Page 43 of Off-Limits Love

“He, um, mentioned going riding one day. I haven’t decided though.”

“I see. Because?”

Mak squeezed her eyes shut and wrinkled her nose. “It seems like a fun idea but…”

“You’re afraid.”

“Beyond words.” Him and her alone? How would that go? “I’ve gone on dates, but—this seems different.”

“How so?”

She struggled to find the words. “I don’t know, just different. Maybe because Finn’s…different.”

“Because of his stutter?”

Mak shook her head. “I don’t mind that. He’s… I can’t explain it.”

“But you didn’t feel that way with the people you dated in the past?”

Mak shook her head, earning another head tilt and contemplative look from Zoey. “You think I should go.”

“If no sensors have gone off, why not? It’s a ride, Mak—not a walk down the aisle.”

ChapterTwelve

Brad cancelled his Wednesday evening Emi date. Again.

Not that Mak minded. By the time they made it home from counseling, with a quick stop at the coffeeshop for a treat and some decompression time, a short nap for Emi, and dinner, Mak was exhausted and ready to go to bed herself.

Instead she and Emi worked a puzzle on the coffee table while Sam watched an old black-and-white movie and pointed out puzzle pieces he somehow spotted from his recliner.

Once Emi was bathed and put to bed, Mak returned to the kitchen to finish the dishes and check that Sam had in fact taken his medicine.

“You upset your ex didn’t show again?”

Sam voiced the low question from his chair, and she swung around and leaned against the counter to face him. “No. Not really. I mean, I hate it for Emi, but I can’t say she’s missing out on much.”

Sam nodded, lips pursed. “Got to agree with that. You have a good talk with the doc today?”

Sam had scoffed at first when she’d mentioned the pediatrician’s recommendation for counseling, but after telling him that she and Emi were now both going and it seemed to help, he’d accepted the news. “Yeah, it was good.” Hard. Impossibly difficult. But good.

“You ever want to talk, I make a pretty good listener, too,” the man said in a gruff voice.

Mak sensed Sam was uncomfortable but sincere with his offer, and smiled. “Thank you, Sam. The same goes to you. You’re facing a lot, and I know you’re tough as nails, but…it can’t be easy.”

He lifted a hand and scratched his head. “Might be different if I was younger, but I’ve had a good life. I just want to see you and Lil Bit settled before I go. If I worry about anything, it’s that.”

Her heart squeezed at his words, and she crossed the room to the chair and leaned over the recliner, hugging Sam from behind. “You don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine.”

Sam patted her arm, voice thick as he said, “Can’t help it. I do.”

She squeezed him tighter and fought off the surge of tears. “We both need a distraction. What do you want to do?”

“Got any good booze hidden in your room?”

She laughed too loud with a sleeping child in the house and kissed his cheek. “I don’t. But I can make a run if you want me to,” she said, grinning. Dying men deserved their drink of choice, no matter the day or night.

“Nah. Might pick some up for another night, though.”