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The deep knowing.

Like he understood the battle. Like he’d gone through it himself.

But he didn’t have children.

“Yeah,” I agreed, trying to force my heavy limbs to climb off the bed. “Especially in times like this.”

“Need a hand?” Coast asked, walking over to offer me his before I could insist I could do it myself. Despite having very little confidence that I could.

“Thanks,” I said, letting him mostly drag me onto my feet. “I’m gonna get you sick,” I said when his arm went around my back, not seeming to trust me on my own feet. To be fair, my legs felt like jelly.

“Not likely. Whole clubhouse got the flu this last fall. I was the only one who didn’t catch it. I credit eating a lot of dirt as a kid.”

“Gross,” I said, wrinkling my nose.

“Need an escort to the bathroom?” he asked.

“No. No, I can do it,” I said, even though some part of me really just wanted to stay there up close and personal with him for another couple of minutes.

I made my way into the bathroom, grimacing at my reflection as I brushed my teeth.

Was I ever going to be around this man when I didn’t look like a greasy, sweaty, exhausted mess?

My body screamed its objections, but my mind decided that a quick shower was in order before I went back into the room.

I just barely resisted the urge to sink to the tub floor as I scrubbed. But at least I was clean as I climbed out and dried off. Only to remember I hadn’t brought any clothes in with me.

I tied the towel tight around me, ignored the flutter in my belly, and made my way out of the bathroom.

“Feel any…” Coast trailed off as his gaze scanned down me. Each inch his gaze lingered over warmed, tingled, begged for something I couldn’t give it.

Because I was sick, sure.

But also because I’d sworn off men.

For my sanity. For Lainey’s stability.

As if hearing her name in my mind, Lainey hooted, drawing my attention down to where she was lying on the bed in front of Coast, desperately trying to shove her foot into her mouth.

“Yes,” I said, sucking in a breath to, I hoped, clear my mind. But the movement had my chest rising, drawing Coast’s gaze yet again, and making another stab of desire move through me. “I feel a little better,” I told him as I rushed to the closet to grab clothes, then went back into the bathroom to dress.

Where I gave myself a stern lecture about getting the hots for Coast.

I mean, I couldn’t exactly blame myself. He was being a genuinely good guy to not only me, but my daughter. On topof that, he was ridiculously good-looking. Even if he was all bruised.

“Get a grip,” I grumbled to myself as I put my brush back down on the counter.

Just showering and dressing seemed to have sapped all my energy. My legs were ten times heavier as I made my way back out of the bathroom again.

“You’ve been really great,” I told Coast, meaning it. “But you don’t need to stay. I can—”

“I’m staying,” he cut me off. “Dunno why you want to argue about it.”

“I’m not arguing. I just know you have a life and friends and… work.” God, work. I couldn’t afford to be missing work. I mean, it was going to lighten my load that Coast had bought diapers and formula to last at least a month. But still, I had to earn an income. And I definitely had to walk those dogs after the weekend.

“What’s the panicked look about?”

“Work,” I admitted. “Especially the dogs.”