Page 53 of The Way We Collide

Her pretty brown eyes meet mine, and I study her full lips, her dark hair with the gold highlights around the front. Her soft breasts rise and fall with her breaths, and it all feels…

“I’ve never used this type of mixture before. It’s also organic and back to nature and the best food in the world.” She uses a pretend announcer-voice as she walks past me to the coffee maker. “There’s butter and honey and syrup on the table, again all-natural, organic superfood.”

I look down at the plate and over at my little girl, who’s watching me with big eyes as she chews her rubber elephant.

“Good morning, nugget.” I lean down to kiss the top of her head, but she’s very focused on gnawing that ring.

“I think she’s getting a tooth.” Raven walks back with a mug of coffee in her hand. “Won’t that be the cutest thing? Haddy with a little baby tooth?”

“Yeah,” I exhale a laugh, focusing my thoughts on baby teeth and not boning her mother. “Aren’t you having any?”

“I ate with Haddy. Those blueberries cook perfectly.”

Nodding, I put butter on mine and grab the jar of honey. “Newhope has really good blueberries. There’s a farm where you can bring your own bucket and pay one price to pick all you want.”

“Really?” Her face brightens with a smile.

“Yeah, I’ll take you when we go back.”

A hesitant pause falls between us, but she quickly fills it. “I got a message from Star Corrigan at KCLA. She asked if I could come by and meet their station manager today!”

“Hey, that’s great!” I take a bite then lean back in my chair with a groan. “Not as great as these pancakes. Dang, Raven, this is delicious.”

I cut another big bite with my fork as she talks. “I can’t believe you were able to line something up that fast!”

“I told you, I’m a celebrity.” I give her a wink, and she does a cute little eye roll. “Seriously—they cover us every week, so I know the reporters. I told you, it’s a small station.”

“That only leaves one problem.” Worried eyes meet mine, and I frown. “What will we do with Haddy? She can’t go with me to work.”

“She’ll go with me.” I smile, reaching out to tug on the ring covered in drool.

Raven’s brow creases. “She can do that?”

“Sure! We have childcare on-site at the stadium. Everybody uses it, and I’ll be able to check on her during the day. It’ll be fine.”

Her lips press into a worried smile, and she reaches out to slide a finger down Haddy’s chubby leg. “She’s never stayed with anyone but my sister and me.”

“We could fly your sister out here if you want? That would be okay.”

“No.” She exhales heavily. “Mimi has school, and as much as I think she’d like LA, she’s pretty established at Emory. Besides, she needs to live her life and not worry about Haddy all the time.”

I polish off the last of my pancakes then take the plate over to the sink. Raven stays at the table threading her finger in Haddy’s little fist as she watches her. I can tell she’s anxious.

“What can we do to make you feel better?” I walk back to where she stands. “Want to go with me to meet the ladies? From what I understand they’re really nice, like sweet old grandmas.”

“Do you mind?” She squints up at me.

“Not a bit. Get dressed, and I can introduce you to them before I start my day. If you’re happy, Haddy can stay with them, and I’ll bring her home with me.”

“Okay! Give us twenty minutes.” She lifts our daughter out of her chair and hugs her to her chest, looking up at me. “Thanks, Hendrix. For all of this. You’ve really just been…”

“Stop.” I step forward to put my hand on her shoulder. “Itold you how I feel. It’s important for you to do the things you’ve dreamed of doing. It’s good for Haddy.”

“Yeah, but this is way more than I ever imagined.”

“Good.” I smile before giving her shoulder a squeeze. “Now hustle up. I’ve got to get to the stadium before I’m late and Coach makes me do extra drills.”

She smiles and trots out of the room with Haddy on her shoulder. I watch her go, letting my eyes trace down her lovely curves. I probably have just enough time to hit the shower and relieve some of this tension before she’s ready.

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