Page 104 of The Way We Collide

“Have we lost our daughter?” I deflect, looking around the room.

Zane and Rachel are behind us, and they’ve been inseparable all night, holding hands and dancing close like almost-newlyweds.

I spy our little girl at a table with Dylan and Miss Gina, the sweet old blind lady who owns the Italian-style villa on the bluffs where Dylan and Logan were married. She’s like the family’s honorary grandmother.

“Uncle Henny!” Kimmie Joy shouts, and I’ve been wondering where that little voice was all night.

Jack’s daughter marches up to where we’re standing like she’s ready to fuss, and Hendrix bends down to sweep her onto his hip. She’s in first grade, and she’s already a lot like her aunt Dylan.

“Uncle Grizz said you told me a fib. He said my AmericanGirl doll won’t come alive at night when I sleep.” Her six-year-old arms cross, and she frowns hard. “He said you were trying to scare me.”

My hands cover my mouth to hide my laugh, and Hendrix presses his lips together, I’m sure to do the same.

“It’s true.” He nods, looking so contrite. “I was teasing you, but I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Her dark head tilts to the side as she considers his apology. Then all at once, her expression brightens, and she pats his shoulder. “That’s okay, Uncle Henny. I tell fibs sometimes too.”

“What?” He almost laughs again. “Like when?”

“Like one time I told Daddy a snake was under my bed because I didn’t want to sleep all by myself.”

“What happened?”

“He said I could sleep in his bed until I fell asleep, but I shouldn’t tell stories.”

He lifts his chin. “Your dad’s right. We should always be honest. I’m sorry I told a fib. If I promise not to do it again, will you?”

Her dark eyes slide to the side again as if she’s considering her answer, and he gives her a little shake. “Kimmie!”

“Well…” Her reply bursts into squealing laughter as he starts to tickle her, until she finally relents. “Okay!Okay!!!”

Then he puts her on her feet and she scampers away to where Dylan is holding our daughter.

Shaking his head, he looks over at me. “That girl is going to be trouble when she gets bigger.”

“I think she’s adorable.” Stepping closer, I hold his arm, rising onto my toes to kiss his cheek. “And I think Haddy has a great dad.”

Blue eyes darken when they meet mine, and lust sizzles in my veins. His low voice tickles my stomach as he asks, “When can we get out of here without hurting people’s feelings?”

“That didn’t stop us last time.” My tone is sassy, and the muscle in his square jaw flexes.

I heat right up when I see him struggling for control. “Everybody wants to see Haddy now.”

“You’re not trying to get out of here, are you, Hen?” Garrett walks up, slapping him on the back. “Logan wants us down at the station tomorrow to record a show.”

A poster of Logan and Zane hangs on the wall near the pool tables. It’s an image of them both in headphones with broadcast mics in front of them and the wordsLightning & Thundersplashed across the bottom.

Dylan walks up to where we’re standing, bouncing Haddy on her hip. “She is the sweetest little baby, Rave. Just look at that smile!”

As if on cue, Haddy pulls her pacifier out of her mouth and makes herZzzsound, showing off her four teeth.

“I think it’s time we added a little boy to the team.” Logan walks up, wrapping his arms around his petite wife, then he nods in my direction. “Hey, Rave, I’ve got an idea for a meteorologist position if you’re interested.”

My ears perk up, and I do a little bounce. “I’m interested!”

His eyes drift to Hendrix and back to me again. “We’ll talk later. It’s a school night. You guys coming to the station tomorrow so we can record the show?”

“We’ll be there.” Hendrix’s low voice is at my side, and his arm is around me, like it’s so natural.

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