Page 38 of Impulsive Love

I jog up the stairs and knock on the door. The lock disengages and then the door opens. “Wow.” That’s all I can say. Haddie is in a red tank dress, with a flowy skirt that hits her mid-thigh—showing off her long legs. She’s always been slim, but now her breasts are bigger and she’s got a hint of curves.

“I look okay?” Her voice is shaky, she’s nervous.

I step toward her so we’re almost touching. “You look fucking beautiful.”

Her cheeks turn a deep shade of pink. “Thank you. You’re looking good yourself.” Haddie holds out her hand. “I’ll take your bag to my room.”

I hand her my bag and follow her inside, shutting the door behind me. She disappears down the hall and I wait in the living room. I smile when I look at the picture of Madison. She’s facing the camera, her face resting in her hands, and she’s clearly sleeping.

Dad has the same picture hanging on the wall. I hear footsteps a moment later and Haddie comes down the hall. I hold my hand out to her. The moment she places hers in mine, everything feels perfect, we’re just missing our baby girl.

We head down the stairs when a door opens. “Hey Haddie.” It’s her neighbor, Lance. “Hey Chris.”

When we reach the bottom I hold my free hand out to him. “Hey Lance, how’s it going?”

“Hi, Lance,” Haddie says as she gives him a little wave.

“Where’s the little one?”

“Grandparents,” We tell him at the same time. After saying goodbye, I lead Haddie to my truck, and then we head to dinner.

Tonight did not go the way that I’d hoped. Dinner went well, hell, better than well.

I took Haddie to the Waterfront and we sat on the patio and were surrounded by twinkle lights. After the waiter came and took our order, I grabbed her hands and held them, and she smiled at me.

“I’m glad we’re doing this,” she said quietly. “This is my favorite place to eat.”

I stroke the back of her hands with my thumbs. “I’m glad we are too. Tell me how work is going. Are you still on the modified orientation?” I haven’t seen her in action since she’s become a nurse, but I saw the way she took care of my mom.

She’s compassionate and a natural caretaker—that’s probably why she’s such a wonderful mother.

“I am, but I met with my preceptor, and she talked to me about increasing my caseload. I love it though, and I know that’s weird because my patients pass away, but I get the privilege to help them pass with dignity.” She looked anywhere but at me. “Sorry, that probably sounds lame.”

I shook my head and tugged on her hands until she looked at me. “Not at all. There is nothing wrong with loving what you do. Some people aren’t lucky enough to get to do what is their passion.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Our waiter interrupted us to set our food down. Haddie had me cracking up when she leaned down, smelling her steak. “Does that smell good?” I asked with a laugh.

“Sorry, I’m starving, and they grill the best steak. Just don’t tell my dad that.” She cut into her meat and moaned as she stuck it in her mouth.

My dick twitches in my pants. “Ahem…” I dig into my scallops. Damn, I missed this place. “I ran into your brother and Chloe the other night.”

“Really? Where at?”

I knew she would ask and I’m slightly embarrassed to say it. “I was…uh—leaving a meeting. They were across the street. That little boy looks just like his dad.”

Haddie beamed. “He does and he’s so wild, but so sweet.” She grabbed her phone and then turned it toward me.

I took it from her and smiled. JJ was squatting down next to Madison in her carrier, bending over, and was kissing her head. I love that our kids are close in age, I hope they’re close. Maybe one day we’ll be back there again. Hell, I would take him treating me as an acquaintance as long as he was in my life.

I handed the phone back to her and we finished our dinner. We held hands on the way to her parents’ house to pick up Madison. I’m a little nervous because things are still awkward between Dylan and I, but I’m always going to be around, and we have to be able to coexist for her.

We pulled into the driveway and I got out, coming around to open Haddie’s door for, helping her down. With her hand in mine, I led her to the front door. It opened the moment we stepped up onto the porch. JoJo was smiling at us. “Hey guys. Madison is on the floor with her papa.”

Stepping side, I held Haddie’s hand as we made our way to the family room. Sure enough, Madison was on her belly, squealing and kicking her legs at her papa. He smiled when he saw us, or I should say when he saw Haddie.

He scooped my girl off the floor, and she kicked her legs when she saw us. Surprisingly, Dylan handed her over to me. “Hey, baby girl. I’ve missed you.” I kissed the top of her head.

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