Chapter Two

The Quandary

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T HE MOMENT SHE LEFT the store, she knew she wasn’t going to call him. Temporarily robbed of her sanity, she’d been hypnotized by the stranger with the sexy eyes who’d thoughtfully bought her a loaf of bread, but she wasn’t stupid.

She wasn’t actually going to go on a date with him.

It would be crazy to dine with someone she didn’t even know.

Women her age didn’t do those sorts of things. Especially ones who lived in cramped apartments with bigger things to worry about. She still had Jonah’s program to fund, though God only knew how she’d manage that. Pausing by the trash outside the store, she considered discarding his card, but for some reason, her fingers refused to let the thing go. The quality of the card was soothing, as though running her thumb over its smooth face would manifest the money she needed.

Stupid.

Fleetingly, she contemplated why the dashing Kyle had been there in the first place. He didn’t appear to have any groceries of his own, yet he seemed to have been on his way out when he’d stopped to help her.

Strange.

He had to have been shopping, didn’t he? Why else would he have been there?

She let go of the thought with a shake of her head. What difference did it make why he was there? He had been, and she was glad. Not only had he paid for her bread, but he’d put a smile on her face, and it had been an eternity since anyone, save for Jonah and his academic achievements, had accomplished that.

She allowed herself to grin as she wandered to her car, scanning the parking lot for evidence of Kyle. He’d left ahead of her, striding out of the store with the sort of confidence she suspected only money could bring. Not that she’d know. She’d never had any real wealth, and after a poor childhood, the most affluence she’d known had been in the transitory years between leaving home and meeting Graham. She’d never been able to dress as well as Kyle. Nor could she afford the type of expensive fragrance she’d smelled on him. She had no way of knowing definitively, but everything about him reeked of wealth.

He’s wrong for me.

Her brow furrowed as she reached her vehicle. She knew implying she wasn’t ‘worthy’ of spending time with someone who might be wealthier than her was illogical and silly. But it was safer to stay in the small, stagnant circle she’d built for herself. Even if that space meant drowning in debt and potentially having to sell her soul to help her child—in a twisted way, she was protected there.

I bet Kyle could afford to help.

Her chuckle was sardonic as she unlocked the doors and slipped into the driver’s seat, depositing the loaf and Kyle’s card on the passenger side. He probably could afford it, but that didn’t mean she’d ever dare to ask for help. Amy didn’t take handouts. It was bad enough that he hadn’t let her pay for the bread. She’d just have to find the money for Jonah from somewhere .

“Not another loan.” Her groan was reflexive as she leaned back against the worn headrest.

She doubted she’d be eligible for more credit anyway after all the payments she’d missed, yet the idea of crawling back to the bank and begging for more debt was demoralizing. She had to do something, though. Jonah merited the opportunities that had evaded her. He deserved to thrive.

If only I had enough savings to give him the cash.

She bit down on her growing frustration as she reversed her car from its space.

If only I had something valuable to sell or the sort of wealth that meant I could hand out cash to the people I love.

If only, if only, if only.

As it was, she had nothing.

Pulling out of the parking lot, she steered her focus back to the day.

There were still errands to run.

***

I T WAS HOURS LATER when she found Kyle’s card again. She must have picked it up with the loaf and inadvertently thrown it on the tiny kitchen counter because that’s where she’d found it as the encroaching darkness shrouded the studio.

She ran her fingertips across the card again as the memories of her encounter with the tall, dark stranger exploded into her mind. In the haze of chores and traffic, she’d almost forgotten him and his surprising generosity, but leaning against the worktop, it all came flooding back.

“William Kyle.” She murmured his name aloud as her finger grazed over the font. “I wonder if you’re Will or Billy?”

As she recalled, he’d introduced himself as William, but she didn’t think it suited him. It was too formal—too stuffy. The man she’d met had class, but he hadn’t come across as someone who worried too much about convention. He’d been suave yet kind. Capable, yet conscientious.

“Oh, for God’s sake.” She rolled her eyes at her dreamy analysis. “Forget about him.”

She hadn’t wanted to throw his card away, yet she knew she would never call him. Amy had nothing to offer a man like that, and she had no cash or confidence to reciprocate his kindness. The most annoying aspect was that she’d stupidly failed to give him her number, so he would never be able to contact her. Her self-doubt and lack of foresight meant the two of them would probably never meet again.

It would have been lovely, though.

She permitted herself a small sigh.

Yes, it might have been lovely, but she had to be practical. Amy had real problems, like the small matter of her rent, which was overdue, and Jonah’s looming bill.

As though her son had read her mind, her phone burst into life beside her, his name lighting the screen in the gloomy kitchenette. Amy had learned not to use lights unless they were absolutely necessary, so the place was dark a lot of the time. As it buzzed on the counter, the phone’s illumination was almost ethereal.

“Hi, Jonah.” She pressed the speaker button, her free palm rising to cover Kyle’s card as if Jonah was there and could see the thing.

