“Jackson might hear you,” I hiss, getting turned on and annoyed by Owen’s open dirty talking.
“Nah, he’s too far ahead. Hey, Jackson, we’re going to Disney World,” he says just to prove his point. The boy doesn’t so much as turn around. “See?”
“And if he did hear you? Have fun telling him Disney was just a joke.”
He shrugs. “Then I guess I’d have to take him. Wes and Scarlet won’t be going anytime soon with the new baby and all. Jackson loved going last year. And it gives me a good excuse to go on all those kiddy rides. The Haunted Mansion ride is the shit, you know.”
All I can do is laugh and shake my head, which is all I’ve been doing since I stepped back into Owen’s presence. I don’t know how someone can go from making my panties melt off to then making me laugh like this. But that’s Owen fucking Dawson for you…
“You didn’t give me your number yet.” Owen stops at a street corner, eyes on Jackson. He steps to the side of the stroller, keeping one hand on it but ready to jump forward and grab his nephew in case he doesn’t stop to let the cars pass. Dammit, Owen. Stop being so attentive and caring and sexy and—stop.
“That was done on purpose.” I stick my earbuds back in my ears. “Bye, Owen.”
I take off, running down the block before I slow enough to look down at my phone to turn my music back on. My heart is hammering and sweat broke out along my forehead as soon as I turned and ran away. I keep going, not stopping until I’m back on my parents’ block.
Panting, I climb the porch steps and heft into the porch swing. I should cool down and then stretch, but I need to sit right now and sort out my thoughts. Because they’re all over the damn place. Taking my earbuds out of my ears once again, I call Marcus.
“Are you being held hostage?” he answers on the second ring.
“Yes, I am. Send me five thousand dollars,” I say dryly. “Or a new pair of Christian Louboutins, which would be slightly less expensive.”
“Only slightly,” he laughs. “But seriously. You never call. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” I confess and lean back, pressing the heels of my feet against the porch and then pushing off to get the swing in motion. “That’s the issue. I have no idea what’s going on. Well, I did, and then I didn’t.”
“Are you having a nervous breakdown or something?”
“I wish I could say that was the reason,” I laugh. “I ran into my ex and was not prepared at all for it. He was holding a baby, Marcus. A little baby girl.”
“Your ex, Owen?” he asks, and I internally cringe over the fact that he even knows Owen’s name. I could have sworn I’d only brought him up once. Maybe twice.
“Yes.”
“He has a baby?”
“No, it was his niece and he was babysitting so his sister-in-law could nap.”
“How sweet.”
“Right?” I close my eyes and push the swing again.
“I still don’t get why you called.” The sound of a busy New York City street comes through the phone. “Unless seeing Owen is making you feel—”
“Nothing. It’s making me feel nothing. I just got out of a long-term relationship. A serious one. Like as serious as you can get, well, without being married and having children. I should be upset about Todd still, right? Not about—wait. I’m nothing. Nothing toward Owen.”
Marcus laughs. “You’re cute when you’re flustered, and I’m sad I’m not there to see it in person. I’ve never seen Ms. Big-shot Lawyer flustered before.”
“I’m not flustered,” I say, not believing it myself. “I’m a little annoyed, that’s all. Owen is so…so arrogant.”
“Arrogant but looks good with a baby in his arms?”
“Ugh, yes.” I stand up and walk down the steps. “I need to get back to work. All this free time is messing with my head.”
“Honey, maybe you should take a hard look in the mirror. Why is Owen instantly frustrating you?”
“I just told you. He’s a cocky asshole. Ugh, he’s seriously infuriating! You should have heard what he said to me. I cannot stand that man.”
“Mm-hm. I’m sure that’s it.”
“Maybe I’m looking for a rebound. Is rebound sex a thing? Does it help?” I shake my head. “Never mind. I’m not sleeping with Owen.”
“Can I be honest, honey?”
“Your blunt honesty is why I love you.”
“I think Todd was your rebound.”
“My rebound?” I open my mouth but don’t know what to say. “No…no way. He was my fiancé! That’s not a rebound.”
“In the last two minutes, I’ve heard you have more passion in your voice over Owen than I did in the years you were with Todd. And I almost don’t want to say it, but I’m going to. We all know you and Todd were over before you ended things.”