Page 94 of Between the Lines

Caden pauses his swimming and treads over to me, the dark blue lights making him look even more beautiful than normal. Light freckles from the sun across his high cheekbones, eyes so gray they look silver in this light, and a jaw that rivals a Greek god’s.

“Can I ask you something personal?” I bite my lip, averting my eyes from his stare.

Caden isn’t caught off guard, or if he is, he doesn’t show it.

“Sure.”

I toy with the words in my head, but there’s no way to ask this that doesn’t frighten me.

“Did you ever see yourself having kids?”

Caden scrunches his brow. “Why do you ask?”

I lean back, glancing at the large house in front of me, at the stately property around us. “You’re a single guy who’s financially set. Until I came along, you were just fine.” I laugh, hating how self-deprecating I sound. But it’s the honest truth. And I need honesty right now. “I know we are taking this thing between us day by day—hell, it’s been less than two weeks since our first kiss—but . . .”

Caden moves closer, his face unreadable, and the lump in my throat drops into my stomach.

“But?” he asks, his tone low.

I play with the frayed edges of my shorts, tilting my head back and forth. “But unfortunately I don’t have the luxury of casualness in my life, not when my daughter is involved.” I pause, meeting his gaze. “Her own father abandoned her before she was even born, and I’m not saying you’re going to replace him or that we are, like, getting married—” I stop myself, my face on fire.

I’ve gone too far.

“Sorry, I’m spiraling a bit today.” I groan, shutting my eyes, hiding behind my hands.

Two cool hands rest on my hips.

He’s right there in front of me, holding me steady as I metaphorically crumble.

“Honestly? I never wanted kids. Pretty sure my parents didn’t either, I was simply an insurance policy for their legacy. A necessary token.” He pauses, eyes searching mine, bringing me back to him. “But I’m not naive, Fia, and I don’t do stuff without thinking it through. I knew when we took things further that it wouldn’t just affect you, but Daisy too.”

I give a tiny nod, my heart racing. “And you’re okay with that?”

Caden’s eyes light up. “How could I not be? You have a pretty incredible little girl.”

Tears well in my eyes as I exhale. The muscles in my shoulders release, and Caden nudges my face up, brushing my hair away from my face.

“I’m not the kind of guy who would up and leave you. Either of you. I think I’ve made that pretty damn clear.”

I lean my face into his palm.

“This is all so new to me.” I sigh. “Most days I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. With life, with being a mom . . .”

“Nobody knows what the fuck they are doing.” Caden barks a laugh.

“I feel stupid,” I say with a wince. Total vulnerability hangover coming my way. “Please tell me something embarrassing so I don’t feel like I just word-vomited in front of you.”

“Ok . . .” He pauses for a moment. “I only have a handful of friends.”

“That’s not embarrassing!” I shove his shoulder playfully and shoot him a serious glare. “Well, you know my best friend is Halle, but I haven’t even properly met yours. When will I finally get to meet Matt?”

He laughs but peels his eyes from mine.

“When I feel like subjecting you to my friends won’t make you run away.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s a lame excuse—I’m the people person, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember.” Caden runs a hand through his wet hair. I wait for him to say more, his lips slightly ajar.