My parents spoiled the boys. I didn’t mind because it seemed like a grandparent’s right.
Drew dropped his noodle onto the couch. “What’s for dinner?”
“Not sure. We’re gonna have to go over and find out.”
Drew gave me a chin lift that made him look ten years older. “I could eat.”
I couldn’t hold in my chuckle this time. I clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Then let’s go. Get your coats. It’s freezing outside.”
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and I looked up, suddenly wishing I hadn’t. I would’ve done anything to erase the image that would now be forever implanted in my brain.
Hallie walked toward us wearing jeans that hugged every curve and dipped into leather riding boots, a soft pink sweater molded to her body like a second skin, giving me a peek of the swells beneath—swells I wanted to trace with my tongue.
Her hair cascaded around her in soft waves from being tied up in a bun all day. Her gray eyes were deeper somehow, lined with kohl and pulling me in. And her lips... They were coated in some sort of gloss that I wanted to lick off.
I was fucked.
“You look so pretty, Hallie! Like a princess,” Charlie said in wonder.
She flushed but smiled. “Thank you, Charlie. That’s very kind.”
Drew grinned at her. “Total bae status.”
Luke hit him upside the head.
“Bruh,” Drew clipped, whirling on him. “That was a compliment.”
“Don’t make her feel uncomfortable,” Luke shot back.
“He didn’t,” Hallie hurried to assure them. “I know that’s Drew-speak for the ultimate compliment.”
Drew’s chest puffed up. “See? Hallie gets me.”
Her orange-blossom scent wrapped around me, stronger than before. “Let’s go.”
My voice was gruff, a few tones deeper than usual as I motioned everyone toward the door.
The kids led the way, but Hallie was close behind them. I let her get a ways ahead of me. Establishing distance so I didn’t have to be tempted by her scent. But that got shot to hell when we got into the SUV. I was half-tempted to roll down the window.
I tried to focus on Charlie’s chatter about seeing Cady, their plans for next week, and the animals at Aspen’s.
Hallie was quiet on the drive, but I was grateful. The sound of her voice on top of her scent would’ve been too much.
As we pulled up to the gate, I rolled down my window and sucked in a deep breath, trying to wash her out of me. It was no use.
I punched in a code, and the gate opened.
As we headed up the drive, my childhood home came into view. Built into the mountainside, the blend of stone, wood, and glass felt as if the mountain itself had birthed the house.
“It’s beautiful,” Hallie murmured.
“It was a great place to grow up,” I admitted.
A smile played on her lips as I parked next to the other vehicles. “I’m glad you had that.”
But she hadn’t. I’d figured that much.
“We’re here!” Charlie yelled, unbuckling his booster seat and jumping out of the SUV.
