Page 44 of Healed Hearts

I pad across the floor and open the door. A man about my age is standing on my front porch. His brown hair is a mess, like he’s been running his fingers through it, and his eyes are laser-focused on me. “Um, may I help you?”

“I’m looking for Holden Nash,” he says.

“Is there some kind of trouble or something?” I ask.

“Is he here?” Something in his tone sounds like worry, so I nod.

“Yeah, he is. Is everything okay?”

He sags in relief. “Holy shit. Thank god. The only trouble is gonna be the trouble he’s about to be in for not checking in with me. Jesus. I’ve been a nervous wreck. Do you have any idea how hard this recon mission was to hide from my fiancé?” He doesn’t seem to want an answer because he continues, almost under his breath, like he’s not actually talking to me. “Little asshole says, ‘don’t tell Beck,’ and then he just disappears without a word?” He takes a deep breath. “Oh, I’m Roman, by the way. Sorry. I should have led with that.”

I blink at him. “How did you know he was here?”

“I didn’t. Not really. We have a system, and this was the last place he sent me before he started acting all fucking strange. And then yesterday he runs out of the house like his ass is on fire and never comes home.” He shrugs. “I put two and two together and hoped my math came out right.”

“Um, come in?” I say, holding the door open wider. “You do know his car is right there in the driveway, right?”

Roman’s mouth drops open and he turns around with a laugh. “Oh shit. I didn’t even see it.”

He turns back to me with a grin. As he steps over the threshold, I hear Holden’s voice. “Let’s go find Daddy, Wren.”

Roman turns to me with wide eyes and mouths what the fuck, right as the door to my bedroom creaks open. Holden steps into the living room, Wren by his side and her hand in his. And fuck… he’s still wearing my t-shirt.

The second his eyes land on Roman, he freezes. “Oh. Um, hello,” he mumbles. His cheeks are fire engine red. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so flustered.

Roman laughs, then raises an eyebrow at him. “Hello, indeed. You got a family you’re hiding from me, Hold?”

Chapter Fifteen

Holden

Iblink at Roman, my face flaming. “No? Not…really?” Ugh. Why is it coming out as a question? Why is he even here right now?

“Do you think maybe you should have said ‘Hey, Ro, not coming home tonight?’” Roman asks, a smirk on his lips and his eyebrow raised.

“Possibly, yeah.” I didn’t expect him to show up, though, if I didn’t. I’m not sure why. It’s not like he’s ever been put in this situation before. And that’s what the system is for. If I don’t show up or reach out, he comes to me.

“Are you going to stand there like a weirdo all morning, or are you going to introduce me?”

At his words, my gaze darts to Julian, who’s taking in the scene with amusement in his eyes and a bemused smile on his lips. “This is Julian and Wren. This is Roman,” I mumble, waving my hand around.

Roman hums, ignoring the introduction he just asked for. “Nice outfit. Very you.”

I glare at him, my cheeks flaming hotter as I realize I’m still wearing Julian’s t-shirt. “Fu—” I slam my mouth shut. Oops, almost saidfuck youto him in front of Wren. I clear my throat. “Not nice, Ro.”

“No. What’s not nice is having me up half the night worried to death about you. Seriously? Not even a text message?” Ro asks.

“I’ll just… take her and…” Julian starts to say, walking toward us and reaching for Wren.

Roman speaks up. “No, you don’t have to do that. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude on your morning.”

Julian pauses and looks into my eyes for a second before he turns and faces Roman. “You’re more than welcome to stay for breakfast if you’d like.”

Roman smiles, but I don’t trust that gleam in his eyes at all. Not even a little. “Yeah, that would be great.”

“Wren? Wanna come help me make breakfast?” Julian asks. She nods, pulling her hand from mine, and takes off to him. He stops in front of me as they pass by. “Can I kiss you, or would you rather not until he leaves?” His voice is low, like he’s trying to keep Roman from overhearing.

I have zero interest in hiding Julian from Roman, especially not after last night. “Oh, you definitely can.”

---