Page 67 of Love, Rekindled

Natalie and Liam go over the basics of where everything is. Their home is color coded by child and in bins, which makes my crazy-organized-self happy.

There’s a knock on the door. “Who the hell?” Lee looks at Liam and makes her way to the door.

When she opens it, my heartrate spikes.

There, in a pair of running shorts and a shirt with the arms cut off stands a very sweaty and very sexy Ben. I lean against the wall, needing the structure to keep me upright. The shirt clings to his chest, showing every muscle that I know is hiding under there. His shorts are baggy and for the first time, I get a glimpse of his prosthetic leg. All I can think is, damn. Damn him for being so hot. Damn my stupid hormones for kicking into high gear.

I bite my lip and rest my head to the side, hoping to keep myself from drooling.

“Hey, what’s up?” Liam asks.

His eyes meet mine, watching me watch him. “Hey,” he says to Liam but is looking at me. “I got your text about needing someone to watch the kids and was doing some exercises...”

“Oh, shit. I forgot I didn’t send you a text saying Gretchen was able to help out.”

It’s been three days since we’ve seen each other. After the kiss we shared, he flew out to California to meet with Jackson. I didn’t know he was back or what happened, but I’ve longed to see him.

Which is totally crazy.

Ben and I are a bad idea. I’m a little broken, he’s a little angry—okay, a lot angry. I don’t know anything about his past and while he knows some of mine, it’s just stupid to get into anything.

And yet, I kissed him.

He’s kissed me and all I want is to be in his arms again.

Natalie looks at Ben and then at me. “Ben, why don’t you stay and help Gretchen?”

“Huh?” Liam asks.

“Yeah.” She places her hand on his arm. “It would be great to know that there were two of you in case Shane wakes up. That way she’s not alone. She’s not really familiar with the area, and you know...”

“I’m sure she—” Liam starts but then stops when he catches her face. “…could use the help.”

Ben’s lips turn to a sly smile. “It’s up to her.”

Here’s my chance to stop whatever this is. If I tell him to go, we can go back to being friends or colleagues and move on. It’s what I should do. “Stay,” I say, proving I’m a total idiot.

“Then I will.”

There’s a thickness in the air. Me asking him to stay and him agreeing to do so feels like some sort of admission or surrender, but yet a challenge at the same time.

Our eyes stay locked, neither of us willing to break the stare first.

“Great.” Liam claps his hands together, causing us both to look away. “Shane is asleep and should stay that way, but you never know with him. Aarabelle is watching a movie, and will probably sucker you into doing something she shouldn’t.”

I nod. “Got it.”

Liam turns to Ben. “Okay, and the most important thing though is don’t use any kind of rope, tape, glue, or bungee cords to tie up a diaper. Trust me, it doesn’t work.”

Natalie rolls her eyes. “Not everyone is as extra as you, babe. I’m sure Ben can handle it.”

“He’s a single dude, we’re not all that up to speed on babies. Plus, he’s likely to break things, like the stupid tabs of a diaper.”

“Thanks for the tip, Dreamboat.”

“Anytime, Hulk.”

The whole call sign thing to me is so fun. Sure, we call Ashton an idiot, but it’s not really a call sign. I can only imagine what they’d come up with for the girls. I know Mark has given Natalie one, which is Sparkles and Catherine is Kitty, and apparently, I’m Jilted. Being a part of their team is supposed to have perks. I guess nicknames that make you want to scream is just one.

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