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"Yeah, we don't want him to get dirty," Rae said, and I nodded my agreement. It was so nice having someone on my side.
With Meredith, it felt like everything I said she argued with, like everything was a competition. If I told Emma no, Meredith ignored it and did the opposite. But Reagan hadn't done that. Not once. She teased me, but had never gone against me. And I hadn't with her, either. It felt like we were a team, not trying to one up each other to win a Best Parent Award.
"Has Uni played with his new friends?" I asked around a bite of food. Emma shrugged.
"He hates them." I choked as the burger went down my throat, and I banged my fist on my chest as I reached for my water. I hadn't been expecting that answer.
Reagan jumped to her feet as I swallowed water. "What are you doing?" I rasped, my voice raw and eyes watery.
"You were choking," she said, pointing at me. "I—I know CPR." My lips twitched.
"That's great, angel," I said gently before taking another sip. "But I wouldn't need CPR if I was choking." She blinked at me. "Heimlich." Her face turned bright red, and she covered it with both her hands.
"Oh my God!" she cried. "I can't believe I said that!"
I chuckled at her dramatics. It was fucking cute—she was fucking cute. Everything about her.
I was so fucked.
"It's easy to get them mixed up," I soothed, even though we both knew it was a lie. They were completely different things, but I wanted to make her feel better.
"No, they're not!" She shook her head behind her hands. I glanced at Emma, finding her just watching, probably confused at what was even happening. But she just chewed on her food, her eyes flicking between us.
Since Reagan had moved in, Emma was actually eating food again and it was helping me not feel like I was on the brink of a breakdown anymore. Seeing her eat something that wasn't ice cream or brownies made me breathe easier. Surprisingly, the less I stressed, the better I ate and slept. Who knew?
"Sit down, baby," I laughed. "It's okay. You made a mistake. Happens all the time."
"It's so embarrassing!" She slumped into her chair, her face still hidden. I gently tugged her hands away, and she gave me a pitiful look.
"It's okay," I said again, gentler.
"You don't think I'm an idiot?" she asked. "I swear I know the difference, but I panicked and—"
"I know," I interrupted. "I'd never think you were an idiot."
"Really?" she breathed.
"Of course." I squeezed her hand. "I trust you, angel." Her eyes searched mine, and the vulnerability in them broke my heart.
"All done!" Emma popped the bubble we were in, and my head snapped toward her. She slid off her chair and before I could say a word, she sprinted from the kitchen, her dark hair flying behind her.
I let out a long breath as I slumped back in my chair. Reagan chewed on her lip as she flicked her eyes between me and where Emma had just disappeared.
"I'll get her," I said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She inhaled sharply, her eyes wide as I pulled away. "Eat up, angel. You need your strength for tonight." I winked and pushed to my feet.
"Eli—" I paused and looked down at her. She looked like she was closing in on herself and my brows pushed together. "This is real, right? I'm not dreaming? Or thinking it's more than it is?" My chest tightened.
"This is real, baby," I murmured, sitting back on the chair and facing her. I gathered her hands in mine and stroked my thumbs along the backs. "I've never felt like this—" I cut myself off. I didn't know how to tell her how I felt. There weren't enough words in the world to explain it.
"I've just never—I don't do casual, and I don't know what this is or—"
"We can have the what are we talk later, okay?" I searched her eyes, but she still looked worried. "We're not casual. I don't know what label to put on it, but we're not casual. You're mine, Reagan. Only mine." The pulse in her neck beat wildly as she flicked her eyes between mine.
"Does that mean you're mine too?" she murmured, and I smiled softly.
"All yours, angel." Leaning forward, I pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Say the word, and I'll give you the world. Whatever you need to feel secure with me, I'll give it to you. But whatever this is, it's real, and if I have it my way, it'll last forever."
She let out a small whimper as she pressed her lips against mine again, scooting closer to me. Her arms wrapped around my neck and tugged me closer as mine went around her waist. I had an overwhelming need to claim her, to shove everything off the table, rip her clothes off, and fill her up. I needed her more than I needed to breathe.
