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* * *
Hours later, she pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a T-shirt with the least amount of stains from little fingers.
Knock. Knock.
She headed over to her door and opened it. Atlas stood towering over her, his eyes a troubled stormy grey. His hair was tousled like he’d been running his fingers through it. He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“I wondered if you’d be up for dinner together?” His attention darted past her to her bedroom. “You and Zoey of course.”
“I’m sorry. Tonight is book club with the girls. Zoey’s at my brother’s.”
“Oh. Okay.” Disappointment flitted across his features, his smile fading at the edges.
Her heart squeezed. The pull inside her—an overpowering need to comfort him—overrode her better judgement. She placed her hand on his arm as she asked, “Are you okay?”
He stiffened. What the hell am I doing? She loosened her hold, but his arms wrapped around her, locking her there. She held on in silence, his chest rising and falling with her own. The tension in the air was thick between them, anticipation zinging through her every molecule. Her skin broke out in gooseflesh. She shivered.
“Are you cold?” He let her go, holding her arms and looking at her more closely. His eyes roamed over her face.
“A little,” she lied.
Atlas’s eyes darted to her mouth before his arms dropped to his sides.
“I’d better go. Belle will be here soon.”
He nodded, but didn’t move. “So, what exactly happens at this secret book club?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a secret. And that’s the key to blackmail.” She winked playfully.
His jaw ticced, his face hardening. “I guess if you like that sort of thing.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.
“Forget it.” He stepped back and left the room, the mood between them broken. Seconds later, his door shut with a little more force than necessary. She blinked, stunned. What just happened?
* * *
Later that evening, she was curled into a ball on Belle’s couch.
“Pass the wine,” Mia said before plopping on the cushion next to her.
Belle handed her the bottle. “I got this from a little vineyard in Vermont when we went a couple weeks ago.”
“Oh, is that where the hard cider was from that Dre has in the fridge?” Mia asked.
Belle nodded. “Yeah. We stayed at this really cute place in the mountains. The Orchard Inn, I believe.”
Jasmine’s ears perked up. “I’ve heard of that place. One of my recent guests said her daughter helps run it.”
“The couple who owns it was really cool. They had the cutest little girl running around and the woman looked close to popping with her second.” Belle took a sip of her drink.
“Speaking of kids, how are the classes for foster care going?” Remy asked Belle.
“Good. We have a few weeks left. We could have a child placed with us in the next six months.”
“You guys are going to be the best parents.” Mia placed her hand on Belle’s.
Belle’s smile faltered for a moment. “I hope so.”
