Page 57 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

“Then…Sean, I’d really like to hear that playlist.” I took his hand in mine. “And I want nothing more than to picnic with you and Erin.”

“Got some soda!” Erin raced to us. She opened the basket and added ginger ale and Coke. “And I spent all the cash. But I got extra for Caleb.”

“Thanks. I love ginger ale.”

“Me, too.” Erin beamed up at me. “Are we ready now?” She scrunched her nose at Sean. “It’s been hours of planning already, Daddy.”

I crouched down to her level. “Thanks for waiting for me, Erin.”

“That’s okay,” she said sweetly before adding, “but can we go?”

“It’s a beautiful day to picnic.” Sean smiled at her, but he did not release my hand. Instead, he gave his other hand to Erin.

And we all went on a picnic.

Erin wasn’t exaggerating about the park. It did have a massive playground. Sean had a picnic blanket that we spread out nearby, finding a small patch of shade. I ate some of the donuts, trying not to be anxious. Sean and I had made up, but we still had a lot to figure out. And I needed to have those conversations and not make the same mistakes I had with Tanner.

For now, though, sitting in the park, seeing him smile at me, my heart lifted. He’d made a mistake, but it was out of his concern for his daughter, not for selfish reasons. He wasn’t a man who took things lightly; I’d always known that much. The real surprise was me. How much I wanted to be here, with him and Erin, not avoiding my love life when it got difficult. Not believing I was damaged or wrong. Even if Sean hadn’t appeared before me today, I would have found my way through.

But I was so glad he was here with me. That I was here withthem.

We toasted with the sodas, and Erin made me smile when she burped, even if Sean reminded her of good manners.

“Can I play on the swings?” Erin pointed.

“Sure.”

“Want a push to get going?” I offered.

“I know how to swing, Caleb,” she giggled. “I’m not some baby.”

She dashed off, and I looked at Sean. “She’s older than my nieces and nephew. I’ll have to learn the right things to do.”

“It’s fine. She actually likes a push on the swings. I think she’s showing off for you.”

“Really?” I glanced at Erin, who had a determined look on her face as she pumped her little legs harder.

Her determined face was all Sean.

My heart melted as I waved.

When I turned, though, Sean was staring at me, not Erin. “I want to make this work with you.”

“Then we want the same thing.” I smiled. “And I want to spend time with Erin and you. It hurt to think you didn’t want me to do that.”

“My thinking was backward that day. I should have let you in on my worries over Erin, not pushed you out. I worried letting you into our lives would be too painful a risk if you ever left. Now I’m thinking it’s worth the risk that you’ll want to be with us.”

“You’re wrong about one thing.”

“What?” Sean’s teeth sank into his lower lip.

“That it’s a risk. Fighting fires is risky. But me? I’m a sure thing. Because I have never felt like this about anybody else. I already adore Erin. And I kind of like her dad, too.” I stared into his blue eyes.

“Oh, God… Caleb, this should not be making me hot. But every word out of your mouth—” He snorted. “It’s making me so happy, but it’s also…turning me on. I missed touching you, holding you. I want to be with you,” he groaned. “Right fucking now.”

“I’m wearing my favorite thong.”

“But we can’t…”

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