He laughed. “You haven’t seen theotherSamantha Luck. The one who hurls her LEGO across the floor or flat-out refuses to take a bath.”
Sammy appeared, dragging a worn blanket. “I’m ready.”
Providence made a beeline for the recliner in the family room. As soon as Dakota sunk down in the center of the sofa, he got busy pulling up the movie while Sammy climbed up beside him, her blanket in tow.
Miranda walked into the room. “My sister wants to FaceTime with me. Sammy, would you mind having movie night with Daddy and Providence so I can talk to my sister now?”
“That’s okay,” said Sammy.
“Dakota,” Miranda said, “I’m out early tomorrow, so you and Sammy have a fun Sunday together.”
Dakota nodded. “Thanks for a great dinner, Miranda.”
“It was good to meet you, Providence,” Miranda said.
“You, too,” Providence replied. “Thank you for dinner.”
With a smile, Miranda vanished around the corner.
“Does she live here?” Providence asked.
“She has a private suite in the basement with her own entrance,” Dakota replied. “Sammy, Providence is all alone on the other side of the room. Should we invite her to sit with us on the sofa?”
Sammy crawled over Dakota and patted the empty cushion. “There’s room for you, Provi,” she said before scrambling back over onto her spot.
Moving beside Dakota would be a mistake. “I’m comfortable here.”
But when Dakota patted the sofa cushion and said, “Please join us,” she couldn’t resist. The second she sat next to him, she became hyper aware of his close proximity.Oh, God.
With a tap of the remote, the lights dimmed, and the movie started playing.
Though she snuggled against the end of the sofa, his large frame and muscular legs were inches away. And so damn tempting. The electricity running between them sent tingles racing through her.
Sammy crawled onto Dakota’s lap and snuggled close, her thumb in her mouth, the blanket draped over her small legs. A rush of emotion tightened Providence’s chest and her eyes misted. She couldn’t change the past, couldn’t bring back her child. As she watched the kid-friendly movie, she struggled to keep it together.
If she excused herself to the bathroom, she’d ruin Sammy’s evening. So, she bit back the sorrow, and forced herself to focus.
As if he could sense she was struggling, Dakota clasped her hand. Being here, with this family, was wrong. This was a job, an assignment, not an opportunity to bond. It was bad enough that she was starting to develop feelings for this man, but he had a child.
When this case ended, she’d be on to the next. And she’d say goodbye to Dakota. Emptiness filled her soul.
Maybe pizza night wasn’t such a smart idea. Yet, her broken heart yearned for a deep, meaningful connection and a family of her own.
The movie ended and a sleepy Sammy said goodnight to Providence. Dakota carried her upstairs while Providence waited on the sofa. She needed to leave, but not before she set some serious ground rules.
16
The Incriminating Photos
After helping Sammy brush her teeth, Dakota tucked her into bed.
“Can Provi come back for movie night?” she asked.
As he sat on the edge of her small bed, he smiled. “I can ask her, how’s that?”
“Okay.” In went her thumb, she rolled over, and her eyes fluttered closed.
He kissed her forehead and returned to find the family room empty. Thinking Providence had started working in his office, he went in search of her, but she wasn’t there.
