“It’s almost four in the morning. You’re not going anywhere.”
I nearly trip into him when he tows me up to standing, my hands landing on his chest. His palms come around my waist, holding me steady, and I blink a few times. “I figured now that you’re home…”
“I’m not sending you out driving now. You’re going to sleep here.”
“But I?—”
“You’re sleeping here.” He slides his hands to my shoulders,and with him towering over me, I can’t see anything but the reflection off his glasses. “Now, can you walk, or do I need to carry you?”
It’s a tempting offer. To give in to the heaviness of my limbs and let him take me in his arms, but even in my sleep-addled brain, I know it’s not a good idea. Not for my heart or our fragile truce.
“I can walk.”
He lets me step away from him but keeps his hand on my lower back, guiding me through the living room and kitchen to the hall, where I suddenly remember an idea I had. I don’t want to forget in the morning.
Spinning around, I grab his biceps, my fingers barely spanning the round muscles. “I was thinking about Paisley’s birthday. She really misses Ava, and I was hoping we could plan something. Maybe fly her out here.”
“Ava is the best friend, right?” When I nod, he inclines his head a few inches, his fingertips tracing over my hips, slipping under the hem of my T-shirt and over my shorts. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. That’ll make her happy.”
“Happier,” I correct, and I can smell mint on his breath when he exhales harshly.
“I hope so.”
“I know so.”
“Mostly because of you.”
But I won’t let him escape the credit on this. “No. It’s because you’re taking care of her. She adores you.”
He digs his fingertips into my hips, and with my heart jackrabbiting so loud in my chest, I can’t be sure if I heard it or if I imagined it.
I adore you.
“Come on.” He urges me to the guest room. “You need sleep, and so do I.”
“I’ll be up to take Paisley to school tomorrow.”
“I’m going to. It’s our rest day, and you need time off.”
“It’s okay.”
“River,” he warns, opening the door for me, flicking on the light, which makes me wince. Although being able to finally see him makes it better.
He smiles down at me, runs his hand over my sleep-mussed hair that probably looks like a rat’s nest. “Sleep well.”
Then he nudges me inside, closing the door after me.
I adore you too.
CHAPTER 15
CAMDEN
It has been a weird week.Between trying to sneak around behind Paisley’s back, planning the big surprise for her birthday, I also contended with constant reminders of Nadine and that night I came home from Tampa to find her asleep on the couch.
Unfortunately, she does not sleep in a giant onesie. But thankfully, it is also not an itty-bitty top and thong like the picture my imagination had conjured up. She fell asleep in a billowing charity 5K T-shirt and cotton shorts that rode up high when she walked. Torturously, though, I do know how soft they are from when I had my fingertips buried in the material, both of us cloaked in shadows with only our breaths between us.
She was so warm and sleepy and smelled so good. She doesn’t wear perfume, but whatever it is—a mixture of her soap, tea, cotton, and mornings in bed—her scent is addictive. It haunts me. Lingers in my senses and mind. Slowly making me lose it.
