“Maybe. Probably, in fact. But…” He rested a hand on the wood of the doorframe. “I can’t stop thinking about you. Ever since I met you. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?”
It was my turn to break eye contact, my own cheeks flaming with heat. “I… Look, Matt, I’d be lying if I said you weren’t attractive. But my life is complicated.” I rolled my eyes. “So complicated. I’m just not really in a place to date right now. I’m sorry.”
“No, I get it. I do.”
“But I’m flattered,” I offered. “Truly flattered. And in another life…who knows?”
He patted the doorframe. “Another life.”
I smiled at him halfheartedly, fighting down any desire I might have to invite him inside. It was ridiculous. Stupid. Ridiculously stupid. Not to mention dangerous. Matt deserved so much better than whatever I could offer him right now, hiding in a hotel room, trying to conceal my identity while on the run from my murderous husband.
“Well,” he said, after a beat, “I’ll see you around then, Ainsley. And…if you change your mind, the offer stands.”
I smiled at him softly before he turned to walk away. Once he was gone, I shut the door, my heart thundering in my chest. If I was Peter, I’d have taken him up on the offer. That was the difference between him and me. I could resist temptation, control my urges. That was why I was the better parent. I’d never put anyone or anything, myself included, before my children.
Peter could’ve never said the same.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
PETER
Ainsley’s car smelled of her. It was the first thing I noticed upon getting it back. It made being without my wife even more painful than it already was. Of course, as I rode alongside Gina the next day, I didn’t bring it up. She didn’t need to know how pathetic I was, though looking pathetic had apparently been enough to get me back in her good graces.
“Do you really think she might be staying here?” Gina asked, when we pulled onto the street in front of Adele’s house. I’d been avoiding parking in the street since getting accosted by the shirtless man, but most of the people in the neighborhood seemed to be at work during the day, and I was in a different car this time anyway, so I hoped that would be enough to keep me from getting berated by the neighbors for a few hours.
“Probably not,” I said. “Ainsley isn’t stupid, and she knows I’m looking for her. But it’s the only thing I have to go on. I’m hoping, if nothing else, Adele might lead me to her. ”
In truth, I couldn’t believe Gina had agreed to this. Stalking my wife. Then again, I was sure she was just using it as an excuse to spend time with me again. We’d never gotten the chance before, and she’d practically begged for it at the time.
Once, I’d have given anything for extra time with Gina. Now, I’d take the company, but amusement was as far as my interests went. My loyalties still lay with Ainsley.
“Looks like someone’s coming. Who is that?” she asked, pointing to the white pickup truck pulling into Adele’s driveway.
“No idea.” He stepped out of the truck, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked over at us.
Gina sank down in her seat, pulling me down with her. She giggled. “Do you think he saw us?”
“I don’t think so. He doesn’t know who we are, even if he did.”
I eased myself up in the seat, watching as the man headed for the front door. He knocked and, minutes later, my mother-in-law appeared in the doorway and allowed him inside.
“This is kind of fun,” Gina said after a moment, breaking my concentration. “Like we’re cops on a stakeout.”
“It is, isn’t it?” I agreed.
“You know, I was doing some research last night, and it seems like if you talk to your lawyer about filing for custody, even if it’s just joint custody, they could help you locate your kids. It might be the best option.”
I nodded, looking over at her. “I’m already talking with my lawyer about it, but without an address to find Ainsley, it’s hard to serve her with papers.”
“Do you think she’d go so far as to take them out of the country?”
I stared at her, not wanting to contemplate the possibility. It was enough to make me sick. “I don’t want to believe it, no. But…” I gestured toward my wrist so she caught sight of the bandage again. “I guess you never really know someone, you know?”
“I’m worried about you, Peter.”