Page 67 of I'm Yours

“Reed.”

“Emmy wanted to stop in and see you today.”

“Oh, really? Well, I’m so glad you did,” I say to Emmy, crouching down so I’m closer to her level.

She looks around then leans close, whispering in my ear, “My grandma said Daddy needed to help you. Are you all right?”

If Reed hadn’t warned me of this exact thing after Alan and Sheriff Lee left this morning, I’d probably have fallen over just now. Instead, I’m able to answer her truthfully. “I’m great, Emmy. There was a pot broken at my house and we thought maybe there was an animal outside.” Animal, invader to her grandparents’ house… practically the same thing.

“Oh, phew. I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Me, too. Would you like to stay and watch the big girls’ dance class?”

She looks up at Reed with big, pleading eyes and I can tell immediately that he’s going to say yes. “Can I Daddy? Oh, please, Daddy!” Oh, whoops. I didn’t even think that I should have asked him first.

“Of course,” he murmurs. The low rumble sends a shiver down my spine but when he throws in a wink in my direction I almost become a puddle right here on the floor.

I take Emmy’s hand in mine. “All right then. Reed, the class is an hour long.”

“Is this your last class tonight?”

“It is.”

“Emmy was saying she was hungry for some chicken fingers and fries. Want to join us at the diner?”

My lips part when I suck in a breath. He’s asking me to spend time with him and his daughter. It’s exactly what I wanted but terrified of at the same time. He nods once, telling me that it’s okay and he’s not asking rashly. “I could go for one of their patty melts.”

“Yay!” Emmy cheers and then my heart becomes mush when Reed picks up Emmy, her hand still holding tight to mine and he kisses her square on the lips. “Be good for Miss Sadie, Emmy.”

“Okay, Daddy!”

“I’ll be back soon to pick you both up.” He looks over at me like he wants to kiss me goodbye, too, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. Not in front of the crowded room full of my students and their parents and not in front of Emmy. Instead he sets her down, her handstillclutched tightly in mine, and he shoves his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

“Sounds good.”

When he turns around, he gestures to the row of moms watching the entire exchange. He tips his head, touching the bill of his cap and says, “Ladies.”

They all grin or press their lips together like they’re trying not to smile or laugh. Everyone in the room has been with me since I opened the studio. A few have even tried to set me up a few times, so it’s no surprise that the second Reed is out the door, they all start talking.

“Holy crap, that was intense.” Marie fans her face and the rest of the women burst out laughing. I roll my eyes but bite my lip. She’s not wrong. Itwasintense. The way Reed stares at me makes me feel like the only person in the room.

I shush them and squeeze Emmy’s hand and she looks up at me. “How about you go watch Erica’s class for a few minutes until class starts.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

She takes off running and the second she’s in the room, the ladies launch back in.

“My gosh, Sadie. You’re so lucky. When we were kids he was… well, you know. But now? He’s like that one guy we love on the cover of books.” Cassie grins at her friend Marie. They’re two of a kind and I have no doubt they’ll be chattering about Reed and myself for weeks, begging for information. They’re both happily married but they love gossip and really, really enjoy a good love story. They’re always talking about their favorite books and authors.

Marie’s nodding her head and pulls out a book from her bag — I’m not even surprised she’s carrying one with her — and points to the cover. The guy does look like Reed but Reed’s a thousand times sexier. “Please, please tell me that you two are… you know.” Thank goodness, she doesn’t add any inappropriate hand gestures into her comment. Marie’s a firecracker and I wouldn’t put it past her.

“If she isn’t, I’d gladly take a turn,” Daphne snickers. She’s one of the few single moms in the group.

“I don’t think you have a chance, Daphne. His eyes are focused only on her. Did you see that? What I wouldn’t give for Tony to look at me like that,” Karina sighs.

“True. I practically got pregnant just sitting here.” Daphne giggles.

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