Page 52 of Unbearable

He’d have to take Joey out for a beer when they were finished to thank him. That he wouldn’t mind. At least, this way, he could pick up Ethan before it got too much later.

Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to check on the Woburn job site anyway, he pulled into the site parking area after weaving through the north side of the city. He grabbed his hard hat off the back seat and shoved it on his head as he left his truck. The foreman met him in front of the building.

“Heard you were spending your time man-caving an attic for some eccentric,” he said as he shook Fox’s hand.

“Yeah, but I left early to see how things are going here.”

“We’re right on schedule. It’s been a pretty quiet couple of days. Come on, and I’ll show you where we are.”

Fox spent the next half hour walking the site with the foreman. The man had been right. Everything was progressing smoothly. After visiting for a few minutes, he returned to his truck. He didn’t start the engine though. Instead, he sat contemplating his next move. He needed to pick Ethan up from Bailey’s house, but he really didn’t need to go there again. Walking away last time nearly killed him.

His mind drifted to the night before. She had felt so good with her body pressed against his. There was nothing more he wanted than to feel her move under him, to feel her body heatand catch her moans in a long, languid kiss. With Ethan already asleep, the temptation had been almost undeniable.

But he had managed to drag himself out the door before they crossed that line. It would be better from now on to meet in a more public place. He would still want her with every fabric of his being, but he would be less tempted to act on those feelings.

He pulled his phone out of his front pocket and pushed in her number. Brooke had pitched a massive fit when she discovered her sister’s contact information in his phone. He tried to explain to her that it was necessary for Ethan’s sake. She refused to let the matter drop, though, and eventually, he calmed her using a different means.

“Hello.” The very sound of her voice made him smile.

“Hey, I need to pick up Ethan. Is there any way you can meet me at the burger place near Woburn?”

“The one with the playground?”

“That’s the one. I’m almost finished at the job site. I’ll buy, if you don’t mind a burger for dinner.”

“No, sounds good. I’ll get Ethan from outside, and we’ll head that way.” They disconnected, and he sighed in relief. Avoiding Bailey’s house wasn’t going to solve the problem, but at least he had more time to come up with a solution.

He started the engine and pulled back onto the street. It was only a ten-minute drive away, but he was anxious to see them both again.

He was sitting in a booth near the playscape when they arrived. Bailey climbed out of her car. Her legs swung out first, giving him a chance to take them in.

She looked only slightly similar to her sister. They both had blonde hair and blue eyes, but that was where it stopped. Where Brooke was waif thin, Bailey had soft round features. He liked soft more and more all the time.

“Fox!” Ethan called from across the restaurant the minute the little boy spotted him. Fox swept him into a hug when they met at the booth. “Can I go play?”

“Sure. I’ll go order.” He barely got the words out before Ethan disappeared behind the glassed play area. “Okay, then. What would you like?” he asked, turning to Bailey.

“A burger is fine. Whatever the meal is.”

Fox walked to the counter to place their orders. A few minutes later, he scooped up a tray with their food. He added a couple different items from the service area before walking back to the table.

It took a couple of minutes to sort the items. He rapped on the glass to catch Ethan’s attention, and the boy held up a finger in a plea to have one more minute. Fox nodded. Ethan would rather eat his burger cold on the way home, than give up any time on the playscape.

“How was work?” Bailey asked. He assumed there would be no discussion about last night.

“Long. I’m doing a remodel, and the owner is insisting I stay on the job the entire time,” he said, popping a french fry in his mouth. “The owner’s son actually. It’s odd. He’s odd.”

“That’s what you said before. Is it getting worse?”

“This time, he asked me if I’ve had any kids with the barflies where I hang out with the boys. That was the gist anyway. He also suggested we go out for a drink sometime. I had to get out of there before I thumped him a good one.”

“That’s so weird. Why would anyone suggest you have multiple extra kids?”

“Yeah, no idea.” They sat in silence while they worked on their meals. Finally, Fox felt like he had to say something more. “About last night.”

“I get it,” she said, cutting him off. “I really do. I think I’m going to head out.” She sat her trash on the tray and stood. Fox stood also.

“Bailey.”