Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Nothing,” she says casually. “Just checking in about the situation.”
With a frown, I rack my brain. “What situation are we talking about?”
“Come on, River. Keep up. The single mom you’ve got your eye on.”
“Ah. That situation.” I glance at Nora, who’s trying to feed me a spoonful, her hand wobbling as she holds it out. “I really wish you would have called fifteen minutes earlier. You probably would have told me that letting a two-year-old feed herself yogurt was not going to work out in my favor.”
“Rookie mistake,” Willow says with a laugh. “Although, if you don’t mind, I’d love some photographic evidence.”
“So you and Mav can laugh your asses off at my expense? Hard pass.”
“Aww, come on. We’re an old married couple. Don’t take away all our fun.”
I snap a quick selfie of me and Nora. The yogurt definitely made it into her hair and onto her nose.
Willow sighs, “Oh my God, she’s adorable.”
“Yup, that she is.”
“Speaking of which.” Willow none too subtly changes the topic of conversation. “Have you taken Callie out on a date yet? Wined and dined her a little bit? Busted out that famous Thompson charm? What’s your game plan here? I want all the details.”
I lean back in my chair, still holding the spoon Nora handed me. “Didn’t I mention she’s living here?”
There’s a moment of stunned silence before Willow practically shouts, “I’m sorry, what?”
I wince. “Yeah. It’s a temporary situation. It just kind of happened.”
“How was that not the lead of your last ten texts?”
I rub a hand over my face. “She and Nora were in a tough spot, and I offered to let her stay here until she figures things out.”
“And how’s that going?”
I glance at the toddler, who’s smearing the pink dairy product all over the tray with both hands like she’s finger painting. “Honestly? Better than I expected.”
“You sound different, Riv. Like you’re really into this woman.”
“I am,” I admit. “I like her a lot.” Even saying that feels weak. Like it’s not nearly enough.
“I love that for you. Truly. I want you to be happy.”
“I know.” I pause, swallowing hard. “She doesn’t know it yet, but I don’t want her to leave. I want this to turn into something real.”
“So… she has no idea this is more of a permanent situation?”
A crooked grin tugs at my lips. “Not yet.”
Willow laughs. “I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”
“Yeah, well, I’m terrified that I’m going to mess it up or scare her away.”
“You won’t,” she says with certainty. “Just keep showing up for her. Every day. That’s what matters.”
A lump forms in my throat. One I have to clear away before I’m able to speak again. “She’s been hurt before. And I can see how scared she is. Every time I get close, she pulls away, as if expecting it all to fall apart.”
Willow hums. “Then be the one who doesn’t leave.”
I nod, even though she can’t see it. “That’s the plan.”
“Oh, by the way, Autumn and Haven say hi. They miss their uncle like crazy.”
“I miss them too. Bet they’ve shot up another couple inches since I last saw them.”
“Feels like I’m buying new clothes every month. It’s crazy.”
“Maybe when you’re in town for the game, you can stop by and meet Callie and Nora,” I say before hesitating. “You’ll like them.”
There’s a pause on her end, like she understands everything I’m not saying. “That’s a big step.”
“It is. One I’m ready to take.” The acknowledgment sends a heavy thrum through my veins. “Although, let’s keep that between us for now. Do me a favor and don’t mention anything to Mom. You know how she gets. She’ll have a venue and flower arrangements picked out before Callie even meets her.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“Oh, about that…”
“Willow,” I say with a groan.
“Hey! She was bugging me about when we’re having a third kid. I panicked.”
“Well, that certainly explains the five voicemails she left me before seven this morning.”
“Sorry.” She doesn’t sound remotely apologetic for throwing me under the bus. “You have fun with that, okay?”
Before my sister and I can say goodbye, the ding of the elevator cuts through the air. I glance toward the entryway, half-expecting it to be Callie. As much as I’d love to see her, the last thing I want is for her to come back because she doesn’t trust me with Nora.
Instead, I find Knox, Laiken, Steele, Oliver, and Jax.
Laiken’s holding his daughter’s hand. Her smaller fingers are swallowed up in his larger ones, and she’s wearing a pink tutu over her leggings. The second the guys step into the kitchen and catch sight of Nora, who’s currently channeling her inner Picasso as she gleefully smears yogurt across the tray of her highchair, they all freeze.
A beat of stunned silence hangs in the air as they collectively take in the sight.