Owen
But you never said if you accepted.
Holding my phone, I look at the clock. It’s after eleven, and the red roses he gave me are opening in the crystal vase where I put them.These say I love you…
My phone buzzes again.
Owen
John received Kendall’s message. He’d like to see her now if she’s still waiting for him.
Energy squeezes my chest, and I roll onto my stomach tapping out a quick reply.
Gina
She’s still waiting.
Gray dots float and disappear. Then they reappear… then they’re gone.
I set my phone aside, resting my cheek on my hand as I wait for his answer. My eyes close, and I imagine him going home to Eureka, talking to his dad about me. I wonder what they said.
I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until a warm hand touches my arm, and I open my eyes.
28
OWEN
The sound of a Shania Twain song punctuated by long, low dog howls draws me to the back patio where I find my daughter sitting outside the cage in her PJs holding a small speaker in her hand.
Inside, Ladybird is lifting her head and howling along to her favorite song. At least I think it’s her favorite. She sure seems to enjoy howling in time to it.
Spanky simply watches her, as if that racket is the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard. I get it. I’m entranced by everything Gina does. She’s smart, thoughtful, caring, beautiful, sexy…
My dick tightens just thinking the words. Watching her leave, it was hard not to follow her out the door. It was hard not to pull her into my arms and hold her, never letting her go.
I want her here with me, joining my family, my life. I want her in my bed.
Speaking of bed, I clear those lusty thoughts away and focus on the task at hand.
“Bedtime, Maddie,” I call to my daughter. “Come on—you’ve got school tomorrow, and the neighbors need to sleep.”
Standing, she crawls into the cage to pet and hug both of the dogs before crawling out again and taking my hand.
“They’re doggie besties,” she says, looking back at them.
I smile, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Aunt Heather said you made a new friend at school today. What’s her name?”
“Charlotte!” she cries, and her walking turns into happy skipping. “She loves hockey just like me, and she was so excited when I told her my dad plays for the Champions!”
“Maybe she can go to a game with you sometime.”
“Yeah!” She pumps her arms as I turn the blankets back on her bed.
We decorated her room the same way as her room in Eureka to help her feel at home. Tiny fairies are scattered all over the wallpaper, flying on little wings and holding star-tipped wands. Her bed has a sheer mosquito net hanging from a circle attached to the ceiling.
I move it aside so I can sit beside her, leaning against a pillow. She snuggles into my side holding Zander, and I open the book she’s chosen for us tonight. Of course, it’s a Junie B. Jones title.
“My name is Junie B. Jones,” I begin. “TheBstands for Beatrice. Except I don’t like Beatrice…”
