Page 133 of Passed Ball

"Oh, I do," I tease, pulling her to me for a too-short kiss. When her hips bump the crib we break apart, her resting against my chest, and me with my arms looped around her back, holding her because I'm not ready for her to go.

She looks up slowly.

"You need to get going, don't you?"

"Yeah, it's already late, and you kept me up late last night. If I stay any longer, I'll be completely useless tomorrow," she says with a big yawn.

"Text me when you get home." I steal one last kiss.

She nods, lingering for a beat before brushing a hand over Holland's hair and leaving us with a glance over her shoulder.

Chapter 57

Vivienne

The urge to throw up as I wait at Buns & Roses for Xavier is real. I'm nervous and out of sorts. Although, after last night I would be more worried if I wasn't. The whole night was a roller coaster.

Tenley and I went over everything again this morning and I can't shake the feeling that she had a right to be scared, and that this isn't over.

And then, when I think about the end of the night, and Xavier saying my name like it was his reason for existing . . . God, I want to hear those words, just not under duress. Now, my belly swoops for an entirely different reason.

Which is why I picked an outside table. Being trapped inside, with the sweet smell of baked goods fresh in the air seemed like a recipe for disaster. The only thing that's going to make me feel better is seeing Xavier and hearing about his conversation with Collin.

I smooth my hands down the front of the floral fabric of my dress--the one I hoped would give me some confidence to stay strong today. I threw a sweater over it for work this morning, but I left it in the car when I got here. After the last eighteen hours, Xavier deserves a little distraction.

I spot him parking and belly flips for him just like it did last night. He steps out of his SUV and I stand like I might meet him halfway because I'm nothing more than a hot mess today.

It should be an actual crime to look as good as he does dressed so casually in a pair of basketball shorts and a cutoff shirt. His biceps flex, giving me and the rest of downtown Denver a show as he lifts Holland's car seat.

For a second, I feel silly for dressing up, self-consciously adjusting the strap on my shoulder. Xavier's movements are unhurried. He shuts the car door, his eyes sweeping over me, slow and deliberate, tracing a molten path over every inch of me. He doesn't look away as he carefully adjusts the car seat in his grip. His lips quirk in a half-smile and it's a good thing I'm sitting with how my knees go weak.

Holland's sleeping soundly when he sets her car seat on the table and bends across it to kiss me. "Fuck, sweetheart, you look pretty in that dress."

After all these months he still makes me blush with the hoarse way he compliments me. Like I literally make his mouth go dry. I hope it's always like this: him looking at me like he's seeing me for the first time, and my body reacting like the man hasn't been inside me dozens of times.

"Did everything go okay with Wilson?" I ask.

He takes the seat across from me, covering my hand and pulling it toward him an inch. "Fine. I think he was more concerned that I didn't communicate with him last night, but after our call this morning, he understood."

"What did Collin say?" The need to know Holland is safe is

overwhelming.

"He's having the private investigator look into a few things." He pats his pockets and swears softly under his breath. "I'm actually waiting for a call back from him but I left my phone in the car."

"Go grab it. I'll watch Holland."

His broad shoulders sag with relief. "Thanks. I can't miss his call. And sorry in advance if I have to step away." His eyes drop, taking in my dress again. "I promise it's not because I don't want to be here . . . Ireallydo." Just like last night the feelings he's holding back are written on his face.

It's so intense that I have to shift my focus to the baby girl who's captured my heart right alongside her dad. Reaching into the car seat I take her tiny hand in mine. "Get your phone. I'm not going to be able to relax until we have some answers."

He nods, his chair scraping against the sidewalk as he pushes it back. The noise startles Holland awake and he pauses.

"I've got her."

"I know."

Unbuckling her straps, I take her in my arms pressing my nose to her head. That baby smell is fading and I never miss a chance to soak up what's left of it.

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