I cringed. It needed to happen, but I hated thinking of Victoria in the middle.
“I want to lay down for a while.” I turned to head into my bedroom when Josh grabbed my wrist.
“Bri,” he started before I held my hand up.
“I just want to be alone right now, okay?” I kissed his cheek and made my way down the hallway.
I shut the door behind me and plopped onto the bed, curling myself into a ball. What upset me more? Did it bother me more that Sara ruined such a great day for us, or that she reminded me that no matter how many mall trips I accompanied her on, or presents I bought her, Victoria would never really be mine. No child would be.
I rolled over to face the window. The sun was setting and pink and purple hues shot across the sky. My mom and I used to sit on our stoop sometimes and pick out the shadows in the clouds at dusk. It was a simple and fun pleasure only a child could experience. Spending time with Victoria today reminded me of that. My lips curved at the thought. No matter what my issues were, or whatever venom Sara wanted to throw at me, nothing could take that away.
I let my eyes shut, chuckling into the pillow as the door creaked open. The bed dipped as a tattooed arm circled my waist and bristles of stubble scratched against my neck.
“You don’t listen very well, do you?” I didn’t flip over as Josh cuddled into my back. He kissed my cheek and made a gurgling noise—the one I made him repeat over and over again at the end ofBoa Constrictorwhen we were kids. I laughed despite myself and elbowed his ribs.
“I heard you; I needed to make sure you were okay.” He planted a kiss to my shoulder.
I turned around, letting a genuine smile stretch my lips.
“Yes. I actually am.”
Josh
“WHAT ABOUT THISone?” Brianna slid her laptop over to me and pointed at the listing at the top of the screen.
“Not bad. Two bedrooms, use of the backyard, and hey, a balcony! Let’s go see that one!”
Her brows pulled together as she leaned back against the dining room chair. “A balcony? That’s your main selling point? You know we have one already, right?
“No, we don’t.” I snickered. “That’s not even a porch. And with all the crap you have stored out there, it’s not like we can go outside.”
She rolled her eyes and grabbed the computer to keep scrolling.
“You know, this is a big step. Us getting a new place together.” I wrapped one arm around her as her eyes stayed glued to her screen.
“As opposed to you already living here?” She leaned her elbow on the table, resting her head against her hand. “Thatwasn’t a big deal?”
I shrugged. “I’m a glorified squatter. You and me, picking out a place, signing a lease together.” I inched closer and planted an open-mouthed kiss to her neck. “It’s doing things to me, Cupcake,” I whispered in her ear as my lips made a wet trail across her shoulder.
A moan escaped her, half lust and half frustration. We’d been at this most of the morning. I wasn’t kidding—having a place that was all ours right from the start was a huge deal to me. No memories of ex-boyfriends or time apart. It would be a brand-new start of our new life together. Now, if only I could grow the balls to give her the engagement ring in my top drawer, but one step at a time.
“Doing things, huh?” She tilted her neck to give me more access. “Balconies turn you on?”
I chuckled at her hoarse whisper.
“Youturn me on. But you, on a balcony? Holy fuck, baby.” I grabbed the back of her neck and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. She was so damn hot in her glasses and her blonde hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. The pissed off, sexy librarian vibe traveled right to my dick, especially when a whimper escaped her. Brianna’s hand drifted down my chest but halted before the bulge in my sweatpants.
“Stop,” she murmured against my lips before she pushed me away. “You’re distracting me. Tomorrow is the only day we have to visit places. Focus, babe. Instead of a balcony, let’s look for a second bedroom that can fit an actual bed. Victoria’s feet dangle over the end of the futon when she sleeps over.”
I kissed her temple and nodded. A new room for Victoria was one of the main reasons we were looking for a new apartment. Sara made an excuse as to why she couldn’t stay over this weekend, but I didn’t mind her games because I’d made a legal play of my own. In a day or two, she’d get papers petitioning the court to share custody of Victoria. I was done being the nice guy since the second I watched Sara berate my daughter for taking a gift from Brianna. It was more than just a stuffed animal that bothered Sara. Victoria liked being here as much as we wanted her here, and the closer we all became, the more it infuriated her mother. Maybe I came into my daughter’s life later than I should have, but I wasn’t going anywhere. Sara could accept that or find a lawyer.
“Josh!” Sara’s voice bellowed through the door. The doorbell rang in between pounding. I guessed the mail came early.
“I’ll go in the bedroom.” Brianna scooped up her computer and rose from the kitchen chair. I grabbed her arm and gave her a slow shake of my head.
“No, you’re not. You’re staying right there. She’s not running you out of your own kitchen.”
She frowned as her eyes stayed fixed on the door. “My presence makes her angry, and I’m sure she’s angry enough.” She pecked my lips. “I’m not running. I’m walking, babe. It’s called picking your battles.” She winked before traipsing down the hall.
