the constant migraines my mom kept getting. I needed to convince her to go back to her doctor. It had been getting worse lately, and her meds no longer helped.
I slung my purse over my shoulder and began to hurry down the hall. Whatever Van was up to would have to wait.
“Hey!” Van’s voice bellowed.
I turned, shaking my head, still walking. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”
His long legs covered the distance between us easily. He wrapped his hand around my arm, stopping me. “You’re going the wrong way, Liv.”
“I need to get a cab. The main road is out front.”
“My truck is out back.”
“I’m sorry?”
He stopped, gently ceasing my steps.
“I called Campbell and told him to chill. I’ll drive you to get Sammy, drop you at the house, then I can take her home and look after her while you deal with him.”
I gaped at him.
“No, you can’t.”
“Yes, actually, I can.” He tugged me with him down the hall toward the back of the building.
“I-I can’t ask you to do that, Van.”
He flashed me a grin. A wide, wicked grin that told me he wasn’t going to listen to any of my arguments.
“You didn’t. I offered.”
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 28
