Page 48 of (Un)Spoken

It was dark by the time we got back into town. The highway was quiet as we drove through the mountains, making the sights around us more serene and quiet. Emilia drifted off almost as soon as we left the orchard, her belly full after all the apples and treats she’d consumed during the afternoon.

I smiled as I spotted her slouched over in her seat, unable to keep the happiness off my face. Truth be told, today was the best day I’d had in a long time. It wasn’t because of the orchards, or the animals, or even the ridiculous amount of sugar I’d consumed. Nope. It had everything to do with the two girls in my car and how I felt around them.

Every moment I spent with Tori and Emilia, I wanted a hundred more. I was becoming a greedy, selfish man when it came to them, and I couldn’t bring myself to care. Where normally, I’d be itching for space after spending the entire day with someone, instead, I was already dreading when we’d separate for the night.

I stole another glance at Victoria and Emilia. How in thehell had I gotten so lucky? It wasn’t the first time I’d thanked my luck, but in the past, it was usually because of my career. Acting was a difficult way to make a living, and for every person who got their big break, hundreds were waiting for their moment. I was one of the fortunate who had met the right people, been in the right place at the right time. And as hard as I worked for my success, I’d have to be delusional not to thank my luck.

But sitting here, watching as Emilia slept in the backseat and Tori hummed along with the radio, this simple moment surpassed any role I could have earned. As much as I missed acting, if I screwed this up, I knew I’d miss moments like this more.

“What was your favorite part of the day?” Tori asked, a small smile playing on her face.

“Mrs. Campbell, is that you?” I teased, remembering the way her mother used to start every meal with the same question. “I’m having flashbacks to all those Sunday dinners at your house growing up.”

“You know, I thought it was so lame when I was a kid.” Tori glanced in the rearview mirror. “But once Em started getting bigger, I found myself doing the same thing.” She shifted her smile to me. “Guess we really do become our parents.”

“That wouldn’t be the worst thing,” I chuckled. “Except for the farming part. I’d be a disaster.”

“Probably,” she laughed. “Remember when you tried to help my mom with her garden?”

“It’s not my fault I don’t have a green thumb.” I reached over and took her hand in mine. “But to answer your question, I can’t choose one moment. The whole day was pretty damn perfect.” I lifted her knuckles to my lips. “And it’s not even over yet.”

“Oh yeah?” Tori asked, shifting to face me fully. “And what are the plans for the rest of the night?”

“That’s up to you,” I said seriously. “I don’t want to intrude on your space with Emilia, especially before she knows we’re more than friends. But if you’d like, I could come over after bedtime…”

“And have a repeat of the other night?”

“Maybe even more, if you’re into it.”

“God, yes,” she sighed. “I’d really like that.”

“Yeah?” I questioned, releasing her hand to flicker the blinker, turning into the guest lot for Fox Creek. As I pulled into a space, I leaned in closer to her. “You’re feeling a little needy, baby?”

“You have no idea,” she groaned. “We fooled around once, and I’m pretty sure you’ve already ruined me.”

I chuckled, looking down at our joined hands. She had no idea how true that was. From the moment our lips touched, Victoria was the only one I wanted. I smiled as I looked over at her, running my free fingers along her jawline. “Just returning the favor.”

As I reached out to open the door, I turned to face the front of the lodge, hissing a sharp curse when I saw we weren’t alone. Cole stood on the porch, his forearms resting on the wooden railing. While he wasn’t looking in our direction, unease crawled down my spine.Did he see us?As much as I was dying to tell him about my relationship with Tori, this wasn’t the way I wanted him to find out. That conversation needed to be in the light of day, and if he didn’t take it well, I didn’t want it attached to the memory of today.

Besides, Tori wasn’t ready. As much as I wanted to tell him the truth, I’d respect her wishes and keep it between us until she was comfortable sharing our news.

I gave Tori a sympathetic smile, sure her anxiety was probably skyrocketing at the sight of him. “How do you want to do this, Tor?”

She chewed on her lower lip, looking at Emilia snoring softly in the backseat. “We’re just hanging out,” she said out loud, but it sounded more like she was comforting herself. “There’s nothing wrong with that. We’ll tell him the truth.”

“The truth, huh?” I sighed, clenching my hand over the wheel. “Can I call him a cock-block, because all I’ve thought about all day is having you at my mercy?”

I smirked as I glanced over at Tori, loving the blush filling her cheeks. It wasn’t as bright as usual, not with our only light being the overhead beacons above the parking lot. Shit, I hated the idea of calling it a night, but there was no way I’d be able to explain hanging out in Tori’s apartment after dark. “C’mon,” I said. “I’ll walk you two inside.”

Tori sighed, shifting her purse into her lap. “Maybe you should just go to your cabin, and I’ll deal with him.”

“Nope. Don’t like the sound of that one bit.” I shook my head before nodding to the backseat. “Plus, there’s no way you can carry her.”

“I can do it,” she answered. “Who do you think usually carries her to bed?”

I cringed at the thought, not wanting to watch Tori struggle to get her daughter inside. Sure, Cole would be more than willing to help, but my pride wouldn’t let him. The whole day, I’d gotten a taste of life with these two, and I wasn’t ready to drop the fantasy just yet.

“Not gonna happen,” I insisted. “Let me at least take her inside, and then you can hang with your brother.” I leaned forward, reaching up to run my thumb along her cheekbone. “Just know I’ll be thinking about you all night.”

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