Page 136 of Paper Hearts

Ender sucks in a breath, and I can’t see his face clear enough to know his reaction. He reaches forward and picks her up, holding her in his arms. “I’ll see you soon.”

She nods, smiling at him. “Okay. When?”

“Monday,” I say, rubbing her back.

“How many days is that?”

“Seven,” I tell her as I take her from Ender and put her in the car seat.

She buckles herself as Ender leans against the back of my Tahoe, his arms crossed. His brows draw together, but then his eyes drop to his feet for a moment, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Slowly, his eyes meet mine again. “See you Monday then?”

“Yep. I booked my flight this morning.” I breathe in his scent, so consumed in my own thoughts I’m not sure I’ve absorbed the true meaning behind them.

“I’ll be counting down the days.” Without hesitation, he kisses me on the lips in front of Eddie.

She giggles, covering her eyes, and that sparks our laughter.

Ender moves his mouth at my ear. “You have my word this time. I’m in this. For both of you.” His breath blows across my skin and then he whispers, “I love you.”

I smile and mouth, “I love you too.” Not because I don’t want Eddie to hear me, but because those words are meant for us.

52

WHEN WE WENT TO SEE HIM

You want the happy ever after, don’t you?

Um, girl, me too. But that never happens overnight. It takes time.

After I leave the lake, I take Eddie to Disney Land where she wants to ride all the rides but is only tall enough for two. She sees me signing books and taking pictures with readers, completely unaware that her mom hit number one on theNew York Timesbest-sellers list the night before.

Ender sends me a text that morning and says: you’re welcome for the material, with a wink face, an eggplant emoji, and water emoji. I burst out laughing and have to explain to Eddie why her dad is sending me eggplants that need washing. Her words, not mine.

We talk on the phone every night. We send selfies, flirt over late-night conversation, and I remember what it’s like to be his friend.

After Disneyland, Eddie and I fly into Mobile to meet up with him.

I’m a nervous wreck. I have no idea what it will be like, if his life here is anything like I expect, or if he’s changed his mind after thinking about it the last week. It’s been seven days since we’ve seen him, and I haven’t sleep in two days. Literally.

We stand outside his apartment door, the blazing late afternoon Alabama heat hitting my back, and Eddie barely able to stand still next to me. “What are you doing?” I ask as she yanks on my hand.

“I can’t wait to see him,” she says, jumping up and down, her sandals scrapping against the ground, the cowboy hat she got him in her hand. “Do you think he missing me?”

“I’m sure he does.” I straighten out my dress as Eddie yawns. It’s been a long day, but my heart is beating so fast I don’t think I can sleep anytime soon.

I eye his black doormat and the dirt on it. His boots are outside, on the ground and covered in mud. It’s another reminder that he has a life here we’re not part of, and I know very little about him. But then again, he doesn’t know much about us either.

I lift my gaze to the door as Ender opens it with a smile and no shirt. I try not to let my eyes wander, but it’s impossible not to. Your eyes would wander too when you saw that cut-deep V peeking out from his low-hanging shorts. Holy shit.

Oh my God, pull yourself together.

“There’s my girls,” he says in relief, sighing. I wish I could accurately describe the look on his face. But… this expression doesn’t have words. It’s love.

My girls. Those words hit my chest like the wind’s been knocked out of me.

Eddie practically launches herself through the air at him. “Daddy!”

My heart melts.

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