Dylan deflated. “Yeah.” But then he perked up again. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be on TV anymore. Maybe she’s sick of it.”
And maybe the moon would stop orbiting the earth, but Shane didn’t think so. Diana was the way she was. Self-centered and addicted to attention. That had never changed.
“Just don’t get your hopes up.”
Dylan glared at him. “You should have let her stay. She’s our mum.”
“You may be her family, but I’m not. That ended when we signed the divorce papers. This is our home. Hers is in Los Angeles.” In a mansion. While they lived in a villa that badly needed repairs. But she hadn’t challenged him for custody during the split, so in return, he hadn’t requested any form of financial assistance. He’d just been relieved she hadn’t gotten it into her head to take the boys overseas because custody cases rarely favored the father, although he liked to think in these particular circumstances, they might have.
He tugged a hand through his hair, grounding himself in the present. “She can’t stay here,” he told them. “But if she wants to spend time with you, I won’t stop her. I just need you both to be honest if she calls you or drops by, okay? I won’t be mad. I just need to know.”
“Okay, Daddy,” Hunter agreed.
Dylan didn’t respond, and Shane didn’t force the matter because doing so wouldn’t end well. Instead, he excused himself to make some more calls. The first was to Logan, who, as the owner of the local pub, was well connected to the town’s gossip tree.
“Diana is in town,” he said by way of greeting.
“No shit?”
“She’s already been here and down to The Shack to talk to Faith. If she comes sniffing around, I’d really appreciate it if you could stonewall her.” Diana knew Logan and Shane were friends and that Logan was a single, good-looking guy who’d be vulnerable to her brand of charm. As such, he imagined Logan was reasonably high on her hit list. “I know she’s a celebrity and all—"
“She’s a stone-cold bitch, and if she comes by, I’ll make it known she’s not welcome.”
Shane’s shoulders dropped in relief. “Thanks, man.”
“No worries. I’ve got your back.”
Next, he called Bex. She reacted more violently than Logan had. As a fellow single parent, she knew how horrible it had been for him when Diana ran off and left him with a seven-year-old and a baby.
“If I see that awful woman, I’ll ruin her nose job,” she promised.
Shane wished he could laugh, but his mood was too grim. “Actually, the nose is natural. The breasts, though…. Pretty sure they’re not.”
She snorted. “Figures. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Actually… this is completely unrelated, but I was wondering if you’d be able to watch the kids one evening. I, uh”—he took the plunge—“I’d like to ask Faith out on a real date.”
“Yes!” she exclaimed. “I’d be thrilled to keep an eye on them if it means you finally get the chance to live your own life.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “What prompted this? Please say it wasn’t Diana.”
“It wasn’t.” That, he knew for sure. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with her, and I’m not ready for it to end yet.”
“Smart man. Jewels like Faith don’t come along often.”
“I know. I just hope I’m not setting my sights too high.” Aside from the boys being hurt, that was his biggest fear.
Bex laughed incredulously. “You were married to a film star. All the mothers at school drool over you. You could have any woman you want, and I’m not saying that because I’m your friend.”
Shane rolled his eyes. “I was dumped by a film star. The mothers like flirting with me because it’s harmless fun.” Harmless for them. He felt cornered every time he got caught in their sights.
“If you say so. Oh, crap. I have to go. Izzy just exploded a bag of flour over the kitchen.”
“Good luck with that.”
Shane’s final phone call was to Hugh MacAllister, a retired lawyer who now served as the town’s representative on the local council. Hugh had been Shane’s divorce attorney, and although he didn’t practice law anymore, he kept up to date with the legal legislation.
“Hi, Hugh,” he said when the man answered. “It’s Shane Walker here. Do you have a moment to talk?”
“That I do.” Hugh was one of those men who spoke slowly and clearly, with a deep voice that always sounded sincere. The kind of guy people instinctively trusted. “What can I help you with?”