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“Excuse me?”
He gestured with his head behind them. “What you said back there. You’re beginning to see that.”
A small smile crept up Leila’s face. “You surprised me with Skylar. You’re really great with her, and she likes you.”
He shrugged. “What’s not to like? She’s a lot like her mother. Sweet and adorable.”
She couldn’t hide the blush that filled her features, and she sighed as she looked away. “I’m not good with compliments.”
Adler placed a lock of hair behind her ear, and his hand lingered there. “Well, you’ll need to get used to it.” His gaze locked on to hers, and he brushed his fingers along her jaw.
His gaze was so intense it caused Leila’s heart to pound hard against her chest. She licked her bottom lip as time seemed to stand still and the space between them closed slowly.
Suddenly a car horn blared, causing her to jump back, and the spell was broken. Adler closed his eyes, and a laugh escaped them both.
“Well.” Leila had to clear her throat. “I had a great time.”
Adler’s face shone, and he placed his hand on her arm. “Me too. Will I see you Saturday?”
She nodded. “Yes. Ten o’clock?”
“Yep, and I want to take you riding, so pack something comfortable, and bring your swimsuit to change into. We’re having people over after.”
She nodded.
“Goodnight, little beauty,” he whispered to Skylar. He kissed his hand and brushed it against her little head, then grabbed Leila’s hands and squeezed them in his. “Goodnight, Leila. See you Saturday.”
His deep brown eyes melted into hers, causing her stomach to turn to mush. “See you Saturday.”
Thoughts of Adler filled her mind as she showered. He sure wasn’t the same guy she’d met back in May at Elizabeth’s wedding. That self-absorbed, egotistical man she’d danced with then seemed a far cry from the one she’d seen the past week and especially the one she’d spent time with tonight. There was no trace of the egotistical jerk she thought he was, and he was anything but selfish. The joy on Skylar’s face as Adler had spun her around and played with her and that stuffed koala warmed her heart.
Leila peaked in on Skylar. She was sleeping on her side with her little arm around the koala. A smile ticked at the corner of Leila’s mouth as she leaned on Skylar’s crib. “Pleasant dreams, baby girl.” She gently brushed her hand along Skylar’s face and heard Adler’s voice in her mind saying, “goodnight little beauty.” Her insides warmed as she left her daughter to sleep, but she turned at the door. “Love you, bunches, Sky.”
Adler grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and settled on the couch as he mindlessly channel surfed. He finally settled on a movie he hadn’t seen in a while and laid his head back and got comfortable on the couch as Leila filled his mind.
Everything about the night was amazing because of her. Even the panic of the Ferris wheel was worth it. He balled his hand into a fist at the memory of the warmth of their touch as he grasped her hand in fear.
“Those fireworks were amazing. Don’t you agree, Adler?” Tristan asked.
Stacey smirked. “I thought they were, but maybe they weren’t the most amazing thing Adler saw all night.”
Adler slowly turned his head as Stacey snapped her fingers at him. “Did you say something?” She and Tristan sat in the oversized chair adjacent to the couch. He raised his brows and gave them a look which he hoped would make them leave him alone with his thoughts. Thoughts of long brown hair and hazel-green eyes and the most sweet and innocent smile he’d ever laid eyes on. But no such luck.
“Just wondering what the most amazing thing you saw all night was.” She chuckled. “Gotta admit, I was surprised at how good you were with Skylar.”
He pursed his lips and moved his eyes toward the ceiling. You’ve brought this on yourself, Adler, but dammit, doesn’t anyone think I can change?A heaviness grew in his chest. “Funny how no one ever thinks anything positive about me.” His eyes met hers. “First it was ‘be careful, Adler. She’s a sweet girl.’ Like I’m not good enough to have a sweet girl in my life.”
Stacey started to object, but he waved her off. “Then there was a baby, and everyone had shock frozen on their faces when she and I bonded. Look, I realize that because of my past choices it might be hard to think that there’s more to me than the playboy persona everyone thinks of when they hear my name, but I want to be loved too. I want marriage and kids. I want someone there for me when things get tough. Why is that so hard for everyone to imagine?” His voice was loud, and his pulse raced. His reaction was probably a bit too much, but it was all true, and he was so tired of everyone not thinking he was worth being with a sweet woman. Okay, he’d probably brought that on himself, but still. If he couldn’t have Tristan on his side, no one would ever see he could change.
“Woah, bro.” Tristan caught his eyes. “Stacey didn’t mean anything by it. We were all surprised that you were so comfortable with Skylar. Admit it, you are too.”
Yeah, he was. He had never held a baby before. To be honest, he’d never considered holding a baby before, but Skylar was different. “You’re right. Babies always turned me off.” His voice grew softer. “A woman with a baby was always a deal-breaker, and honestly, I’m surprised that it wasn’t this time. But . . . I don’t know . . . when I danced with Leila at Elizabeth and Brady’s wedding, something clicked deep in my chest.” He pounded a fist over his heart. “She’s never far from my thoughts. I want to get to know her, and Skylar’s a part of getting to know her.”
Another glance passed between Tristan and Stacey. They really must not believe him, or they thought he’s crazy. Whatever. He knew this was the right thing, and he didn’t care what anyone thought.
He breathed heavily. Who was he kidding? He did care what Tristan thought. He was the only one whose thoughts mattered. Tristan knew him better than anyone. “Okay, Calhoun. I see the secret looks you two are passing between each other. Themental telepathy that you both share—creepy, but always there—is bothering me. Be honest. What’s on your mind? Do you think I’m crazy? Messing up?”
“You know,” Tristan began, “Stacey and I watched you all night. It was quite entertaining.”
