Unbreakable (City Lights, #2)(81)

“I…yes,” Cory said, keeping his eyes on the road. “I do.”

“Good,” Callie said, settling in her seat between us. “That’s good.”





Chapter Twenty-Nine


Alex



At the bungalow, Callie gasped when she saw her room, her big brown eyes taking it all in. “Oh my gosh, it’s so pretty! So, so pretty!”

And she was right. Cory had worked so fast, I could hardly believe how quickly he’d turned the junky-looking furniture we got at the swap meet into the room before us now. It was exactly like the sketch he’d drawn, with a white bed, desk and dresser, all painted to look shabby-chic but not at all cheap. The walls were a lovely lavender with one a pale green. It still needed a few touches and accessories, but already it looked beautiful.

Callie clapped her hands to her chest in awe. “This is really mine?”

“Uh, for a little bit, honey,” Cory said quietly. “I’m not going to be living here for too long.”

“Why not?” Callie demanded.

“Yeah, why not?” I murmured to him playfully.

But Cory wasn’t playing. “We just can’t.”

Callie bounced on her bed. “But it’s so nice. And quiet. At Mommy’s place the neighbors are always playing loud music and sometimes they shout bad words at each other. Same as at your old place, Daddy. This house is the nicest I’ve ever seen.”

Cory seemed at a loss. I held out my hand to Callie. “Come see the rest of the house. I’ll show you which bathroom is yours.”

“I have my own bathroom?” Callie slipped off the bed.

“Sort of.” I opened the door to the bathroom. “It’s usually for guests—”

“Because we’re guests,” Cory said.

“You don’t have to be,” I said in a low voice as Callie investigated the rest of the house. “You can stay as long as you like, you know.”

“I know I can,” Cory said. “But I won’t. It’s just…not a good idea.”

“But Callie—”

“Not for Callie,” Cory said. “For me.”

#

The following day—Wednesday— Cory took off work to go the beach with Callie. They’d invited me along but I declined to give them time alone together. After visiting with Cory’s father the day before, I felt I’d intruded quite enough into their lives, invited or not.

When it came time for Cory to drive Callie home late that afternoon, the little girl lingered at the door to her room. “I wish I could stay here longer. I slept really well in that bed. So nice and quiet.”

“You’ll be back soon enough,” Cory said. “In about a week and a half.”

“That’s a long time.” Callie heaved a sigh and shouldered her little duffel bag. “Will you be here when I come back?” she asked me.

“Uh, no sweetie. I’m…I won’t.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.” Callie frowned, then motioned for me to get close. I knelt and Callie cupped a hand over my ear. “It’s Daddy’s birthday on Saturday,” she whispered. “He won’t ever tell you, but it is.”

“Is that so? How old is he going to be?” I whispered back.

“Old. He’s turning thirty. Promise me you’ll do something nice for him?”

I hugged the little girl tightly, surprised at how sorry I was to see her go. “I will,” I whispered back. “I promise.”

Cory stood over us, arms crossed, grinning his crooked grin. “What’s with all the secrets?”

“Nothing, Daddy. It’s girl talk. Don’t listen.” Callie held her littlest finger up solemnly. “Pinky swear?”

I linked my finger with Callie’s. “Pinky swear.”

The little girl beamed and skipped out the door, stopping at the front porch. “Come on, Daddy. We’re all set.”

“We are, huh?” Cory looked at me, eyebrows raised.

I shrugged innocently. “Girl talk.”

His smile slipped to something sad, or maybe resigned, as he turned to go. “I knew she’d love you.”





Chapter Thirty


Cory



The job site was in Reseda. I had to leave early to beat the traffic and make it on time. Alex hadn’t come to sleep on my shoulder that night. It’s a good thing if it means she’s sleeping better on her own. But her absence meant no sleep for me, and I went to the kitchen to make a strong pot of coffee. While it brewed, I took a shower.

When I came out of the shower in the guest bathroom, Alex was in the kitchen, staring absently at a coffee mug in her hand. I froze. I had only a towel wrapped around my waist and my clothes for the day were thrown on the chair clear across the room, in the living area. I cleared my throat.

Alex looked around dully. It seemed her gaze flickered over my body, her eyes widening slightly before she averted them.

“I didn’t think you’d be up so early,” I said.

“I never slept. Sorry, I’ll let you get dressed.” She slipped back down the hall to her room and didn’t reemerge until I was nearly out the door.

“You could have woken me,” I told her gently. I tapped my shoulder. “Always available.”