Page 37 of His Wild Storm
“I think we’re playing some sort of game to see what is first,” Wendy offers and my son’s eyes light up.
The kid loves games. We’ve spent a lot of time playing all of the games he’s ready for in every shelter we’ve spent time in. I swear the kid has beginners’ luck because there is no guarantee I’ll be able to beat him at whatever we’re playing.
“Try not to have too much fun without me,” I pout which has Wilde shooting me a look.
“You’re going to be hanging with Knox,” he reminds me like I’m the one being ridiculous.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “You’re right.”
Wendy winks and then lets Wilde pull her away from our doorway and, I’m sure, downstairs. His voice, filled with excitement, follows him.
I take a moment and smooth my hands down over my shirt even though it’s not the kind to show wrinkles. There’s no place in my life for that kind of fabric. If this means I’m not dressed upenough for Knox, it’s better to get it out in the open now rather than later.
My steps are slow as I head downstairs. Just as I’m about to head into the larger living room area, which is where movie night is taking place, there’s a knock at the front door. Laura is there and glances at her phone before giving me a nod which tells me Knox is at the door and it’s safe.
The people who run Safe Home, especially Laura and Wendy, are big on safety. I’m grateful for it because it helped me to feel comfortable pretty much right away when I came here. I saw how seriously they took things, and the effort put in. It’s what everyone who comes here needs.
Even though my knees go a little weak, I force my feet to move toward the front door. I’m not going to run away. I do kinda want to though.
But I won’t.
Yet.
I’m torn between ripping the front door open quickly and hiding behind it as I allow it to swing open slowly. I go with something in the middle and peek my head around the door to see Knox.
The moment I do, I suck in a sharp breath. I’ve only seen the man in flannels and jeans. Tonight, he’s wearing slacks and a blue button up, the shade of it incredibly familiar for some reason.
He looks good. Damn good.
“Hey,” he breathes out as our eyes lock and goofy grins take over our faces.
When was the last time I smiled this much? I can’t remember a time when I did.
“Hi.” My cheeks heat just as much as they ache.
“Wow,” there’s a teasing lilt in Laura’s voice, “you guys are so cute.”
When I look over at her, I stick my tongue out which has her chuckling. Over the last few days, Laura has checked in with me about this whole Knox situation. She also encouraged me to have a session with the therapist. It was good for me but didn’t do much to quell all my concerns.
The therapist assured me time would help. Well, as long as Knox is the man he presents himself as and his actions match up with his words. Consistently. Long-term.
Knox ignores Laura as he steps into the doorway but doesn’t come inside completely. “You look gorgeous, Haven,” his voice is a gentle rasp which sends a shiver down my spine.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “You look nice,” I add on, the words slipping from my lips with ease.
He grins, his mossy green eyes sparkling. “I had to wear my favorite color,” he teases me.
Suddenly, the color clicks in my head. It’s a blue I’ve looked at everyday since the first time I held Wilde in my arms. Not to mention that my son has my eyes.
The smile on his face grows wider when he sees recognition written all over my face. I shake my head at him admonishingly. It does nothing to dim his grin. But I’m not surprised.
Knox is quick to laugh and joke. Unlike some people I’ve met in the last year, his humor isn’t in the effort to deflect or to keep everything surface level. He’s shown me he’s an open book.
But he also knows how to be light and to have a good time.
It’s a good mix and something I’ve been lacking in my life for far too long.
“What are you two up to tonight?” Laura’s question might seem innocent, but I know she’s really interested to know. For her own peace of mind.
