Second Chance Seduction. Monica Richardson

      “It’s why we didn’t work out, isn’t it?”

      “We didn’t work out because we just weren’t meant to be.” Savannah kept the conversation light. She knew that the tone had the potential to change—fast. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’re a great friend.”

      Jarrod stood, headed toward the door. A slight smile danced in the corner of his mouth. “So I’ve been placed back into the friend bucket.”

      Savannah laughed. “Yes.”

      “Anything for you and Chloe.”

      Jarrod disappeared before Savannah could say another word. She did appreciate him, in spite of the fact that their whirlwind fling hadn’t lasted. He was the first man she’d dated after the divorce. He’d romanced her and given her all the attention that a woman desired from a man—the attention that she’d desired from Edward. He’d even fallen in love with Chloe, and would’ve made a wonderful stepfather. When he’d asked Savannah for her hand in marriage, it seemed the only logical next step—except for the fact that she didn’t love him. She thought he was a nice catch, a successful man any woman would be happy to have. But she didn’t feel for him the things that he felt for her. He didn’t care if she didn’t love him—he wanted her anyway. She would grow to love him, he’d told her.

      “Love is overrated anyway,” he’d insisted. “People put too much emphasis on it. Successful marriages aren’t built on love, they’re built on commitment.”

      That way of thinking didn’t sit well with Savannah. She needed love, and she wouldn’t settle for anything less. He was devastated when she broke off the engagement, but it didn’t stop him from trying to change her mind every chance he got.

      Jarrod knew fashion inside and out. He’d been in the business a long time and had taught Savannah much of what she knew. His company had taken the industry by storm. But suddenly it was on a downward slope. Sales had fallen and the business was suffering. He needed to downsize, and as much as he wanted to retain Savannah, he couldn’t afford to keep her. Soon Jarrod’s Fashions would be owned by someone else.

      Savannah shut the door to her office to avoid any other interruptions. She took a seat at her drafting table, her sketches scattered about. She thought of Edward. Wanted to call and smooth things over with him. Her decision to go to London hadn’t been meant to hurt him. She wanted him to understand her need to connect with her mother. They’d come a long way since the divorce. They’d become more than just co-parents—they were friends. And she didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship. But it was her time. He’d always come first in their marriage—his career, his feelings, his everything. It was the thing that had torn them apart. She’d taken a backseat for long enough. Now it was her time to do the things that made her happy.

      She’d already anticipated that Edward might not be amenable to her idea of relocating with Chloe. Her income wasn’t as adequate as Edward’s and she didn’t have attorney friends to assist her. She’d already done her research and learned that there were forms that needed to be filed whether Edward agreed or disagreed with the move. So she’d already downloaded the necessary forms for both scenarios. She’d hoped that they could come to an agreement and that the decision would be consensual. However, Edward had been all but tolerable. The news was sudden, and he needed time to absorb it. Soon, he would see that he’d overreacted. But if not, she would take him to court.

Chapter 3

      Edward sat sunk back in the leather seat of his car and watched as youngsters hopped into their parents’ vehicles. The petals of a plumeria flower rested against the leather seat, right next to a plastic bag filled with Laffy Taffy, Nerds, Milk Duds and Skittles. He watched for Chloe. Expected her to rush to his car as she had every single Friday afternoon—her thick ponytails would be flying in different directions, the plaid skirt that she wore would be twisted in the back, and she’d offer him the biggest snaggletoothed smile that he loved so much.

      Surely she remembered it was Friday. And not just any Friday, but the one on which her favorite movie came out at the theaters. They would smuggle the bag of candy into the auditorium in her backpack. They would order a large bucket of popcorn and a large Coke to share, and they would sit in the middle of the theater. Not too close to the screen, but not too far in the back. Right in the center.

      Miss Jennings marched out of the school, a row of kindergartners following close behind. Edward sat straight up in his seat. He didn’t want to be caught slouching as he scanned the row of children in search of his daughter. When he saw her, he smiled. Her ponytails flew in opposite directions, just as he’d suspected. She rushed to the car when she spotted him, Miss Jennings following close behind. Chloe pulled on the door handle and hopped inside. Miss Jennings stuck her head inside.

      “Hello, Mr. Talbot.” She gave him that same flirty smile that she always gave him.

      The first time he saw the smile, he thought he was mistaken. Thought it was innocent until the time she gave him a raise of the eyebrows followed by a slip of her phone number during a parent-teacher conference. He never called. Feared that it would be a conflict of interest, dating his daughter’s teacher. Not to mention, she wasn’t his type.

      He’d dated a few women after the divorce. Freda was the attractive psychologist that he’d met at a conference. She was the total package—beautiful, smart, independent. A nice catch, but she was too bossy. She wanted to dress him and mold him into what she wanted him to be, and he wasn’t that type of man. He had his own agenda. Miranda was conservative and laid-back, accommodating. Too accommodating for his taste. She was the total package, too—beautiful, smart, independent—but there was no mystery. He’d managed to find something wrong with every woman he dated.

      “Hello, Miss Jennings.” Edward was cordial.

      “Her homework is in her backpack,” she said.

      “Thanks.”

      “Have a great weekend, Chloe. I’ll see you on Monday.”

      “Bye, Miss Jennings!” Chloe exclaimed before shutting her door. “Hi, Daddy!”

      “Hello, Princess.” He tapped the side of his face until she leaned over and kissed it.

      “How was school?”

      “Awesome!”

      “For you, madam.” He handed her the single yellow flower.

      She smelled it and then stuck it into her hair. “It’s pretty, Daddy. Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome.”

      “You got the goods.” She grinned wickedly as she peeked into the plastic bag filled with candy. She fastened her seat belt.

      He knew that he shouldn’t let her ride in the front seat. She was supposed to be buckled up in her car seat in the back, but some days he made an exception. And this was one of them.

      “I got the goods.” Edward smiled as he pulled out of the school’s parking lot.

      Chloe stuffed the bag of candy into her backpack. “What time does the movie start?”

      “Four o’clock,” he said. “If we hurry, we can make it before the previews are over.”

      “Cool.” She toyed with his stereo until she found her favorite satellite radio station. She sang along with Katy Perry.

      * * *

      The theater was crowded. It seemed that every child in America had shown up for the premiere of the movie. Edward purchased tickets and then the two made a beeline for the concession stand. He held on to Chloe’s hand.

      “How’s your mommy doing?” he asked as they stood in line.

      “She’s fine,” said Chloe. “She misses you.”

      “Really? How do you know?”