Page 32 of Sparrow

“If that’s the case, I’ll keep you forever.” I take the chance and lay my hand on her cheek, cupping her face gently.

“I can’t believe I’m sitting with you right now. I never would have imagined it,” she whispers.

“I imagined it often. I just didn’t know if I’d ever have the honor of seeing or touching you again.”

There’s the magnet. The one—buried in our souls—pulling us back to one another. It’s in our lips, inching us closer and closer. I can feel her breath on me, smell the minty toothpaste, hear her soft exhale. Our lips are a hair’s breadth away from touching when Cadence screams out in pain.

I don’t even recall moving. One minute I’m nearly kissing Mills, the next I’m scooping my daughter into my arms after she took a tumble off the monkey bars.

“My hands. Ow! Ow! Ow! OW!” She is hysterical, but I think she’s more embarrassed than hurt.

Mills is by our side instantly, examining her with me.

“Is she okay?” she asks, the concern in her voice is genuine and caring.

“She’s just got some scrapes.” I take a look at her hands. There is a little blood and lots of dirt. “I need to clean them though.”

“Do you live near here? I can drive you home,” she says.

“A few blocks away. You don’t need to drive us. We can walk.”

She instantly shakes her head and puts her hands on her hips. “I am not letting you walk home, Grayson Aldrich. My car is right there. I’m driving you. That’s that.”

“Still always get your way, I see.” I laugh as I gather Cadence up so we can leave.

“With you? Always.”

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