Page 76 of Worth the Want
“Just watching you both was making me dizzy—and I know, that makes me sound ancient.” I try to beat her to the punchline this time.
She snorts. “Have you given any more thought to dance classes? My sister and I both did dance when we were younger, and I looked up an article about dance and the brain, it can really be beneficial,” she rambles.
“You looked up an article, huh?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t a big deal; she just seems so interested.”
“I haven’t decided anything, but you don’t need to concern yourself with things like that. I’ll take care of it,” I tell her. I take care of everything when it comes to Hazel.
“Okay, well, just let me know if you want any help then.” Her tone is more subdued now.Was I being rude?I just get so defensive about anything having to do with Hazel, about anything that challenges my own way of doing things. But wouldn’t it be nice to share some of that?
“I will,” I say.
She just hums. I turn my neck to look at her. Eyes closed, the sun shining on her face, causing that hoop in her delicatenose to shine and the freckles across her cheeks to be more visible.
Her features are relaxed, a smile still curves her pink, plump lips. My ball cap is discarded beside her, and soft chestnut waves form a circle around her head like a halo. “You’re so beautiful, Indiana,” I say softly. Not silently, but not quite out loud. The curve of her lips stretches further, becoming a more prominent smile.
She tilts her head toward my voice, eyes opening slowly. “Look who’s talking,” she whispers.
“You think I’m beautiful?”
“You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. And it’s not just your face or your body, Knox. Your heart is stunning. It’s a magnet for women like me.”
“Women like you?”
“Yeah. You know the ones. They’re quirky, kind of loud, on the younger side.” She pauses to shoot me a wink. “They’re hopelessly attracted to a beard and a deep voice. Throw in a few grunts and growls, and yeah—magnet.” She paints me a picture, making broad strokes up toward the clouds floating by. She’s beautiful in all the obvious ways—but it’s the way her hands are flying around in the air right now that has me wanting her.
I reach across the small space between us, placing my hand on the side of her head to turn her back to me. “Indie Baby, there aren’t any other women like you.”
Her lips turn up into a goofy smile. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me, Knox.”
“Why not?”
“Because when you do, I-I’m not sure you understand what it does to me.” She lets out a long breath.
“What does it do to you?” I ask, leaning over to kiss her lips, her eyelids, her cheeks, then just below her ear.
“It’s a long story.” She sighs in contentment while I explore which places I kiss elicit the most noises.
“Tell me everything.”
Hazel and I get home just before sunset. Getting out of the truck, I see a note taped to my door. Smiling, because I already know who it’s from, I unbuckle Hazel and help her out. Then we run up the front steps. It’s been two weeks since I made sure everyone in town knew that Indie was mine, and we’ve spent every day together since—except today. She’s staying up at The Edgemont tonight and taking some photographs with Ivy for the website.
I pry the note off the door and study it for a moment.
Do you think about the future?
After I get Hazel settled with her new unicorn coloring book and stickers at the table, I start on our dinner. She has requested macaroni and cheese, no doubt Indie’s influence. I told her we could do that, but she has to have some broccoli too. She accepted my terms.
“Oh, that’s so pretty, Hazey. I love the different colors of the mane.”
“I used pink and blue and green and purple.”
“A great combination.”
“Is Indie coming soon?”
“Indie isn’t going to have dinner with us tonight, baby.” I try to keep the disappointment out of my tone for her.
