Page 59 of Just Another Chance

“Not really,” Sawyer says cryptically.

Tanner chuckles. “You better believe that I’ll get it out of you one day.”

“Maybe yes, maybe no,” Sawyer says with a smirk.

“Aww, hell,” Tanner murmurs and falls back on the seat beside me. “I’m ready for this week to be over with.”

I couldn’t agree more.

We reach Tanner’s loft a few minutes later and thank Sawyer for all of his help. I give him a half-hug and he ruffles Owen’s brown hair.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know my nephew more,” Sawyer says. He and Tanner exchange a gruff hug and I wave goodbye.

“I don’t suppose we could run back to my place so I can get some things for Owen and me?”

“Of course,” Tanner says.

It doesn’t take long and I’m in and out with a few big bags that will last us the week over at the loft. I pack super light and most everything belongs to Owen. Who knew a two-year old could travel so heavy?

When I comment on all of Owen’s crap, Tanner chuckles and helps me load it into the back of his SUV. “He’s a high-maintenance kid,” he says.

By the time we arrive back at Tanner’s loft, Owen is getting crabby. While I feed him, Tanner starts cooking us dinner. The day has flown by and I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Tanner is an amazing cook, but tonight he keeps it quick and easy.

After Owen eats, I give him a bath because I don’t want even one grimy fingerprint from Randy left on his precious, little body. Then I put his train pajamas on and lay him down in Tanner’s bed. We baby-proof it with pillows so he can’t slip off and luckily his bed sits on a dais barely a foot off the floor.

Once Owen is rocked and settled in, I walk down the spiral staircase and feel wiped out. Tanner must notice how tired I look because he comes over, wraps an arm around my waist and guides me to the table.

“Sit, sweetheart,” he says encouragingly and squeezes my shoulders. Then he serves me a plate of pasta covered in red sauce and a chunk of warm French bread.

“This looks delicious,” I say and sigh after taking a bite.

He pours me a glass of wine and sits down beside me. “Eat up and then we’re going straight to bed. I haven’t gotten any sleep since our fight.”

“Me neither,” I admit. “Tanner-” My voice cuts off and emotion pours through me. I want to throw myself at him and kiss him from head to toe for helping me get Owen back today. But I’m so damn tired.

“What, sweetheart?”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re welcome. And thank you for trusting me to take care of things. And my brother,” he adds with a grin.

“One bad guy down, one to go.”

“No one expects you to put yourself in danger to catch this guy. If you change your mind, it’s okay.”

I shake my head. “No. I need this to be over and to know that we’re finally safe.”

“Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

“I know,” I say softly and give him a little smile.

We finish eating and Tanner tells me to go use the bathroom and get ready for bed while he cleans up.

“My hero,” I say with a wink and kiss his cheek. He swats my behind as I scamper away to wash up. Afterward, I crawl into bed beside Owen who sleeps soundly. Tanner joins us not long after, settling beside me and pulling me close. He presses a kiss in my hair.

“I love you, Addie,” he whispers.

“I love you, too,” I say and snuggle down in the crook of his arm. The feel of his steady breathing and the rhythmic thump of his heart near my cheek fills me with everything that I have missed for the past two years. Once again,finally, I feel complete.

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