Page 69 of Hold Me Tight

“Wait a minute, that’s all we get after I just bared my soul?” I call after her.

She glances over her shoulder with a devilish smile lifting her lips. “And don’t you feel better for it?” Then she winks. “If it turns into anything more, I’ll be sure to bring it to the circle of trust.”

With that, the door closes behind her.

Lilah sips her tea and lets out a content sigh. “Never a dull moment around here, is there?”

“Nope,” I murmur, watching the door a beat longer before turning back to the table, to the people who now feel more like family. “Not even close.”

26

River

Nora’s sticky fingers tap the glass display case, leaving behind faint smudges from the half-eaten cookie I gave her ten minutes ago. We’re in a sports shop at the mall, and the jersey I’m holding is already wrinkled from her enthusiastic attempts to help me pick it out.

She’s wearing a sparkly pompom hat that covers her ears and makes her look like a walking snowball.

The teenager working the register leans over the counter, practically swooning. “Your daughter is such a cutie, it almost makes me want one of my own.”

“She’s definitely adorable,” I say with a smile, pulling out my wallet.

This kid has somehow managed to wedge herself into every corner of my heart in record time, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect her.

With a swipe of my card, I glance at the jerseys bundled in my hand. “One for my girl,” I say, nodding toward Nora, “and one for her mom.”

The cashier’s grin widens. “I bet she’ll love it.”

“I hope so.” I have no idea what Callie will say when I ask her to come to the next home game, but I know how it’ll feel if she’s not there.

Empty.

Off.

I want her in the stands and wearing my number. And I want Nora sitting on her lap with that big smile on her face, waving excitedly.

After the salesclerk bags the jerseys, I scoop Nora into my arms and we make our way to the mall exit. We’re halfway there when a loud voice cuts through the noise of the crowd.

“Well, shit.”

Recognition slams into me, and my entire body goes still. Without turning, I already know who I’ll find.

Zane.

Unfortunately, I’m not wrong.

He’s standing a few feet away, looking like he just stepped off the cover of GQ. That designer jacket fits him like it was custom made, and his sunglasses are shoved up on his head like he forgot he’s indoors. And those skinny jeans? It’s entirely possible they’re painted on.

The guy has no idea what matters in life and is too damn busy chasing all the wrong things. His smug expression slips the moment his gaze lands on Nora.

He looks from the toddler in my arms to me. “Is that my kid?”

My jaw tightens. “Yup, it is.”

He stares, as if struggling to process what I just said. “Why the hell do you have her?”

I adjust my hold as Nora rests her head against my shoulder.

“Callie’s parents weren’t feeling well this morning,” I say, keeping my tone even. “She had work, so I offered to watch her.”