Every once in a while, Tachina glanced up at him shyly as if she didn’t want him knowing she was eyeing him. But he saw it. He felt her eyes on him every single time. This time, their gazes held for a moment.
She looked away first.
This was dangerous. They’d agreed years ago to go their separate ways after their brief entanglements. But then they’d found out about the baby and decided to co-parent…which had worked out.
But then last night happened.
There were now things he couldn’t un-feel.
Kian was telling some story about a cartoon character when Tachina suddenly turned to him.
“Hey, would you be able to take him Wednesday evening? I’ve got a late work thing.”
“Yeah,” Vic said immediately. He reached for his coffee and took a sip. “My mother’s been asking me to bring Kian over for dinner. That would be fine.”
“Is Sydney going to be there?” Kian asked innocently. He picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. “Gram keeps talking about her.”
Tachina froze.
It was subtle. Just a tiny tightening of her shoulders, a stillness in her hands, and a distant look in her eyes.
But Vic saw it.
He slowly lowered his coffee mug and cleared his throat. “No. Sydney won’t be there.”
That was the truth, but the glint that flickered in Tachina’s eyes made him want to explain. He didn’t want her to think he was hiding anything from her. Especially after the agreement they had made.
“Sydney and my mother still coordinate charity events together,” he said, careful. “They have a few ventures they created together. But Sydney and I…we’re not together.”
“It’s okay,” she said. She went back to eating, and her posture relaxed slightly.
“Mom, are you going on a date?” Kian asked.
Tachina and Vic paused at the same time.
Vic’s stomach rolled with something sharp and ugly. Jealousy filled him before he could push it down.
“I said work function, Kian,” she reminded him. She appeared amused and flustered. Shetapped him on the nose. “I was invited to attend the opening of a gallery that I oversaw the redesign.”
“Oh,” Kian said. He appeared already bored with the topic. He stabbed his fork into his pancakes. “Can I have more syrup?”
Vic breathed out slowly.
A date.
They hadn’t spoken about either of them dating during this time. She was single and could if she wanted to. She was smart, sexy, and was an overall amazing woman. Vic wasn’t blind and knew any man would want her.
But the idea of another man taking her out, touching her or holding her, hit him hard. He didn’t want to acknowledge the feelings it brought out.
“I heard about that. The Marx Museum? You had a hand in that?” he asked. As a real estate developer in the city, he always had his ear to the ground regarding the latest developments.
“Yeah. I was in charge of the entire building’s renovations.” Her small smile widened into a grin. Pride beamed in her eyes.
“That’s awesome,” he murmured.
He’d always admired her ambition and eye for detail. The lobby of his building received compliments daily. She had been the lead decorator who had been assigned when he’d commissioned her company. He’d wanted a new, welcoming look for his company. He’d hosted the wealthiestof businessmen and women and wanted to have a show-stopping feel which Tachina had delivered.
“Everything is set for the party,” Tachina announced.