Page 53 of Finding Denver

He places the little girl on her feet but doesn’t move his gaze from me. It feels a little like being under a handsome microscope, and I don’t like it one bit. This is how I thought meeting Finn would feel, but instead, his nephew is watching me like he has no idea what I might do next.

“You’re early, Ronan.” Colt is suddenly beside me.

Ronan is still staring at me. “You’re Denver.”

I nod slowly. “I am.”

“Ronan.”

“I know.”

“I’m Holly,” the little girl says, and I look down at her. She’s grinning up at me, and I forget Ronan’s scrutiny and drop into a crouch.

“It’s nice to meet you, Holly.”

“Thanks. I like your hair.”

I flick it over my shoulder dramatically. “I grew it myself.”

Holly laughs, and I grin at her. I’m not around kids very often, and when I am, I always wonder about Theo. He’d be three soon. I try to imagine what he’d look like, the way he’d act, the things he’d like. The ache quickly starts in my chest, but I force a smile.

“Well, I have to run,” I say, and search through my purse to find one of my spare bracelets. “But first. Hold out your arm.” Holly does, and I tie an orange and pink bracelet around her wrist. “Perfect.”

She gasps. “It’s so pretty.”

“I have one, too.” I show her mine, and she blushes. “We’re twins.”

“Twins,” she repeats.

I stand just as Ronan is mouthing something to Colt. He quickly stops when he sees me looking. I narrow my eyes. “What are you two whispering about?”

Colt gives Ronan a look that suspiciously resembles a ‘shut up.’ “Nothing.”

“Just that you’re my sister-in-law,” Ronan says.

I can’t help blanching. Technically, yes, Ronan is my brother-in-law, but it’s weird to think about.

And on cue, Ranger calls me. Instead of answering, I look at Colt. “Can you send me those details for the security firm?”

He nods, tearing his gaze from my phone. “Will do.”

The cool air is welcoming when I reach the car and finally answer.

“Are you ready to come home?”

A question he’s asked me before. History repeats itself,but instead of hiding behind a murder charge, I’m hiding in another city.

“Are you ready to fix my casino deal and stop being a controlling piece of shit?”

Ranger’s silence should frighten me, but it doesn’t.

“What would you like me to say, little bird? Come home, I won’t stop you from growing, I’ll encourage it, I’ll stop having an opinion on your life?”

I scoff. “You think this is me silencing you? Are you fucking kidding?”

“What else would you call not allowing me to express my concerns over the way you’re living?”

“The way I’m—” I laugh. I can’t help it. “Have you been drinking? What even is this conversation?”