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The way I could sense the joy coming off her.
A landslide of it.
The two of them emitting this contradictory energy that pummeled through the air and slammed into me.
Wondered if Emery could somehow feel me, too, because when she turned to scan the lot, those eyes almost instantly found me.
Scorching.
Penetrating.
All that fear and worry she’d been feeling came at me full force.
Bashing against my being.
I couldn’t do anything but slide off the top of the picnic table.
Guts a tangle of uncertainty and knees weak when the three of them started in my direction. Both women held onto one of the little girl’s hands, this child who was skipping and jumping and giggling between them.
Swore, with every step they took, an earthquake rolled beneath my feet. My entire world shaken the closer they got.
It was Emery who brought them to a stop when they got within ten feet.
A wall of volatile energy separated us.
The woman at war as she stood there staring at me.
“Kane.” My name was nothing but a plea and a warning.
But for once, since the first time I’d seen her, she wasn’t who I was staring at.
Because I was fucking stuck.
Glued.
Chained to this little thing who was just beaming up at me.
Nothing but chubby cheeks and cherub face and those eyes that were forever going to haunt me in my dreams.
Piercing emerald rimmed in gold.
She had a dimple on her chin and her hair was done in two braids on either side of her head.
This child nothing but perfection.
The most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“Is this your friend who you really wanted me to meet, Auntie Em?” Her little voice was tinkling. No chance of keeping the delight out of it.
My chest tightened at the sound.
“Yes. This is my friend, Kane.” Emery lifted her chin and inhaled a tremulous breath. “Kane, this is Maci.”
The little girl let go of a giggle that battered against the tension that held the rest of us.
“Hi, Mr. Kane! It’s very nice to meet you! Did you want to play at the park with us? I really like the lake, and I got abavingsuit andeveryfing. And guess what?!”
Fuck me.