Page 89 of Free to Live

I lean until our foreheads are touching. “I know. Now.”

“You went from being my friend to more. I didn’t realize it was self-defense being unable to open myself up to being that vulnerable until I realized you were walking away last night and I thought it was for good.”

“It almost was,” I admit. “I finally realized I deserved love.”

He shudders against me. “Thank God.”

Pulling back, I meet resistance when his hand stops me. “What?”

“Thank God you realize you deserve love. Because I’m going to spend a hell of a long time making you understand this isn’t a game I’m playing, Holly.”

My heart thuds wildly in my chest.

“I don’t know exactly how it happened, but I refuse to fight against these feelings anymore. I already know I’ve been blessed with finding three women in my life where the fall seems almost effortless.”

“Three?” I choke out.

“Mary.” His fingers move away from my neck, and I mourn the loss. “Grace.” They cup my chin and pull my face closer than it already is. “And you,” he says, right before he kisses me in full view of anyone passing by. My mind is so scrambled by his words and his lips on mine, I forget where we are until there’s a tap on the window. It sounds like a woodpecker, but in my lifting daze, I realize woodpeckers don’t peck against glass. Just wood.

Oh crap.

“What’cha doin’, Aunt Howee?” Kalie yells, her voice muffled through the glass. Turning my head, I find Ali standing there holding my precious niece in her arms, a serene smile on her face. I can almost hear the “Told you so” transmitting from the broad smile on her face.

I guess I don’t need to worry about her reaction. I smile shakily. She shakes her head and motions for me to roll down the window. “Too bad Miss Tiffany is out sick. I’d pay money for you to repeat that kiss when you pick up Grace,” my sister says mischievously.

Joe laughs while I flush to the roots of my hair. “You’re such a brat,” I grouse.

“No, I’m overwhelmingly happy. We’ll see you both at family dinner tomorrow night, Joe?” Ali queries.

Oh shit. Family dinner. I throw myself back into my seat with a groan.

“What is it, sweetheart? I already know everyone. It can’t be that bad.”

Together Ali and I both say, “Yes, it can.”

Joe pales a little. I regain a bit of my equilibrium and laugh. Turning to Ali, I ask, “I get camera rights.”

“Hell no, you don’t. Someone will be taking pictures, but it won’t be you, baby girl.”

I glare at her. “Go away. I’m not speaking to you.”

“For now. Tomorrow, I’ll be your best ally against Phil, and you know it.” Unfortunately, I know Ali’s right. I flap my hand at her, and she shoots us her dazzling smile before turning to put Kalie in her car seat.

I call out, “Ali?” She turns. “Thank you for everything. You know I love you, right?”

Her eyes well up. “I didn’t have a doubt, baby.” Before I start bawling, I quickly roll up the window.

Turning back to Joe, I’m not surprised when he reaches for my hand. I am surprised when he asks, “Why do they call you baby girl?” His thumb brushes across my knuckles.

Smiling, I return the gesture and explain our family pecking order conceding with, “As the youngest, I think they’ve always been protective of me.”

Lifting my hand to his lips, he whispers his lips across my fingers. “I love you had that.”

“Me too.”

“I want that for Grace.”

I rear back in shock. “What?”