Page 63 of Protect

“We told Hollie all about Uncle Jacob being a hero and that’s why he went to heaven, isn’t that right, Hols?” I ask.

She nods. I see the pain flash across Rowan’s face.

“Your Uncle Jacob was the best superhero I ever knew,” he says, and Hollie smiles.

“Did you get hurt?” she asks, struggling to get out of my hold. I put her down and she walks over to Rowan, leaning on my dad’s knee right in front of him.

“I did get hurt, and your mommy took care of me at the hospital, aren’t I lucky?” He smiles at her and she smiles back.

“Did Mommy kiss it better?”

Rowan’s eyebrows shoot up and he smiles at her.

“No, but she did keep me company.” He chuckles.

She nods and looks back at me. “He got hurt like Rocky the Rabbit?” she asks aboutSuperPetsresident rabbit. “He fell off Power Piggy’s picnic table. He wasn’t being careful,” Hollie tells Rowan.

He chuckles at her, already enamoured with her cuteness.

“Were you being careful?” she asks.

“I was but I made a mistake, and I had a fall,” he tells her.

“Do you like popcorn?” she asks him, switching gears the way a three-year-old does. She moves closer to him—obviously, she’s enamoured too.

Rowan smiles at her completely at ease. “Sure do,” he says. “With extra butter.”

Hollie looks at my dad. “Papa, make some popcorn,” she commands, and the room laughs, but my dad, who is totally putty in her hands, stands like there was never even a question of him not doing what she wanted.

“Okay, but only if you and Nana come and help me. Should we get Rowan his own bowl?”

Hollie nods, and my mom stands to follow them with a sly grin on her face.

“Teddy, huh?” she asks, passing between us.

“Mother,” I whisper in protest, because she didn’t need to point out the already obvious tension in the room.

The moment they leave the room Rowan is in front of me.

“I’m so sorry, Vi, you said—I thought you would be alone.” Rowan pulls his hat off and runs a hand through his hair then replaces the hat, backwards on his head.

I sigh, taking in just how gorgeous he is. But it’s not only that, it’s also how much I like the idea of him in my living room. It’s official, I’m hopeless.

I take a deep breath. “I didn’t want to lie but I don’t exactly know how to navigate being a mom and whatever this is.”

“That washimwho called you? He had to bring her home early?” Annoyance lines Rowan’s tone as he moves closer to me, resting his hands on my hips.

I nod and then look into his intense blue eyes, facing the music. “I didn’t want to tell you my ex can be difficult where Hollie is concerned. Sue me,” I say, moving away to start folding the throw blanket on my couch. Rowan follows me and spins me around to face him.

“I wish you had. I would’ve understood. I think we’ve wasted enough time, and we have enough history to just be honest with each other. Which is why I’m here. I thought something freaked you out…now I see you had to come home for Hollie, but I’m notlettingyou run from me anymore, Vi.”

I open my mouth to retort.

“Here we go, popcorn for all,” my dad announces like he’s going to walk into us making out or something.

I roll my eyes at my parents’ theatrics as Rowan drops his hands from my hips with the sound of his voice and takes a step back. Hollie runs into the room and hands Rowan an overflowing blue plastic bowl of popcorn that matches her pink one. He takes it from her and pops a big handful into his mouth.

“Dewicious,” he says to her, which makes her laugh.

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