Page 23 of Where You Belong

I cover my mouth, trying to contain my laughter.

“He’s got a great job with benefits, a house he pays for, and no crazy baby mommas out there for you to worry about,” Layla jokes.

Haelynn joins in with my laughter at the mention of no baby mommas. I’m thankful she doesn’t seem to be taking her comment personally when we both know her ex would fall in that category himself.

“He’s sweet, caring, and the best uncle around.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

“I said around, chump. Cool it. Once Liam is back in town, he’ll be making a run for that title.”

I chuckle, nodding in agreement. “You’re right, you’re right.”

Haelynn puts in her order with Brit while they chat about the twins and how great the photo shoot went.

“We’ll actually be bringing the twins with us to Madelyn and Alex’s place this weekend. You should come by with Huxton,” Brit mentions.

Haelynn peers over at me and smiles. “We were just talking about grilling out the other day. Huxton will be with me this weekend, so it works out perfect,” Haelynn says.

I notice her subtle way of acknowledging Atlas backed out like she suspected.

“I need to take off to get to school, or I’ll be late.” Layla hugs me. She turns to Haelynn, telling her how great it was to see her again, then waves goodbye to the group as she slips outside.

Brit has a line of customers forming out the front door, so we duck out behind her. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have a few minutes alone with Haelynn. She clutches her bag along with the coffees for her and Madelyn in her hand.

“Here, let me take that off your hands.” I reach for her bag, holding it along with mine. We stroll out the front door over to the small parking area.

She points at her car parked just a couple of spaces from mine. I follow her, reaching to open the door.

“How was Huxton’s first day of school?”

She leans over to set the drinks inside before turning to face me. It’s hard to read her expression. She looks lost in thought, but there’s a mixture of sadness there too.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” She brushes her hair away from her face. “It’s good, really. It’s a big step, and watching him go is hard.”

“I’m sure it’s not easy, especially as a mom, but it’s good for him. Think of all the fun he’s having and the new friends he’ll make.”

She smiles. “Oh, he is. I heard all about it over dinner last night. I wasn’t expecting to get emotional until you brought it up. It’s just, his dad never even checked on him last night to ask how his first day went. But you… you remembered.”

She blinks through the tears forming in her eyes, sucking in a deep breath to collect herself.

I set my coffee down on the hood along with the food and take a step closer to her. I’ve missed touching her. Seeing her upset now, I can’t resist the chance to pull her into my arms. She comes to me easily, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Thank you,” she whispers. Her words are muffled against my chest.

I run my hand over her hair, and her body relaxes, her arms tightening around my waist.

“I know I joke how you always know the right thing to say at the right time. I’m not used to it. You pay attention and notice the little things. A part of me wants to pull back and question everything, but when I’m around you, I just… I can’t.”

“Good,” I say, pressing her back against the car door. “I don’t want you to pull away. I understand you’re hesitant and, at times, may want to run. I’ll go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with, but I’m not walking away.”

“You say that, but what if you change your mind? What if we let this go further, and you realize you bit off more than you could chew with me?”

I tuck a strand of hair back from her face and brush my thumb lightly along her lower lip. My dick hardens at the sight of her running her teeth over it, her tongue trailing to wet the dry skin.

“It’s not going to happen. Neither of us can say for certain what the future will bring.” I sigh, my eyes pausing on her lips again. “When you’re around me, all I can think about is wanting to be closer to you. I want to touch your soft skin and feel your body pressed against me. I want to listen to you talk about anything and everything you’ll tell me.”

“I’ve never felt anything like this before. I get it’s soon, and I understand you’re scared, but I’m not.”

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