I tilted my head, my eyes smoldering. “What do you think?” I challenged.
“I think you are,” she smiled, like this pleased her.
My eyes locked on hers, the connection a perfect fusion. Before I had a chance to respond, the first firecracker went off, wheezing through the air. Sawyer’s head popped up, her eyes wide and very much awake as she took in the colourful explosions happening above us.
Gwen smiled, her eyes moving from Sawyer to me before she turned to watch the fireworks, too. The smooth column of her neck strained elegantly as she looked up, and I couldn’t swallow back the impulse to reach for her.
I purposely dropped the arm that wasn’t holding my daughter so that the back of my hand would brush against the back of Gwen’s. Surprised, she looked up at me. The fireworks looked more exquisite when reflected in her eyes.
“Ohh! Look, Daddy!” Sawyer said with awe, pointing to the sky, where a series of three fireworks were exploding.
“It’s pretty isn’t it?” Gwen’s dimples popped as she watched my daughter take in the show. Sawyer nodded in agreement. This time, I didn’t hesitate to curl my thumb around hers.
By the end of the twenty-minute show, Sawyer’s head was bobbing. Unable to fight it any longer, she rested her head against my shoulder and let out an exhausted yawn.
“Time to go, munchkin,” I said, shifting her to give my arm a rest.
“Okay,” she sighed.
We started back toward the house, Gwen strolling beside me until we reached the patio. “I hope you guys had fun today,” she said, smiling softly.
I nodded, resisting the inclination to invite her over. She smiled again—one that held so much understanding and patience in it—and headed to the sliding door, gliding through it. Casting one last look at me over her shoulder, she offered a parting smile before she disappeared deeper into the house.
Making my way through the backyard, I nodded at Grant as I passed him. Russell was standing by the gate, talking to the guests who were making their way to their cars. I paused long enough to thank him for the day.
“Thanks for coming,” Russell told me, smiling at my sleeping daughter. “Looks like she had a fun day.”
“She did. If she were conscious right now, she’d tell you.” I chuckled, knowing it to be true. Sawyer would chat the ears off a statue.
“See you Monday morning.”
“Bright and early,” I replied.
He nodded, clapping me gently on the shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend, son.”
“You too,” I said solidly, moving past him and slipping through the gate. I walked down the driveway, reaching into my pocket for my keys, hitting unlock and pocketing them before opening the passenger door. Sawyer was still gently snoring, exhausted from all the running around. She didn’t wake when I eased her into her car seat, buckled her in, or closed the door.
I looked up, catching Grant’s eye as he walked down the driveway.
“Hey, wait up a minute!” he called, changing direction and moving toward me. He slid his hands into his pockets, narrowing his eyes at me with consideration. “You’re the guy she’s seeing, aren’t you?”
I lifted my chin. “I am.”
He nodded with understanding. “Well, I know when to admit defeat,” he remarked, laughing lightly and shaking his head. I snorted, opening my door.
“Smart of you.”
“Does Russell know?”
I scowled. “What’s it to you?”
“I’m just saying,” Grant said sincerely, lifting his hands in surrender. “Russell is protective of his daughters. If he thinks you’re jerking her around, it’ll end your career.”
“Is that a threat?” I gritted my teeth, my fingers curling into a fist.
“Consider it advice from a friend,” Grant said earnestly. “Relax. Your secret is safe with me, but sooner or later he’ll figure it out on his own. Have a nice weekend!” He said, backing away a few steps before he turned and continued to his own vehicle.
Gwen
