Teddy Patrizio. We have the same last name.” Teddy cast a questioning sideways glance at Vince.
Vince was only half listening, still thinking about Jill’s Western corporate retreat, a concept very similar to the themed casinos in Vegas. “It’s a good last name. It’s Italian. I’m happy to share it.”
Jill hurried past, picking up a tool chest on her way to the front of the garage. Wearing boot-cut jeans, her legs looked long and Vince found it hard not to follow her every move with his eyes until he realized he had an audience.
Another sidelong stare from the boy. This one appraising. “I don’t look anything like you.”
“Teddy!” Jill turned at the corner of the building, her voice giving away her distress.
The kid leaned closer to Vince and whispered, “I know who you are.”
Premonition prickled the hair on the back of Vince’s neck and he found himself bending lower.
“Theodore Tatum Patrizio!” Jill’s gaze collided with Vince’s, a plea for help in her eyes, but Vince didn’t understand what she needed.
And it was suddenly important that Vince knew who her son thought he was.
“You’re Batman.” Teddy smirked at Vince, then winked at his mother. “Right, Mom?”
“Teddy.” Jill shook her head, looking incredibly relieved. “That wasn’t funny.”
“You’ve lost me,” Vince said.
“It was a joke.” All traces of humor gone, Teddy knelt and picked up a paintbrush as his mother disappeared into the garage. “You’re not my dad,” the boy said in a dejected voice after a few brush strokes.
Vince hadn’t expected such honesty from one so young. “No, I’m not.”
“But you’re related to me.”
Watching them, Jill hesitated at the corner of the garage.
“Well, I married—”
“Vince, no!”
“—your mother.”
“You are my dad. I knew it.” Teddy jumped up, tossed the paintbrush on a scrap of newspaper and flung his arms around Vince.
His palm landed awkwardly on top of Teddy’s soft auburn hair.
“Teddy. Teddy, let go, baby.” Jill was at Vince’s feet, pulling Teddy back to her. But the boy only clung tighter to Vince. “Teddy, he’s not your father.” Jill skewered Vince with a look.
“But you’re married.” The boy stared at his mother with eyes suddenly welling with tears.
Jill shook her head and drew Teddy away from Vince.
“But—”
“Your father didn’t want…” Jill’s voice trailed off and she looked at Vince helplessly.
Teddy cut a quick glance in Vince’s direction. “You didn’t want me?”
“Dad, I’ll be good. I promise. Don’t leave.” Trying not to cry, Vince blocked the door. But his father was bigger and stronger and had no trouble easing Vince aside. Had no trouble leaving without looking back.
“I always wanted you.” On impulse Vince put a hand on Teddy’s skinny shoulder. He’d been ready to take on the responsibility of fatherhood and give this boy the love he deserved. When he’d asked Jill to marry him he’d told her that everyone deserved to be loved, even a baby you hadn’t counted on.
“Vince, don’t build his hopes,” Jill warned.
Teddy wiped tears from his cheeks and gazed up at Vince reverently. In that moment, Vince would have done anything for the kid.
“You always think things are more complicated than they are,” Vince said softly, unable to take his eyes off Teddy.
“And you always believe you’ve found the best and only solution.”
Vince scowled and stared pointedly at his ring on her left hand. “You married me, didn’t you?” He hadn’t noticed the ring before and wondered why it was still there. There was no way she wore it for the same reason he did.
“So…are you my dad?” Teddy broke in, his bottom lip trembling as he looked from Jill to Vince.
The truth would take some of the shine out of the kid’s eyes and Vince was reluctant to do it. But the truth had to be said. “No.”
Jill spread her arms and Teddy filled them. Vince’s urge to drop to his knees and be a part of that embrace was surprisingly strong.
“Your father wasn’t ready to be a dad, Teddy. But from the moment I saw you, Teddy, I loved you.” Jill’s expression was fierce, kindling an ache in Vince’s chest. No one had ever claimed to feel that way about him. “I wanted you, Teddy. I was willing to do anything to protect you, even marry someone else, someone other than your dad, and move up here.”
Vince had been reduced to nothing more than a “someone else” in her life, not even a friend. If that wasn’t his cue to leave Vince didn’t know what was. But first he had to find out why Jill was against the casino. He needed as much support as he could get.
“But he’s here now.” His voice high-pitched and desperate, Teddy pointed at Vince. “He’s here and he could be my dad.”
Dad. This boy thought he was father material. Vince wouldn’t know how or where to begin to be a father. His own had given up on him after fourteen years. Still…
“He can’t be your dad,” Jill was saying.
“Wait a minute,” Vince said, causing Teddy to beam, which in turn made Vince’s heart swell—this little boy wanted him for a dad!
“A father is there for you every day, in every way. Vince lives in Las Vegas.”
“Oh.” Vince and Teddy were simultaneously brought crashing back to earth. Vince realized his toes were cold. Who was he kidding? No way was he father material.
Teddy wiped his face with his hands and then stood dejectedly, shifting on his long, skinny feet.
Jill kissed Teddy’s cheek. “I think we’ve done enough painting for one night. Why don’t you go on upstairs and get yourself some ice cream?”
“Three scoops?” Teddy sniffed, sneaking a glance at Vince.
“Two.” Jill wrapped her arms around the kid, only releasing him when he squirmed free. “I’ll be up soon to tuck you in.”
Teddy shuffled across the gravel driveway to a covered staircase. Vince’s anger grew with each step Teddy took as he climbed to the second story, but he held it in check until a door clicked closed.
“It’s been more than ten years, Jill. You haven’t told
