Free Flare by Posy Roberts Page A

but that’s not what I think about,” Kevin said.
    “I was a little worried when I first saw Rowan, but I thought since she had green eyes, freckles, and darker hair that would help. Have the kids said anything?”
    Kevin shook his head and added, “No. She really looks nothing like Erin, but I think it’s just having a woman around that’s about the same age. It’s like it sets something off in me, like ghost memories. I don’t know. I sound ridiculous.”
    “No you don’t. You sound like a man still in mourning. It hasn’t been that long. Don’t forget that and certainly don’t dismiss it. Hell, even before all of this loss, I’d have moments when I missed my dad like he’d just died. It does come out of the blue, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
    “I think it’s harder because I’m used to having you here to help distract me. The kids too, but Rowan’s been keeping them entertained, almost like she’s trying to keep them out of my way.”
    “She did say that previous employers basically had her raise their kids,” Hugo shared. “Maybe she just needs to know that you want to be a hands-on dad.”
    “Yeah, maybe.” Kevin sounded so resigned and sad.
    “What can I do? Please tell me. I’ll do anything I can from hundreds of miles away in a hotel room.”
    Kevin’s face warmed, and he even managed to laugh a little. He took a few moments to lie down, mirroring Hugo’s position on his own bed at home. “I miss sleeping with you.”
    “That’s easy to fix with Skype. Just stayed logged in and we can sleep together.”
    Kevin scoffed. “Seriously?”
    “I’m totally serious. Tell me what you miss most about sleeping next to me?” Hugo asked with what he knew was a flirty smile.
    “This is stupid,” Kevin said, his voice sounding defensive, but Hugo knew it was really because of embarrassment.
    “It’s not, and besides, who else in the world even knows we’re talking about this? Now tell me. What do you miss the most?”
    Kevin licked his lips and took a second to readjust his pillows before he spoke. “I’m not going to go for the obvious and tell you I miss your warm, naked skin pressed up against me, because there’s nothing you can do about that over the computer.” He bit his lip for a second’s worth of thought. “I guess it’s just too quiet here. I’m used to waking up to your breathing or pushing against your shoulder so you’ll stop snoring when your allergies are acting up.”
    “You miss my snoring? Is that what you’re telling me?” Hugo laughed.
    “You don’t really snore. Only when you’re sick or if you didn’t take allergy meds. And yes. I do miss that. It’s like my own personal white-noise machine,” Kevin said with a cocky smile.
    “You’re such a shit.”
    “I know.”
    “We should sleep. You’re going to have a hard time waking up in the morning considering how late it is.”
    “Staying up to talk to you was worth it.” Sincerity filled Kevin’s face as he rested on his side, eyes lazily blinking. “I love you. G’night.”
    “Love you too,” Hugo said, reaching over to crack open a can of sparkling water, which caused Kevin’s eyes to pop open. “Sorry. Let me finish this and then I’ll be quiet. I’m still breathing, though.”
    Hugo saw Kevin’s smile slowly fade as he fell asleep. Hugo took a few sips of his water from time to time, always watching Kevin, noticing muscles in his hands twitch and the steady rise and fall of his chest as he drifted deeper. His face was peaceful and relaxed in a way it hadn’t been since the previous summer, long before their lives were totally transformed. Hugo wanted Kevin to have more moments of calm, and he was willing to work hard so they could both be happily engaged in those placid moments again, even if they were only fleeting.
    Hugo was also determined to get this job done so he could get home to Kevin and the kids, because being away was no longer something he wanted to consider.