Page 22 of The Way We Collide

I hate how abrupt all of this feels. I think I know Hendrix pretty well, and I wouldn’t have handled it this way if I’d had a choice.

While I didn’t want to have this conversation with him with my head in a trash can vomiting the whole time, I certainly didn’t want to ambush him.

I know this isn’t what he wants, and I would never want him to think I was trying to trap him or change his mind or make him do anything. I would never make him do anything.

It’s like the moment I got here with the baby, we got caught up in a hurricane of family love. It’s warm and welcoming, but it’s still a hurricane.

“I’m really sorry.” My voice is quiet. “I didn’t expect… all of this.” I wave my hand at the door his sister just disappeared through.

“All of this would be my family.” His tone is wry. “Now you know why I get a hotel room when I’m in town.”

“I think they mean well.”

“They do, and I love them. I also love my privacy and being able to decide my business without a committee.”

“I get that.”

“They’re really enjoying this, too.” Looking down, he exhales through a grimace. “I’ve been a shit for so long about babies and poop and… well, you know.”

He glances up at me from beneath his brow, and my breath disappears. It’s been that way since the first time I saw Hendrix Bradford.

He’s too good looking and he smells too damn delicious and his smile is absolutely sinful—and I know how good he is in bed.

Heat crawls up behind my ears, but I clear my throat.Thatis not the direction I’m headed. It’s not why I’m here.

“Damn, Rave, this is crazy.” He takes a step closer, studying my face. “How have you been otherwise? Are you a storm chaser yet? Is Jim Cantore watching his back?”

“No.” I exhale the word. “It’s been impossible to work with all the morning sickness, and then when she was a newborn, I had to be with her. I’ve kind of had to put all my career plans on hold.”

“Well, shit. I’m sorry.” He briefly pats my arm. “I won’t try to fight you on this or anything. I don’t have a leg to stand on. She’s clearly mine.”

The way he says it is teasing, but I squint one eye. “Would you have done that?”

The teasing melts, and he almost seems wounded. “Is that what you think of me?

“No.” Dropping my eyes, I know he wouldn’t have.

It’s the whole reason I’m here preparing to ask him something completely terrifying.

“I guess I’m supposed tomake this right.” He says it in a mock-authoritative voice, and I chew my lip.

“I guess.”

“My brother Jack did that, and it was a total disaster.”

Nodding, I study my hands feeling my stomach twist as I think about what I’m going to say. I think about the Hendrix Bradford I spent a crazy twenty-four hours with almost two years ago.

The playful one, who fucked my brains out and made me feel confident and sexy. The one who liked to have fun and talk about adventures.

“Are you expecting me to do that?” His voice is quiet, and my eyes cut up to his.

“No—not exactly…” Standing straighter, I square my shoulders.

“I’m glad to help you. Tell me what you need, and I’m sure I can afford it.”

A knot is in my throat, and I do my best to swallow it away. “Actually, the thing is… I do have another reason for coming here… besides you needing to know your daughter.”

“Okay?”

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