Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 145823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Oh shit, if those are half as good as you smell, then I’ll take back anything you want me to.”
The gold in her sea-glass necklace sparkled in the light as she laughed. “Remember to share.”
I let my gaze drop to her breasts. “Never.”
“The cookies, you insufferable man.”
“Right. Cookies.”
Once Finley reappeared with the cat carrier, Morgan cajoled Satan’s mistress into the contraption and packed up the food Fin forgot into a spare bag.
She walked us out, and once Fin was in the car, I kissed Morgan good-bye long and hard outside the garage. “I love you.”
“You’re just saying that because I’m taking Juno so she doesn’t pee in your shoes.” She grinned against my mouth.
“I’m saying it because it’s true.” I cupped the back of her neck and lamented my work schedule for the hundredth time.
“Be safe tonight, okay?” Some of the light died in her eyes. She did her best to lock down the fear, but it was always there, a nail scratch from the surface.
I kissed her hard. “I will. I’ll text you if I end up flying.” She did better if I sent a before and after message, which we’d learned the week after my storm call.
“Okay.”
“I love you, Morgan.” I kissed her one last time, effectively keeping her from muttering something like I adore you.
Then I headed toward Buxton, where Vivian’s house was just a couple blocks off Pamlico Sound.
Brie answered the door with a smile. “Finley!”
“Hi, Aunt Brie!” The two hugged, and I shut the door behind me so the cool air didn’t escape.
The Beach Boys blared from the speakers, and Claire danced her way in, singing about California girls. I had to laugh. She really hadn’t changed that much since college.
“Fin!” Claire stopped dancing and raced over, sweeping Fin into a hug. “Are you ready for the best Fourth of July ever?”
Finley nodded. “Yes! I brought cookies!” She lifted the Ziploc bag that Morgan had given her. “Morgan made them!”
Claire’s smile didn’t falter, but the happiness dimmed in her eyes. “Well, I bet they’re just sweet as can be!”
“Come on, Fin, let’s go find Grandma!” Brie took her hand and off they went.
“Her hair looks great,” Claire said softly.
“It really does,” I agreed, not wanting to draw any more blood than the cookies had.
“Morgan?” she questioned with a wince.
“Yeah, but if it makes you feel any better, she has Juno.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “That cat is the devil.”
“Incarnate, and yet our daughter doesn’t agree.”
Finley appeared through the window, dancing across the deck with Brie, and we both smiled. It was the least antagonistic moment I’d had with Claire since she came home nearly two months ago. Two months. It was the longest she’d ever stayed.
She hadn’t followed through on her threat to file for custody, but my lawyer had all my paperwork lined up just in case she changed her mind. I wasn’t losing Finley.
“How did that audition go?” I asked. “The one you had for that sci-fi show?”
Claire blinked up at me in surprise, looking so much like Fin did when I caught her sneaking candy that I almost laughed. “How did you know?”
“Redhead. Eleven o’clock.” I gestured to the windows.
“Oh. Right. I was going to tell you if I got it. I even asked the director about a commute-friendly schedule between here and L.A. for filming so I wouldn’t have to mess with our arrangements for Fin.” She tucked her thumbs in her back pockets—the same nervous tell she’d had in college.
“I think that would be great.” I meant it. If there was a way for Claire to have her career and Finley to have her mom, then I was all for it. “And we could always adjust some stuff to make it work.”
Her eyes lit up. “Like maybe she could come to L.A. with me?”
I stilled.
Claire pressed her lips in a line and dropped her gaze. “Figured that would be your answer. Okay, I’ll make sure I can commute for the next one. I didn’t get that one.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “Happens. Besides, it gives me more time to house hunt. I need to find something local because my mother is killing me.”
Relief socked me in the gut. “I can give you the number for the Realtor I used.” House hunting meant she was serious about sticking around for Fin. This wasn’t just a whim that would pass now that she realized how serious I was about Morgan.
“That would be awesome. Now I’d better go save Finley before she picks up any of Brie’s dance moves. Have a happy Fourth, Jax.”
“You too, Claire.”
We did the awkward nod thing, and I took off. It took all of ten minutes to get to the station, and I hummed my way through the door.
Did it suck that I had to work instead of taking my girls to the fireworks? Absolutely. But Claire had quit the vindictive witch routine around Morgan and was settling in, which made Finley happier than I’d ever seen her, and I was madly in love with an incredible woman who I had every intention of keeping for the rest of my life. Not that I was saying that to her. Maybe once she admitted that she loved me, but until then, I’d keep my name-changing plans to myself. And work on making her so blissfully happy that she’d be just as addicted to me as I was to her.