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A gorgeous blush forms on her cheeks as her eyes drop from mine. It makes me want to reach forward and pull her into my arms just to feel her against me.
Spinning on her heel, she faces her parents. “Mom, Dad, I assume you’ve met Nathan?”
“We have,” Martha replies, her eyes kind as she meets mine with a smile. Stepping forward, she holds out her hand. “Why don’t I take the soup and popsicles to the kitchen. It’s about time for Avery to eat anyway, so I’ll warm up what Nathan brought her. You both can bring her the flowers and stuffed animal.”
“Are you sure? I was just coming down to make her something,” Emberleigh asks her mom.
“I’m sure, sweetie. Go take Nathan up there so he can bring her his gifts. It’ll brighten her spirits a little. Your dad will bring up the soup in just a bit.”
I pass the bag along to Martha. She steps closer, lifts her hand, and surprises me by patting my cheek.
“Such a sweet young man,” she says fondly. She steps back, and her eyes swing to Emberleigh. “I assume this is the man Jessika said you were seeing?”
My lips quirk up as I watch embarrassment heat her cheeks. Her gaze clashes with mine, but she quickly looks away.
“Mom, seriously?” she admonishes, sounding like a teenage girl being uncomfortably questioned in front of a boy by her parents. “Yes, it’s him.”
“Seems pretty serious if he’s bringing gifts for Avery,” Martha states with raised brows and laughter in her eyes.
I don’t even attempt to stop the chuckle from leaving my lips. Embarrassed Emberleigh is a cute Emberleigh, and I’m really fucking enjoying it.
Instead of replying to her mother, she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the stairs. Martha’s snickering laugh can be heard as we ascend the staircase.
“Moms can be such pains in the asses,” she mutters, leading me down a hallway.
She shoots me a glare when I laugh.
We stop at a partially closed door. I stop her with a hand at her waist before she pushes it open. She turns to me, but before she can say anything, I drop my lips to hers. The kiss isn’t filled with passion like it normally is between us. Now’s not the time or place for something like that. It’s just a soft melding of lips.
I pull back seconds later and rest my forehead against hers.
“What was that for?” Her eyes stay closed as she asks the question.
“It was just something I needed to do,” I state honestly. It’s only been two days since I’ve seen her, but it feels like two weeks. I have no clue what this woman has done to me, but my need for her is growing to obsessive levels. When I’m not with her, my mind is constantly on her. When I am with her, I want to be closer to her. I feel like some damn schoolboy with his first crush. But fuck if I care.
She smiles beautifully at my words and her gorgeous blue eyes slowly open, looking at me with something akin to… love? For some reason, that thought doesn’t turn my stomach like it would have weeks ago.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers.
“Em?”
We break apart at Avery’s voice. Pushing open the door, we step inside, and the laugh Emberleigh and Martha shared earlier becomes clear. The room is filled with all kinds of stuffed animals. They’re on shelves mounted on the walls, on her dresser, a small table in the corner has a nicely arranged stack, nets hang in the corners filled to overflowing. She even has a pile of them at the end of a full-size bed. Obviously, the girl likes them. A lot.
“Hey, Avery. Look who’s here.” Emberleigh moves to the bed and sits beside Avery.
My eyes move to the little girl in the bed. She’s sitting up with the blankets over her lap, Kindle resting on her legs, and a stuffed panda clutched under her arm. She looks miserable, but she still has a smile on her face. I’ve only met Avery once, but for some reason, she seems happy to see me. That sends a warm feeling to my chest.
“Hey.” I step closer to the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“My throat hurts some, but I’m okay.”
I nod and smile at her with sympathy. “I used to get it when I was a kid, and remember how it feels.”
Her eyes move to the stuffed animal and flowers. I hold out the elephant. “I brought you a couple of get-well gifts.” Her smile grows even bigger as she reaches out for it. “I think he’ll fit right in,” I say with a chuckle. She and Emberleigh giggle.
After she snuggles the elephant into her arms, burying her face in the soft fur, I hold the flowers out next. Emberleigh watches with a smile on her face as her daughter takes them and brings them to her nose, inhaling the sweet floral scent.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “I love them.”
