She snorted. “Okay, then. I’ll do my best to resist. So, we have an understanding. That’s a step on the way to good,” Kelly said.

“Cool. And just to be extra clear, I’m very glad you broke the engagement with Ross. But I should be thankful that he proposed. It was like a stone in my shoe that finally made me act. I kinda feel bad for him.”

“Why?”

“He had you for a brief period of time and now he doesn’t. I’ve been there. It sucks. He seems okay and I came in here wanting you back. He handled himself pretty well. I probably would have in his place.”

There was no reason to tell Vaughan the things Ross had said in the heat of an argument. It didn’t matter anyway so there was no use in spreading negativity.

“So, would it be okay with you if I changed into sleep pants while we talked more? I wanted to chat with you about your business.”

If she meant to really give this a chance, she had to truly be open to it. That, and she wanted to spend some time with him.

“Sure. I’m going to change, too.”

He grinned and she enjoyed the view as he left the room.

CHAPTER NINE

KELLY MET STACEY at her office for an early lunch.

The boutique firm Stacey started with three friends three years before lay between Kelly’s store, Chameleon, and her home in the nearby suburb of Gresham, so if Stacey wasn’t in court, they had lunch like this at least once a week.

It had been several days since she and Vaughan had the talk about him wanting a second chance and moving in for a while. She’d only been able to have brief text exchanges about it with her friend, and Kelly had so much she wanted to share.

They settled in at the table in the comfortable kitchen area.

“How’s Miss Madness?” Stacey asked as she unwrapped her sandwich.

“You know we had a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and she’s doing great. Healing well. Enough to be more and more impatient with not being at school. Thank goodness she heads back on Monday.”

“I’ve been here at work until ten at night pretty much all week long. I’m sorry I haven’t been over to see her in a few days.”

Stacey and Kelly’s girls had loved one another from the start. It had been lovely to have that sort of support for her kids, and from a friend, that love meant even more.

Kelly waved a hand, purposely not allowing herself to think about how many calories and carbs she was putting into her body. She’d allowed herself to think about calories only when she was making a choice on what to eat and even then, only for five minutes or less.

“They know you’re busy.”

“Still. I have to go out of town to deal with my grandmother but I’ll be back late Monday. Then I’ll come over so we can have a girls’ day. But right now you need to tell me about Vaughan. I’m dying to know what’s been going on.”

“Well, I told you about his promise to work to get us back. He gets up early and wakes Kensey. She’s so, so happy to have him in the house. I’m watching him so closely, though. I’m...I don’t know, nervous maybe? Like he thinks this full-time parenting and family thing is great but it’s hard. He’s capable of hard work. He lives on a ranch as well as being in a supersuccessful band. His problem isn’t laziness. Not really. But I keep wondering if he’s going to realize how hard it is and panic.”

“Has he shown any signs of that?”

“No.”

“Exactly. He’s been their dad all this time. Even when they aren’t in school, when they’re with him, he makes sure they’re fed and sleep and are told they’re loved. I know what you’re afraid of. But he’s not your fucked-up mother.”

“Every night he and I hang out for a few hours in my room, just chilling with a glass of wine or a beer. We talk. Nothing important. Just normal stuff.” Which was why it was integral because they were rebuilding trust.

“Have you nailed him yet?”

“I’d tell you if I had! Jeez. Not yet. I told him I needed some space and time and he’s been giving it to me. But holy hell, the man can flirt me right out of my panties. I’m weak against his powers. And let me assure you, his powers are mighty. It’s just a matter of time. Unless he does something stupid first.”

“Any visits from Hurleys?”

“They’ve called to talk with Maddie and Kensey but none have shown up. I think he’s asked them to give us space. I hope he has anyway. I like some of his family well enough, but I don’t trust them all when it comes to my relationship with Vaughan. Not yet.”

“Fair enough. Paddy was a dick after the divorce for a while if I recall.”

“Ezra has always been friendly. Good to the girls. He knew what Vaughan was up to. I think Paddy does but maybe didn’t for a while. There’s weird money stuff, you know that.”

“I do know it, but I also think it’s total shit. Utterly stupid.”

“The issue is that they never took the time to know me. They saw a young, pretty woman who they didn’t even meet until after she’d not only married their son but also did it pregnant. Sharon always thought I was fluffy and weak just because I didn’t strap a baby to my back to rub sticks together to make fire. And then when we divorced and he gave me our apartment in New York and insisted on paying for my tuition when I finished my degree so I could be home with the girls. I have my own money! I don’t need his. He’s the one who put it in the settlement. I didn’t ask for any of that. You know I didn’t.”