Page 48 of Wild Hearts

He angled his body so he could reach the controls and curled himself around me. It was really nice. I felt protected and safe, like he was claiming me. It was a position we'd assumed often when we were dating. Walker had always been affectionate. I couldn't help but sink into this moment with him.

11

WALKER

Icouldn't believe I was here in the same position we found ourselves in so many times when we were younger. This was an excuse for me to touch her when we'd first started dating. I loved holding her close. Everything about her was so familiar.

I couldn't believe I was so lucky to have found Dakota and been reunited with Addison. This was my second chance at life, and I wasn't going to squander it.

I'd use everything in my arsenal to convince her to be mine. If going back to our teen haunts and doing things we did back then worked, then I was all for it.

At the moment, her body was molded to mine, and I could barely keep my focus on the game.

I hadn't felt so alive in a long time. I was grieving after my parents died, and then I was wrapped up in Addison. When I'd enlisted, it felt like another death. I was mourning the loss of my support system, the woman I loved. I thought I'd get over her. But I was young and stupid. Maybe if I explained that to her, it would help her understand what I was going through back then.

The waitress appeared. "Your pizza is at your table."

"Thanks. We'll be right over," Addison said while I finished the game.

I reluctantly dropped my arms so that she could move away. "I'm not as good at video games as I once was."

She sat in the booth. "You don't get to play much?"

I shook my head as I grabbed a slice for her and one for me. "Not at all. I feel like I've been so focused on work and nothing else. It's nice to just enjoy life."

Addison smiled. "I love this for you."

I didn't realize what I had back then. Most girls wouldn't have bothered with me. But she looked past the grief and ingrained herself into my heart. I might have broken up with her, but I never let her go. She was always with me. And I was ready to make her mine again.

We ate for a few minutes, commenting on the few changes we noticed in the place. New upholstery and curtains in the same colors as they were before. The familiarity, the memories of the past were comforting. It gave me hope that if I reminded Addison of our past, she'd see our future.

"How's Dakota doing with Scarlett and your aunt?"

My heart dropped. I hadn't even thought about her while we were playing. I fumbled with my phone. But before I could turn it over to read the screen, Addison covered my hand with hers. "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just curious if she was having fun."

"I'm just not used to worrying about someone like this. It's always been just me."

"I'm sure she's fine."

I turned the screen to show Addison the picture they'd sent of the three of them at lunch. "Looks like they're having fun."

Her gaze lifted to meet mine. "See? Nothing to worry about."

I ate until I was stuffed, then sat back in the booth. I wasn'tready for the day to be over. "Do you think Dakota would want to try night skiing? We could teach her how to ski and then take one of the easier trails."

"That sounds nice."

I sent Dakota a message, asking her if she wanted to learn how to ski with Addison, and she returned the message with a stream of emojis. I showed them to Addison. "I think that's a yes."

Addison laughed. "You're going to have to get used to reading emojis."

"Yeah. I guess I'm going to have to." I liked spending time with Addison and talking about Dakota as if we were her parents. I'd gotten used to the idea of single parenting, but it would be nice to share the load.

"I'll need to get her gear. Do we need to stop and get yours?"

"If you don't mind."

I threw enough cash on the table to cover the bill and tip, then held my hand out to Addison. It was something I would have done when we were dating, and it felt natural to do it now too.

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