“No, she’s fine. She’s asleep. I just came home. I don’t like missing out on my evenings with her.”
“Did anything happen to make you stay so late?”
“Yeah. Reese’s ex is a jackass. He’s trying to make Gran’s life difficult, and I’m not going to allow it.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Declan is already working on the legal aspect.”
“It sounds like you’re working on the illegal one,” she said with a chuckle.
I propped a pillow on my headboard, leaning against it and putting my feet up on the bed.
“No, I want to meet with him and tell him to stop fucking around with my family.”
“Intimidation. I can see that working, Mr. Maxwell.”
“You think I’m intimidating?”
“Hell yeah. When I came in for the interview, I was a mess. No, wait. That was because you were too damn hot. My bad.”
I laughed, running a hand across the pillow next to me. “I wanted to surprise you today,” I said honestly.
“Oooh, how?”
“Can’t tell you. But the day got away from me.”
“Don’t worry. Do whatever you have to do. Family’s important.”
Something twisted in my chest. How was it possible that someone I’d just met understood me so completely?
“I think so too. I’ve always wanted to give Paisley a childhood like the one I had.”
“You’re a great dad, Tate.”
“Thanks.”
Fucking hell, hearing her voice intensified that need to see her.
“Tate, we’re going to...” Her voice faded, and I heard her whisper, “No, thank you. I still have some beer left.”
“Let me know when you want a refill,” a male voice said.
Adrenaline spiked in my veins. “Are you out in town?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m at the lake with a group of friends.”
“Male friends?” I couldn’t keep my tone even.
“It’s a mix. We’re a group of teachers. We hang out in the summer.”
“Any of them interested in you?” I asked, still failing to keep my voice even.
“Mr. Maxwell, what’s this? Are you trying to stake your claim on me? After one kiss?”
“Yes,” I said roughly. “Yes, I am.”
“Tate...”
“I have half a mind to come where you are and make it clear to everyone that you’re off-limits.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “Oh, wow. Well, just so you know, no one is interested in me. Better?”
“Yes.” It wasn’t, though. Not really. I felt possessive of her in a way that consumed me. But all I said was “Good night, Lexi. Have fun.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lexi
For the rest of the week, I didn’t see Tate at all. He was always out before I arrived, and I left before he came home. Beatrice was sleeping at the house and spending the day with us. I wasn’t sure why, but I certainly didn’t mind; having this extra time with her was a gift.
I found an excuse to stay later than six every evening, and not just because I hoped to get a glimpse of Tate. Beatrice seemed in way over her head watching Paisley, who was full of energy even after spending the whole day outdoors.
Besides, Beatrice was a hoot. She was like the grandma I never had, giving me advice for everything, be it food or dresses. She even taught me how to make apple pie.
Now it was Monday, and I was buying cherries for yet another pie.
On the drive to the house, I also checked in on my parents. They weren’t big on phone calls, but we had a WhatsApp group where we shared random pics, mostly of food. Snapping a photo of the cherries, I sent it to them along with a message.
Lexi: I’m learning to make cherry pie today.
Mom: Yum. Good for you. Send me the recipe, and I’ll try it too. I’m feeling great today.
Dad: I’ll help.
Mom: No you won’t. You’ll be in my way.
I chuckled at their banter without interfering. They had a healthy relationship.
When I arrived at the house, Beatrice and Paisley were in the kitchen.
“Tate already left?” I asked, looking around.
“Yes. About half an hour ago,” Beatrice said, relieving me of the bag of cherries. “How is your mom feeling, Lexi?” she asked as we prepped them.
“She’s recovering, slowly.” And despite Mom insisting that I didn’t have to help with the medical bills, I could hear the relief in both their voices whenever we spoke. That meant the world to me.
“That’s good to hear. By the way, I wanted to ask you—are you dating anyone?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Paisley perk up.
“Uhh... no, I’m not.”
I wasn’t lying, technically. Tate and I had just kissed. And flirted.
Beatrice eyed me speculatively. “Haven’t found the right one yet? It’s good to be picky. Two things in life you never have to chase: buses and men. There’s always another one waiting just around the corner.”
I burst out laughing. This was exactly the grandmotherly advice she liked to dish out.
She glanced at Paisley, who was perched on a chair at the island coloring in her book. “Don’t tell your father I said that.”
Paisley grinned. “I won’t, Gran. I promise. But you and Grandpa were together for a long time, right?”
“Only twenty-five. He was young when he passed.” She looked away, but not before I noticed the sorrow in her eyes. I wanted to hug her. I hadn’t known she’d lost her husband so early on. “But I had to kiss a lot of frogs until I found him. Was like that in my time, and I can’t imagine it’s gotten easier. Also something you shouldn’t mention to your father.”
Paisley’s grin widened.
Midway through the baking process, my phone beeped with a message. Washing my hands off, I took the phone out of my back pocket.
Tate: Morning, beautiful. This week is getting out of hand too.
Lexi: ☹
Last week we’d barely texted, even on the weekend.
Tate: I want to see you. Can you stay until later this evening?
My heart rate sped up.
Lexi: Yes.
Tate: Great. I’ll tell Gran she can go home in the evening.
Lexi: Oh, so whatever you have in mind requires us to be alone?
Tate: Yes. Fuck, yes.
***
That evening I experienced Paisley’s bedtime routine for the first time. I’d never been here for it. When I spent the night at the house after the thunderstorm, she’d fallen asleep right away. She liked to wash her hair and wear her fluffy teddy bear coat, and she needed some persuasion to change into pajamas afterward. She also wanted to have someone read her a story.
“Does your dad do this with you?” I asked.
“Oh yes, every evening,” she said, comfortably snuggling against me as I started reading her the story.
I was only three pages in when the rhythm of her breathing changed. It was more even now. I glanced down at her, and her eyes were closed, but I still continued. I loved the feeling of her small body next to mine, nuzzling against me like she’d found all the warmth and security she needed. I loved this little squirrel and was already missing her, even though we still had the rest of the summer ahead of us.