“Welcome to the world of parenting. One minute, you’re bursting with pride watching them take their first steps. And the next your heart is being ripped from your body, stepped on until it’s flattened beyond recognition.”
His comment only intensified the worry on her face. “That sounds awful. How do you live like that?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
The way she chewed on her bottom lip amplified his concern. Were his words giving her further doubt about wanting a more permanent role in the girls’ lives? They’d promised to be honest witheach other about their feelings, but the lingering uncertainty caused by Sabrina’s abandonment made it hard to believe Hallie wouldn’t abandon them too.
She’s different though. He had to trust that she was nothing like his ex.
“Have you talked to her?” Hallie asked finally.
“Talked to who?”
“Carrie. Have you brought up her daughter’s behavior?”
Anger flashed through him at the reminder of how those conversations went. “Trust me, I’m not clueless. I know what goes on between those girls. And I’ll always advocate for my daughter.Always.”
Hallie looked away, her eyebrows creasing. A strand of her blonde hair fell in front of her face. “I didn’t mean to imply you were clueless. I just wondered how she’d react.”
Reaching out, he fingered the silky lock before tucking it behind her ear. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. Carrie doesn’t like being confronted about things. It makes her … uncomfortable.”
Hallie’s eyes took on an uncharacteristic gleam. “Being uncomfortable once in a while would do her some good. She’s a piece of work.”
Her defensiveness forced a chuckle from deep in Christian’s gut. She’d never been anything but kind, though the glare in her eye when speaking of his neighbor showed a woman who wouldn’t hesitate to protect her people. At least today, that included his little family.
Would it always?
Again, his heart urged him to trust her, even as his head wasn’t fully on board.
“Come on.” She stood, reaching her hand out to him. “It’s been an emotional evening and there are three cakes in the kitchen begging to be eaten.”
They walked hand-in-hand into the kitchen. She grabbed two paper plates—jack-o-lanterns and ghosts printed on a plain black background—from the stack on the table while Christian flippedopen the lid of the top bakery box, revealing Isla’s haunted house cake.
Hallie came up beside him. “Not that one.”
He raised an eyebrow at her.
“The birthday girl needs to be present to cut into her cake.”
“Good call.” Christian slid the box to the side and flipped open the next lid to reveal an all-white cake in the shape of a ghost. “Better?”
She nodded, pulling a knife from a drawer. The easy way she moved around his kitchen provided further confirmation that she belonged here.
“Would you like to do the honors?” She held the knife out to him.
“You made it.” He stepped aside, then placed his hands on her upper arms, slowly guiding her in front of the cake. Snaking his arms around her waist from behind, he stooped to kiss her cheek before whispering in her ear. “Have at it.”
She turned her head barely enough to flash him a smile before directing her focus back on the cake. While she sliced a small piece for each of them, he retrieved two plastic forks from the cup on the table. With their plates in hand, they headed back to the couch, settling comfortably next to each other.
“I propose a toast.” He sliced off a sizable piece of red velvet and held his fork toward her. “To tough parenting moments made easier with something sweet.”
“Cheers.” She laughed, the sound warming his core as she touched her bite to his. “Cake always makes everything better.”
His mouth stretched wide as he looked at her, warmth filling his core when she smiled back.No. You do.
“Trick-or-treat!”
Hallie clapped her hands in front of herself in delight, hardly recognizing the girls smiling at her from the porch. “Wow! You two are the best-looking trick-or-treaters of the night!”
