He ignored that question and spooned coffee into a machine. “When did you last eat?”
“What?”
“You can’t stop shivering. I’m asking when you last ate.”
Her head throbbed and she lifted her fingers to her forehead, wishing she’d tried to sleep a little longer. Coming here had been a mistake. She should have sent a note. “I don’t know—” She rubbed her head with her fingertips. “Last night.”
“Not eating isn’t going to fix anything.” His gaze skimmed over her. “You don’t weigh anything.”
“You don’t know what I weigh.”
“I carried you, remember?”
She was trying not to remember. Right now she wished she were back in that semiconscious state.
She also remembered the soft rumble of his voice in her ear. I’ve got you.
In those few moments, she’d felt safe. She’d always felt safe with him, which was ironic given that he’d hurt her more than anyone.
“It’s been a difficult time.”
“I heard. I’m sorry about your husband. Do you want breakfast?” He pulled open the fridge and pulled out eggs and bacon.
“Is Charlie going to mind your making yourself at home?”
“You can ask him next time you see him.” He fried bacon and cooked eggs in a skillet. The smell tantalized and seduced until she almost felt hungry.
When he plated up crispy bacon, perfect scrambled eggs and mushrooms she frowned.
“You used to hate mushrooms.”
“Still do. This is for you.” He put the plate on the table and pulled out a chair. “Sit down.”
She wasn’t sure she could eat, but the food looked so good her stomach was sending her mixed signals.
He heaped food onto his own plate and put it on the table along with two brimming mugs of coffee.
She nibbled a piece of bacon. “You always did know how to look after yourself.”
“There wasn’t anyone else to do it for me.”
“Was it a shock, seeing your daughter?”
He spooned sugar into his coffee. “I think she had the bigger shock.”
“She only found out about you recently.”
“I guessed that.”
“I was trying to protect her. I didn’t want her to grow up feeling insecure.” For the millionth time she wished she could go back and do things differently. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
“Because it helps to talk to someone.” He stirred his coffee. “And you know me.”
Scott knew about her past. He would understand, possibly even better than Ed, why she’d made the decisions she had. The fact that Scott knew her so well made her feel uncomfortable. It felt wrong to have that depth of intimacy with someone you weren’t married to. “I was determined to be a good mother. Every decision I made, I put her first.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“She doesn’t think so.” Lauren put her fork down. “She’s mad at me.”