LITMIR.BIZ

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finished.”

      “And you want to open next week?”

      “It would be nice. Winters will be lean. It’d be smart to capitalize on the tourist season as much as I can.”

      “We have mild winters here in California. Lots of great weather.”

      She grinned at the enticement in his voice. “We weren’t talking about the weather,” she said. “We were talking about tourists.”

      “We have lots of those, too.”

      “I remember,” she said with a laugh.

      “Come on. Don’t you miss it here? Isn’t it time to come home?”

      “I can’t.”

      “The longer you stay in Idaho, the more difficult it will be to move.”

      He had a point. She and her children were growing attached to this place. But Liz didn’t feel she had a choice about staying. Not when leaving would have a negative impact on Mica and Christopher. “I can’t take the kids away from Keith or their half sisters.”

      “Ever?”

      “Maybe when they’re older.”

      There was a slight pause. “Will I be gray by then?”

      She laughed. “No, but I probably will be.” She couldn’t help pointing out the difference in their ages. The gap between them had to bother him on some level, didn’t it? She always expected him to wake up and realize how easily he could get someone younger, someone less encumbered. But he usually ignored such references, as he did now.

      “I can’t compete with a mother’s dedication to her children.”

      “Single mothers have to make tough decisions,” she said.

      “And you owe it all to Keith.”

      Leaning back, she stretched her legs over one arm of the sofa. Dave was like a bouncy puppy—always warm and friendly. Unlike Carter Hudson, who reminded her of a shark, gliding silently through deep waters. “If Keith hadn’t done what he’d done, we wouldn’t even be talking.”

      “Good point.” He became more cheerful. “So…is he helping you get the shop ready?”

      “He’s trying. It’s just not coming together as quickly as I’d hoped. Today I wanted him to meet me as soon as he got off work, so he’d have time to patch a wall and make some progress on the painting.”

      “And?”

      “Angela wanted him to take her on a bike ride, so he showed up two hours late.”

      “Sounds to me like he’s dragging his feet.”

      “Why would he do that?”

      “Maybe he’d rather not see you open this business.”

      Liz changed the phone to her other ear. “Why would he care?”

      “Didn’t you tell me he wants another chance?” Dave asked.

      “That’s what he says.”

      “The more independent you are, the less likely you’ll be to give him that chance.”

      Liz had never thought of the situation in quite that way. She hadn’t considered Keith’s take on her actions at all. She’d simply wanted to start her own business and stop punching a time card and collecting a small wage from someone else. “The more I make, the more secure Mica and Christopher will be. Which will mean less pressure on Keith to help support them.”

      “Doesn’t he need to find a better job, anyway?” Dave asked. “He can’t work at that hardware store indefinitely.”

      “He’s looking, and doing some projects on the side. But it isn’t easy to find a software development company that will let him telecommute from Idaho. That’s why he can’t go back to Softscape. They’ve moved their offices from Boise to L.A. and want him to live there. But he won’t move.”

      There’s got to be other opportunities in Boise.”

      “Even that’s too far to go.”

      “Why?”

      “I think it’s because he’s afraid he’ll lose his Number One Dad status with Jennifer, Angela and Isabella. The competition he feels toward Isaac has made him even more determined to remain a central figure in their lives.”

      “Aren’t divorces fun?” Dave said. “Suddenly parents are competing for their children’s affection and admiration, instead of acting like adults.”

      She knew he’d grown up in a broken home. She could tell by the conviction in his words how much he’d hated it. His mother had packed up and moved out of state almost as soon as the divorce was final, and left him with his father. Liz sometimes wondered if he liked older women because he was searching for a mother figure to replace the one he’d lost when he was young. She wanted to ask but was positive it wouldn’t go over very well. “You’re speaking from experience.”

      “I am. My father tried to become my best friend, instead of just being my parent. It was pretty damn embarrassing to see him dressing like a kid my own age.”

      “It’s tough to keep what’s really important in mind when you’re reeling emotionally,” she said, trying to be fair.

      “I know. That’s why I admire you.”

      Liz wasn’t sure how to respond. She didn’t expect any praise for trying to hold up her end, but the compliment felt good. “Thanks,” she said softly.

      “What do you need in order to finish the store?” he asked.

      “Someone who knows what he’s doing,” she replied with a laugh. “And a few more hours in each day. I’ve been checking out chocolate suppliers, experimenting with ideas, buying the pots and equipment I need, and getting the proper licenses. I haven’t had enough time to focus on the actual improvements. Now I know it won’t happen unless I push a little harder.”

      “I wish I was there to help you.”

      “Do you know much about carpentry?”

      “No. But I’m good at other things.”

      “Like…”

      His voice turned as thick as honey. “Rubbing the tension from your shoulders.”

      Liz covered her eyes and imagined him bending toward her, brushing his lips softly across hers.

      Pushing herself upright, she redirected her thoughts. It was that kind of reverie that made her realize she had no business remaining in contact with Dave.

      “You won’t even miss me as soon as you get another woman out on the court who has a better pair of legs,” she said.

      “Are you kidding?” he replied. “There is no one with a better pair of legs.”

      “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

      There was a slight pause.

      “Dave?”

      “What?”

      She could tell by his tone that she’d upset him and regretted going so far. “I was only joking.”

      “Very funny. You say stuff like that almost every time we talk.”

      It was true. She supposed she was trying to remind herself of the risks involved in letting this relationship grow. “I’m sorry. Maybe if you were older, I could take you more seriously.”

      “Here we go again.”

      Liz rubbed her left temple. “It’s just—”

      “Who cares about the difference in our ages?” he interrupted. “It’s only seven years. If I was older than you, no one would think twice about it.”

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