Page 38 of Just Ten Seconds

He snaps his fingers as if just remembering something. “I’m lying. I’m away this weekend. I’m taking Amanda to see her grandparents. They want to see her all the time. All. The. Time. I never say no because I feel guilty for moving her away from them.”

“And like you said, it’s good for her to have the stability of their presence.”

He smiles at my comment. “Exactly.”

“You’re a decent man. Some would take advantage,” I say.

He raises a brow in question.

“You could be painting the town red. Hittin’ up the clubs.”

“Now, it sounds like you’ve met my mother. The women in my family think it’s unnatural for a man to be alone. Everyone, especially my mother, tries to set me up. She thinks it’s good for my soul.”

“Why do people think the best way to get over a loss is to get into bed with someone else?”

“I have no fucking clue. But they mean well. So, I tried. I went on a few dates. Met some nice women, but no one worth bringing home to Amanda. How about you?”

“No. No one worth bringing home to Amanda,” I tease, and he gives me a side-eye at my sarcastic comment. “Jackie is my dating enabler,” I explain. “I don’t date though. Coffee with you is the closest thing I’ve had to a date in years.”

He places a hand on his heart. “If I knew that, I would have at least bought you a meal.”

I pulse my hand, telling him to simmer down the silly dramatics. “Java is a nice, slow start.”

“Not much of a dive-in-feet-first kinda girl?”

“I’m very happy to dip a toe in. Just the tip.”

He chuckles. “That’s what she said.”

I hit him in the side as I roll my eyes.

“You made that one too easy. So, what kind of guy would you be willing to date? When you’re ready, of course.”

You, is what comes to my head, and I try everything to keep myself from physically beating my head at the insane thought.

This is nice. Too nice. And it has to stop.

I’m not being overdramatic. I’m being practical.

Cooking with Dean, getting to know him, and even sharing a laugh with him is more than I deserve—and more than he can afford. Just looking at him with his handsome face in this beautiful home with the smell of a home cooked meal being prepared, it’s all too perfect. A neat, little package that doesn’t need someone like me dirtying it up.

“I won’t ever be ready.” I back away fully. Settling myself back by the counter on the opposite side of the room, I withdraw into myself and set the space between us that he and I need.

His head nods in understanding. The air goes silent.

Amanda’s heavy footsteps are heard on the stairs as she comes down and across the foyer toward the kitchen.

“Can you stay for dinner?” she pleads.

It’s adorable to see that she wants me in their company. I, however, know better.

“I should get going. But thank you.”

Dean doesn’t miss my clear need to leave. “I’ll walk you out.”

I grab my purse and walk through the foyer and out the front door. Dean is right behind me, following me out to the car. The sun has begun to set, and there’s a pink hue to the horizon.

“Thank you for helping Amanda,” he says cordially, like I’m a tutor who came for a session.