Page 50 of The Way We Collide

He nods. “My brother Zane fell on her when we were playing a family football game. He never forgave himself for it, but he’s like that.”

“What’s he like?” I think about his second-oldest brother, the tall, dark, and quiet one.

I want to know all about his family. They’re Haddy’s family now, too, and from what I’ve observed, they’re big and warm and rowdy. I can’t deny the knot in my throat wishing I was…

Not going there.

“Let’s see,” Hendrix sits beside me as I feed the baby. “Zane was our mom’s favorite until Dylan came along.”

“Your mom did not have favorites.”

“She said he was like her dad. He likes to read and take walks by himself. He’s probably seen all these movies you make me watch. He’ll be a great dad right out the gate.”

“You’re being pretty great right out the gate.” I don’t know why I feel protective of him.

“You think?”

“I do.” I give him an encouraging smile.

Haddy’s a good baby bird. I hold out the spoon, and her little mouth pops open.

“I don’t know how great of a girl dad I’ll be.”

“Girls just want a dad who’ll listen to them. They wantsomeone who loves them and who’ll stand beside them against the bullies but still let them be strong, independent women.”

He nods. “I can do that.”

“Want to try this?” I pass him the bowl and spoon, and it’s so small in his large hand.

He scoops some cereal, and when he holds it to her, her mouth pops open. He gives her the bite, and she swallows quickly, ready to go again.

“Check me out.” He laughs, repeating the process.

“You got it!” I grin, going to the cabinet and taking out a jar of organic vegetables. “You love her. That’s the most important thing. She feels safe with you.”

“She’s always safe with me.” He says it with so much confidence, and I know it’s true.

Walking back, I trade him the empty cereal bowl for the veggies. “So what made you think about Dylan?”

His brow lowers. “I was thinking about how broken she was when she lost her dream. She tried to put on a brave face like it was okay, but we all knew. We heard her cry when she thought nobody was listening.” He pauses before looking up at me with so much sincerity in his blue eyes. “I’d never want to be the reason you lost your dream.”

Damn you, Hendrix Bradford. How dare you try to sneak in and steal my heart this way?

Swallowing the thickness in my throat, I nod. “I appreciate that.”

“I put in a call to the station today.” His tone brightens as he resumes feeding Haddy. “I talked to one of the reporters I know, and she said for you to come by and she’d introduce you to the station manager.”

“Are you serious?” My eyes widen, and I clasp my hands in front of my face. “LA is like one of the top markets in the country!”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s a tiny station. I told her you wereonly here for a few months, and she said you could be a meteorology intern. It’s unpaid, but I can cover your expenses.”

“Hendrix!” I shriek, jumping forward to hug him. “That’s incredible!”

Haddy blows bubbles on her next bite, and he chuckles. “I think she’s done.”

Straightening, I take the jar and spoon, rinsing and recycling and putting the utensils in the dishwasher. He takes a damp cloth and wipes her mouth before lifting her out of the chair.

“Ready for your bath?” Sheba-ba-bas right back at him, and he turns wide eyes on me. “Am I teaching her how to talk?”

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