Page 89 of Fireworks & Forehead Kisses

I had the strongest urge to pull her into my arms. I didn’t for a few reasons. One, I was carrying a large pizza box. And two, I wasn’t clear on the boundaries in our relationship. I had noticedthat she wasn’t wearing her ring. She’d taken it off in the car, and instead of putting it back on, she’d put it in her purse when we got to the hospital. That didn’t bode well for what she thought our relationship was.

“Oh, good. Pizza’s here. Perfect timing.” She followed me into the kitchen. “Luna’s just getting her pj’s on.”

I set the box on the counter and turned to face her. She stopped up short, almost crashing into me. I wouldn’t have minded if she had. I just wanted to touch her. Any part of her. I wanted to be close to her and have as much contact with her as possible.

“I have to go.”

“Oh, okay.”

Her expression remained unchanged. I couldn’t tell if she was relieved I was leaving or disappointed at the news. I did notice that she didn’t ask me why. For some reason, I wanted to tell her.

“My brother got in trouble again. He says he’ll go to rehab, but he’s asking for me.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Luna’s dad had those issues…it’s a disease. It’s hard on the people close to them.”

Serena had never had any empathy when it came to Derek, not that I blamed her. Truth be told, I hadn’t given my brother much grace. But seeing the world through Ashley’s eyes was an entirely new experience.

Which reminded me… “I saw your paintings.”

Her face flushed with a deep shade of pink. “Oh, um, yeah, I did?—"

“They are incredible. You are very talented.”

“Thank you.” Her response was breathless.

Once again, I found myself leaning down, our mouths being pulled together like magnets, drawn to one another. Just as mylips brushed hers, there was the sound of a herd of elephants stampeding down the stairs.

“Lee Lee!” Luna shouted as she ran down the steps. I had no idea how one six-year-old could make that much noise. “Is the pizza here?”

Ashley took a step back. “It sure is.”

Luna came into the room wearing an oversized t-shirt that hung to her ankles, her hair still damp.

“It was nice coloring with you today, Luna. Congratulations on your baby brother.”

“Can’t you stay for pizza?” she asked.

“No, I actually have to go see my brother.”

“Oh, okay.” Her shoulders dropped, and it was clear she was disappointed. “Tell him I said hi.”

I nodded, not exactly agreeing.

Luna gave me a hug. “Bye, Uncle Declan.”

“Bye, Luna.” I hugged her back.

It was strange how natural it felt to have a niece. I’d never given it much thought since Raquel didn’t have a maternal bone in her body. When she let go, she immediately opened the pizza box as Ashley walked me to the door.

“Well, thanks for everything, husband.”

My lips curled in a grin. “You’re welcome, wife.”

It didn’t feel right just walking away, but I also didn’t feel like I could kiss her on the mouth, so I did what I had last time we were at this door: I leaned down and pressed my lips to her forehead. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

As I walked to my SUV, my chest ached, and I wanted to turn back and stay. For the first time in my life, I was torn between my family and business and my personal life, which was ironic since the only reason I had this personal life was because of my family and business.

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