6. Chloe

CHAPTER 6

Chloe

I sit at my dining room table, staring into my coffee mug as if it holds all the answers to life's questions. Lisa's here, chatting away about her latest dating disaster, but I can barely focus on her words. My mind's stuck on Rendal - his gentle smile, his kindness towards Penelope, the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs.

"Earth to Chloe!" Lisa's voice snaps me back to reality. "What's going on with you? You're quieter than a mouse in church."

I sigh, finally looking up at her. "Is it that obvious?"

"Honey, you've been stirring that coffee for five minutes straight. I'm surprised you haven't created a whirlpool."

I can't help but chuckle at her exaggeration. "Okay, okay. It's... it's Rendal."

Lisa's eyebrows shoot up. "Ooh, the hot orc dad?" Now I'm starting to regret ever mentioning him to Lisa… I want to shake my head at her. "Spill!"

"I'm starting to have feelings for Rendal, but I'm scared," I admit, resuming my absent-minded stirring. "What if-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence with 'what if he's like Jason,'" Lisa interrupts, reaching across the table to grab my hand. "You deserve to be happy, Chloe. Just because Jason walked out doesn't mean Rendal will."

I nod, grateful for her support, but the fear of history repeating itself still gnaws at me. "I know, I know. It's just... opening up again, it's terrifying."

"Of course it is," Lisa says softly. "But from what you've told me, Rendal seems like a great guy. And Penelope adores him and Zola."

"She does," I agree, a small smile tugging at my lips. "They're so cute together."

Lisa grins. "See? That's the Chloe I know. Now, tell me more about this hunky orc. Does he have a brother?"

I burst out laughing. "Lisa!"

"What? A girl's gotta ask!"

We chat for a while longer, but soon Lisa glances at her watch and jumps up.

"Shit, I'm late for my yoga class!"

"Since when do you do yoga?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Since hot yoga instructor Brad started teaching at the gym." She winks, grabbing her purse.

I roll my eyes, but I'm still grinning. "Of course. Go get 'em, tiger."

As she heads for the door, Lisa turns back. "Hey, Chloe?"

"Yeah?"

"Promise me you'll give Rendal a chance. You deserve some happiness... and some hot orc lovin'."

I throw a dish towel at her, my face burning. "Get out of here, you menace!"

Her laughter echoes down the hallway as she leaves, and I shake my head, still chuckling. Leave it to Lisa to make me laugh, even when my heart's tied up in knots.

"Hey, Penny?" She comes rushing into the room. "Want to go play outside?"

She takes off before I can stop here, and I chuckle as I step out on the porch and settle into the swing there. The gentle creaking of the chains matches the rhythm of my swaying thoughts. My little girl's laughter fills the air, a stark contrast to the memories that flood my mind.

Bringing Jason up is always hard for me, dredging up so much that I've tried to forget. The day he left us replays in my head like a cruel movie I can't turn off.

It was a cold, rainy evening. The kind of weather that chills you to the bone. I remember the argument, his voice rising over the patter of rain against the windows. Then came the slam of the door, so final, so loud it seemed to shake the entire house.

I held Penelope as she cried, her tiny body wracked with sobs she couldn't understand. My own tears mixed with hers, a cocktail of heartbreak and betrayal. How could he just walk away from us? From her?

The pain of that abandonment washes over me anew, as fresh as if it happened yesterday. It makes my chest tight, my breathing shallow. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold the pieces together.

But what's worse is when Penelope starts asking about Jason. Most days, I think she doesn't feel the pain I do, but some nights, she crawls into my bed, her little face scrunched up with confusion and hurt, and asks why her daddy doesn't come to see her anymore.

I never have a good answer for her, and that stings like salt in an open wound. How do you explain to a six-year-old that her father chose to walk away? I can't excuse Jason's behavior, and I can't shield her from the hurt. I feel like I'm failing her every time I stumble over my words, trying to find an explanation that won't shatter her world even more.

Which makes the entire situation with Rendal all the more terrifying. He's everything Jason wasn't - kind, attentive, and so good with both Penelope and Zola. But if I allow myself to fall for him, to open my heart again, it might rip open old wounds not just for me but for my daughter. And I just don't know if she can handle any more heartache. The thought of her getting attached to another father figure only to potentially lose him too... It makes my stomach churn.

