Page 44 of The Ex Next Door
“Even though my mom was selling houses to help my father fund both mine and Finn’s sports, Finn had always showed the most promise. He was headed to Olympic gold and it just made sense for me to take a back seat. I didn’t mind. You want to know something funny? Finn confessed he’d felt guilty all these years that I’d stopped playing baseball. He thought it was his fault and that on some level I must resent him.”
“I can’t believe Finn even considered that for a minute. It’s clear how much you love him. You’rebrothers.”
“Exactly. Don’t worry, I set him straight.”
“Honestly, David and Naomi are close now but my hope is that when they grow up, they’ll stay as close as you and Finn are.”
“They will.”
“All indications are they will, but as they get older and he’s interested in teenage-boy stuff while she’s interested in girl stuff…”
“News flash, that’s the case now. David would still walk through fire for Naomi and she for him. I can tell.”
“You’re right. And it’s a good feeling.”
When he finally pulled into Amy’s driveway, the kids were still sleeping. They didn’t wake up when he shut off the truck or when both he and Amy got out.
She opened the door closest to Naomi’s side. “I hate to wake her up but we might have to wake David. He’s too heavy. Thankfully, Naomi’s still light enough.”
He wondered how this would go and whether or not they’d sleep through being moved inside, but then he remembered long family car trips to visit his grandparents. Somehow, he’d magically wake up later in his own bed after falling asleep on the lengthy car ride home.
“I’ll unlock the door first,” Amy said and went to the front door.
Declan hated being useless, so he carefully undid Naomi’s seat belt and lifted her into his arms. Amy’s eyes were wide when she saw Declan approaching the door with a little girl in his arms.
“This way.” She led him to the bedroom and pulled back the covers.
Declan carefully laid Naomi on the bed. Amy removed her shoes and covered her with a blanket.
“I’ll get David,” Declan said and headed down the hallway.
“Let me wake him, he’s heavier than Naomi.” Amy followed him.
“No need.” He couldn’t possibly be too heavy for Declan.
Not surprisingly David went easily into Declan’s arms. Solid sleeper, this one. He didn’t budge as Declan carried him into the other bedroom. Amy was already there, the covers turned down. Again, she removed the shoes and pulled up the blanket, then slowly backed out of the room and shut the door.
Declan was right behind her when she did, and also when she turned and they were mere inches from each other. He should take a step back. But he didn’t. Even with the bright lights of an interrogation room, he couldn’t confess why except that this moment felt natural. If he read any hint of fear,or apprehension, in her gaze he’d leave her alone. Not just tonight, but every day after this. He would bury this ridiculous notion that he wanted to kiss her. He would forget the lilt of her voice when she quietly said his name. He would stop thinking of every single move in his life that had pulled him away from her as aregret, and reframe his thinking.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d be forced to sit on an impulse and probably wouldn’t be the last.
“Thank you for doing that,” she said, leaning against the door. “Even I didn’t realize how tired they must be.”
“Neither one of them moved a muscle.”
“I think they might have…if they felt unsafe in any way. It’s instinctive.”
“I’m glad they feel safe with me, then.” The first move he made was almost without thought, a basic tweak of her chin.
Some people might even think of that gesture as affectionately playful between two good and old friends. Only someone who wanted more wouldseemore. At least, this is what he told himself. Funny how the chatter in his mind was always encouraging. Always upbeat, like he had his own eternal cheering section on the sidelines. He supposed he had to thank his upbringing for that. In this highly vulnerable moment, he could use the positive thoughts.
Because Amy wasn’t smiling.
The look in her eyes, if he could still read her, was a mixture of surprise, confusion and…desire. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. The coach in the corner was telling Declan to go for it, take that risk, while the cautionary side warned he might just strike out if he didn’t take his time. No use swinging at anything that came over the plate.
Lesson learned. Wait for the right one.
Then Amy took a step forward and buried her face in his chest. Her arms went around his neck and she held him tight.
