Blue-Eyed Soul by Fae Sutherland, Chelsea James

the world once gay rights went completely mainstream." He shook his head. "Speculating about my daughter, Remey. Maybe this is all run of the mill for you, but it's not for me. And I don't want it to become the norm for me or my family."
    Remey shook his head. "Me neither, believe me. I just... It's part of my life. I can't stop it, I can't control it and trying to makes things worse. I realize it's a big negative mark in the 'pros and cons of getting involved with Remey' list, but... I'm not sure what I'm trying to say except I'm sorry and I don't want what happened to ruin... whatever else could happen." He sighed and shrugged helplessly. "I'm sorry."
    Aleks felt like a complete jerk, but he wasn't sure what to do to make Remey feel any better when he didn't feel any differently than he had this morning or five minutes ago. He did feel like he owed Remey a partial explanation, though.
    "Willow's mother is sort of famous. Did you know?"
    Remey blinked up at him. "No, I didn't. She is?"
    Aleks nodded. "Jazz singer. Remember I said I managed a club in New York?"
    "I remember."
    Aleks let out a small sigh, and Remey gestured to the couches in the living room. "Do you want to sit?"
    Aleks shook his head, running both hands through his hair.
    "No. I feel like I should explain. Regan--that's her name--performed fairly often at the club I managed. It's how we met. We got married and had Willow, but it wasn't the life she wanted, I guess. Turned out she was sleeping with her manager. I found out courtesy of the gossip rags. The local media had a field day with it. There were gossip and rumors floating around every which way, since Regan's fairly well known on the jazz scene. It was ugly. When I got custody of Willow, I moved back here to Haven to keep her away from all that, among other reasons."
    Remey blew out a shaky breath. "I see. Does she see Willow at all?"
    Aleks shrugged. "She drifts in and out a couple of times a year on her own schedule, with presents and her new husband. We've come to terms and are amicable, but Willow needs security, which wasn't something Regan was ever going to give her. Regan loves her, but it's not the kind of life Willow needs, which Regan knows, so she never fought me for custody. But you can see why I'd want to keep Willow from getting dragged into that kind of environment now."
    Remey nodded. "Absolutely. I understand, Aleks. Believe me, I do. If I were in your shoes, I'd feel the same way. And even from this side of it, I do understand. I don't like the paparazzi, but they're part and parcel of being famous, so I've learned to deal, like I've learned to deal with spending weeks and months at a time living on a tour bus. If you're determined not to get involved with me, then I can't and wouldn't try to change your mind. I guess, I hate it might be because of something I can't control or stop."
    Aleks knew he should leave it at that. Remey was agreeing they shouldn't mess with this attraction anymore, so case closed, right? But, like most things in Aleks's life, it was never as easy as it ought to be. His head might say, Okay, you got what's best, so let's drop it, but his heart--and maybe parts of him that shouldn't get a vote--wasn't quite ready to turn it in yet.
    "Why did you move here, Remey?" He waved his hand abruptly, shaking his head. "I don't mean the whole 'I saw a postcard and decided to' story. I want the real story. Why did you move to Haven?"
    Remey blinked, then glanced down, nodding. "Take off your coat and come sit down, please. I feel awkward doing this in the entryway."
    Aleks slid his coat off and hung it on the coat rack in the hall, then followed Remey to the living room. He'd done a lot of unpacking and arranging, and it looked nice. Sparse still, but more like somebody lived there than before. He couldn't help but smile, gesturing to the bay window area. "You got the piano at Carl's."
    Remey glanced over his shoulder and smiled, nodding. "Yeah. I couldn't resist. Here,