In Another Life by C. C. Hunter

Author:C. C. Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

* * *

When Cash came down the stairs Sunday to head over to Chloe’s, Mr. Fuller walked out of the kitchen. “Hey, you want to go for a jog with me?”

“Can’t. I’m meeting the study group again. I told Mrs. Fuller.”

Mr. Fuller nodded. “What’s her name?”

“What?”

Mr. Fuller laughed. “No guy showers and smells like toothpaste before going to study. And you smiled all the way through breakfast. What’s her name?”

Cash wanted to deny it, but then gave in. “Chloe.”

“Is she pretty?”

Shit. Why had he told him? “Don’t … don’t tell Mrs. Fuller.”

“Why? She’d be thrilled.”

“She’d want to meet her and—”

“Why wouldn’t you want us to meet her?” Mr. Fuller’s brow wrinkled in concern.

“Because we’re not at that stage.”

The man leaned in. “What stage are you in?” When Cash didn’t answer, he said, “Do you need … protection, because…”

“No.” Cash realized his huge screwup in telling Mr. Fuller Chloe’s name. When the truth came out, he’d realize Cash had been dating his daughter.

“Look, I know what happens after you’ve been dating awhile, so…”

“I gotta … go.” Cash left.

Driving to Chloe’s, he allowed himself one minute of worrying how his dating her would play out. Hell, if she was Emily, the Fullers would probably want her to date better.

The farther he got from the Fullers’ house, the less he worried about that and the more he thought about Chloe. About how wonderful last night had been. He’d barely slept, remembering every touch, every laugh, every brush of her body against his. He’d never felt like this. Yeah, he’d been with girls. Enjoyed being with girls. But it wasn’t the same. This was more intense. Yet somehow more comfortable.

Almost to her house, he realized he wasn’t looking forward to seeing Chloe’s mom. His gut said she didn’t like him.

Pulling up in front of Chloe’s house, he pushed back his concerns. People are just like dogs, they can smell your fear!

When he walked onto the porch, he saw Chloe’s mom through the window. She was wearing too-big jeans, a T-shirt, and a bandanna. She looked sick. God, he hoped her doctor was right about her being okay. He knocked. Ms. Holden opened the door.

“Hi.” He offered what he hoped was a fearless smile.

“I’m coming,” he heard Chloe call out.

“Come in,” Ms. Holden said.

“How are you doing?” He walked into the living room.

“Okay.” She studied him with that look again. As if he wasn’t good enough. And she was right, but …

Chloe walked out frowning and practically rushed him out the door.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

She glanced back at the house, as if worried her mom would hear. “No.”

No? They got in his Jeep. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

Her words sank to the bottom of his chest. “Did I do something wrong last night?”

“No. I mean the Emily thing.”

“What happened?”

She fell back against the seat. “I just don’t know how the Fullers will react or what they’ll expect from me.”

He started driving. “You said last night you wanted to do this.”

“I do,

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