Page 65 of A Little Twist

Alex sits at the foot of her bed, waiting as I carry her from the bathroom. “I was so proud of you hitting a home run today, P.” His voice is warm, and his daughter beams with delight.

“Uncle Adam says I learned to hit faster than anybody!” she brags.

“You’re a natural.” I slide the gown over her head and braid her hair so it doesn’t get her pillow all wet.

Tucking her in and kissing the top of her head, I’m about to leave when Alex catches my hand. “Wait for me.”

Heat blooms in my stomach. “Okay.”

He moves to sit beside her against the pillow, and she puts her head on his chest with Piglet tucked under her arm. Tonight they read about Curious George playing baseball, and I watch a few moments as her eyes blink slower and slower to the sound of his deep voice.

It’s cozy and perfect, and my heart warms as I watch them, dreaming of what it would be like if this were real. Only, it’s not real, and I force myself to back away before I forget I’ll be leaving in a few weeks.

On my own again, but at least I have a plan now.

I go to the kitchen to wait, and when Alex finally arrives several minutes later, I’m standing beside the bar, unsure whether to sit or stand. My heart beats faster, and all I can think about is last night and how incredible it was and how I ran.

He’s a bit more casual, going to the refrigerator and taking out a bottle of water. “She was really something today. I had no idea she could do that.”

The smile in his voice eases my tension. “Adam and I were both pretty shocked the first time she made contact. It was a foul ball, but he was pretty confident he could teach her to straighten it out.”

He shakes his head. “My brother is always full of surprises.”

“I remember.” When we were in school, Adam would go from winning math awards on a Friday to being arrested on a Saturday night for breaking into a hotel pool with his buddies to swim. “I almost got in trouble with him a few times. He always covered for me, because he knew Aunt Carol would ground me for life.”

“Dad threatened to leave him in that little jail cell overnight, but Mom wouldn’t let him. Adam was a wild child, but he’s working hard to be a good man.”

“I think you’re right.” Lifting my chin, I smile. “Like his brother.”

“We were never alike.” He exhales a laugh, walking around to where I’m standing, pausing when he catches his reflection in the mirror behind the table. “Hell, l I do look like him though, with this mop. I’ve got to get a haircut.”

He scrubs a hand through his soft, dark waves, and I go to him, plucking my fingers in the sides. “I think your hair looks nice, but I could shape it up for you.”

“That’s right.” Hazel eyes meet mine, and it’s electric. “I forgotstylistis on your résumé.”

“Did I give you a résumé?” I squint one eye at him.

Before dinner, I showered and changed into a halter-top maxi dress with a network of laces across my back, and we’re standing so close, the heat from his body radiates against mine, so inviting.

“I remember because you stopped doing hair before I could pay you a visit.”

“You can visit me now if you want. All of my stuff is upstairs, and you can sit in the big tub.”

“I want.” The way he says it tingles in my stomach.

“Do you think Pinky will be okay if we leave her here? ”

“I’ll use this.” He pulls out his phone and in a few taps, he shows me a night vision image of Pinky asleep in her bed with Piglet clutched to her side. “I haven’t used it in a while, but it still works.”

“That’s a pretty high-tech baby monitor.” Stepping back, I walk to the door leading to the garage. “Right this way, sir.”

His eyes trace down my body, and I turn before my cheeks flush. I’ve been dying for another chance to thread my fingers in his soft, thick hair, and tonight I plan to take my time.

“I like what you’ve done with the place.” He looks around as we step into the cool loft apartment.

I’ve decorated it with a few oversized, beige throw pillows on the small sofa, a woven rug I found at a flea market, and twinkle lights strung along the wood ceiling. Candles and succulents are on the end tables, and my things are tossed around.

“I don’t have a lot of stuff, but it comes together.” I go to where the crates I used when I moved in are stacked, taking two and carrying them to the bathroom. “This bathroom is a real treat.”

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