“I’m happy to invest.”I click my phone off and place it on the mat.
“No, Easton.You’ve done enough.”She doesn’t even look at me as she says it.Then she stands.“Let’s go.We don’t want to miss the cupcake place.”She pokes Tanner’s stomach.
I know she loves my kid, but he’s a great way to deflect anything she doesn’t want to talk about.
“We have time.”I grab her hand before she can get too far away.“Let’s talk this out.I want to help.”
Her shoulders deflate, and she releases a breath.“I don’t want saving, Easton.I want to come in here one day and know that it’s because of me that it’s a success.Plus, you married me.That’s enough.Throwing good money into something bad isn’t going to fix the problem.”
I pat the spot next to me, and she reluctantly sits.
“Look at how much Tanner loves books.That’s why I’m invested.I want him to have this place as he grows up.Somewhere he can go to get away from his world and imagine another place.Escape from his own problems.”
She raises her eyebrows.“And you’re such a big reader?”
I shrug.She’s got me there.I slide closer to her and put my arm around her back.“Hadley, you’re important to me.The store is important to you.My kid loves the store.I’m invested, let me help.”
She shakes her head.God, I hate how stubborn she can be.
“I’m sorry, Easton.I won’t take your money.”
I pick up my phone.“Then you leave me no choice.”I flip the camera on, aim it at Tanner, and snap a picture.
“Do not,” she warns, her hand shooting out to grab my phone before I can caption and post it.
“Come on.”I lift it out of reach, but she lunges for me anyway.
We go down in a tangle, her momentum knocking me back as she climbs over me, reaching for the phone.I shift, trying to keep it away, but it slips from my grip and lands somewhere on the mat.
She braces her hands on either side of my face to steady herself, and everything stills.
Our eyes lock.
And just like that, the rest of the world disappears.
Her breath hits my mouth first.Soft and uneven.
My hands settle at her waist without thinking, holding her, not pulling her closer… but not letting her go like I should.
Her gaze flicks to my mouth, then back to my eyes, as though she’s right at the brink I’ve been with us since she came back into my life.
“Hadley…” My voice comes out rougher than I expect.
She doesn’t move.Doesn’t blink.Just stays, hovering over me.Close enough that if either of us shifts even an inch…
My thumb presses lightly into her side, and that’s all it takes.
She inhales sharply, her lips parting as her gaze drops again.
The space between us disappears as we lean toward one another.
Then my phone vibrates, and her eyes pop open.She scurries off my lap, and I snatch the phone, seeing Decker’s name on the screen.
I’m not sure if I want to kick Decker’s ass or kiss his feet, but I’m leaning more toward the broken nose scenario.She felt so good on top of me.It’ll be a damn week before I get that visual out of my head.
“Let’s go, Tanman.A vanilla cupcake is calling our name.”She lifts him and moves over to the stroller.
I slide my thumb over the screen, but it goes to voicemail before I can answer.
