“Considering I was going to probably have microwave popcorn back in my trailer, grilled cheese and fries sounds gourmet.”
Her phone vibrated on the counter next to the stove. She saw Derek’s name flash across the screen. No and no. If he was so determined to talk to her, he knew where she was.
Right where he’d left her months ago. Pompous jerk.
As she busied herself getting the meager dinner ready for the other man who was driving her out of her mind in a totally different way, she mentally cursed. Ian was probably used to fine dining, glamorous parties and beautiful women wearing slinky dresses and dripping in diamonds. Unfortunately, tonight he was getting a single mother throwing together cheese sandwiches while wearing an old, oversize T-shirt to hide her extra weight.
More than likely he’d said yes because he felt sorry for her. Regardless, he was in her house now. Surprisingly he’d pulled up a kitchen chair next to the high chair and was feeding puff snacks to Emily.
The sight had Cassie blinking back tears. Emily’s father should be doing that. He should be here having dinner with them, as a family. He should’ve stuck it out and kept his pants zipped.
But he’d decided a wife and a baby were too much of a commitment and put a damper on his lifestyle.
In the back of her mind, Cassie knew she was better off without him. Any man that didn’t put his family first was a coward. Not suitable material for a husband or father to her child.
But the reality of being rejected still hurt. Cassie could honestly say she’d gotten over her love, but the betrayal... That was something she would probably never recover from. Because he’d not just left her; he’d left a precious, innocent baby behind without even attempting to fight for what he’d created.
Being rejected by Ian was just another blow to her already battered self-esteem.
“You okay?”
Cassie jerked back to the moment and realized two things. One, Ian was staring at her, his brows drawn together, and two, she’d worn a hole in the bread from being too aggressive applying the butter.
Laughing, Cassie tossed the torn bread onto the counter and grabbed another piece from the bag. “Yeah. My mind was elsewhere for a minute.”
“Were you angry with that slice of bread?” he asked with a teasing grin.
“I may have had a little aggression I needed to take out.” Cassie couldn’t help but laugh again. “You’re pretty good with her. Do you have nieces or nephews?”
Ian shook his head. “I’m an only child. But there was a set I visited not too long ago that had a baby about Emily’s age. He was the cutest little guy and instantly wanted me over anyone else. I guess kids just like me.”
Great.Now he had a soft spot for kids. Wasn’t that the exact opposite of the image he’d portrayed the other morning when seeing Emily for the first time?
Ian Shaffer had many facets and she hated that she wanted to figure out who the real Ian was deep down inside.
Dinner was ready in no time, and thankfully, the silence wasn’t too awkward. Eating and caring for a baby helped fill the void of conversation. When they were done, Ian went to clear the table and Cassie stopped him.
“I’ll get it,” she told him, picking up her own plate. “It’s not that much.”
“You cooked. The least I could do is help clean.” He picked up his plate and took it to the sink. “Besides, if you cook more often, I’ll gladly clean up after.”
Cassie froze in the midst of lifting Emily from her high chair. “You want to come back for dinner?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t say no if you asked.”
Cassie settled Emily on her hip and turned to Ian, who was putting the pitcher of tea into the refrigerator. Okay, now she knew this wasn’t pity. He obviously wanted to spend time with her. But why? Did he think she’d be that easy to get into bedagain? Of course he did. She’d barely known his name when she’d shed her clothes for him. What man wouldn’t get the impression she was easy?
Cassie turned and went into the living room, placed Emily in her Pack ’n Play and handed her her favorite stuffed horse. Footsteps shuffled over the carpet behind her and Cassie swallowed, knowing she’d have to be up front with Ian.
“Listen,” she said as she straightened and faced the man who stood only a few feet away. “I have a feeling you think I’m somebody that I’m not.”
Crossing his arms over his wide chest, Ian tilted his head and leveled those dark eyes right on her. “And what do you believe I think of you?”
Well, now she felt stupid. Why did he make this sound like a challenge? And why was she getting all heated over the fact he was standing in her living room? No man had been there other than her father and her soon-to-be brother-in-law. She’d moved into the guest cottage on the estate after Derek had left her so she could be closer to the family for support with Emily.
So seeing such a big, powerful man in her house was a little...arousing. Which just negated the whole point she was trying to make. Yeah, she was a juxtaposition of nerves and emotions.
“I think because we slept together you think I’m eager to do it again.” She rested her hands on her hips, willing them to stop shaking. She had to be strong, no matter her physical attraction to Ian. “I’m really not the aggressive, confident woman who was locked in that attic.”