“See you later, then.”
“See you later, Seth.”
I end the communication with my heart racing, my phone pressed against my chest, my eyes closed, my dreams turning to hope and…
“What are you doing out here?”
And then my friend brings me back to a harsh reality.
“I was… er… calling home.”
“Mr Yang is wonderful with children.”
“Yes, Mr Yang.” I clear my throat. “He’s not the one with the kids tonight. Poker night, you know.”
Ross gives me a questioning look.
“Rowan offered to stay with them. I actually asked him for a favour and he was so helpful…”
“Oh yeah?”
“Please don’t say anything.”
“I wish I didn’t have to, believe me.”
“I don’t believe you at all.”
“And you should because I want to talk and I will.” Ross stands in front of me, hands on his hips and eyebrows raised. “I’m worried. Very worried.”
“Rowan is doing very well.”
“I’m sure of that. I don’t think there’s anything that man can’t do. I’m worried about you.”
“I don’t understand why.”
“Really?” He fluttered his false eyelashes several times. “Shall I give you a detailed list?”
“Perhaps a summary…”
“I’m afraid you might get hurt. Again. We know how it goes every time.”
“This is not the case.”
“It looks like one of those cases to me.”
“He’s my lawyer. I can resist his charm.”
Ross gives me a knowing look.
“For the kids. I can do it for them.” I can get past his abs, which, by the way, I got a good glimpse of when he slipped into the bathroom shirtless. I can ignore his sculpted ass, his strong arms, his captivating eyes—oh God, those eyes!—along with everything else.
For the kids. Like I just told Ross.
I can do anything for them.
* * *
I QUIETLY INSERT the key into the lock and open the door. After closing it behind me, I take a few steps toward the living room. When the dim light from the lamp on the shelf suddenly illuminates the room, I can’t help but smile with all my face and possibly with the rest of my body, as if I hadn’t just promised my best friend a few hours ago that I wouldn’t get involved and wouldn’t lose my head over my seemingly too-all-to-be-true lawyer.
