Page 87 of Wilde Flame

“It’s just, I could tell there was something between you two on Christmas…but are you even dating?”

“No, and we don’t plan on dating. I mean…”

I was suddenly overcome with emotion. I dropped down into a chair and buried my face in my hands.

Mom was instantly at my side, hugging me against her. “Oh no, sweetheart, don’t cry!”

“Did he say or do something to hurt you? If he did, I’ll go talk to him right now and give him a piece of my mind—and my fist.” I could hear the anger in my father’s voice.

I dropped my hands and gaped at him. He was sixty years old, and even though he ran every day and kept in shape, the idea of him hitting Caden nearly made me laugh.

“He didn’t do anything but be completely honest with me from the very beginning. He told me he couldn’t commit to a relationship…at least he can’t right now. He was hurt badly by his ex, and he doubts he’ll ever trust someone enough to settle down, even though he told me he’s always wanted a family. We spent just a few nights together, and I had to be honest with him as well. I was starting to fall for him, and if he couldn’t give me more, I said we needed to stop…um…you know.”

Holding up a hand, my father said, “No need to keep going, we get what you mean.”

“So you’re just friends then?”

“And we’ll stay friends, and we’ll co-parent the baby.” I drew in a long breath and exhaled. “It’s not what I always pictured when I thought of having a family, but this is still a gift that I won’t regret. Ever.”

“Of course you won’t. And your father and I will be here every step of the way. I have no doubt in my mind that Vivianne and Ladd will feel the same.”

“You’ll have to move out of the apartment and in with us,” Dad said. “That space isn’t meant for a baby.”

Oh gosh. This is where it’s going to get interesting.

“Caden has insisted I move into his house.”

“His house?” my mother repeated. “He wants you to move in, and you two will just be friends?”

“It is possible, Mom. He said he wants to be close by so he doesn’t miss anything, and he has plenty of room. I said no at first, but I ended up agreeing. The baby can have her or his own room, and it’ll give me a chance to save up as well, maybe buy a little house after the baby’s born.”

“Sweetheart,” my father said, as he knelt in front of me. “We can buy you a house if that’s what you want.”

I shook my head. “No. Dad, you already know I don’t want to take anything from you.”

“Yes, I know. We learned that lesson with the store. But things are different now, Lilibeth. You’re going to have a baby. Your mother and I can afford it, and you won’t have to worry about paying us back.”

“Yes. I think that’s a wonderful idea. There’s a little house just down the street that’s come on the market. We can go look at it later today if you can get away from the store.”

My dad pulled out his cell. “Josh is the realtor on that house. I’ll call him right now.”

The room suddenly felt ten times smaller, and my head started to spin. I stood up and flung my arms out. “Wait! Stop!”

They both paused.

“I’m not going to let you buy me a house.”

Huffing and crossing her arms over her chest, my mother asked, “So you’re going to move in with Caden instead, whom you just admitted you have feelings for, when he doesn’t feel the same. Do you really think that’s healthy, Lilibeth?”

My eyes bounced between the two of them. “Are you saying I won’t be able to handle it emotionally if I move in with Caden, even though he doesn’t have feelings for me?”

“I’m not saying that at all,” my mother began, even as my father nodded his head.

“I’m saying it. What if he dates?” he asked.

“What?” This conversation was getting off track, fast.

“He’s a young, good-looking man. What if he decides to start dating someone while you’re pregnant with his baby?”