Witnessing the exchange, River asked, “Is this your husband?”
Stormi’s head jerked up so fast, I was surprised she didn’t get whiplash. Capri made a dreamy sound and I lost the ability to breathe.
Bronson raised his brow waiting to see what I would say.
“No. I don’t have a husband. He’s…” Something came over me and I said what had always been in my heart no matter the past. “He’s my best friend.”
He looked utterly pleased with my answer and his face went soft as he gave me another sweet smile. Then a wicked grin took its place and he looked at River. “Soon to be, boyfriend.”
When Bronson looked back my way, butterflies started to flutter uncontrollably in my belly and I couldn’t bring myself to contradict him.
“He has to be her boyfriend because he kissed my mommy yesterday,” Stormi announced.
I looked at my daughter. “Tattletale.”
Capri gave a smug smile and said, “I knew it was only a matter of time before all that built up combustible attraction I witnessed at the party would need to be defused and second chances would be in the making,”
My cheeks grew warm with all the attention.
“Sounds like there is more of a story here,” River said. “Let me remind you in case either of you need it, I am a therapist.”
And with that, laughter once again filled the room.
For a moment my anxiety dissipated but I knew it wouldn’t last.
Not with so much hanging in the balance.
Bronson, River, new friends, and we couldn’t forget the man out to get me.
Chapter Sixteen
BRONSON
I despised my job.
Being a police officer wasn’t always easy. I saw horrific things and dealt with some intense situations while putting my life on the line. It was very much like my time in the military. I wanted to protect and serve, so when I finished my stint in the service, being a cop made sense and I didn’t regret it.
That was until I had to leave Lake and Stormi.
For the second time in a week I found myself standing at Lake’s door reluctant to go. With the security system in place, Lake had insisted that she and Stormi would be okay. I understood and I admired her bravery, but with someone harassing her and no clue to who it was, I had done everything to convince her to just stay at the condos.
Much to my disdain she declined.
Lake had always been stubborn and strong. They were two things I loved about her. But those qualities of hers, along with my job, were going to drive me to the brink before my shift ended because it meant I had to say goodbye and leave the two girls alone while someone very unstable was on the loose. In a week's time they’d become my world.
The only saving grace was I had a day shift and I would come by after work to check on them. And if I was lucky, Lake would just let me stay the night.
On the couch of course.
I wasn’t rushing things, but if I could be close to watch over them and spend time with them too, then it would go far to settle my nerves, along with making me a happy man for getting to be in their presence.
Right then though, with Lake clinging to my shirt as I hugged her goodbye, and Stormi’s tiny arms wrapped around my legs while she begged me not to go, I was miserable.
Lake had told River that I was her best friend. While I was fucking ecstatic that she acknowledged that again and was finding it in herself to forgive me, the way she felt in my arms, our hearts beating in sync with one another, told me I wasn’t far off when I’d belted out that she’d be my girlfriend soon.
And that made me not want to leave her side.
It sounded as if we were in high school where I was about to ask her to wear my letterman’s jacket and be my girl. But honestly, I’d been stupid not to admit my feelings had grown for Lake over those last couple of years before I left and she’d missed so much. She deserved to know what it felt like to be wooed and fawned over.