“Hi, Mum.” The strain in his voice told her instantly what he was calling for, her body tensing in response. Money. “I hate to chase you, but my tutor has asked about the revision program again. I didn’t know what to tell him.”

Amy’s belly twisted at the desperation in Jonah’s voice. “Tell him you’ll have the money tomorrow. I’ll wire it over to you.”

Right then and there, she made up her mind. She didn’t have much, but what little she’d saved for the rent covered the price of his program. If she had to let the apartment go and surf her friend’s sofas for a while, then so be it. Nothing was more important to her than his and Seth’s wellbeing and happiness, and while Seth was locked up in prison, Jonah was the only one she could focus on.

“Are you sure?” His tone was understandably skeptical. Jonah didn’t know the details, but he knew she didn’t have spare money stashed away.

“I’m sure.” She was resolute.

She’d do this for him, and he didn’t need to worry about how she’d achieved it. By the time he discovered the origins of the money, she was sure she’d have found her feet again.

Something had to turn up.

“Thank you.” Emotion crackled with his words. “This really means a lot.”

“I’m paying it forward.” She smiled. “A complete stranger was kind to me today, so I figured I could help out my own son.”

Briefly, she recollected that ‘stranger’, heat rising to her face as she realized just how much she’d enjoyed Kyle’s attention.

“I love you.” The warmth in Jonah’s declaration filled her heart. “I hope you know that.”

“I love you, too.” Tears sprung as she imagined the smiling face of her son. “Go on the program and smash your exams!”

“I will.” He sniffed, “I promise.”

A solitary tear tracked along her face as the line went dead, the affection and pride she felt for Jonah colliding with what should have been obvious. She didn’t have the money, and the only way she could keep good on her vow to wire it to him was to default on the rent and end up homeless.

“Forty-eight years old and it’s come to this.” She blew out a breath, wishing she’d had the money to buy a bottle of wine at the store, but as it was, there was only enough milk for a few cups of tea.

Standing there in the half-light, something shifted in her head. If you’d been watching her, you’d likely not have noticed, but to Amy, the change was perceptible, the realization sending tingles along her spine. If she’d reached the end of the line as far as her options were concerned, then why deprive herself of an evening with a kind and attractive man? She deserved that much, didn’t she? One night to dress up, be spoiled, and pretend everything was okay.

She wanted it.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything left to lose.” She wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand, her other palm sliding Kyle’s card to the fore. “I may as well take Mr. Kyle up on this mysterious offer and have a decent meal before destitution.”

Taking the card and her phone, she closed the limited distance to her old couch and slumped onto the tired seat. She switched on the neighboring lamp, using its light to punch in the correct digits. By the time she was ready to hit the call button, her pulse had elevated, reminding her of the handsome man she was about to contact.

What will I say?

She swallowed, unclear of the answer even as she made the call. Her hand trembled as she lifted the phone to her ear, and by the time the dialing tone reverberated, her mind was blank.

“William Kyle.” The same sophisticated voice she remembered from the store met her ear.

“Mr. Kyle.” She forced herself to speak, cringing at how croaky her voice sounded.

“Yes.”

“Hi, this is Amy...” She paused, wondering if he’d know who ‘Amy’ was. “From the store. We met earlier.”

You paid for my bread.

“Amy.”

She swore she detected his smile in his reply.

“I’m so happy you phoned. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“Yes, I...” Hesitating, she considered how to reply. She could hardly tell him the jeopardy of being penniless had inspired the call. She already questioned why a man like him would want a meal with a woman like her. “I wasn’t sure, either, but I’d like to take you up on your offer of dinner.”

“Excellent.”

The word resonated down the line, flowing over her the way a stiff drink might have done, if she could afford one.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?”

She was momentarily struck by how little time he was wasting—getting straight to the point, but then that had seemed to be the kind of man he was—the type who knew what he sought and went right after it. Dismissing the thought, she considered the answer to his question. Tomorrow, after she’d wired the money to Jonah and been compelled to tell her landlord that she didn’t have his rent, again, she’d probably be on the streets.

“Nothing I can’t cancel.”

That had sounded more illicit than she’d intended, but her lips tugged at her unintentional flirtation.

Not that it had been accidental.

She wanted the man, and the idea of enjoying one special meal with him before her house of cards came crashing down was more alluring than it had any right to be.

“Good answer.” His purr was appreciative. “Send me your address, and I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“I’d rather meet you at the restaurant,” she countered, knowing he’d likely interpret the reaction as distrust, where the truth was far simpler. She was ashamed to have anyone meet her in her neighborhood, let alone someone like Kyle. “If that’s okay.”

“Of course.” His tone was more businesslike. “I’ll text the address to this number.”

“Thank you.” Her heart was hammering so fiercely, she was sure he’d be able to hear it for himself. “I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”

“Oh, me, too.” His response was immediate. “And Amy...”

“Yes?” Something about his tone was edgier, an imperceptible change that accelerated her pulse even further.

“Wear something special for me.”