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“Goodbye, Tori.” Even to her own ears, it sounded final.

“Let’s set up a play date some time. Harley loves to play with other kids.”

The offer was tempting, but again, Miranda had no idea how long Rebel would be living with her. “We’ll see.”

nine

“Are they here yet?” Harley’s sweet voice reached her ears.

Tori couldn’t help but also be excited. When she’d texted Miranda to see if she wanted a playdate for the kids, she hadn’t expected to actually be taken up on that offer. But they were due at the apartment in the next ten minutes, and Harley had been asking if it was time yet for the last two hours.

“Almost, Pumpkin.” Tori brushed her fingers through Harley’s hair. Siena had to switch weekends, which meant Harley was still at Tori’s for the second one in a row. Miranda had seemed pleasant the couple of times Tori had run into her at the daycare center that week. It had been nice, like Tori was actually making progress getting through to her.

When they arrived and Tori opened the door, her stomach clenched hard. Miranda was back in her usual garb, the beautiful royal blue dress accentuating every single one of her curves. Tori’s mouth went dry as soon as she laid eyes on her, and of course, Rebel, who wiggled on her hip.

“I’m so sorry we’re late. I had some things run late at work.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Tori found herself again, smiling as she stepped to the side to let Miranda and Rebel in. “Harley is super excited to play with you.” She tickled her fingers at Rebel. “We can do a late lunch and snack if you want. I’m sure the kids are going to be hungry in the next five minutes.”

“That sounds divine. I haven’t eaten today.”

“What?” Tori locked her eyes on Miranda’s honeyed brown ones. “Why?”

“We were running late all day. It’s not abnormal for me.”

“We’ll have to fix that.” Tori shut the door, and as soon as the lock clicked in place, Miranda bent to send Rebel off with Harley. When she stood up again, arousal tightened in the pit of Tori’s stomach. She hadn’t expected that. She thought after the last time they’d spent some time together that it would be gone.

Harley disappeared with Rebel, calling her sweet name and taking her by the hand down the short hallway to her bedroom. Miranda looked far more relaxed this time than the last, not sending worried glances toward the girls.

“I see some of Harley’s clothes are coming in handy.”

“Yes, thank you. It was just in time for the colder weather to hit.”

Tori pressed a smile into her lips, tight. “Were you working a service this morning?”

“We had a simple memorial for a soldier. Graveside only with military rites and only a few family present.”

“I always think it’s a pity that more people don’t show up for those.” Tori stepped into her kitchen, ready to figure out what to feed everyone.

Miranda shrugged slightly, following her. She still had on those killer heels that she usually wore. Tori glanced at them, trailing her gaze up Miranda’s shapely calves to her hips, the swell of her breasts, and then her mouth. She lingered there before flushing furiously. Miranda had caught her appraisal.

“Like what you see?” Miranda didn’t move, her tone huskier than Tori had ever heard it before.

Her heart skittered as her brain tried to catch up with her mouth. Tori had to say something in response to that, right? Surely Miranda would be expecting it. But the real question was if she was offended by Tori’s appraisal or not, and Tori couldn’t quite tell from the pitch in her voice or the tension in her shoulders if she was.

“You’re a very attractive woman.” Tori cringed. She was awful at this.

Miranda’s cheeks took on a rosy tinge. “Likewise.”

“Hardly.” Tori grasped the topic and went with it. “You’re stunning. I’m your run of the mill soccer mom.”

Humming, Miranda stepped in closer. “And what makes you think that’s not attractive?”

Was this flirting? Tori’s hand shook as she grabbed the crackers from the back of the kitchen counter. Miranda was coming on strong, for sure, but what had caused the shift? “I’ve dated a few women since Siena and I separated, but there’s always been a hiccup somewhere in there.”

“What’s the hiccup?”

“Me…usually.” Tori frowned. She opened the package of crackers and dumped them into a small plastic, kid-proof, bowl. “I usually want to jump into a relationship with both feet, and most women don’t want that when I come with a kid in tow.”