Sad, I know. But now that Sutton is in bed and Mom has made herself scarce, I’m desperate.
Nerves rush through me like a tsunami as her car comes into view, her blinker telling everyone on my street that she’s turning into my driveway.
My neighbors are great. They’ve always been respectful of my privacy and treat us like we’re any other normal family. I couldn’t be more grateful for them all allowing us to live our lives. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be curious if they spot a woman pulling up at my house. I’m not sure it’s ever happened before.
I’m at my front door in a heartbeat, pulling it open and watching her behind the wheel of her car.
With a riot of butterflies in my stomach, I lift my trembling hands, wrapping my fingers around the doorframe as she slows to a stop with her eyes locked on me.
Was I playing fair by changing into sweats and nothing else before she arrived? Hell, no. Do I care? Also no.
Her eyes feast on me for a moment too long, and my need for her carries me forward and into the cool evening air. Not that I notice.
In a heartbeat, I have her driver’s door open and I’m reaching out for her.
“Kodie,” she squeals as I place her on her feet and crash my lips to hers.
She hesitates, and my heart sinks.
“Someone could be watching,” she whispers. “Take me inside.”
All the air comes rushing out of my lungs.
She’s right.
Pulling back, I ask, “Do you have a bag?”
“In the trunk.”
I nod, ripping myself away from her to collect it. “Go inside,” I instruct before following her a few seconds later.
Kicking the door closed, I drop her bag at my feet and pause.
She’s only standing in the entryway to my home, but she looks like she belongs.
“Your home is beautiful,” she muses, her eyes finding me after scanning the space.
A chuckle rumbles deep in my throat as I step closer, the magnetic force between us drawing me in.
“I think it’s a little early to make statements like that,” I tease. “Maybe you should see a little more first.”
Defying what I really want to do, I take her hand and tug her through to the main living area.
“Oh wow,” she gasps, taking in the entire wall of glass that showcases my lit-up backyard.
I love the home we’ve created here.
When my trade was confirmed, Vipers management hooked me up with a local realtor. She was amazing, understood exactly what I wanted, and even though this place was at the very top end of my budget, I knew it was the one. From the first day we moved in when we were surrounded by boxes, I knew it was the best decision I’d ever made. Okay, best decision aside from signing Sutton’s sole custody agreement. That will forever be at the very top of my list.
Stepping behind Casey, I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder.
“Have you had a good day?” I ask softly.
We may not have spent a whole lot of time together this week, but we have talked a lot, and she’s been very open about how she’s been feeling in the lead up to the holidays. Hell, we’ve both done a lot of talking about how we’re feeling. It’s something I’ve never really done before, but it feels good. I feel lighter because of it, and I can only hope she does too.
Losing a parent is heartbreaking. But at least I was an adult when we lost Dad. I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been for Casey to lose her mom when she did.
“Yeah,” she muses before a little laugh spills free. “Dad forgot to put the turkey in.”
