Page 34 of When We Met

I wrap my hands around the cup. “Sure, but my soul doesn’t belong there.”

His eyes move to mine and then back to the coffee pot. “Where does it belong?”

“South.”

There’s a flicker of amusement on his face as he pours the coffee into my cup. Warmth hits my palms, steam rising and obscuring my view of his beautiful face. “It’s been my experience that everything is better in the South.”

“I’m not sure I’d go with better yet.” There’s a screech of cries in the other room and a door slamming shut, followed by little-girl screams. Barron shakes his head, blowing out a breath as he lifts the cup in his hand to his lips. “They’re eighteen months apart and never get along.”

I smile, thinking of the imaginary sister I had growing up. “Only child here. My sibling was make-believe, and I dreamed up fights between us and acted them out as if we were really having them.”

He stares at me. And by the look on his face, his thoughts are something like, “this bitch be crazy as fuck.”

Fun fact, he’s right. I am. California does that to you.

“So… you think you can get my car out of the side of your building?” I ask, trying to break the silence between us. I’m not sure if it’s that he thinks I’m crazy, or he’s worried his kids might be boxing in the other room.

His attention shifts to the cries. “Yeah, I can.” He motions with a flick of his hand to the hallway. “I better go check on them.” Without another glance my way, he moves away.

Taking a drink of the coffee, I smile for reasons I don’t understand. What the fuck am I doing here? Why am I here?

Okay, I knowwhy, but still, why is my heart aching to stay?

I’m a hoarder of memories, and the ones I seek to outrun, they wouldn’t find me here.

Or will they?

When he returns to the room, he’s holding Sev by her legs, upside down. “What did I tell you about biting people?”

“Not to.” She giggles, her hair bouncing with every move.

“Then why do you keep biting your sister?” He sets her on the counter and stands in front of her, the epitome of a stern father warning his daughter.

It’s the hottest image I’ve ever seen in my life. Rugged hotness. His back blocks my view of his daughter, who’s on the counter, swinging her legs and laughing at her daddy trying to have a serious conversation with her.

“I like blood,” she tells him, almost matter of fact.

“You don’t bite. It’s mean,” he warns. “You keep biting people, I’m going to have your teeth pulled.”

“Take ’em.” She laughs in his face. “I not need ’em.”

His chest shakes with laughter. “You’re impossible.”

I can’t help but laugh at them. They’re so freaking cute. Never in my life would I have imagined the guy Tara swore was too country, too much of a Texas boy to give her what she wanted, and the one standing before me to be the same guy.

Barron lets her off the counter and turns to face me, his arms crossed over his chest. “Still think they’re cute?”

I smile, my cheeks warm. “Absolutely.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Sev takes off toward it. “Uncle!”

Uncle? Oh, right. The other man from last night. I don’t know who the parents are of these brothers, but they must be beautiful humans. I’ve met a lot of beautiful people in my life, but they’re all ugly underneath their skin.

“Uncle, this boy told me that if you throw hot water in the sky, it will freeze. Can we try?”

Morgan smiles down at Camdyn, who’s stepping on both his boots and holding onto his hands as he walks inside.

“Let’s try.” He picks her up into his arms. “It’s negative four out there.”

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