Page 142 of Beauty
My son sets his slice down like he’s about to settle into a good story. “Oh yeah. It totally happened.”
Her lips twitch and her eyes gleam. “What were you wearing?”
Without a second’s hesitation, he launches into a description of the outfit. It’s one that the two of them discussed as an option while we were in Florida when he was dead set on making sure his first hug went off without a hitch.
“You planning on kissing her anytime soon?” Sienna asks with a quick glance in my direction.
I fucking adore the genuine affection radiating from her. And I adore spending time with the two of them.
My little guy shakes his head. “Nah, I’m gonna make her work for that. Kissing feels like a second-grade thing.”
Sienna’s shocked laughter rings out, the sound lighting me up inside.
After dinner and a round of Chutes and Ladders, she offers to clean up while I get Ollie ready for bed. Before he heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth, he throws his arms around her waist, surprising us both. “I’m so glad you came to see us.”
Once he’s tucked in, I turn off his bedroom light, leaving only the nightlight above his bed on so he can read for another fifteen minutes, then shuffle out to find my girl.
She’s settled on my couch, a full wineglass on the table in front of her, a blanket draped over her legs, and a book in her lap. She’s made herself comfortable, and I like that more than I can explain.
When she spots me, she breaks into a soft smile.
Tonight was a good night. And I can’t help but dream of a life where every night looks like this.
A wave of melancholy hits me next, because every night can’t be like this since I don’t have Ollie full time. And honestly, I’m not sure Sienna’s in this wholeheartedly yet.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her brow creased.
I force a smile and ease onto the couch beside her. “Nothing. You’re here. I’m happy.” I pull her legs over mine, settling my hands on her bare shins. She’s dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a simple black T-shirt, looking all sorts of relaxed.
“Don’t lie to me. I saw the smile drop for a second. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
I let out a low laugh and look toward Ollie’s bedroom. “I was just thinking about how nice it is having you both here and how I wish it was like this more often.”
“That’s not a bad thing.”
Her soft tone lures me back to the moment, and I meet her inquisitive gaze. “It is for a person who travels as much as I do. I don’t get enough time with him as it is, and today I found out I’ll have to miss his T-ball tournament because of the charity skate Ezra coordinated in Michigan.”
Lips twisting, she nods thoughtfully.
“You know what the worst part of it all is? It’s how understanding my kid was when I broke the news. He didn’t even get upset. More than anything, I wanted to tell Gavin that I wouldn’t be there. That I had other obligations, but since I’m up for contract negotiations, I have to play ball.”
Sienna’s eyes widen. “We can’t talk about that.”
I squeeze her thigh. “You don’t have to say anything. This is me talking to Sienna, the woman I can’t stop thinking about. Not Sienna the CEO.”
Her brows lower, her expression guarded. “You know I want you to stay.”
I grin, eager to lighten the suddenly somber mood. I’m not as worried about the contract as I probably should be, and I definitely don’t want her to think I expect her to do anything on my behalf. “Do you, now?”
She nods, her teeth scraping over her bottom lip. “I, uh, I wanted to show you something.”
“Mmm?” I settle deeper into the cushions, relishing how right it feels to have her this close.
She tucks her chin and studies the book in her hand for several seconds. When she holds it up, there’s this moment before I understand what I’m looking at. A heartbeat, really. And when it’s over, I’m suddenly no longer the same man. I’ve changed irrevocably and completely.
The truth slams into me like a boulder, knocking the air from my lungs.
I’ve seen hundreds of these books. Hell, I purchased hundreds of them. But this one looks worn, and this inexplicable nudge, this voice in my head, tells me that it might actually betheone.
