Page 101

FORTY-FOUR

MILLIE

Hovering above me, his lips only an inch from mine, Gavin smirks. “This what you been waiting for, Peaches? My lips? My tongue? My cock?”

I buck my hips, desperate for him, but he keeps himself just out of reach. “Please, Gavin.”

“And what will I get if I let you rub that sweet pussy against me?”

Desire floods me at the tease, at his tone. “Whatever you want. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“What if all I want is you?” His eyes glow with sincerity, making the ache in my heart almost as fierce as the one between my legs.

I need him, and the idea that I could truly be enough for him, that we could finally be us again, has my heart racing.

“I’m yours. Now please, just kiss me.”

With a hum, he dips close again, his lips millimeters from mine. Finally, I get to feel them again ? —

A baby cries, and then Gavin is gone. Disappearing into thin air.

“Coming,” I say, willing my limbs to work. My body is sluggish, though it feels like I got some sleep during this stretch. I wonder what time it is. I throw the blanket off and stretch out my shoulders, knowing I’ll pay for having slept on the floor. When I finally open my eyes, I jackknife up and curse. Dammit. Why am I in Gavin’s room? Fuck. Did I sleepwalk?

Oh my god, Gavin’s going to think I was trying to seduce him. What the hell, Millie?

A quick glance at my surroundings tells me I’m alone, so I jump out of bed and rush out of his bedroom. Maybe he won’t?—

“Sleep okay, Peaches?”

I jump at the sound of Gavin’s voice. “Shit.” I slap a hand to my chest and glare at him where he’s reclined on the couch. “You scared the shit out of me.”

He laughs, and it’s such a familiar and beautiful sound that my heart skips like it’s a record caught on the best line. I could listen to that sound all day. And I could stare at that smile for the rest of my life.

He’s wearing navy gym shorts, his legs spread wide. His hair is mussed, his brown eyes glinting mischievously. A five o’clock shadow coats his chiseled jaw, and his chest is fucking bare, with my favorite little girl lying on it.

My swallow is heavy. “You—you’re—” I point at him. “No shirt.”

His smile grows wider. Cockier. Gavinier. Is that a thing? Can someone be an even more potent version of themselves? I think so. In this moment, when he’s looking at me like this, he’s more himself than he’s been in months.

Or maybe I’m delusional from lack of sleep.

“I read that it’s good for bonding.”

“With me?”

He chuckles, his eyes crinkling and his chest rumbling. “With Vivi. Although I’m sure you’d appreciate snuggling up against my bare chest too. You always did.”

His words are strange.

Right? He’s different. Flirty.

Am I still dreaming?

“I’m so confused.”

With a nod, he gestures to the cushion next to him. “Come sit. You’re probably still tired.”

Ignoring his confusing offer, I stumble into the kitchen. I need coffee. Or water. Or—I blink at the clock above the microwave. “What time is it?”

It’s six. Six a.m. or six p.m.? I haven’t quite figured it out when a knock sounds on the door.

“I’ll get it,” I say, already heading back in that direction. “You guys are really adorable all snuggled up on the couch. I’m kind of jealous.”

Gavin bites his lip, and I swear to god I’m going to melt into a puddle. “No need to be jealous, Peaches. There’s room for you here too.”

My stomach flips, and my smile is so fucking big as I grasp the doorknob and pull. The smile slips, though, when Camden comes into view.

“Hey, Baby Hall.” His focus dips, reminding me that I’m still in my pajamas.

“Camden.” I cross my arms over my chest to cover myself. “What’s up?”

The back of my neck prickles, then Gavin is clearing his throat.

“Everything all right?” he booms, suddenly appearing behind me, still holding Vivi, who’s wide-eyed and drooly, wearing nothing but a diaper and a smile.

Out of habit, I swipe at the moisture below her mouth, and she latches on to my hand, holding me close.

“Hey, Viv. You’re looking much happier than you were last night.”

Camden clears his throat, and I turn back his way.

“Sorry. It’s been a long few days.” I let out a light, uncomfortable laugh. “I’ll get out of the way so you guys can chat hockey or whatever.” Turning, I hold my arms out, reaching for my little bestie. “Want me to take her?”

“Actually, I came to see you,” Camden confesses.

Frowning, I turn back around. He’s dressed in a button-down shirt, and he’s gripping his coat in one hand, his fists almost white.

Is he nervous?

He wets his lips, and my stupid eyes follow the movement. I definitely need more sleep.

“Me?”

His mouth quirks up in a lopsided, boyish smile. “Yeah, thought maybe we could go grab dinner and a movie.”

Oh shit.

Chest suddenly tight, I glance back at Gavin.

His jaw is taut, and the easy demeanor and smile from moments ago have vanished.

“I have to work,” I stammer, wishing I’d never answered the door. Wishing Gavin was still smiling and teasing.

“Can she have the night off, Coach? She’s been going nonstop.”

At Camden’s plea, Gavin fixes his brown eyes on me. He studies me, appraising, and, I hope, finally seeing who I’ve become.

For a moment, I think he’s going to tell Camden to fuck off. That he and Vivi need me. Or maybe even that he wants me to stay. I press my lips together and silently will him to do just that. I beg him without words to understand what’s written in my heart. But when he lets out a soft sigh and a resigned smile forms on his lips, I know I’m going to hate whatever he says next.

“He’s right, Millie. You deserve a night off.”

“I just woke up,” I almost whisper, my voice caught in my throat, looking from him to Camden with a frown.

“That’s okay. I can hang with Coach while you get ready. That work?”

Gavin nods and motions for Camden to follow him inside. As the men settle on the couch, I force my feet to move and make my way down the hall, ready to scream about how time never seems to be on our side.

It isn’t until hours later, when I’m sitting in the movie theater, hands clasped tightly in my lap, that I remember Gavin’s first words to me today.

That I recall his demeanor when I woke up.

Those few moments when he was cocky and smiling and flirting with me.

And he called me Peaches.