“No, I don’t think so. I don’t want Giselle’s negative energy to affect Justin.” What the fuck does that even mean?
“Parker really misses Justin, and I bet Justin feels the same.” The silence tells me that it’s true. “And look, it keeps your Saturdays free to go out and do your own thing. I bet you could use the break.” I doubt she puts one-tenth of the effort into raising her son as Giselle does, but I need to make this better.
“It is tiring,” she admits. “Okay, fine. But if I hear of anything shady happening, the play dates end.”
“Everything will be fine, Keira,” I say soothingly. “Thank you.”
“So, are we going to hook up again?” she asks. The suddenness with which she changes the subject surprises me.
“No,” I say. “Just friends.”
I want to tell her no way in hell, because I’m in love with Giselle, and I won’t be touching anyone else. But then she will probably retract letting Justin come over.
“Friends can fuck,” she says bluntly. I cringe.
“Not these friends,” I say. “I gotta go, thanks. I’ll tell Giselle to pick Justin up on Saturday.” I hang up, not able to endure that woman’s tenacity any longer.
Chapter Eleven
One month later
Giselle
I puff out a sigh as he keeps staring at me. “Excuse me.”
He doesn’t move. “Just one date.”
I purse my lips and lift my face to look at him properly. Not bad looking, maybe thirty. This is the third time he’s asked me out. He seems nice, but his persistence is a bit grating.
“I’m sorry,” I reply, shaking my head, embarrassment heating my cheeks. A few people are looking at our exchange.
“Are you taken?” he asks, looking at my hand. For a ring, maybe? I want to laugh. My ring finger has seen less action than a nun.
“No, I’m not taken. But I’m not looking to date anyone right now,” I lie, trying to get him off my back. I force a smile and try to walk past him when he gently holds my wrist. Not in an aggressive way, but still, he has no right touching me. I tug my wrist out of his hold, and put my hand up.
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no,” I tell him in a stern tone. He needs to know I’m not playing any games, trying to act hard-to-get, or whatever. And no means no.
“Do we have a problem here?” an ice-cold voice comes from behind me.
Tane.
I spin to him and stare wide-eyed as he storms towards me in a few quick steps. “You okay?”
I nod, but take a step closer to him. An action Tane notices.
“I suggest you keep your hands to yourself,” Tane tells the man, eyes narrowed on him.
The man shrugs, taking in Tane’s size and demeanour. “Can’t blame a man for trying.”
“Well, try again and see what happens,” Tane threatens, staring the man down. The guy nods and leaves the library.
Tane spins to me. “I don’t like you being here alone.”
I pull in a breath. “I’m not here alone, there’s another librarian somewhere around the shelves.”
“Giselle …”
“What?”
“I don’t like it, is what,” he growls, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It’s a library, Tane,” I say monotonously, “not a male prison.”
“What did he want?”
“A date.”
His eyebrows rise. “And you said …”
My eyes narrow slightly at his tone. “I said no, considering he was accosting me. What the hell do you think I said?”
Did it seem like I was interested? Was me pulling my hand away not enough of a reaction for him?
He sighs. “I’m sorry, I’m just angry. I didn’t like seeing him touch you.”
I rub my wrist. “Well learn to control it. What are you doing here anyway?”
“I thought I’d pick you up and take you out for dinner,” he says, looking at me hopefully.
“Why are we having dinner?” I ask, nibbling on my lower lip.
“I thought we could talk. Parker is with Gage,” he replies, pale-green eyes watching, dropping to my lips.
Alone-time with Tane is a bad idea.
I can’t get involved with him that way, and it’s hard being around him and having to fight my feelings. The way we have things now is perfect for all of those involved. Parker gets to see his dad and spend time with both of us, and I get to keep my heart intact. In some ways I trust Tane, and in other ways I don’t trust him at all. I’m confused. All I know is that things have to stay as they are now.
Uncomplicated.
Safe.
“Look, Tane, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say.