Page 68 of Not How I Saw That Going

Wow, he’s gorgeous dressed up.

He ducks his head and clears his throat.

I laugh awkwardly and step back so he can come in. I really need to figure out how to put a stop to my rogue mouth.

“And you,” he says, clearing his throat again, “you look great.” He tugs at the collar of his light gray button-up, his gaze flitting down the length of my body. His eyes have the same effect as the Arizona sun: hot and dangerous.I think I just got another freckle on my nose.

“I’m starving!” Crew whines. “I want a hambooger.”

Nothing cools down a moment like a child.

I grab my purse and follow Ward back out the door, hungry child grumpy and accounted for.

I assume we will take my car, and I dig in my purse for my keys, but Ward walks to a fancy truck instead.

“Um, let me grab Crew’s car seat,” I say, quickly turning toward my car.

“No need. I’ve got one.” Ward picks up Crew and walks around the back of the truck.

I can’t move even if I want to.He got a car seat? For us?

Caleb was worried about Ward’s heart. Right now I’m worried about mine.

I round the truck and catch the end of Ward buckling Crew in. When did men putting kids in car seats become so attractive?

I climb in and try to settle the nerves pulsating through my fingers. I’m not ready to meetMs. Prestonagain. It went so well the first two times, I can only imagine how the rest of our interactions will go.

As much as I have convinced myself over the past few days that I don’t care what Claire says, I’m still worried. What if his family doesn’t accept Crew? I can deal with rejection—I’ve done it enough—but my son shouldn’t have to.

“Hey,” Ward says, flipping off the radio. “Are you okay?”

I snort.Super attractive, Lyndi.“Not really,” I say honestly.

“Don’t stress. Everything will be fine,” he says simply.

“Famous last words.” I rub the small crescent of my necklace between my thumb and forefinger.

Ward switches the station to a soft music channel while we drive. It almost calms me, until he starts climbing the hill into Paradise Valley.

Oh no. I’ve heard of this place, and of the famous people that come from here. I, Lyndi Hill, do not belong here.

We enter what I assume is a gated community, but it turns out to be one giant mansion. Excuse me, estate.

Preston Lane. They named their own road?

“Whoare you?” I don’t mean for it to come out so rude, but I can’t help myself.

Ward scratches the back of his neck. “Um, just me?”

I turn a glare on him. “Don’t do this. Why do you have a house that looks like a castle?”

“I don’t.” He tugs at his collar like it’s choking him. “My parents are very successful.”

“What on earth do they do?” I mean, I know what they do, what he told me anyway. I lower my voice. “Do they sell drugs on the side?”

He chuckles, then stops when he realizes I’m not joking. “No, of course not. Both of my parents came from old money, and they inherited lots of land.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal his family is so wealthy.

“A little more than ‘a lot’,” I mutter. I rub my palms on my dress again, then stop. I can’t go in there with streaks on my dress. I probably shouldn’t go in there at all.