Page 104 of From the Start

He squeezes my hand as we climb the stairs to the fifth floor.

“I wish I could have met her.”

“Mom would have loved you. She wouldn’t have known what to do with you, but she would have loved you.”

He pins me to the wall next to the door to the fifth floor. “As long as you know what to do with me.”

His gaze dips to my mouth and I push up on my toes to press my lips to his. It’s a brief kiss. I won’t be making out in a stairwell at the hospital, no matter how much I enjoy those hospital television shows where everyone is sleeping with everyone.

When we return to the maternity ward, I nearly get run over by Zane in a wheelchair. Miles isn’t far behind him.

“Be careful,” Kai growls at them.

“What are you doing in a wheelchair?” I ask.

“Duh. It’s the wheelchair Olympics.” Zane grins. “And I’m winning.”

“Maybe I let you win,” Miles grumbles but everyone ignores him.

I hand Kai the coffees and chocolate bars we purchased. “What events are there?”

“We’re currently racing. Whoever can make it down the hallway in a wheelchair the fastest wins.”

I motion for him to get up. “I’m in. I assume the only rule is there are no rules.”

I settle in the wheelchair while Kai settles in Miles’s wheelchair.

“Ready. Set. Go!” Miles shouts.

I set off down the corridor using my hands and feet to increase my pace.

“You’re cheating,” Kai says. “No using your feet.”

I ram my wheelchair into his. “I thought there were no rules.”

His eyes narrow. “I’m going to get you.”

“You can try!” I sing as I rocket down the corridor. He tries to catch up to me, but I weave back and forth to stop him from passing me.

“Harper Poole, you are devious.”

I reach the end of the hallway and throw my hands in the air. “I’m the winner is what I am.”

Kai jumps from his chair and hauls me out of mine into his arms. “I love watching you let loose,” he whispers before his lips meld to mine. I sigh and he thrusts his tongue into my mouth. His whiskey and worn flannel scent surrounds me and I melt into him.

I could do this all day. And all night, for that matter. I love the taste of his lips. I love how his scent smells of home. I love how safe I feel in his arms. I love how he makes me feel not alone.

I love…

I need to stop with the love thing. I don’t love Kai. It’s too soon. He’s too young.

“Hey, lovebirds!” Rhett hollers and Kai grunts before releasing me.

“What?”

“The baby’s here.”

Kai’s eyes light up. “The baby’s here.”