Page 101 of Let You Love Me

“Mom,” Sophie whines and tugs my arm, “Come on. I wanna go in.”

I sigh and glance down at her. She’s practically vibrating with excitement as she bounces on her toes.

“Consider it an early birthday gift to Sophie.” Teagan steps toward the counter and holds his phone out to the attendant where they scan our electronic tickets, then unclasps the large velvet rope that leads to the doors inside the dinosaur display.

“I already had a birthday,” Sophie proclaims loudly.

“See?” Teagan grins, his ridiculously adorable dimples popping. “I missed it. Consider it a belated birthday gift.” He glances down at her. “Which also means birthday dinner at the Omnivore I.” He points out a sign that proclaims:You can eat like a dinosaur, too!

I groan because there’s nothing worse than paying fifteen dollars for subpar chicken fingers, and because I know there’s no use talking him out of this. “Fine. I’ll just have to pay you back another way.”

Teagan’s brows rise, and I instantly flush. “I didn’t . . . that’s not what I . . . I meant . . .” I groan and palm my forehead. “You know what?” I shake my head, trying to cool my heated cheeks. “I’m just going to shut up now. Forget I said anything.”

“No can do. It’ll take a lot to strike that one from my memory. I’m already thinking of all the forms ofrepayment,” he says with a wiggle of his brow.

I try not to smile. “Stop.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sure you are.” I grin and roll my eyes, then we push through the massive oak doors into the darkened exterior of the exhibit.

#

By the time Teagan pulls into the driveway of my parents’ house, the sun is setting low in the sky, just barely kissing the horizon. Another thirty minutes and it will set completely, flooding everything in darkness.

When the car comes to a stop, he puts it in park, and glances behind him to where Sophie quietly sleeps. She’s passed out in her car seat, a T. rex balloon clutched in her hand.

His gaze softens as he takes her in, wrenching something free inside my chest until it rattles around behind my ribs like spare change. “She’s exhausted,” I say, trying to ignore it.

“That’s the understatement of the century.”

I smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she sleeps for days.”

Teagan meets my eyes, a grin splitting his full lips, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab his hand. His eyes round, gaze dropping to the point of contact, and I swallow. “Thank you for today.” His eyes lift. “She lovedeverysecond, and I’m sure she’ll talk about it for months.” I peer out the windshield with a sigh. “I guess I better get her inside,” I say, aware I’m still holding his hand and am in no rush to move it.

I need to go inside. The night is over. But I find myself wanting to draw it out, to stay in his car with him a little longer.

“Do you want me to carry her?”

I shake my head and take that as my cue. Seeing Sophie passed out in Teagan’s arms would be too much to handle. Already more than a dozen times today, I glanced over at him and her together, and my ovaries nearly exploded.

“I got her,” I say.

He nods, somehow knowing not to push the issue. “I’ll get her car seat out while you’re inside and put it back in yours, then.”

“That would be great. Thanks.” I offer him one last lingering look before I pull my hand from his, already resentful for the loss of contact when I slip outside.

A breeze ruffles my hair as I open Sophie’s door and scoop her up. She rouses slightly, mumbling something unintelligible as I guide her head against my shoulder and start for the porch.

The front door swings open before I even make it there, and my mother steps aside. It’s no surprise she watched for us, and I offer her a smile of thanks as I pass and take Sophie upstairs to her room.

The house is quiet as I lay her onto her bed, trying not to jostle her too much as I remove her shoes, socks, and jeans, leaving her in nothing but her T-shirt. I mentally cringe at the fact we haven’t brushed her teeth. But I’m in a hurry to get back to Teagan, afraid he’ll leave before I have a chance to say good night. Certainly, one time won’t hurt, and I’ll brush them extra well tomorrow morning.

I lean down and press a kiss to her chubby cheek, heart clenching when she whispers, “I love you” before she curls onto her side with her favorite stuffy, Betty.

The second my feet hit the landing, my mother rounds the corner, waiting for me. “Did you guys have fun?”

“Yeah.” I can’t help my smile as I add, “He took us to Dinosaur World at the expo center. Sophie had an absolute blast.”

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