Sweet as Candy by Doyle Karla

Author:Doyle, Karla [Doyle, Karla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994098412
Goodreads: 56985618
Publisher: Karla Doyle
Published: 2021-02-01T08:00:00+00:00

Candace

She’d assumed that spending the day together had meant the two of them, alone. Maybe they’d do some talking, but probably they’d keep their mouths busy with other activities. Surprisingly, she was okay with that thought, even though money had factored into their time together. She wanted to be with him. Today, and for as many other days possible.

Jake being Jake, he’d surprised her again when they got to her place. Rather than settle on the couch and kiss her senseless, he’d stayed at the edge of the room, leaning against the wall. Then he’d suggested pulling Macy from school for the day. His idea to spend the day together had included her daughter.

Routine played a huge part in Candace’s parenting style. Providing Macy with a solid sense of stability fell solely on Candace, and ensuring her daughter felt safe and secure, always, was top priority. Signing Macy out of school on a whim fell outside of the structure Candace had established.

She’d done it anyway. And every minute since had been wonderful.

“You like playing dress-up, right, Macy?” Jake asked, as the trio strolled along King Street with tummies full of lunch and dessert.

Macy nodded up at him. “Did Mommy tell you that?”

“Nope. I spotted the box of costumes and stuff in your living room.”

“Want to play when we get home?” Macy asked.

“You bet I do.”

Macy clasped Jake’s hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do so. “Can we go now?”

Candace’s heart clenched. This outing marked the third time Jake had spent time with her daughter. Macy had been cool initially, but during Jake’s visit yesterday, she’d begun to warm. In the Montessori school’s parking lot this morning, when Jake had asked to take “his favorite ladies” out for some treats, Macy had bounced into his arms. Now she was voluntarily holding his hand. Apparently, Candace wasn’t the only one falling for Jake Campbell’s charms.

“There’s one more place I’d like to stop before we go back to your house. See the store with the fancy mannequin in the front window?” Using their linked fingers, he pointed to a shop ahead, near the city hall square. “They sell stuff you might like for your dress-up box. Ever been in there?”

Macy shook her head. “Mommy likes to drive a long time to go shopping.”

“London has better stores, what can I say?” No need to explain her true motivation for traveling an hour to shop. Jake would know the real reason—to avoid encountering men she’d serviced while out with her daughter. Yet here she was, risking that very thing because she trusted Jake to keep her safe. More importantly, to keep Macy safe.

“Hey. You’re good,” he said, reaching across to squeeze her shoulder. The contact ended with the simple touch. He’d promised to behave as Candace’s friend, nothing more, around Macy. So far, he’d kept his word. As he always did.

She smiled a thank you and he nodded, accepting what she gave him, even if it wasn’t enough. Another thing he always did.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.