Page 56 of Fierce-Baker

“I do. And you’re aware of that. I worry if you’ll tire of that.”

“I don’t tire easily.”

He just seemed too accommodating. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did. “Do you get upset over anything?”

He let out a sound close to a snort. “I’m a pretty laid-back guy, but there are things in my life that set me off. Personal things. I thought we agreed they were off limits for both of us.”

She blew out a breath. “Yes, and no. I’ve got trust issues. You said you do. But you mentioned your father.”

“I’m assuming you were cheated on at some point,” he said.

“Yes.”

He didn’t ask who it was.

“My father has consistently cheated on my mother for years. Probably their entire marriage and she still holds on. Says she loves him, but I’m not sure if that is the case. My father says he loves my mother, but again, I think it’s because when he wanders, she becomes the perfect housewife again. It’s like he’s the hammer and she’s the nail.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It is,” he agreed. “I can’t change it and won’t try. But every time my mother calls and complains or is upset, that sets me off. She made her choices in life.”

“Yeah,” she said. “That’s the thing. I’ve made my choices in life too and I’ve got to live with them.”

“Micah’s father?”

She nodded her head. “He’s not in his son’s life.”

No one ever asked if her ex even knew. They wouldn’t think of that.

“That’s his loss then,” he said.

“He made his choices. He has to live with them too. So that’s why you don’t trust? Because of your father?”

“I’m not my father. But I’ve never had a good role model. And my father’s actions don’t define me. I’ve got other reasons.”

“And you’re not going to share?”

“I shared more about my father than you did about your ex,” he pointed out.

“You did. I’m not ready for that.”

“Then we won’t talk about it. See, I’m agreeable when I want to be. I did that so you know. I won’t push. You’re calling the shots.”

Her head moved side to side.

She was thinking.

And she didn’t like what she was thinking.

“It shouldn’t be one-sided.”

“It’s going to be that way until you tell me otherwise.”

“Meaning until I let you into Micah’s life?”

“You said that, not me. Don’t put words in my mouth.”

“I’m turning this into something I shouldn’t be, right? Tell me that.”