Alpha Billionaire Series
Coming Home Chapter 17

MAKENZIE

“Thank you for taking Ainsley with you," I thanked Gloria again for the thousandth time as I helped to install Ainsley’ car seat into the back of Gloria's car. “I can't believe I totally forgot it was Memorial Day."

“How did you forget that?"

“Because it's May, and all my focus for the past two months has been on june twelfth, when we open the store.”

“Your mother used to host the biggest start of the summer parties.”

“I know. She was a little disappointed that I wasn't doing one this year. Seeing how it's her tradition. But I just don’t have time, not with the store.”

I picked up Ainsley who patiently stood, holding Gloria's hand. “You better be good for Ethan's mommy, okay?”

“I wanna play Ethan,” she said, not quite whining.

“I know you do, baby, but he's off doing big boy things. He'll be back to play with you tomorrow. Can you be good?”

She nodded and gave me a slobbery kiss on the cheek. I kissed her right back. She was still little enough that I received bab; kisses, but big enough to understand that going off with a babysitter wasn't the end of her world.

We had suffered from separation anxiety when she was much smaller, both of us. As soon as I finished school, and graduated, I put an end to having a nanny take care of her. I was fortunate enough that my parents were willing to continue to support me, emotionally and financially so that I could be with Ainsley as much as possible. Their encouragement and care allowed for my quilting obsession to take off. What had started as something I could do while still being with Ainsley quickly turned into a small business, selling my unique designs. But we were both better now. And I still planned on having her with me at the shop.

I buckled Ainsley in and was about to thank Gloria, again.

“What time should we head back? I don't want to interrupt anything” She wiggled her eyebrows at me conspiratorially.

“It's not like that. We're just old friends. Is eight too late?”

“I'll text you when we're headed back, and I'll shoot for eight”

“That sounds like a plan” I leaned into the back and gave Ainsley another kiss and watched as Gloria backed out of the driveway.

I let out a big breath. This wasn't a date. This was Holden coming over so we could talk, catch up. It was no different than picking things up with Nantucket friends at the beginning of the season after wintering off-island. That was it exactly.

So why was I so nervous? Why was I worried about how my makeup looked, and if this dress was showing too much boob or not? And if this was a date, was I showing enough cleavage?

Not a date.

Iwas in the kitchen when Holden walked in the backdoor.

“Where is everyone?”

“Everyone who?” I asked as I pulled the casserole dish from the oven.

“When I realized you invited me over on Memorial Day, I figured you were hosting the big start of the summer party.”

I let out a bitter laugh. That explained why he came strolling in through the back carrying a six-pack of beer. On party days i was proper form to just come on in. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“'m sorry about that. I completely spaced on the fact that it was Memorial Day until yesterday when I was at the grocery store. No party this year. Maybe next year after things have settled down.”

“That smells good. At least you're still feeding me. And beer goes with Mexican, so it isn't the social faux pas it could have been!”

I smiled. No, the social faux pas would have been on my behalf if I hadn't forced myself to stop worrying about how I looked and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. Holden clearly understood this was not a date. He wore plaid shorts and a polo. He almost looked like a golf pro on vacation, except for the black compression sleeve he wore over his left arm and the ace bandage that wound up his left leg.

“If you want to grab some glasses, you remember which cupboard? We're all set for dinner”

I carried the casserole dish over to the table that was mostly ready for us.

“Only two place settings? Where's Ethan?”

“Oh, he's got the day off”

“You gave your husband the day off?"

“What? Ethan, my husband? Oh, God no” Laughter bubbled up. I didn't know what was funnier, the idea of Ethan and me in z relationship, or that Holden had thought that.

“Ethan is my nanny.”

“I thought he was your business partner's son.” Holden looked confused.

“Well, yes, that too. He's been helping out around the shop and needed another job to carry him through the summer. I still haven't completely settled into living here, and I haven't had time to find and hire a nanny." I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug.

“So, he's not your daughter's father?”

I closed my eyes and bit the inside of my cheek. I knew this was coming, I hadn't expected it to be how we started the evening.

“How are the enchiladas? They aren't too hot, are they?” I attempted to redirect the conversation.

“They're great. I didn’t know you could cook”

The nerves in my stomach rioted. The thought of putting food on top of the chaos inside felt like a very bad idea.

“Things have changed in the past few years. I cook, I sew.”

“You own a small business.’

“I do. Some days I can hardly believe it. And other days I'm drowning in it”

“And your business partner and her son are helping you figure it all out?”

“They are.”

He leaned in close. “Okay, so if Ethan isn't your husband, how old is he? Because I've been struggling, trying to work out if he's just really young looking or if you married a younger man.”

This time when I laughed the built-up stress left my body.

“I think he's nineteen. Maybe twenty. He just finished his freshman year”

Holden shook his head. “A male nanny? I can't believe I thought he was your husband. What does your husband think about you having a younger man watch your daughter?”

“Her name is Ainsley, and I'm not married.”

“Not married? That certainly changes everything,” he said with a sigh. The grin that spread over his face turned my insides tc mush. I hadn't expected having dinner with Holden to be such an emotional roller coaster. I should have. I was still very much attracted to him. And possibly even a little in love with him still.

“No” I shook my head. “Everything is exactly the same, well at least for me. That's crazy that you thought of Ethan and me?" did an exaggerated shiver. “l wouldn't even want to date him. He's a good guy, but... no”

“So, you're single? Not seeing anyone?”

I confirmed, “Single, not seeing anyone. I don't have time. Plus, I'm fairly picky. You set a high standard, Holden"

I didn't look at him and ate a few bites of my food. When I looked back up, he was staring at me, his lids were lowered, and his lips pulled up ever so slightly. It was more of a smolder than what I was prepared for. I felt it in my core and all the way t my toes.

“I want to see you, Makenzie."

“You're looking at me right now,” I pretended to not understand his intentions.

“You know what I mean. Is it possible for us to find our way back to what we had? Date me, let's find out.”

Isat back and worried at my lip. “I don’t know Holden. A lot has changed. Emotionally I don't know if I could go back” And I didn't. I had been hurt; I didn't know if I could handle being hurt by him again. My body was reacting on a different level, its reaction was all yes, while my heart hesitated.

“I've got a kid. I'm starting a business. I don’t know how dating fits into my life right now.”

“Are you going to let me meet her, your daughter?”

I'shook my head. “No. Not for a while.”

“Why not?”

I didn’t expect him to understand. Honestly, this was the first time I had to navigate this situation, even though I had though about it. I had to protect her; I didn't want to confuse her by introducing men she might not ever see again.

“I don't introduce her to the men I'm seeing. Even though I know this isn’t a date. But if we did..."

“You date a lot then? Do you, Makenzie?” Bitterness laced his words as if he was drinking it out of a bottle.

He glared at me before pushing to his feet.

“Would you introduce her to her father?”

I blinked hard. How had he figured it out? I hadn't said anything. He didn't even know how old she was. I swallowed hard anc found my bravery.

“Are you assuming she’s yours?”

“I know how to count, Makenzie. I can read between the lines” He sounded so incredibly smug.

“I didn’t know you knew how to read at all. You certainly don't know how to write”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

We were both yelling. I surged to my feet.

“Maybe if you had responded to any of my letters you would understand anything about me. I think you need to leave” “You are a stubborn woman, Makenzie.” He glowered at me and stormed away. The back door slammed shut.

I fell back into my chair and sobbed.

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