Read Chasing Marisol (Blueprint to Love Book 3) for Free Online

on shaking hands over their pact. Mari was simply relieved they'd finally arrived without any further embarrassing revelations. "Okay, carino— go inside and get your snack. I’ll check on you in two minutes."
    "Mama— when will I get to see Jeff again? I want to hear about the digging."
    She studiously avoided Jeff's inquiring eyes. "We’ll talk about it tonight, okay? Miss Robin is waiting for you in the daycare."
    Clearly sensing her discomfort, Jeff winked. "Now that I know what time you get back from school, I'll try to come by to see you on my next visit. Maybe we can all go out for pizza one night."
    "Awesome! That would be so cool, Jeff."
    She bit back a squeak of surprise. "P-perhaps." With relief, she watched Hector walk through the double doors, before she turned to face him. "You’re not playing fair, Mr. Traynor."
    "When I'm dealing with someone as stubborn as you, I'm forced to use every weapon at my disposal." Jeff shrugged, not at all put off by her frown. "Besides, Hector seems like a great kid. I like his enthusiasm."
    "He's a wonderful boy but he tends to talk your ear off when he meets someone new. I'm sorry if we delayed you."
    "I don't remember you mentioning having a son."
    Mari hesitated several seconds, unsure how or even if she should answer his roundabout question. In a way, it was the perfect thing to put him off. Guys like Jeff were into easy, laid-back, no-strings relationships. Hector was not easy, nor was he no-strings. "I didn't realize Hector factored into our business relationship."
    "Well played, Miss Ortega." He accepted her jab gracefully. "I deserved that. I just assumed we were becoming friends."
    Grinning, she decided to let him off the hook. "I believe we are friends, Mr. Traynor. And as friends, I will tell you that Hector is my foster son. I hope he will be my real son by the end of this year."
    "That's pretty cool." He smiled. "I'm sure making that decision wasn't the easiest one in the world."
    But it had been the only decision Mari could have lived with. "Not easy, but definitely the right one for me. He's a great little boy who’s had a rough couple years. We've been together on and off for more than two years."
    "Why on and off?"
    She winced, unsure she wished to voice the worries that kept her awake at night. "His mother still pops in from time to time. She's an addict. She makes it very difficult for Hector— to settle down in his new life."
    "She stops by just often enough to fill him with false expectations." His eyes flashed with sudden understanding. "And what does that do to you?" 
    Mari was caught completely off guard by the lump in her throat. "I— I don't—"
    She had not expected insight from a man like him. As she searched for words that would not start tears flowing, Jeff gave her hand a squeeze, seeming to know instinctively that she was suddenly floundering on emotional thin ice.
    "Let's just say I’ll be relieved when he's legally mine."
    "I'm glad you finally told me about him. He seems like a great kid."
    Jeff smiled and turned toward the parking lot, squinting in the afternoon sun. It was almost as though he sensed she needed to gather herself. Mari was left to ponder whether she'd been too harsh in her judgment.
    "And just so we're clear-" He turned back to face her. "I'm serious about the invitation but not the way I said it."
    "What do you mean?"
    "As much as I really want to go out with you— I was joking when I said I would use Hector." He released her hand reluctantly. "I love kids. I have three nieces and a nephew who's only a little older than Hector. I would sincerely like to take you both out for pizza. Why don't you check your schedule for tomorrow night? I'll give you a call and you can let me know."
    Mari watched him round the building to the parking lot before she finally took a step toward the front door. Could Sharon be right about her? Maybe she was too cynical. It was growing increasingly difficult to resist the magnetic pull of