Page 69 of When Love Found Us
How the fuck is that any different? He wasn’t drunk and was paid to do it?
Before I can say anything, Galeana’s voice cuts through. “Be nice, Ledge.”
Ledger lifts his drink in mock surrender. “Please, I’m being too fucking nice.” He pushes off the counter and heads toward the bar cart. “Would you like something to drink? Whiskey? Tequila? Pick your poison.”
Blythe shifts closer to me—just slightly. It’s subtle, instinctive, like she isn’t sure about Ledger, maybe even wary of him.
I drop my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in. Just enough so she knows she’s not alone. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” I murmur low, just for her.
Ledger notices. His gaze flicks between us like he’s studying us.
I hold his stare.
Then the front door swings open again, and the tense energy in the room cracks, relief slipping through the fractures as Maddy’s voice rings out. “Uncle Atlas.”
She sprints through the doorway, her little legs moving way too fast as she barrels toward me.
I crouch just in time, catching her mid-run and lifting her into my arms. “There’s my favorite Timberbridge,” I say, squeezing her tight before leaning back to study her face. “How are you, kiddo?”
She pouts dramatically. “Daddy said you were in town and didn’t come visit me.”
I glance at Hopper over her shoulder. He’s standing by the door with Nysa and shrugs.
Nysa, on the other hand, looks amused as fuck. “Yeah, Atlas,” she drawls. “That’s rude.”
I sigh, shifting Maddy on my hip. “I know. I got busy.”
She narrows her eyes. “You’re always busy.”
“Tell you what,” I say, bumping my forehead lightly against hers, “next week, when the shop is closed, you get to pick what we do. Anything you want.”
Her eyes go wide. “Even ice cream for dinner?”
I smirk. “Even ice cream for dinner.”
Hopper scoffs. “Maybe ice cream after dinner.”
Maddy considers this, then nods solemnly. “Deal.”
Then, as if just noticing Blythe, she turns to her with wide, curious eyes.
“Are you my new aunt?”
Blythe blinks, clearly caught off-guard. “Oh. Uh?—”
I shift Maddy in my arms, nodding toward Blythe. “Mads, this is Blythe. Blythe, this is my favorite niece, Maddy.”
Maddy studies her for a long moment, then grins. “Hi, Blythe. You seem nice and very pretty.”
Blythe exhales a soft, surprised laugh. “Thank you.”
Maddy tilts her head. “Do you like Uncle Atlas?”
Blythe’s lips part slightly, eyes darting to me like she’s begging for an out.
Before she can come up with an answer, Nysa smirks, swirling her wine. “That’s the real question, isn’t it?”
I shoot her a look. “Don’t start.”
