Page 31 of Hold Me Tight

As soon as I’m standing next to them, I reach out and stroke my finger along Nora’s downy cheek. “Hey, ladybug. It’s an exciting day! Are you ready for a big girl bed?”

She grins, showing off her pearly white teeth. “Rivvy!”

Callie blinks, staring first at her daughter and then at me. “Rivvy?”

“Seems easier than saying River. So, we’re just rolling with it.” When Callie’s brows pull together, I let out a low cough and change the subject. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” She points to a small SUV parked up the street that has seen better days. “I’ll take my own car and meet you there since I’ve got the car seat.”

I pop open the door to the passenger side of the truck and show her the brand-new seat I bought. “No need to do that.”

She stutters to a stop. “Wait a minute… You have one?”

I nod. “Yup.”

“Why?” Her voice comes out sounding uneven, like the question has too many layers and she’s afraid of the answer.

I shrug, trying to keep it casual. “I didn’t want you to have to unbuckle yours and then deal with reinstalling it. Those bases are a real pain in the ass.”

For the second time in a matter of minutes, she stares at me, lips parted slightly, as a storm of emotions crosses her face. Surprise, confusion, and something that looks suspiciously like gratitude.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she says, quieter now.

“I know. But I wanted to. It makes things easier.”

Without saying anything more, she gently straps Nora in before sliding onto the passenger seat up front. When she doesn’t immediately do the same for herself, I step close enough for the faint scent of her shampoo to wrap around me. My fingers brush her side as I reach for the seat belt, taking my time before drawing it across her chest.

She stills on a sudden intake of air as my knuckles graze the side of her breast before I click the latch. Instead of moving away, my hand remains in place, fingers resting lightly on the buckle.

When I finally look up, her wide eyes are locked on mine. Her pupils are dilated and her lips are parted ever so slightly. The air between us turns charged, as if the smallest movement might tip us over the edge.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

My gaze drops to her mouth and lingers there before lifting to meet her eyes again. “Anytime.”

I close the door gently, then hustle around the hood and slide in beside her. There’s something about having her so close that hits deeper than I expect. Honestly, it’s not a moment I ever thought I’d get to enjoy.

With a press of the button, I start the engine and pull away from the curb. Nora kicks and babbles the entire drive to the baby superstore. Callie remains quiet, fidgeting next to me. I rack my brain for something that will break the tension, but it remains stubbornly silent. As soon as we pull into the parking lot, Callie unlatches her seat belt and jumps out of the truck. By the time she opens the back door, I’m already there, nudging her out of the way and unhooking Nora from the seat.

“I can take her,” Callie says, reaching for her daughter.

I shake my head, already shifting Nora in my arms. “Nah, the two of us are tight now. We bonded the other night.” I glance at her. “Didn’t we, ladybug?”

Nora giggles and clutches a handful of my jacket, as if in total agreement.

Callie mutters, “I really don’t understand this at all. She doesn’t go to just anyone.”

A slow smile spreads across my face. “Guess it’s clear I’m not just anyone, then.”

Inside, the store smells like lavender wipes and baby powder. I carry Nora as we stroll the aisles, Callie beside me, her gaze flicking between the toddler beds and me like she’s trying to process both at the same time.

A sales associate sidles up to us. She’s all enthusiasm and big energy. “Oh my gosh, your daughter is adorable! And she looks just like you!”

When Callie opens her mouth, more than likely to clarify our relationship, I say before she can get the words out, “Thank you.”

Callie goes quiet beside me, but I feel her gaze as Nora flashes me a grin and rests her head on my shoulder.

We tell the associate what we’re looking for and she leads us to a fancy selection of toddler beds. We find one that’s all sleek lines, high safety ratings, and costs as much as a playoff ticket.