sis had run interference at home and at school. She’d always had Annie’s back—no matter what.
“You’re lucky to have a big family.”
“I know you’re right, but I’m looking forward to having a place of my own,” he said.
“Don’t tell me.” She grinned. “You’re a man in his thirties living with his mother. You know what they say about that.”
“No. And I don’t want to know. Besides, it’s not as bad as you make it sound.” He smiled and the corners of his eyes crinkled in an appealing way.
“There’s no way to make it sound good.”
“I guess technically I live with my parents here in town. I sold my house before going to Afghanistan. I’m just staying with the folks until I can find a place of my own.” His smile disappeared and there was a shadow in his eyes, something he wasn’t saying.
And she didn’t ask. The microwave beeped again and she retrieved the dish and set it on the table. “Okay, then. That makes it a whole lot less weird.”
“Good.”
“Dinner is served.”
They sat across from each other and filled their plates. Well, he did. A couple pieces of chicken with a healthy portion of macaroni and cheese. He dug in as if he hadn’t eaten in a week.
He finished a piece of chicken and set the bone on his plate. “So, what about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. I’ve monopolized the conversation. Now it’s your turn.”
She really didn’t like talking about herself. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you have a job?”
“Other than caring for the twins?” She realized he had no frame of reference yet for how that was a full-time job. “I’m a graphic designer.”
“I see.” There was a blank look in his eyes.
“You have no idea what I do, right?”
“Not a clue,” he admitted. “I was going to wait until you were busy with something else and Google it on my phone.”
He was honest, she thought. That was refreshing. “Let me save you the trouble. I create a visual concept, either with computer software or sketches by hand, to communicate an idea.”
“So, advertising.”
“Yes. But more. Clients are looking for an overall layout and production design for brochures, magazines and corporate reports, too.”
“So, you’re artistic.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. But I can honestly say that I’ve always loved to draw.” She didn’t have to tell him she was dyslexic and that made anything to do with reading a challenge. Was it genetic? He might need to know at some point but that time wasn’t now. “Fortunately, I can do a lot of work from home. Which means I haven’t had to leave Charlie and Sarah much. Yet.”
“Oh?” He had finished off his second piece of chicken and half a helping of the macaroni. Now he spooned salad onto his plate and started on that.
Annie pushed the food around hers. Talking about herself made her appetite disappear. “We’re developing an advertising package and bid for a very large and well-known company. I won’t jinx it by telling you who. But if we get it, my workload could increase significantly and that would mean meetings in the office.” She speared a piece of lettuce with her fork, a little more forcefully than necessary. “And the twins don’t really have much to add to the discussion yet.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m planning to cross that bridge if and when it needs crossing.”
She put a brave and confident note in her voice because she didn’t feel especially brave or confident. Leaving her babies with a trusted friend who bailed her out in an emergency was one thing. Turning them over to a stranger, even a seasoned child-care professional who’d passed a thorough background check was something she dreaded.
“It’s really something,” he said. “Taking in two infants.”
“How could I not?” Annie swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “Their mother was my sister.”
“Still, I know people who wouldn’t do it. You and Jessica must have been close.”
“We were. She was always there for me. No matter what—” Unexpectedly, tears filled her eyes and Annie didn’t want him to see.
She stood, picked up her plate and turned away before walking over to the sink. She felt more than heard Mason come up behind her. Warmth from his body and the subtle scent of his aftershave surrounded her in a really nice way.
“Annie, if I haven’t said it already, I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“That’s exactly what her doctor said to me when he told me she was dead. Is there a class in med school on how to break bad news to loved ones?”
“No. Unfortunately, it’s just experience. The kind no doctor wants to get.”
It had been three months since Jess died. Annie had thought she was out of tears and didn’t want to show weakness in front of this man. Maybe because he was the babies’ biological father and had a stronger and more intimate connection to them than she did. The reason didn’t matter because she couldn’t hold back her shaky breaths any more than she could hide the silent sobs that shook her whole body.
The next thing she knew, his big, strong hands settled gently on her upper arms and he turned her toward him, pulled her against his chest in a comforting embrace. He didn’t say anything, just held her. It felt nice. And safe.
That was a feeling Annie had very little experience with in her life. Odd that it came from a relative stranger. Maybe Jess had felt it, too.
Annie got her emotions under control and took a step back. She was embarrassed and couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“Don’t be.”
She shrugged. “Can’t help it. I don’t know why I broke down now. It’s not a fresh reality.”
“Maybe you haven’t had time to grieve. What with suddenly being responsible for two babies.”
That actually made a lot of sense to her. “Anyway, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it helped.” He looked like he sincerely meant that. Apparently the business of helping people was the right one for him.
“Speaking of those babies, I’m going to check on them. It’s not their habit to be so quiet and cooperative when I’m having a meal.” The first one with their father, she noted.
“You cooked, so I’ll do the dishes.”
“Cook
