He’s glowing, and I hate that I notice. Hate that it makes my chest ache in a way I’m not ready to acknowledge.
Corbin finally reaches us, his gaze soft as it moves between Tate and me. “I said we had to ask Mom first, buddy.”
“Oh, right.” Tate lets go of me and straightens, his little hands clasped together in exaggerated desperation. “Mom,pleasecan we go to the park with Dad?Please?”
I glance over my shoulder at Connie, who’s already grinning like she knows exactly what’s happening here.
“We’ve got things covered, Jules,” she assures me.
Sarge grumbles under his breath before pushing through the double doors to the kitchen, muttering something about being underappreciated.
Corbin shifts beside me, his voice quieter, more careful. “It’s warmed up a little out there. If you’re busy, I can take him on my own.”
“Please, Mommy,” Tate pleads again, his blue eyes wide, his whole body practically vibrating with excitement.
Behind me, Connie chuckles. “Oh, just go already,” she teases. “You’d have to be heartless to say no to that face.”
Tate beams, and my resolve cracks.
Like I ever stood a chance.
“Let me grab my coat,” I say, untying my apron and handing it off to Connie.
Tate bounces on his feet as Corbin ruffles his hair. “Go put your backpack away, bud,” he tells him. “Then we’ll walk over to the park.”
As Tate darts toward the back, Connie lingers behind the counter, pretending to wipe something down but not even trying to hide her amusement. Great.
“Thanks for picking him up,” I tell Corbin as I reach for my coat.
He beats me to it, plucking it off the hook by the register. And then—oh god—he holds it open for me.
I hesitate for a second too long, caught off guard. He steps in closer, waiting. Yep. We’re really doing this.
I swallow hard and slip my arms through the sleeves, trying to ignore the way his breath skates across the back of my neck. Goosebumps prickle down my spine. I can’t help it.
“I want to taste you, Jules. It’s been so long.”
Not now. Not now. I shake the memory loose before it can dig too deep.
“I really appreciate it,” I say, stepping away and twisting back toward him.
His pupils are so dark, there’s only a small ring of icy blue left around them. I touch my cheek, suddenly warm. He still finds me attractive. I know he does. But… is that all?
“I can pick him up tomorrow,” I offer, needing to steer this conversation away from dangerous territory.
Corbin shakes his head. “It’s alright. I took a half-day. Volunteering in Tate’s class.”
I blink. “Really?”
He hitches a shoulder like it’s not a big deal. “Figured if I was there, maybe Lance Yeardley would stay the hell away from our son.”
A sigh slips out of me before I can stop it.
Connie makes a sound that’s definitely not a cough. She’ssoenjoying this.
“Ready!” Tate bellows. “Come on! Let’s goooooo!”
He rushes toward the door, too excited to wait, while Corbin steps aside, motioning for me to go ahead of him.
