Page 48 of Hold Me Tight

The beat of silence from her end says it all.

“Damn,” she whispers. “You’re already in deep, huh?”

“I’ve been in deep for a while now. And there’s no way I can continue to sit back and do nothing. Not when she’s carrying the weight of the world. She and her daughter deserve better. They deserve someone who’ll show up for them every damn day. Not just when it’s convenient and fits into his schedule.”

Willow doesn’t joke or tease. “Whatever you need to do, I’m one hundred percent behind you. Always have been. Always will be.”

Just like that, the last of the tension leaks from my shoulders as I push through the exit and head toward the parking garage. “Thanks, sis. That means more than you know.”

“This woman must be really special to have you tangled up like this.”

“She’s so much more than that,” I admit. “You’re going to love her. And Nora? She’s incredible. Smart as hell, sweet as can be, and funny in that way that sneaks up on you. She’s got this little dimple when she smiles…”

I stop myself as a slow grin spreads across my face.

“I can’t wait to meet her. Hopefully soon. Like the next time you guys play Mav’s team. Hint, hint.”

“We’ll see about that. It might be a little too soon.” I click the button to unlock the truck as I step into the cold air of the garage before admitting, “I want them so damn much, but I don’t know if Callie will ever believe I’m not like her ex.”

“Then show her. Every day. Not with big promises, but with small things. Real things. Until she understands the difference.”

I jerk the door open, climb into the driver’s seat, and start up the engine.

Zane had his chance and he blew it.

Now it’s my turn.

And I’ll be damned if I let Callie or Nora slip through my fingers the way he did.

21

Callie

From beneath my lashes, I steal a glance at River.

He’s smiling at Nora like she hung the moon in the sky, completely captivated by the way she insists on feeding herself. Her fist is wrapped around the handle of her fork as she stabs noodles and tender bites of beef with toddler-like determination. There’s sauce on her chin, cheek, even eyelashes, but he doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, he looks enchanted. As if she can do no wrong.

Why can’t I stop staring?

Even when I force myself to refocus on the plate in front of me, my gaze unconsciously drifts back to him. It’s easier to watch River when he’s so wrapped up in Nora and doesn’t notice me looking.

It’s just another thing that makes this situation feel dangerous.

The way he so effortlessly rearranged his life and opened his home to us. The quiet rhythm we’ve slipped into. The shared dinners and laughter, along with the warmth that’s sprung up between us. The way he moves through his space like it was always meant to include us in it.

It shouldn’t feel this easy.

Nothing in my life has felt this simple in years.

I twirl my fork through the noodles, trying to shake off the heaviness pressing down on me.

When I can’t take another moment, I glance across the table at him again and am shocked by the words that tumble out. “You’re going to spoil me.”

They sound more like an accusation.

He doesn’t miss a beat. “That’s the plan.”

I reach for my glass of water, needing something to keep me from totally unraveling. The coolness grounds me, but only for a moment. I take a sip and try to swallow the feelings that are starting to take root inside me like stubborn weeds.