Free Enticing Interlude (Tempest #2) by Michelle Mankin Page B

opportunity to examine her while he played. She seemed slightly pale beneath her light tan. There were dark smudges under her eyes as if she hadn’t been sleeping well. That wasn’t really surprising. She had to be completely overwhelmed being a single mom in an unfamiliar place with Carter at a new school, and her starting a job. I really didn’t know how she managed to do it all by herself, especially knowing how hard her grandmother’s death had hit her.
    The more I learned about Bridget, the more my admiration for her grew. Stronger, more unfamiliar feelings were beginning to grow as well.
    Carter gave his mom an expectant look when he finished playing.
    “That was awesome, kiddo.”
    He frowned. “Don’t call me that,” he muttered in a sullen tone. “I’m not a baby.”
    “I know you aren’t.” I could tell from the crease that formed between her eyes that she was just as much at a loss trying to figure out what was going on with him as I was.
    “I’d like to take him to the music store in the morning,” I offered in an effort to dispel the tension. I took the instrument from Carter’s outstretched hands. “He really should have a guitar of his own. One that’s better suited to his size. Maybe we could all go together and eat lunch afterward.”
    I could tell by the way she looked at me that my offer had the opposite effect from what I’d intended. She’d clearly become irritated. “We can’t afford an expense like that right now, Justin. Not after the plane tickets to Vancouver and everything else.”
    I saw the disappointment on Carter’s face as he lowered his head.
    She saw it, too. “I’m sorry, Carter.” Her expression softened and she crouched down in front of him, putting her hands on top of his clasped ones. “Maybe we can manage to get one in a couple of months.”
    I felt a sharp pain in my chest watching them. This was killing me. “I think you misunderstood. I meant to buy it for him,” I began. “As a gift.”
    “No.” Her refusal was immediate, her eyes turning as hard as the aquamarine gems they resembled. “Carter,” she called, but didn’t look at him because her gaze remained locked on mine. “I want you to go in the kitchen and get your dinner. I wrapped it in plastic wrap. It’s on the counter. Sit down and eat it at the table, ok?”
    “Yes, Mom,” he replied obediently, leaving the room with his feet doing a slow shuffle, but without arguing. The sad look on his face wrenched the dagger in my heart another turn.
    “I appreciate your offer.” Bridget rounded on me with fire shining in her eyes. “But we don’t need your charity. If we don’t have the money for something, we don’t get it. Simple as that. Carter knows the drill. He understands that sometimes we have to wait for things.”
    “It’s not charity,” I said spacing out the words slowly while feeling my blood pressure rise. I was starting to get irritated myself. “I like him, and he really does need one for our lessons. We could keep it at my apartment if that makes you feel better.” I took a step toward her, but she backed away. So I followed. We did this back and forth pattern several times with her looking nervous and me determined until the wall effectively cut off her retreat.
    I leaned forward, placing my palms on the wall behind her head. While I had her pinned in, I noted how much I liked the difference in our heights, the sweet fragrance of her shampoo, and… well, just about everything about her.
    Since I finally had her undivided attention, I decided now was as good time a time as any to get it all out in the open. “I really like his mother, too.” She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and started to drop her chin, but I moved quickly to stop her by skimming my fingers along her delicate jawline and framing her face in my hands.
    Eyes fluttering open, she blinked up at me, surprise and maybe something else I didn’t know her well enough to recognize flickering in her