Page 78 of L.O.V.E

“Love you, Nat Brat.” She stared for a long spell before heading toward the door.

“Love you, too, Lulu.” I blew her a kiss and watched her retreat, admiring the new roundness to her hips before giving the baby my full attention.

I studied the chubby little face, his thick dark lashes, that pink little mouth, and dusted a finger over the silky black fuzz on his head. “You’re going to be a lady killer, aren’t you, little guy?”

He stretched, squeaked, pursed his lips. My vision blurred. God, such beauty.

“Someday, I hope I can give you cousins to play with. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, though. You see, I don’t have the best of luck in the love department. I’ll probably grow old alone. Turn into a crazy cat lady. On the bright side, you’ll always have cute little kitties to play with. No, that could never work. I don’t like cats so much. Anyway, point is, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. Okay? Don’t ever forget that. I got you, little guy.” I dotted his face with kisses, and when he started to fuss, I rocked to my feet and made my way to the window, swaying and humming, holding him cheek to cheek.

He fussed, body coiling, so I rubbed his back and started to hum the tune I loved most, “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

Outside, the sky was bright and clear, and the trees boasted beautiful shades of red and orange. I caught sight of a reflection in the window. I turned to find Cole, arms crossed, leaned against the doorjamb, eyes dark and liquid and aimed at the baby. The man was painfully beautiful, his grief a pulsing entity.

My chest caved.God, how he must hurt.

That invisible string between us tightened, and I moved in his direction. The broken man dropped his gaze to the floor, then disappeared.

Cole manned the grill, can of Bodhizafa in one hand, tongs in the other. Dad stood at the far edge of the deck, deep in conversation with Ellis’s father, staring and pointing sporadically across the property. Ellis wrestled with a garden hose halfway across the lawn.

“This house is gorgeous, isn’t it?” Mom said from behind, her arms coming around my middle, her chin resting on my shoulder.

I nodded, unable to stray my focus from the sight outside. Cole poked and prodded the sizzling meat, feet set at a comfortable stance, his shoulders bunching and rolling under his dress shirt, his tight ass putting on a fine show in his navy slacks.

“Lacey is so happy and loved,” I whispered.

Cole turned to say something to Ellis, then lifted the beer to his lips, revealing in profile his square jaw, that straight nose, and thick, luscious, talented lips.

He was overdue for a haircut, not that the shaggy locks hurt his image by any means. Not even the grief haunting his eyes could mar his beauty.

Mom sighed in my ear. I sighed, too, folding my arms over hers and breathing through the bone-deep ache.

Cole turned to toss his can in the trash. Our eyes met through the window, freezing time and space. His dimple made an appearance, brief and unsure, but aimed my way regardless, stealing my breath, my wits, my heart and soul.

A nod our way, and then he severed our connection, turning his back to me once again.

Mom’s arms tightened against my full-body shiver. “How long have you been in love with Cole?”

A simple question. No appropriate answer. “How did you know?” My voice broke.

“Oh, baby.” Soft lips landed on my cheek. “Any fool can see.”

“Dad told you.”

She straightened. “Your dad knows?”

“He didn’t tell you?” I turned, bracing her shoulders. “Am I that transparent?”

“I’m your mother. I can read you like an open book.”

Blinking back tears, I confessed, “I couldn’t share my feelings with anyone, Mom. Cole wasn’t mine to covet. And I struggled every day with the guilt of wanting a taken man.”

Knowing eyes pierced my soul, and she sucked in a breath before cupping my face. “He’s the reason you took the job in Whisper Springs.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Mom wrapped me in a tight embrace, and I melted into her soft curves with a sigh. Mom hugs had magical healing powers, and I absorbed that shit like a shriveled sponge.

“I had to get far away,” I mumbled into her hair, fighting tears.

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