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I roll my eyes and shake my head, trying to maintain some semblance of grumpiness. "I'm here, aren't I?"
His laughter fills the space between us, warm and genuine. "Come on, give me something to work with. Do I need to step up my game?" he teases, bumping his shoulder against mine. “Maybe next time we'll go bungee jumping?"
That seems to throw him for a loop, confusion knitting his brow before he can mask it with a half-smile. He's about to say something more when Olivia skates over, her cheeks rosy from the cold.
"Mom! Victor! Did you see me? I did another spin!" Her excitement is infectious, and I can't help but beam at her.
"Of course we did, you were fantastic!" Victor says, standing to ruffle her hair. He turns back to me, eyestwinkling. "How about we grab some snacks? There's a food truck around here that sells the best pretzels."
"Sounds good," I agree, eager to change the subject and hide the flutter in my chest. My gaze lingers on him as he helps Olivia out of her skates, and I wonder how one person can tilt my world so completely.
"Can we get hot chocolate? I saw a food truck over there!"
Victor's expression clears, replaced by an easy smile. "Sounds perfect. What do you say we grab some snacks?"
As we stand to follow Olivia, I can't help but wonder what Victor was about to say. But the moment's gone, lost in the bustle of the park and Olivia's excited chatter about hot chocolate flavors.
Olivia takes off like a shot, her skates tucked under her arm as she races towards the food truck. Victor and I follow at a more leisurely pace, our breaths puffing out in small clouds in the chilly air.
"Hey," Victor says softly, his hand brushing against mine. "I really do hope you're enjoying yourself this week."
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can form the words, Victor's attention snaps back to Olivia. She's waving frantically from about twenty yards ahead.
"Race you!" he calls out, a boyish grin spreading across his face. In an instant, he's sprinting after Olivia, their laughter echoing across the park.
I watch them, a bittersweet ache blooming in mychest. Victor's long strides easily catch up to Olivia, and he scoops her up, spinning her around as she squeals with delight. It's a picture-perfect moment, one that makes my heart both soar and sink.
"This is what she deserves," I think, my steps slowing. "A real family, someone who can be there for her always."
But as quickly as the warm thought comes, doubt creeps in. Victor's words from the other night echo in my mind, his promises of wanting to be part of our lives. Yet I can't shake the nagging fear that this is all temporary. That one day, he'll wake up and realize he doesn't want the baggage that comes with dating a single mom. Or that after his development is done, he'll move on to something else. Maybe even someone else.
"Mom!" Olivia's voice cuts through my thoughts. "What do you want?"
I blink, realizing I've reached the food truck. "Oh, um... coffee, please."
Olivia's nose wrinkles. "Gross. You're getting hot chocolate instead."
Before I can protest, she's already ordering. "Two hot chocolates and a... Victor, what do you want?"
Victor laughs, a rich, warm sound that makes my stomach flip. "Hot chocolate sounds perfect."
I can't help but stare at him. The way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles, how his dark hair falls slightly across his forehead. He's devastatinglyhandsome, and for a moment, I'm transported back to that night we spent together. The feeling of his arms around me, his lips on mine...
"Earth to Mom," Olivia says, waving a hand in front of my face.
I snap out of it, feeling my cheeks flush. "Sorry, honey. Just... thinking."
Victor raises an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. I quickly look away, my heart racing.
I know I should guard my heart; history has taught me well. Falling for Victor is as perilous as skating on thin ice. I swore I'd never let another man in, not after everything that's happened. But here I am, watching Victor, feeling this... yearning for something more.
But as Victor's hand brushes mine while passing me the hot chocolate, I can't deny the electricity that courses through me. I'm falling, hard and fast, and I'm terrified of where I might land.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Victor
"I don't thinkI've ever seen Olivia so tired," Avery remarks, sinking into the cushion on my sofa. Boston's skyline looms outside my apartment window as we both exhale, the weight of the day settling on us like a thick blanket.