But the teasing is still in his expression.
And God, it looks good there.
The lightness, the warmth, the sense of completeness, as though there are a thousand invisible strings connecting us, and every laugh, every touch, every kiss and joke and conversation is written on his soul.
He unlocks and opens the door, reluctantly slips his hand from mine and steps outside.
“You’ll have to pay the ransom,” he says.
“Ransom?” I ask, my frown back because that doesn’t make any sense. “What does that have to do with seeing you tomorrow?”
A wicked smile. “Because I have your car. Muahaha.”
I gape at him, but he just nudges me back enough to close the door.
The click has my mouth clamping shut. “Leo!” I snap.
His laugh rumbles through the wooden panel. “Lock up, Harp.”
I glare at him, even though he can’t see it.
“You’re beautiful even when you’re scowling.” A beat. “Now lock the fucking door, Mama.”
That has my heart rolling over in my chest—or maybe expanding so rapidly it threatens to explode out of my chest, but somehow I manage to reach forward and turn the lock.
“Goodnight, baby,” he calls. “Dream about me.”
I call out a pert reply that sends him chuckling out to his car.
But spoiler alert: I do dream of him.
I dream of Leo and a little boy that looks just like him…
And I dream of a beautiful, beautiful future.
Thirty-Two
Leo
The doorbell goes, and I hurry to answer it.
Even though it’s not my house.
Smitty smirks at me, but doesn’t comment, probably because he’s commandeered two-week-old Reese and is focused more on her than giving me shit.
Luna’s sitting with Faye and Kailey, looking tired but happy, and Aiden hasn’t stopped moving since we came in, making sure Luna has water and snacks and is comfortable. Babying her and doing it so smoothly (e.g. without pissing her off with his fussing) that I’m taking notes.
The rest of us have had to fend for ourselves.
But no one’s complaining—we’ve been here often enough that our guest privileges are revoked. We can get our own beers.
Plus, Harp is bringing food.
I open the door to find…
“Oh,” I say, disappointment heavy in my tone.
Lainey’s eyes dance. “Ouch.”
