Page 54 of Reckless
I glance away. “No. That’s complicated.”
“Listen, if you’re not comfortable, I can leave. I don’t want to barge in here and demand time you aren’t ready to give. This must be weird for you.”
For me. That’s the final straw. Tears build in a way that is impossible to stop.
All my life, not a single person has prioritized how things might feelfor me. And here is this man I barely know, prioritizing me.
I force a watery smile. “I can’t think of a single better person to watch her right now.”
He nods, eyes scanning me just a little too closely.
I nod back and head to the bathroom to cry in my bath.
And maybe watch some porn.
15
Winter
Winter:He’s here. He knows.
Sloane:How did he take it? Is that why we did a B&E? To get his number?
Winter:Yup. Except someone else had his phone just to manage social media and never told him.
Sloane:Shit. Are you okay?
Winter:I’m taking a hot bath. Drinking a hot coffee. I’m in shock. But also heaven.
Sloane:You deserve it.
Winter:Do I?
Sloane:Yes. Hot baths and a hot baby daddy. You deserve the world.
Winter:He really is hot.
Sloane:Hotter with a baby I bet.
Winter:You have no idea.
* * *
When I walk down the hallway, I expect mayhem. Tears and frustration. A desperate plea for help because he’s out of his depth. I stayed in the tub with my noise-canceling headphones on until the water was cold, and it still felt luxurious.
So shit has to be falling apart.
But no.
Theo is laid out on the couch, his good arm slung behind his head, which makes his bicep bulge in a very distracting way. Vivi is sprawled across his chest, looking like a koala who’s climbing a tree that is too big for her to reach around. Her red, heart-shaped lips are just a little bit open, and his arm that should be in a sling is folded beside him, one broad palm splayed over her back.
There’s some sort of car race playing on the TV, but Theo is staring at Vivi.
Something about the moment feels profoundly special. He’s missed a lot of moments, a lot of firsts. And this is her first nap on him.
I yank my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and snap a photo. The warm light gives it a dusty vintage effect. They look so peaceful.
“Hi,” I whisper as I walk over to them.
