Page 19

CHAPTER 19

SIENNA

Zander’s voice rings across the store, and I come running. I nearly take out the poor man who stopped to help us look and have to shout a quick apology over my shoulder as I tear down the aisle and barrel into Zander for the second time today.

Once again, he catches me with his free hand while I let out a surprised squawk, then blink at my daughter, who is happily clinging to him like a spider monkey.

“Hi, Mommy.” She’s using her cutest voice, but I’m not having it for a second.

“Zoey Beth Erling,” I growl at her, taking her out of Zander’s arms and perching her on my hip. “I told you to stay close to me. You know you’re not supposed to play hide-and-seek at the store. That’s naughty.”

Zoey’s expression bunches, her lip sticking out in a dramatic pout before her mouth opens and a pitiful wail shoots out of her.

“Zoey.” I try to calm her before she gets into that piercing register that makes my ears bleed. “It’s okay. I’m just frustra?—”

Her wail increases, cutting me off as Zander’s big, blond friend wanders down the aisle, grinning like he can’t hear the banshee cry echoing throughout the store.

“Yay.” He pumps his fist in the air with a grin. “The lost have been found.”

I wince as Zoey’s cry pitches to new heights.

“Okay, that’s enough, sweetie.” I rub her back and go to kiss her cheek, but she lurches away from me.

“No.” Stretching out her arms, she throws herself at Zander, who easily catches her and snuggles her against his chest. She buries her face in his neck, crying like the world has ended while I stand there trying not to notice how incredibly sexy Zander looks holding my little daughter in his big, strong arms.

His hand splays across her back, and he starts murmuring something in her ear that soon has her raucous tears under control.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I mutter, gaping up at him while he gives me a triumphant little grin.

I roll my eyes, and he starts to register that yes, seeing my daughter—who I have been raising for over two years now—launching herself into his arms is making me a little salty.

“Sorry,” he mouths before going back to his soothing murmurs. “It’s okay, baby girl. It’s okay.”

His husky voice is torturing me all over again, amplifying those feelings that I tried to bury deep under a mountain of hurt and anger and pain.

But there I go, erupting in a matter of seconds, my heart melting and bleeding all at the same time .

Zoey hiccups against Zander’s shoulder, and I swallow, not even sure what I’m supposed to do right now. All I seem capable of is gazing up at my daughter being comforted by her father and wishing a thousand times over that things could have gone differently.

“Well.” Wily claps his hands together. “I say after a trauma like this, we probably all need ourselves some ice cream.”

Zoey’s tears dry up instantly, her head shooting off Zander’s shoulder so she can look at his friend with a hopeful smile. “Ice ceem?”

I glare up at him, and he gives me an awkward frown. “Uh… yeah, I figure ice cream always makes everything better, right?”

“Me ice ceem?” Zoey points to herself, and he grins at her while the look of pure adoration on Zander’s face nearly cripples me on the spot.

He’s falling in love with my baby.

His daughter.

The blond man shoots me an awkward look, obviously trying to suss me out. He can tell I’m annoyed with him but probably doesn’t realize why. He hasn’t thought through the fact that Zoey did something wrong, and now we’re rewarding her with ice cream. And he’s most definitely not considering the fact that after said ice cream, I have to somehow get her down for a nap.

“Um…” He scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, of course. Ice cream for you. If your… mommy says it’s okay.” He gives me a hopeful smile. “My treat.”

Zoey swivels in Zander’s arms to look right at me. “Mommy ice ceem? Zoey ice ceem.” She starts tapping her chest as she tries to sell me on the awesomeness of this plan.

I can’t help another eye roll as my shoulders slump in defeat. “Great, and now I’ll be the Wicked Witch of the West if I say no.”

Zander’s friend winces and mouths, “Sorry,” while I let out a helpless laugh.

“Fine. Whatever. Let’s go get ice cream.”

“Ice ceem!” Zoey shouts, launching herself at this man she hasn’t even been introduced to. He grabs her with a laugh and starts walking out of the store.

I gape after them while Zander leans down and whispers in my ear, “Nothing to worry about. That’s Wily. Solid-gold dude. He won’t let anything happen to our girl.” I spin to blink up at him, and he gives me an awkward smile. “Sorry. Your… your girl. Zoey is, um… she’s safe.”

My insides spasm, my heart jackknifing as I watch him try to correct his faux pas and a steaming pile of guilt nestles on my shoulders. She is his girl… or she would have been all along if only I’d let him.

But that day at the dorm… That ? —

I snap my eyes closed and shake my head.

“Here, why don’t you let me…” Zander takes the basket from my hand. “I’ll get it. You go wait outside with Zoey and Wily.”

With a wordless nod, I head for the door, struggling to think straight as I squint up at the sun and hunt for my shades. Zoey is on the ground, bouncing around beside Wily. The giant of a man is crouched on the sidewalk and listing ice cream flavors while she shouts, “Yes!” or “Bluch!” to the different selections .

He starts getting creative. “How about gravy and mashed potato ice cream?”

“Ew!” She sticks out her tongue. “No. No tayto ice ceem.”

“No?” He rubs his chin. “Okay, let me think of something else. How about blueberry?”

“Yes! Zoey booberry.”

“Good choice, my friend.” He holds out his hand, and she slaps it with a giggle.

And there goes my heart again.

Seriously? I’m such a wreck today.

The grocery store door opens, and I turn to find Zander striding out of there with a paper bag.

He hands it to me with a smile. “There you go.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, about to get out my wallet and pay him back when I notice a box of Nerds at the top of the bag.

Watermelon and cherry.

My favorite flavors.

He remembers.

With a soft gasp, my head jolts up, and I find Zander smiling down at me. And then he gives me a little wink before turning to talk to Zoey. “Who’s ready for ice cream?”

“Me!” my toddler roars, making both the boys burst out laughing while I sway on my feet, gazing down at the box of Nerds in my bag and battling a torrent of emotions.