I sure hope he’s the sunshine to Kolton’s grumpy, because that would make for a really cute story.
Though, I was always told I had too much of a whimsical imagination and put too much focus on love, as if it isn’t the most important thing in the world.
Without love, what do we have?
A bunch of things that aren’t worth it, that’s what.
“Hello, Dr. Carter.”
“Lucian, sweetheart.”
“Right, sorry.” I step aside. “Come in. Kolton is in the shower, but he will be out soon.”
After I say it, I wonder if I should have referred to him as Snapper. The guys in the club make a big deal about that, using only their club names and not their real names. But the doctor has been here a lot, and he always calls him Kolton, and he never argues about it.
I don’t understand much of club business, and after being around the Iron Runners for so long, you’d think I would, but they didn’t teach me anything. Maybe it’s for the best, because I want nothing to do with any of this. What I want is to lie on the beach with my baby, basking in the shade of a bright redumbrella. They sit beside my towel in the sand, digging their little hands in, while I lie on my stomach, reading a book. The waves crash against the surf, the warm breeze blows through my hair. Everything is good in the world.
“How are you feeling today?” Lucian asks, pulling me from my dream.
All thoughts of the beach and calling Kolton by his real name are gone.
“Better than I have in a long time,” I tell him.
“I’m glad to hear it. But remember what I said the other day. If you ever need someone to talk to, you call me. There is no judgment, and I will keep our conversations private.”
I put my hand on his arm, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me already.”
He’s the reason I have clothes on my back, and he helped me out of a panic attack the day Kolton found me in the Iron Runner’s bar. I have him to thank too.
“It smells delicious in here,” he comments, looking over my shoulder at the stove.
“Oh, I’m making dinner. Chicken parmesan. You should stay to eat with us. There’s plenty.”
“I don’t think Kolton would like that.” He smiles, but this time it’s forced.
I huff a laugh. “He doesn’t seem to like people in his space.”
“He doesn’t,” he says carefully. “Yet, you’re here.”
I meet his gaze, noting the sparkle in his eye. “And so are you.”
Chapter Two
Grizz
I drop onto the couch, closing my eyes and letting my head rest back.
“Rough day?” Kelsey asks.
“Something like that.”
The couch dips on the side of me, and I can smell her floral perfume. It’s sweet and subtle, not that overbearing stuff a lot of women use. Kelsey is nice. She doesn’t overdo anything. She’s the right amount of everything. No wonder my brother is so in love with her. She’s great. Best sister-in-law I could ask for.
“You want to talk about it?” she asks.
I open my eyes and turn my head to look at her. “Where’s Tommy?”