I'm not sure I can handle it either. The risk seems so high, and I've already been burned once. The idea of putting myself out there again, of trusting someone with not just my heart but Penelope's too, it's almost paralyzing. But then I think of Rendal's warm smile, the way he looks at me like I'm something precious, and I wonder if maybe, just maybe, it might be worth the risk.

The shrill ring of my phone startles me out of my reverie. I fumble for it, my heart skipping a beat when I see Rendal's name on the screen.

"Hello?" I answer, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Hey, Chloe," Rendal's deep voice comes through, sending a warm flutter through my chest. "I was wondering if you and Penelope would be up for a playdate sometime soon?"

I glance at Penelope, still running around the yard, her laughter echoing in the air. A smile tugs at my lips. "Actually, why don't you two come over now? We're just hanging out at home."

"Really? That'd be great. We'll head over in a bit."

After we hang up, I call Penelope over. "Guess what, sweetie? Zola and her dad are coming to play!"

Her eyes light up. "Yay! Can we have a tea party?"

"Of course," I laugh, ruffling her hair.

Thirty minutes later, I hear a car pull up. Penelope races to the door, yanking it open before I can even reach it.

"Zola!" she squeals, hugging her friend.

Rendal chuckles, his imposing figure filling the doorway. "Hey, Chloe," he says, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Hi," I breathe, suddenly aware of how messy my hair must be from the porch swing.

The girls dash off to Penelope's room, leaving us adults in a moment of awkward silence.

"So," Rendal starts, rubbing the back of his neck. "How've you been?"

"Good, good." I nod, gesturing for him to come in. "Just enjoying the nice weather. How about you?"

We chat easily as we make our way to the backyard, watching the girls play. Rendal's presence is comforting, like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. As the afternoon wears on, I find myself relaxing more and more.

Before I know it, the sun is starting to set. "Would you two like to stay for dinner?" I ask, surprising myself with the invitation.

Rendal's face lights up. "We'd love to, if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all," I smile, leading everyone inside.

As I prepare a simple pasta dish, Rendal helps set the table, and the girls chatter excitedly about their day. The kitchen fills with laughter and the aroma of garlic and herbs.

Sitting down to eat, I can't help but notice how natural this feels – the four of us together, sharing a meal. Rendal catches my eye and smiles, and I feel a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the food.

Dinner only gives them another burst of energy, but we don't mind, letting them play together until they are exhausted. Only once they are collapsing in a giggling heap on the living room floor do Rendal and I decide to call it a night.

"Alright, munchkins," Rendal's deep voice rumbles with amusement. "Time to clean up before we head out."

As the girls start halfheartedly picking up toys, I begin gathering scattered crayons and coloring books. Rendal moves to help, his large hands surprisingly deft as he stacks building blocks.

"You don't have to stay and help," I say, but there's no real protest in my voice.

He grins, green skin wrinkling around his eyes. "I want to."

We work in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds are the soft thuds of toys being put away and the girls' whispered conversation. As I reach for a stuffed unicorn, my fingers brush against a framed photo on the bookshelf. It's of me and Penelope, taken not long after Jason left. The sight of it makes my chest tighten.

Before I can stop myself, the words tumble out. "Penny's father left us when she was just a baby," I say quietly, not looking up. My hands tremble slightly as I set the unicorn in its basket.

Rendal stops what he's doing and comes to stand next to me, his presence solid and reassuring. He doesn't say anything, just waits patiently for me to continue.

I take a shaky breath. "It was... hard. Terrifying, really. Being alone with a baby, not knowing how I was going to manage." I risk a glance at him, finding his blue eyes fixed on me, full of understanding.

"I can't imagine how difficult that must have been," he says softly.

His words, simple as they are, unlock something in me. "I was so angry at first. Then just... sad. For me, for Penny. She deserved better."

Rendal nods, his brow furrowed in thought. "You both did."

I swallow hard, fighting back the tears that threaten to fall. "I'm scared, Rendal. Of letting anyone else in, of Penny getting hurt again."

He's quiet for a moment, then speaks with a gentleness that belies his imposing size. "I can't promise I won't make mistakes, but I'm not going anywhere," he says softly, his sincerity evident.

His words provide a small measure of comfort, but my heart remains guarded. I want to believe him, to trust in the warmth and safety I feel when he's around. But the memory of Jason's departure is still too raw, too painful.

"Thank you," I manage to whisper, offering him a small smile.