Page 15

“It’s not getting better. It’s getting worse and Mom is scared even if she says she’s not.” He pouted which was so strange when he sounded so grownup.

“Parents are always scared, it’s part of their job. You’ll be fifty and she’ll still worry about you like you’re five.” I stood, feeling uncomfortable talking to a kid about such personal things. Beau took in a deep breath and the wheeze intensified, giving me a taste of the anxiety Moon lived with. Shit. No kid should have to fight for air.

And then I was struck dumb. Mute. Paralyzed by the sight of Moon in skintight purple, her body contorted erotically. Just a sliver of a view into the patio as we walked by the living room and me unable to look away. Who knew yoga was so sensual?

“Want some cereal? Mom made it yesterday.” Beau was already headed to the kitchen, leaving me no choice but to follow him.

“She made cereal?”

“Yep. It has less fake sugar but it’s still really good.” He pulled out two brightly colored bowls and poured from a clear plastic container. When he grabbed the milk, I stepped in.

“Maybe I should pour the milk,” I told him and his skin turned bright red.

“Okay but Mom doesn’t care if I spill, she says people spill stuff all the time. That’s why kitchens are full of towels.”

“Hey Cross.” Moon breezed in still wearing her sexy purple getup, skin glistening and slightly pink from the sun. And the yoga. “Did we have a meeting today?”

“Nope.” I stared at her and she stared back, waiting for me to say more.

“Rocky asked him to drop off art,” Beau said, selling me out and pointing to the paintings in the living room.

I shoved a bite of cereal in my mouth and grinned. “Yeah, that.”

She smirked and dipped her head in the fridge, giving me a side view of the curve of her ass. It was as magnificent as I expected. “How do you like the cereal?”

I blinked at her change of subject. “Really good. You made this?”

“With my own hands,” she held them up and then took a long sip of water from a glass she had chilling in the refrigerator. “How are you?” The question was benign enough but the look in those green eyes said she knew all of my secrets, even the ones no one knew.

“Fine. Still tired.”

She sighed and did that sympathetic head tilt thing women were born knowing how to do. “Too bad. If you ever want to do yoga with me, the offer stands.” I opened my mouth to answer and she put up a hand to stop me. “Just think about it and if you decide to do it, just let me know.”

I nodded but her look said she knew I wouldn’t take her up on her offer and for that reason alone, I was seriously considering it.

“And how are you?” I asked to change the subject.

Her gaze slid down to Beau who was already deep in a book that I hadn’t even seen him retrieve. “Working on being okay. Doing a lot of meditation and waiting for the medication to kick in.” Her lips quirked into a smile as she ruffled her son’s hair.

We fell into that seven-second lull thing and I searched for something to say. “Need some help with the paintings?”

Her gaze shot to the paintings leaning against the wall and I saw the fear in her gaze a moment before she banked the look and shook her head. “Nah, I’ll take them when I go over to the shop. Later.”

“You sure?” She nodded and wiped some of the sweat gathering at the base of her throat.

“Want to stay for lunch?”

Beau looked up and smiled. “Yeah! We’re having chickpea burgers!”

That sounded awful but the company was the best offer I’d had in a long damn time. “I love burgers.”

“Me too! And Mom makes the best fries ever!”

Moon blushed prettily. “Ever?”

Beau nodded. “Yep! Even better than Carina’s!”

“It’s an organic restaurant,” she explained and I was in awe of Moon, going above and beyond to make sure her boy had the best life possible even with his limitations.