Bouncing on his toes, Noah chattered a mile a minute. “Missed you too, Mom. Look, we got Velociraptor hats. This dude on the plane worked on twoJurassic Parkmovies! CGI stuff. So cool! I totally wanna learn that. Dad says he’ll get me a better computer.”
She grasped his shoulders and gave him the suspicious mama once-over. His sandy hair was travel-mussed but clean, and his cheeks and nose glowed bright pink.
“Forgot your sunscreen?”
He shrugged. “No one reminded me.”
Olivia sucked her teeth. “Did so, baby bro. Every. Single. Day.”
Noah snorted and shoved his sister’s shoulder. “You’re not my mom.”
“No, but I am. Go get your bags.”
Jostling and giggling, the kids trotted to the car, where Jason lifted bags from the trunk. He looked the same—handsome in a WASP-y way, though his blond hair was thinning on top. In his powder blue polo and chinos, he’d be right at home on a golf course or at a corporate picnic.
Funny, their last face-to-face meeting left her weepy for hours, still mourning what they’d lost. Now? All she felt was irritation over his shitty judgment.
He loaded the kids with suitcases and shopping bags, then pulled out several more and started up the stairs.
She planted herself in his path. “Whoa. How much crap did you buy them?”
He kept his ice-blue gaze down. “Too much. It’s what divorced dads do, right?” He flashed her a half-smile she once found charming. Still nada. Interesting. “This is my stuff.”
Her mouth went Sahara dry. “Your stuff?”
He set down his bags and closed his eyes for a moment. “Look, Dani, I know I screwed up. I didn’t mean to leave you stuck with the cost of this rental. Let me pay half, and we can give the kids a nice 4th of July, just like we always—”
“Have you lost what’s left of your mind?” She darted a glance at the house to make sure their kids were out of hearing range.
Jason’s lips thinned in that smarmy, I-know-what’s-best expression that made her jaw clench. “I’ll take Olivia’s room. She can bunk with you.”
“No.” She shoved a suitcase with her foot. “Take your stuff and go.”
His gaze tightened. “Don’t you want what’s best for the kids? After that mess with Sharla’s boys, they need some normalcy in their lives.”
“Are you flippin’ kidding me?” Her eyebrows reached for her hairline. “You caused this mess, Mr. Can’t-keep-it-in-his-pants. And this—” She waved a hand toward the house. “This is our new normal, thanks to you. Separate vacations. Separate lives. Sharing the house would give the kids hope that we’re getting back together.” Glowering, she poked his sternum, hard. “And that is not ever happening. Now go home.”
“You need help, bella?”
Both their heads snapped toward the sidewalk, where Matteo stood holding a paper bag. Sharp steel glinted behind his casual half-smile. “I brought gelato for your kids. Limoncello and pistachio, right?” He took a stepforward and held out the bag. “And amarena for you.” His gaze darted from her to Jason.
Well, shit. This was not at all how she wanted to handle this situation, but…What did her mama always say?It is what it is, darling. Don’t mope, act.
Like a wet Labrador, she shimmied the tension off her shoulders and trotted down the stairs. “Thank you, Matteo. That’s very thoughtful of you.” She took the bag, linked her arm through his, and faced her ex. “Jason, this is my friend Matteo.” Just to be mean, she stroked Matteo’s firm biceps.
Jason gaped. “Your—friend?”
Taking his cue, Matteo kissed her temple. “You okay here?” he murmured.
“I will be. Come on, I want you to meet my kids.” She led him up the stairs, past her spluttering ex.
When she opened the screen door, both little lurkers sprang backwards, eyes wide.
This was it. Her future with Matteo would turn on this moment. She smoothed the tension from her voice. “Olivia, Noah, I want you to meet my new friend. You remember Sal from the gelato shop? Matteo is his nephew.”
Olivia’s startled expression eased toward a knowing grin. “Wow. Um, pleased to meet you, Matteo.”
Noah only had eyes for the paper bag. “You brought us ice cream?”
