Page 19 of Worth Loving
“No. He’s very handsome. But he didn’t ask me on a date. Just more like if he’d see me again there.”
She didn’t want to tell Ruby that she’d played coy.
“That’s still a good step. Good for you.”
She felt she needed to confess though. “I dressed up again. Not a dress, but more modern. More in fashion. Kind of like you. Is it bad of me to do that when I don’t normally dress like that?”
“Not at all,” Ruby said. “Dress to impress and what makes you feel good. If it gives you confidence then go for it.”
“That was my thought too. I just don’t know if it feels deceptive or not.”
“It’s only clothing, Molly. Don’t get in your head too much.”
She sighed. Something she did way too much.
“Thanks. I needed to hear that. I’m glad I called you.”
“I’m glad you did too.”
She hung up a minute later, then decided it was time to do a little bit more shopping. Why not? There wasn’t anything wrong with feeling good about herself, was there?
7
BLOOD MONEY
Dean let himself into the house through the garage after he’d hit the button to shut the door. “Hi, Carly. Where is Jonah?”
“In bed watching TV. Though he might be sleeping by now.”
“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “It wasn’t the plan.”
It never was but shit happened he couldn’t always control and this was just another example of it.
Someone sick, shifting staff, then waiting for it to quiet down enough for him to get home to his son.
“It never is and it’s never a problem,” Carly said.
For what he was paying her, he didn’t think she’d ever complain.
She’d told him more than once this was perfect for her.
Divorced, no kids, retired from her state job that she’d hated at age fifty-five and needed to do something else.
Having never had kids, he feared Carly might not be the best fit, but she’d proven him wrong. She’d watched and helped raise her nephews. Jonah took to Carly right away and it was all that mattered.
In a world where he’d spent his life always having to please someone else and few really caring about his thoughts and opinions, he wanted someone in his son’s life who did those things.
Would Jonah know it as a newborn? No, he wouldn’t, but Dean could change anything that needed to be done too. Over four years ago, he just needed something in place.
“I don’t know if I tell you enough how much I appreciate you.”
“You do,” Carly said. “But it’s always nice to hear. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll go snuggle into my bed.”
“I’m good.” He watched Carly go back through the garage door he’d entered his hall from, then walk through to her apartment door in the back.
He’d gotten that space built fairly quickly, but that happens when you throw enough cash around.
Before he showered and changed, he headed up the stairs to check on Jonah.
