Page 66 of Protect

Rowan

That color looks nice on you.

I stare down at my phone, then at my royal blue tank top in total confusion, not because Rowan texted me, but because over the last week as I’ve split my time between working long shifts and momming, our texts haven’t stopped. I’m only confused because I’m at the park with Hollie and he isn’t so how would he know what color I’m?—

“Super Rowan!” I hear Hollie call out running behind me. Clearly, their evening of bonding overSuperPetshas stuck with her.

I spin around, and sure enough, Rowan’s ten feet behind me, and he’s clearly been out running. He’s wearing black Nike shorts and a blue T-shirt that isn’t much different in shade thanmy own. He’s hot and sweaty and…really fuckinghot. He swipes a hand through his damp hair and smirks at me.

“Are you here to play?” Hollie asks him. He closes the space between us in a few long, easy strides, still catching his breath.

“Sure, I can play, Hollie,” he says, mussing the top of her hair. She jumps up and down excitedly and runs toward the play equipment.

“Out for a neighborhood run?” I ask, raising a brow.

“Yep,” he says as he squeezes my shoulder, walking past me. I start to follow him to the equipment where Hollie is.

“Mm-hmm,” I comment.

“Rowan, push me!” she calls out as she climbs onto the toddler swing.

“Such a coincidence,” I say a little louder, folding my arms over my chest.

Rowan turns, walking backward with his hands raised.

“I’m not saying it’s a coincidence.” Rowan turns to walk backward and talk to me. “In fact, I thinkyouknew I’d be out for a run andyoudecided it might be a good time for a park visit.”

“Is that so?” I ask, laughing at this man’s ability to be so cocky and quick witted on a dime.

“So, this has nothing to do with me not going on that date yet?” I muse.

He shakes his head. “Can’t talk dates, Vi, gotta go push.”

I follow them, watching Rowan make sure Hollie is secure before he starts pushing her on the swing. He asks her what she had for dinner and she answers him, telling him about her macaroni and cheese and how many grapes she ate, as he listens with genuine interest.

Without even trying this man is tearing down my carefully built walls, one brick at a time.

Rowan’s strong arms flex as he pushes Hollie on the swing, they’ve moved on to talk about which color of M&M’s tastes better.

“Should mommy swing too?” he asks Hollie.

“Yes!” Hollie says. “You can go beside me, Mommy.”

Rowan winks and offers me that lopsided smirk I can’t get enough of.

“Well, come on, Mommy.” He gestures to the open swing. Something about the way he calls me Mommy just sinks into my soul as I take the next swing to Hollie. It is endearing and sweet. I definitely don’t need any more reasons to fall for him, but it seems like almost every day he’s giving me another.

I’m convinced new baby smell is the fountain of youth.

I snap a photo of myself holding Teddy’s sweet one week old baby, Bea, in my arms a few days later and send it to Rowan. I’ve already met this little bundle twice, but this is my first day off and I can’t stop myself from snuggling her every chance I get.

Rowan

Bottle it up and bring me some. That workout just kicked my ass.

When I talked to him before lunch he was going to meet his personal trainer to help get him back into a decent workout schedule after over two weeks off.

What do you mean? You’ve been pushing us on the swings every day.

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