AFTER ALL THAT TALK ABOUT how he had wanted to spend time with his father, Kayla couldn’t believe the way CJ had showed out on Carson. Now as she sat on the bench at the park down the street from SugarKanes, watching them throw the Frisbee, she was glad the two of them were getting better acquainted. Although Richmond was a great man, CJ needed to know his real father. Just like Isabelle needed to always remember her real mother.
CJ tossed the Frisbee to Carson, then ran and hopped on the swing. After pushing him a few times, CJ decided he wanted to go play on the sliding board. He slid over and over down that darn sliding board.
Leaving him to play by himself, Carson headed in her direction. “He’s having a great time,” he said, coming to a stop in front of her.
Forcing herself to smile, she said, “Yes. He is. We got off to a rough start. But I think next time will be better–if there is a next time.” Kayla highly doubted after today Carson would come back again.
“Oh, there’s definitely going to be a next time. In fact, I moved here last week just so I could be closer to him. I want to be a big part of CJ’s life.” Sincerity washed over his face.
Carson’s admission left her momentarily speechless. “You what?! You’re lying. You’re just pulling my leg.”
Carson took a seat on the bench beside her. “No. I’m not. I’m renting an apartment not far from the Tanger Outlet Mall right now. But as soon as I find a job, I’m going to buy a house.” To verify what he was saying, Carson pulled out his driver’s license and showed it to Kayla. Sure enough, he was now a resident of Hilton Head Island.
“You moved here without a job just so you could be closer to CJ?” How can he afford to do such a thing?
“Yes. I did. But don’t worry, I’m going to make sure I pay you your child support on time from now on.”
Okay. No job and he moved here; he’s definitely changed. I wonder what made him come to his senses. Something had to have happened. “Did you break up with Tricia?”
“Yeah. Tricia and I have been over for a while now. But that has nothing to do with why I moved here, Kayla. You. I moved her for you, too. When I told you I wanted you back while at Isabelle’s party, I was dead serious. I miss you. For the sake of our son, will you please consider giving me one more chance?”
Puckering his lips together, Carson leaned into Kayla, going in for a big kiss. Kayla slapped the living heck out of him! Frowning, she jumped up from the bench and glared down at him. “Carson Terrell Crawford! Any thoughts you have of the two of us getting back together are useless! It’ll never happen! Even if I didn’t love Richmond, I wouldn’t want you!” She hated being so blunt, but with a man like Carson, she had to be. Bluntness was the only kind of language he understood.
Watching her hand materialize on his face, Kayla’s face scrunched and she was ready to go home to be with her man. The only man for her—Richmond.