Until Talon (Until Him 4)

“I think eleven.” I glance at the clock, seeing it’s 8:30, which means I still have a few hours before she’s home, and I’m already tired.

“Are you waiting up for her?”

“Yeah, she has some explaining to do. I’m not sure what tonight was about, but when I put the girls to bed, they were asking about their parents getting divorced and where they would live when that happened.” I rub the spot between my eyes that is starting to throb. “I didn’t know what to tell them, because Cece hasn’t talked to me. So I’m pretty sure I didn’t make them feel any better, which sucks, because now they’re trying to sleep with that on their minds.”

“You think maybe she asked him for a divorce?”

I shrug then remember he can’t see me. “I don’t know. The last time we spoke about it, she didn’t have money for the divorce papers, and he was refusing to put up the cash.”

“Maybe he wants her back.”

“Maybe, but then why have a woman at your house when your kids are there? To me, that is a clear statement that you’re moving on.”

“You’re not wrong about that,” he says, sounding annoyed, and I smile. “You still good with coming to my place tomorrow for dinner?”

My pulse flutters at the reminder that I will be alone with him in his home tomorrow evening. “I’m still good, but I think I should drive myself to your house. That way, if something comes up, I’ll be able to leave without you being inconvenienced.”

“If something comes up? You already working on a way to ditch me?” I hear the smile in his voice.

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m not going to ditch you.”

“I’m also not going to be inconvenienced if I have to take you home, but I get it. So if it makes you feel better, I’ll text you my address.”

“Thanks.” I smile. “And let me know what you want me to bring.”

“Yourself, but you can let me know what you drink so I can pick it up when I hit the store in the afternoon. I got some beer and whiskey, but no wine or anything like that.”

“After drinking with Cece the other night, I’m taking a break from any kind of alcohol for a while,” I say, and he laughs. “I’ll be good with soda or tea.”

“Got it.” He goes quiet, and then I hear the shuffle of fabric and what sounds like him lying down.

“Are you going to bed?”

“Yeah, I gotta get up early to meet my uncle and my brothers at the house so we can come up with a game plan to get done in time for our deadline.”

“Let me know when you’re ready for me to wield a broom.”

“So damn sweet,” he says roughly, the deep sound making my stomach muscles bunch. “Gotta let you know, babe, if you were in front of me, I’d have a really hard time not kissing you.”

With my toes curled and my chest warm, I clear my throat. “Go to sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Try to get some rest yourself, and if you need me, my cell is on.”

“Night, Talon.”

“Night, baby.”

I hang up and close my eyes, trying to remind myself that I don’t really know him, so I shouldn’t trust the way I feel. But that doesn’t change the fact that I like him. Actions always speak louder than words, and in the short time I’ve known him, he has shown me the kind of man he is. A man who would step in to save a stranger, a man who has a deep love for his father and mother, a man who was concerned enough for me to show up when he found out I didn’t go to work. And a guy who tried to make three little girls smile when he saw how worried they were.

So yeah, I don’t know that I should trust the way I feel, but for once, I’m not going to think too much about it. I’m going to just see what happens, and if I end up hurt, it won’t be the first time. My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts, and I open my eyes and sigh when I see my mom is calling. I want to answer, because I miss her, but I know she’s going to ask me questions I have no answers to, and given what happened tonight, that is even clearer.

I let the call go to voicemail then start to worry a moment later when it begins to ring again. Chaz, my stepdad, has a history of heart problems, and I would hate myself if my mom was trying to call me to tell me he’s in the hospital and I didn’t answer.

I slide my finger across the screen and put it to my ear. “Mom.”