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“You stole that from the marines,” Brooklyn muttered.
“Excuse me?” Lily asked, sliding her daughter an arch look. “Did you say something, honey?”
“Nope. Not a word.”
“Uh-huh.” She returned her gaze to Patrick. “So tonight, five o’clock sharp. Then we can head over to the tree lighting together. Okay?”
“Okay,” he agreed with a smile. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Good.” She nodded and pulled him close for a hug. When she stepped back, she nailed her daughter with another narrowed glance. “I know I’ll see you there. Don’t be late.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Grumbling, Lily moved to her and, cupping Brooklyn’s face and tilting it down, smacked a kiss on her forehead. Brooklyn had inherited her five-foot-two-inch height from her mother, and they appeared more like sisters than mother and daughter. They also shared the delicate bone structure, curvy frame and thick, tightly spiraled, shoulder-length curls. Although Lily’s contained a sprinkling of gray.
“Bye, you two,” Lily called, and with a wiggle of her fingers, strode off down the sidewalk.
They stared after her for several silent seconds. Then Brooklyn sighed.
“I’m the most selfish bitch walking,” she murmured to herself, but he caught it, and he frowned down at her.
“What the hell?” he asked.
“I am.” She tilted her head, and her solemn gaze took him aback. “I was so concerned with us not being around my family together to avoid any kind of slipups or stir their suspicion. All I thought about was me and our current situation. And I completely didn’t consider that this is your first Christmas without your dad. Of course I want you there with us. Youbelongwith us.”
Shaking his head, he couldn’tnotreach out to her. Not touch her. Sliding his hand over her shoulder, he cupped her nape.
“I’ve never said that about you, and I don’t want to hear you say that about yourself, either. Brooklyn, you are the most selfless person I know. This situation isn’t...simple and it’s not like either of us have ever experienced anything like it.” He paused, cocking his head. “Unless there’s something you want to tell me.” She snorted, rolling her eyes, and he chuckled, squeezing her. “Don’t apologize for your feelings. They’re valid and—” he edged closer, staring down into her eyes “—thank you for trusting me with your feelings and yourself.”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip and his fingers itched with the need to tug it free, stroke a caress over the tender flesh.
“So you’ve never called me a bitch? Not even in your head?” she asked.
“That’s what you got out of everything I just said?” He scoffed, giving her a wry smile. “But no. Never.”
She studied him for a moment. “What about crazy?”
“Oh hell yeah.”
A grin slowly widened her mouth, lighting her face. Then she tipped her head back, and a bark of loud laughter escaped her. He chuckled and drew her close, hugging her. Torturing himself with the feel of her. Punishing himself with the crisp and sultry scent of her.
“It just so happens I adore your crazy, Mrs. King,” he teased, though his pulse sped up at the thought of being able to give her his name.
No. At the thought of her accepting his name.
“See?” Leaning back, she scowled, jabbing a finger at him. “That right there. No more of that Mrs. shit. I just know you’re going to slip up tonight. You can’t hold water.”
His chin jerked back, and he widened his eyes in exaggerated offense.
“Me? I beg your pardon.” He splayed his fingers wide over his chest. “Name one time I didn’t keep a secret.”
She tapped her chin, eyes squinted.
“You mean like when you spilled to Jeremy about the surprise party we planned for him at the office?”
“He knew about it anyway.” Patrick scoffed.
“Or about the time you told Kat about the new car Sam bought her?” Brooklyn continued, poking him in the chest. “Or when you let it slip to Katherine what the sex of her baby was and pretty much ruined the gender reveal party her husband had planned.”
