Because Hallie was born to be a King.
TWENTY-FOUR
Hallie’s at my place early the next morning to pick up Emma, but she doesn’t do more than give me a small smile and a wave before driving off with my girl. Nerves churn in my stomach the entire morning as I try to play it cool despite having no idea where we stand. But when she texts me a selfie of her and Wren, that tension eases.
She’s not ignoring me. She’s not avoiding me. She’s just overwhelmed and unsure.
I can work with this.
She pulls up at four to drop off Emma, but when she hesitates when Emma asks if she’s coming inside, I remember my mission. Play it slow. Play it safe. Give her space, but not too much.
“We’ll see her in an hour at the family dinner, Em. Let her have some space.” Emma glares at me but nods, and when she does, Hallie gives me a relieved look.
“Yeah, I desperately need to wash my hair, Em. It’s getting gross.” She motions to her head, where her hair is in two French braids.
“Looks good to me,” I say, eyes on Hallie. A blush spreads across her cheeks, and I smirk just a bit. But she doesn’t look away. She holds my gaze, eyes lighting up with challenge.
God, I’m so gone for this woman.
I tap the top of the car instead of begging her to stay, insisting she showers at my place, preferably with me, and turn to my daughter. “Let’s go, Em. Get your things, and let Hallie get ready.” Emma nods, slides out of the car, and I wave to Hallie as she drives off.
At family dinner, her hair is freshly washed and down—isn’t that strange?—but the fact that she’s in a pair of jeans and a sweater rather than a Three Kings sweatshirt and leggings and wearing makeup is. Almost as if she wanted to look good for some reason.
“Hair looks good, Hal,” I murmur when she walks into my parents’ place. Again, that blush, and this time, it’s accompanied by a soft, shy smile.
After my talk with my dad and my admitted tantrum at The Mill, I’m a bit nervous about dinner. I assume everyone understands at this point that there issomethingbetween Hallie and me, and I don’t need them poking and prodding and scaring off Hallie. Thankfully, my entire family also seems to understand the assignment of taking things slow and letting Hallie steer this ship, and doesn’t say a single word of teasing or question.
It’s further proof that her fears are unfounded. She’s so worried about losing them, but I don’t think she realizes there is no world where my family would simply let her go. I’m pretty sure they’d get rid of me before they got rid of Hallie at this point; she’s such an integral part of this family.
After dinner, Hallie, Emma, and I walk back together, and when we reach my house, I turn to my daughter. “I’m gonna gowalk Hallie to her place. Go get your pajamas on, and you can get some screen time.”
Emma’s eyes light up, and she nods.
“Thanks, Dad!” she says, heading inside at warp speed.
I smile at her predictability and turn to Hallie. “Come on.”
“You don’t have to—” she starts, and I shake my head. She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue.
As we’re walking, I think about how I want to be holding her hand, about how I want to give her a goodnight kiss, and about how I want to drag her inside and do a lot more than kiss.
But I don’t. Instead, when we get to her door, we both stop, facing each other. Silence spans between us, and I lift a hand, letting the very tips of my fingers move along her earrings. I like these, Hal. Really pretty.” Then the backs of my fingers move down, coasting over the side of her neck, and her breath hitches. I can’t help but let the tiniest, teasing smirk play on my lips before I step back. ”Are they new?”
“I got them today with Emma and Wren at the mall.”
I nod. I wonder if she knows I’m thinking about the sounds she makes when I tug her earrings between my teeth. When her cheeks go pinker, something I know has nothing to do with the cold, I get my answer.
“I like them a lot.” We stand there for another moment before I give in. “Anyway. See you tomorrow?” I ask. There’s a single moment of hesitation before she nods.
“Yeah. I’ll get Emma off the bus. Any dinner requests?”
God, she’s so mine.
“Whatever you guys want. I’ll make a grocery run in the morning—let me know if you need anything.” She nods, then I pull her in for a hug. Her body doesn’t tighten as it did yesterday. She takes in a deep breath and just melts as soon as she’s in my arms. I hold her for as long as I can without pushing it too far before stepping back, dipping to press my lips to her cheek.
“Night, Hallie. Sweet dreams.”
And then I head back home, feeling like the day was a success.
