Nova nodded and gripped my hand. “Maybe we can come to your condo this weekend. The girls and me, I mean.”
“We’ll take them swimming and let them nap in the second bedroom. The more time they spend around me, the less weird they’ll feel about me kissing and hugging you.”
“They’ve only seen Dan touch me before. They worry you’re bullying me.”
Grinning, I hugged Nova and held her for a few minutes. I knew she wasn’t ready to head inside. I understood how she felt. We’d been circling each other for months. Now that we’d gotten a taste, being apart felt like a punishment.
But eventually, Exile started peering through the windows. Nova grumbled under her breath about him being overprotective. With the chill in the air, I knew Nova needed to head inside.
I took my jacket, gave her a lingering kiss, and opened the front door. Despite my promise to see her tomorrow, Nova watched me like I was leaving forever.
I hated how afraid she looked. A part of me considered staying overnight. That choice wouldn’t have gone over well with Exile. I also didn’t think Nova was ready for me to be around when her girls got up.
So, rather than shoving my way into the house and taking what I wanted, I climbed on my motorcycle and began the countdown until I could hold Nova again.
NOVA
The gnawing panic returned with a vengeance once Boone told me goodnight. Paranoia wouldn’t allow me to sleep. I kept checking on the girls. Dan caught me walking between the two rooms and asked if I was okay. I only nodded before hugging him and holding on too tightly.
Dan stroked my head and offered me reassurances, but I kept feeling like something bad was about to happen. My brother sensed I was in a bad place and tucked me into bed. Rather than leave, he stood at the window until my eyes grew heavy enough for me to sleep.
At the sound of my alarm, I woke to the feel of pressure on my chest. Sitting up, I tried to catch my breath, but I couldn’t inhale deeply. Every breath was shallow. A building fear kept me twitchy.
Dan noticed right away. Lula saw his frowning face and looked me over.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I feel strange, like I can’t breathe right.”
“Should we go to the hospital?” Dan asked, startling Skylar, Lyric, and Dillon.
Lula looked into my eyes. “Are you nervous about something?”
“I don’t know.”
Dan added, “She was restless last night.”
Lula nodded and studied me. “Do you feel the urge to cry?”
“Don’t cry, Mama,” Lyric said and reached for me.
I put my hands out to hold her before a noise from outside sparked a high-pitched squeal out of me.
“What’s wrong?” Dan said, grabbing me by the shoulders and holding me still. “We should get you checked out.”
Lula insisted, “I think she’s anxious.”
“Then, we’ll get a doctor to prescribe her something.”
They looked at each other while Dan held me. I glanced at Lyric and Skylar, who were moments away from crying. I tried to smile. Whatever I did with my face wasn’t soothing, and the girls panicked.
“Mama’s sick!” Skylar hollered and jumped off the chair. “I’m retiring from school! I can’t leave!”
“I’m not leaving, either!” Lyric said and ran after Skylar.
“Everything is probably fine,” Lula insisted, winning a scowl from her new husband. “I think Nova’s having a panic attack.”
She took me to the couch and had me rest on my back. “Girls, help me find a relaxing song for your mom to listen to.”
