Page 78 of Reckless
It’s annoying that I look like trash when I’m tired and he looks likethis.
The fact that he’s got our child strapped to his chest enhances the appeal by a million. But it doesn’t matter in the least what Theo looks like. I could see him carrying Vivi, singing a song, cleaning my goddamn house, and I wouldn’t notice his physicality at all.
I’d just see a man so deeply dependable that I’d want to rip my clothes off and suck his dick in thanks. It’s a biological loophole, I swear. Because for the life of me, I can’t hold a grudge against Theo when he’s done nothing but show up for me, no matter how much I’ve snarled at him.
When he takes the coffee, I try to pull away, but his hand is too big. Too sure. His fingers wrap over mine and he gently guides me closer to them.
“Vivi, look how sweet your mom is, bringing me a coffee.”
I glance down at her and a sudden surge of longing hits me. I haven’t been away from her overnight before. And suddenly I want nothing more than to pull her out of the carrier and nuzzle into her neck where there are still traces of baby smell.
I drop my forehead against hers. “Good morning, sweet baby,” I say as I press a kiss to her soft, pudgy cheek.
When I glance up, Theo points at a familiar stack of envelopes. “Those from your ex? I wasn’t snooping. I just found them underneath a pile of magazines.”
I swallow, deciding how to play this off. For some reason, I don’t want Theo and Rob intersecting. Rob isn’t welcome here, sullying this happy little bubble.
Looking around my house, I can’t help but feel like Theo has already stepped into a colossal mess. I don’t need to add to that burden with drama from my ex.
“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. He keeps sending bills for things like our wedding or house, as though I owe him something when I don’t.” I swipe a hand between us like it doesn’t bother me at all. But it does. Rob did this same thing with Summer. He could never let her go. Her disinterest became some sort of slight to him, and now I’m getting the same treatment.
The man won’t give me peace, even though I specifically tooknothingin our divorce to get rid of him. But it still wasn’t enough.
“There’s no postage on them though. Is he dropping them off here? Is that why you have the cameras up?”
It is, but not because I think he’d do anything violent. Just because if I see him at the door, I don’t want to answer.
“Mama.”
That one word instantly changes the subject.
I freeze and stare down at my daughter, and then I glance up at Theo. “Did she just say...”
“Mama?” Theo quirks a brow at me and slides a palm down the center of my back, stopping when he hits the waistline of my yoga pants. Then he...leaves it there. His big, warm palm at the small of my back. Sure, and steady, and supportive.
“That’s her first word.” I stare at her in wonder.
“Of course it is. What else would it be? And she’s been saying it all morning.” He turns his gaze back to Vivi. “Haven’t you, baby girl? Been talking about your mama nonstop. And who could blame you? Look at her.” They both turn their big brown eyes on me, and suddenly I’m aware of how close we’re standing. My hand on Vivi. Vivi’s hand on Theo. Theo’s hand on me.
Connected.
We will always be connected.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Theo carries on, blissfully unaware of the turmoil this moment stirs in me. “Just like you. Imagine how beautiful she’ll look when she gets back from getting her nails done.”
“What?” My brows knit and my head flips toward Theo.
He removes his hand from my back to check his watch. “Yeah. I booked you a manicure for ten.”
“But you’ve been with Vivi all night. All morning.”
He shrugs, a gentle smile stretching over his too-handsome features. “I don’t need a special trophy for parenting. I love it, Winter. Don’t worry. Go enjoy your manicure while you can still get one.”
His hand returns to my back as he nudges me toward the door. “But I—”
“No buts. You go. I’ll be here. I got this.”
I turn and give him a stern stare, one finger up. “I’ll be back before lunch.”
