“You give me the green light, and I’ll be between your legs in two-point-one seconds.”Might as well test the waters a little.
She giggles and sits up, crossing her legs.“We’ll be fine here, and you’ll be back before you know it.In the meantime, just message me when you need a Tanner fix.”
I don’t blame her for ignoring my comment.It would complicate everything.
A lot has come easily in my life, but doing this with her is by far the easiest.So easy that I feel like I’m missing something.Why isn’t it more difficult playing house with her?I was so worried about having a woman in this house twenty-four seven, but so far, it’s been great.
I hold out my hand, and she accepts it, allowing me to pull her up off the bed.Unable to stop myself, I wrap my arms around her.
I’d never tell her, but I’m going to miss her too.
It’s hard to believe, but the nights after Tanner goes to bed and we binge a show are some of my favorite.Maybe my favorite part of the day, honestly.
“Thanks again,” I whisper in her ear.
“Stop thanking me.Let’s remember you agreed to legally bind yourself to me.”
I chuckle, inhale her one more time, and pull back.“Very true.You owe me.”
She playfully smacks my arm, and I wait for her to walk out of the room.
My suitcase feels as if it holds the weight of a dead body as I drag it behind me because I want to kick and scream and yell that I don’t want to go.I leave it by the door and walk over to the pack-and-play, staring at Tanner sleeping.
He’s on his back, his legs and arms spread out like a human X.There’s a little drool trickling down his cheek, and his pacifier lies abandoned next to him.
I kiss my fingers and press them to his heart.“I’ll be back, buddy.Before you know it.”
Somehow, I manage to pull myself away, and Hadley offers me a kind smile from the kitchen.
I dig into my wallet and pull out cash, placing it on the counter.“Until your credit card comes.”
“Easton, no.”
I knew she’d fight me on this, but it’s not her responsibility to pay for stuff for my kid.I ordered her a credit card in her name, but it hasn’t come yet.
“Yes.Use it for whatever you need for Tanner.For you too.”
She won’t.I’ve never asked her what money she lives off of.I know wherever she traveled she would get a job—from working in a bakery to being a server—but I always thought there must be more coming from somewhere.
“Just go.You’re going to be late.”She puts her hands on my shoulders and lightly pushes me toward the door.
I grab my suitcase, look at the pack-and-play one more time, and open the door.“I left you a list of numbers in case you need to get a hold of me.”
She nods and smiles.“I saw it.Now go be that rock star shortstop everyone fawns over.I’ve got things handled here.”
Our eyes meet and hold for a second.What would I have done without her?
I nod and walk out, hating being on the other side of the door from them.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Easton
After the plane rises off the runway at O’Hare and there’s no turning back, I’m heading to New York whether I want to or not, so I decide to use my time away constructively.
I nudge Decker in the seat next to me, and he puts down his book.“Do you remember when I went to Cabo for my cousin’s bachelor party?”
He rocks his head back and forth.“I think so.”
