Page 51 of Second Chances

“I’ve never purchased a car before,” she admitted halfway through lunch.

“What about your old car. You had to buy it at one point.”

“No, Brock purchased it. He had to sign it over to me as a condition of the divorce.” She tilted her head and looked at the new car. “Besides, that was old when I started driving it. This one is… newer. It has a computer and a backup camera.” She smiled. “A radio that works.”

He smiled. “Simona’s going to love it.”

She nodded and rolled her eyes. “I may have to work extra shifts to afford it…” Her smile was back. “But it’s totally worth it.”

He could tell that her mind was no longer on the destruction her ex had caused her. He was happy that they had taken something terrible and made it good.

“Thank you.” She turned towards him. “For today. You didn’t have to tag along.”

He stopped her by pulling her close. “If it means spending more time with you, I’m up for whatever.”

She laughed. “Good to know. You can help out next weekend when I watch Kayla’s kids.”

He could tell she’d meant it as a joke, but the thought of spending time with her again had him agreeing quickly.

“Sounds like fun. I’ll bring the pizza and ice cream. You supply the movies and games.” He smiled.

She looked at him, then shook her head. “That was a joke. You can’t tell me that you want to spend a Friday night with three kids?”

“No, what I do want to do is spend a Friday night with you. If there are three kids running around, I’m game.” He smiled. “I like kids. Thinking of having some of my own someday.”

Her eyes turned soft just before she turned away from him.

“I’d better go pick up Simona.” She stood up and walked over to a trash bin to throw away her trash.

He followed her and when she turned around, he wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you, for last night and today. I enjoyed the soup and you.” He kissed her. “I’m looking forward to Friday night.” He kissed her again.

“If you really want to deal with three kids, you’re welcome to come over.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’d appreciate the company.”

He followed her all the way back into town until she turned down the street that went to Kayla and Rowan’s place. Then he continued on out of town to his home.

Walking into the empty place, with everything still a mess, he felt a slight jealousy that Olivia had someone to be there all of the time.

He’d been telling the truth. He really did want kids. The fact that he was quickly approaching thirty weighed heavily on him. His biological clock was ticking, and anyone who said men didn’t have a biological clock was just plain ignorant.

For the past few years, he’d been thinking a lot about having a family of his own. Kids to share in the fun of life, a wife to enjoy and to fill his bed.

The fact that Olivia’s and Simona’s images kept flashing in his mind when he thought of his future made him realize that, as much as he wanted to keep things light, he was already beyond that.

He’d never felt so… himself around anyone else. Especially someone he had feelings for. He didn’t want to mess that up.

Even though his mother had been terrible to him, he remembered how she’d been with his father. There hadn’t been a doubt in anyone’s mind that they’d cared for one another. Maybe that was why she’d changed after his father’s death?

Then again, his mother hadn’t really given him any attention even before his father’s death. His dad had been the parent he’d cared about the most. He’d believed back then that it was because he was a boy. When he’d been younger, he had always thought that if he’d been a girl, his mother would have paid more attention to him.

Todd had always sworn that he’d never be a parent like that. Whatever gender his child was, he was going to love it, no matter what.

He thought of Simona and smiled. How had the little girl filled his heart so much in such a short time? Much like her mother had wheedled her way into his heart.

Since there was so much on his mind, he figured he’d get to work building that wall Olivia had designed for him.

A few hours later, every muscle in his body ached. But the framing for the wall was complete and ready for the electrician he’d hired to come and install outlets and lighting for the two new spaces.