Page 122 of Hoax and Kisses
He’s my home.
Home is his steady heartbeat and his warm hands on my skin.
It’s the slow mornings wrapped in blankets and the cozy nights bundled next to him on the couch.
It’s the scent of his shirt that soothes me after an exhausting day, and the rhythm of his breathing as he sleeps beside me.
It’s his name on my lips as I come undone in his arms.
As he leads me toward the door, his hand on the small of my back, he has no idea how my world just reoriented itself around his.
“Daph, we’re leaving!” Matt shouts.
His sister runs down the stairs and throws herself at him. He sways but cushions the impact with anoofand holds her tight.
“I’ll see you Wednesday for the parent-teacher conference at school, okay? Be good for Mom and Dad. I’m gonna miss you.”
“Can I stay with you a little bit longer?” She buries her face in his neck.
Matt tightens his arms around her for another moment, then gently extricates himself from her hold. “Mom and Dad are back, kiddo. You should spend some time with them.”
“But I want to stay withyou,” she says louder.
Matt glances at his mom, who nods her agreement, then at me. He sighs.
“I can’t bring you back tonight because Zoé and I have plans. But I can pick you up after school tomorrow, and you can stay another week. Then it’s back to Mom and Dad, okay?”
We have plans?
“Okay. See you tomorrow. Bye, Zoey!”
Without a backward look, she darts back up the stairs.
“Be careful with that foot,” Matt tells his dad as he gives him a quick hug.
As we walk to the car, Deb calls his name. “Maybe I can come with you and Daphne on Wednesday. To the school. Meet her teacher and see how it is.”
Matt sucks in a sharp breath. “Uh, y-yeah, sure. Of course. You can come anytime. I’ll text you the details.”
I hide my smile beneath the collar of my jacket.
Looks like the winds of change are sweeping over Pine Falls.
Chapter Twenty-Six
MATT
Blinds cover the windows of my store, giving me the perfect chance to surprise Zoé. She’s waiting in my truck while I finish setting up the last touches, thinking I had to run in to check on a few things I didn’t have time to do before the town hall this afternoon.
I can’t wait to have her all to myself tonight. This is long overdue. No sister, no friends, no parents.
Just her and me.
The woman I love.
Fuck.
I love her so damn much.
