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“True. Fine. I’ll stop pestering you about Keegan. I won’t even tell you that when she went out to LA last fall, she had a massive thing for you.”

“Me or Loomis Powell?” I can’t help but ask.

“You, you douche. You know that. Yes, Keegan crushed on you as a celebrity and movie star, but she liked you as you.”

“Don’t tell me that.” I knew Keegan wanted something to happen. I assumed it was a celebrity fling the way it is with all women and me since I knew she was headed back to Boston and, therefore, was aware nothing could happen beyond that. I didn’t know it was more than that, and hearing Tinsley say it and then knowing Keegan fell in love with Alden shortly after I all but rejected her fucking stings.

I hated hearing about him then, and I hate hearing about him now.

“I didn’t say anything,” she deadpans. “Call me tonight so I know how it all went. I love you, and it’s going to be fine.”

“Thank you. I love you, too. Kiss Stone and his mangy cat for me.”

She laughs. “Will do. Kiss Keegan for me.”

“Ha-ha. You’re a laugh riot.”

“I know, but I’m also serious. Bye now.”

I slip my phone into my pocket and rise off the bed, ready to go wake up Fen so he has enough time to eat and then have a bath. My hands are already shaking. This is going to be the longest day of my life.

18

Loomis has been strumming on his guitar and singing for the last half an hour. I’ve noticed he does this especially when he’s got a lot on his mind, and right now, he’s bleeding from one song to the next with hardly a break. Fen doesn’t mind. He likes it when his daddy sings, and he’s oblivious, adorable, and happy as always.

He and I have been building block towers, and then he cracks up when I knock them down and say, “Oh no.”

“Where did you learn to play and sing like that?” I ask, knocking our latest tower over. “Oh no!” On cue, Fen laughs and tries to rebuild it, so I’ll do it again.

“My father,” Loomis replies somewhat bitterly, though his fingers haven’t stilled on the strings or frets. “He used to play pubs on weekends for extra cash, though he’d end up drinking most of it away that same night.”

“He taught you to play? I mean, your voice is incredible, but I’m not sure something like that can be taught. I’m shocked you and Tinsley don’t sing more in your films or record something together.”

A hint of a grin tickles the corner of his full lips. “When I was a lad, I had dreams about being a rock star. I’d imagine myself playing to sold-out venues and touring the world as Tinsley does. Acting wasn’t my life’s goal or aspiration. I started with it to spite my father since it was his and found I loved it. Music soothes me, and I have no aptitude to write my own. Maybe someday Tins and I will do a musical together. Who knows.”

“Can you play her songs?”

He smirks and shifts right into a Tinsley Monroe song that perks Fen’s ears.

“What about Taylor Swift?” I taunt.

That smirk grows into a cocky grin, and he transitions right into… “Willow.” Holy shit. Loomis Powell is playing freaking Taylor Swift like a god, and he’s doing it all from memory. No sheet music. It’s in his head. And then he practically impregnates me when he starts to sing it. I’ve never had a rock star swoon moment, but yeah, he just got me wetter than if I fell in the pool.

“Any other requests?” he quips, and after that kiss and now this, my vagina is screaming,yes! Me!

“Nope. You’ve more than proven yourself.” I clear the wanton slut from my voice and completely change the topic. “Is it weird when you have love scenes with Tinsley? I’ve always wondered.”

He glances up, his eyes sparkling a bit where they had been flat and empty all morning. It’s nice to see. “Yes and no. Love scenes are very scripted and rehearsed. Thankfully, Tinsley never gets naked in films. Even during some of our hotter scenes, she was always wearing something. When I kiss or touch her, we’re typically surrounded by at least a dozen set crew and the director. Plus, I’ve never felt anything when I kissed her. That’s not always the case, regardless of the massive audience, which is yet another reason why I love filming with Tinsley as much as I do.”

“You’ve never felt anything with her? Not once?” I ask dubiously. Tinsley is nothing if not gorgeous, and I’ve seen some of their scenes. They are hot and full of passion.

“No. Never. She’s not my type in the least.” He gives me a slow once-over before he returns to his guitar. “I like my women a little older and with curves to spare.”

Naturally, my cheeks heat, and I swear, one of these days, I’m going to have corrective surgery for that. Loomis starts playing and singing again, and I continue to play with Fen. Per Loomis’s attorney, Child and Family Services doesn’t typically travel out of state to make house calls, which isn’t shocking. Loomis’s case is special, and I know he’s reimbursing the state for the expenses.

I’ve had experiences with CFS before as a doctor. I’ve had newborns I’ve had to place calls on, which is heartbreaking and tragic. I know Loomis is nervous, and I understand why. But he’s not a danger to his son, and as of right now, no one is challenging him for custody of Fenric.

To me, this is a formality.