Page 21 of Hold Me Tight

This isn’t a date.

He doesn’t have to make friends with Nora.

Still, a tiny part of me wishes he’d tried.

Beau extends his arm, clearly in a hurry to get out of here, and in all honesty, so am I. When I turn to River, I find his attention already pinned to me.

“My number and Nora’s schedule for the evening are on the kitchen table. She just needs a bedtime story before she goes down at eight.”

River nods. “Got it.”

This is so much harder than I anticipated. “Call if you need anything.”

Instead of brushing off my concern, he offers a supportive smile, as if he understands exactly how hard this is for me. “I will. We’ll play for a bit and then read some stories. We’ll be fine. I promise.”

With a nod, I turn to leave, but something makes me glance back at them. River is smiling at Nora as she chatters excitedly on his lap.

When I remain frozen in place, captivated by the sight, Beau slips an arm around my waist before steering me out the door. “Shall we?”

I nod. “Yes, thank you.”

With one last look at the pair, I close the door behind us as we step into the chilly night air. Beau leads me to a sleek black car with tinted windows that idles near the curb. A man wearing a black suit jumps out of the driver’s side as soon as he sees us before rushing around the vehicle and opening the door.

I hesitate a beat too long before sliding into the back seat. Beau follows me inside the luxurious sedan. For just a split second, I can’t help but wish I were staying home.

Or maybe I wish it were River taking me out instead.

I shove that thought deep down and lock it inside a vault where it’ll never see the light of day, then I force myself to smile.

This is business.

Something that can save the bakery and get us back on even footing again.

What I need is for this to work out.

10

River

“Rivvy!”

Nora plops into my lap like she’s been doing it her whole life, her little fingers clutching a green crayon like it’s a sword. She’s been calling me Rivvy all night, and I swear to God, every time she says it, it hits me right in the chest and knocks the air from me.

Even though I’ve only been here for an hour, it already feels like she’s got me wrapped around her little finger.

How isn’t Zane totally obsessed with his daughter?

It doesn’t make a damn bit of sense.

And then there’s her mother…

Nora pulls my attention back to her when she holds up a lopsided drawing. It could be a unicorn or a dinosaur. Possibly both. Or maybe it’s just a bunch of scribbles. She beams, as if she just painted the Mona Lisa.

How can I not smile back?

“Should we hang it on the fridge, ladybug?” I ask. “Your mama is going to love it.”

She scampers into the kitchen and stares at the refrigerator. I grab a couple magnets and place them strategically on the drawing. As soon as that’s done, she grins at it before racing back to the living room and climbing onto the couch. With a small sound, she pats the cushion next to her.