Page 60 of The Sweetest Chirp

Without thinking, I cover her hand with mine, and I grin at the little sigh that leaves her lips. Needing to see all of her, I pull back, meeting her dilated eyes as she looks up at me, her pillowy lips parted.

“Hi,” I say, my voice barely a whisper.

“Hi,” she says back tentatively, her eyes searching mine.

“How was your day?”

She swallows. “Okay. Busy. Yours?”

Her voice is breathy, and that pleases me more than I expect it to. “Better now.” That flush burns along her cheeks as I curl her hair around my finger again. “I love your hair.”

Her lips curve a bit, but not in a full, breathtaking Audrina way. “Thank you.”

I need to keep her talking, and thankfully, Ingrid has my back. “Okay, everyone out,” she says, and I’m sure she signs too. Audrina looks at our family, but my gaze stays on her. Her profile is stunning, her jaw so sharp that I want to trace it with my tongue. Before I can act on such thoughts, I watch as her flush burns brighter, but then she’s scrunching her face. She pushes into my chest. “No, wait. Arwen wants Thatcher.”

Fuck me. I didn’t even see her. I turn just as my dad sets her on her feet. She starts for me, her eyes wide and full of excitement, but that’s not what has me clutching my chest. No, my baby is wearing my sweater. My number. My name. I crouch down as she reaches me, wrapping her small arms around my neck with gusto. I know she can’t hear me, but still, I breathe against her hair, “Malyshonuk.”

She smells like vanilla, and I nuzzle her close as she giggles for me. When I pull back, her eyes meet mine as she moves her hands.Dede said I’m your biggest fan. I am, Daddy. I really am.

Okay, I can’t cry, can I? Emotion is thick in my throat as I nod.I know,malyshonuk. I love your jersey.

She does a little turn like she’s in a tutu rather than a too-big IceCats jersey.It’s yours, Daddy. See your number?

Tears burn in my eyes as I nod proudly.I see it.

She beams only for me, her little teeth making it real hard to pull in breath after breath. When Ingrid comes up behind her, snatching her up in her arms, Arwen laughs loudly, and thenIngrid does the same. God, can I get a break? I smile at my sister, and she gives me a coy one back. Almost like she wants to smile at me but she’s worried to do so. I don’t want to think that she’s trying to avoid smiling at me, but I can’t shake the feeling I’m right.

Next thing I know, everyone is clearing out, and I’m left with the girl of my dreams. She leans into the counter, looking everywhere but at me. “Why are we being left alone?” I ask, and when she drags that bottom lip between her teeth, I add, “Not that I’m complaining.”

She gives me a small smile and says softly, “We apparently have a lot to talk about.”

“According to them?”

“I mean,” she says with a shrug, “I have to agree.”

I nod, leaning my hip to the island. “They can hear us.”

“I know,” she says.

“No, we can’t,” Ingrid calls, and I roll my eyes. “Half of us are deaf!”

I can’t help but snort at that while Audrina shakes her head, laughing. God, she’s so beautiful when she laughs. I take the spot beside her, leaning back on the counter so that her shoulders touch my bicep. I cross my ankles and tuck my hands into my pockets to keep from touching her. My heart is a mess in my chest as I say, “I’m leaving this Monday.”

She nods. “I know. Maeve told me.”

“Will you be okay?”

A smile pulls at her lips. “I’ll survive, I’m sure.”

I won’t, not that I tell her that. Instead, I ask, “You remember Nico and Aviva, right?”

I swear I can see her pulse in her neck. I want to kiss it. Suck on it. But then, why is she so nervous? I’m only asking about our friends. “Of course.”

“Well, they’re having a party for their youngest’s birthday this weekend, and we’re invited.”

“You mean, you were invited.”

“Sure, but you and Arwen are an extension of me,” I say, and that has her looking up at me, her face almost white as her eyes plead with mine.

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