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“Andi, this isn’t up for debate,” he says, his voice low and tone demanding. “My son and the mother of my child will not be staying at some bullshit run down motel.”

“There are actually some decent hotels in Aston,” I retort as I finally get to some nice ones in my search.

He’s quiet again. “Pack your shit, Andi. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“You shouldn’t be driving and I’ll need my car too.”

“Okay,” he says in resignation. “Get your stuff together, get Matteo in the car and drive to my house where you will be staying until you can safely return to your aunt’s.”

My stomach does another flip and my heart goes on a mission of its own, racing inside of my chest. It’s fine. This will all be fine. He’s simply being kind and offering his home to us. It’s nothing more.

A text message flashes across the top of my screen and I see it’s from Carson. I tap on it and it’s his address.

This will never be anything more. He’s simply the father of my child and that’s it.

“Don’t make me beg, Andi.” His voice is hoarse, thick and low as it breaks through my thoughts.

A shiver runs down my spine, simultaneously sparking a fire in the pit of my stomach. “Okay. We’ll be over in a little bit.”

“Good,” he says, his voice low yet smooth like silk as it dances across my eardrums. “I’ll see you both soon.”

A nervousness inside of me mixes with excitement as we end the call. It’s one thing having Carson Ford inserted in my life the way he has been as we navigate co-parenting together.

But living together?

Even if it’s temporary, I don’t see this being as easy as co-parenting...especially when he keeps looking at me like he has a little secret he’s keeping from me.

And fuck me for wanting to know what it is.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CARSON

My footsteps are light as I walk through both of the guest rooms on the second floor, checking to make sure that there isn’t a single thing out of place. Andi and Matteo will be here any moment and I just want things to be perfect for them. I hadn’t yet thought about making one of the bedrooms into Matteo’s so this will be fun. I have so many ideas, I can’t wait to share them with him and see what kind of ideas he might have himself.

Just as I’m coming down the stairs, the doorbell rings, followed by a knock on the door. It’s a bit erratic and I smile to myself, knowing that it’s the exact two people I’ve been waiting for.

My hand finds the doorknob and I slowly turn it, pulling the wooden door towards me. Andi and Matteo are standing on the other side. Andi’s hand rests on the handle of a small suitcase and Matteo has an even smaller one beside him.

“Hey Dad!” Matteo smiles up at me, rocking onto his toes with excitement as he looks past me and then back to my face.

“Hey Matteo,” I greet him, smiling back before meeting Andi’s tired eyes. “Hey, Trouble.”

“Why do you call her that?”

I look back at Matteo. “Because when I first met your mother, she was nothing but trouble.”

“Hey, that’s not true,” she cuts in with a playful tone. Her eyes are laser focused on mine as she pulls her sunglasses from the top of her head. “You were the one looking for trouble.”

A smirk pulls on my lips. “Well, it looks like I found her.” Andi’s lips part and I cut her off before she gets the chance to retort. I reach for both of their suitcases. “Come on, let’s get you guys settled in.” I glance down at Matteo. “I want to show you your room and we can figure out how you want it to look. How does that sound?”

His eyes widen. “I get my own room here?”

“Of course,” I nod, moving out of the way for the two of them to step inside. “This is your home now, too.”

He glances back at Andi. “Do I get to stay with both of you?”

She rolls her lips between her teeth and tips her chin at him. “Yes. We’ll talk all about it later, okay?”