he was doing and Faith’s question was totally innocent and normal.
The only thing he was sure of was, he wanted them all living together in a house with a puppy running around causing havoc. He wanted more mornings with Faith and the chaos she created when she was getting ready for school. He wanted Leigh-Leigh in the kitchen grumpy, waiting for the coffee to brew. He wanted to go to sleep and wake up next to his woman. He wanted his girl down the hall in her room. He wanted more dates with Faith and nights alone with Leigh-Leigh.
He wanted the dream.
27
Thank God for Saturdays. I wanted nothing more than to stay in my pjs and laze around all day long. That, and I needed to talk to Holden. Last night, after they got back, Faith was wired. She rambled on about seeing Zack, who incidentally she had a crush on, something that Holden had cottoned on to halfway through Faith’s retelling, which led to him frowning until deep lines formed around his lips. Somehow, the fierce look only made him sexier.
But after that, Holden became watchful and contemplative. I didn’t get a chance to last night, but I needed to get a read on his mood-change, stat. I wasn’t worried about him running off—at least that was what I was telling myself, but my gut was telling me something was wrong. It was the way he’d studied Faith, it was almost like he was weighing each sentence and scrutinizing it.
I knew their “date” had gone well and Holden even asked Faith if he could take her to dinner next weekend—just the two of them. When she happily accepted, he told her that the following week it would be my turn and asked her if she’d be all right staying with Jameson and Kennedy. Of course, my daughter had jumped at the prospect of spending time with Tank.
So, all was good in Holden and Faith Land, but something was bugging Holden, and I intended to find out what it was. I’d learned the hard way never to let things fester or go. If we were going to make a go at being together, I needed total and complete honesty from him.
It was on that thought I walked into the kitchen and found Holden already sitting at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee in front of him.
“Morning,” I greeted as I made my coffee.
“Missed you last night,” he grumbled.
My lips twitched at his disgruntled tone. “Did you now?”
“You know I did.”
Yeah, I knew he missed me. Faith had been wound up and it had taken me forever to get her to sleep. And by the time I knew she was down for the count, I was too tired to get out of bed.
“And a text, really, Leigh-Leigh?” he complained.
The carafe in my hand started to wobble, and my shoulders shook as I tried and failed to hold back my amusement.
“We need to talk.” I sobered instantly at the jarring change of tone. “Would’ve found time last night if you’d come back down.”
That was unlikely. He would’ve started kissing me, then the rest of the world would’ve fallen away. After that, I would’ve been a boneless, exhausted pile of goo and would’ve gone to sleep. Which meant he wouldn’t have found the time to tell me what was bothering him. But I didn’t point that out, instead, I finished making my coffee and sat across from him.
Holden didn’t delay. “First, I want this kid Andy’s dad’s phone number. The man needs to talk to his son and tell him if he tries to kiss Faith, I’m gonna wring an eight-year-old-boy-neck.”
I stared at Holden unblinking—he was serious. Totally and completely serious. And that time when my shoulders shook with humor I couldn’t hold back, I busted out laughing. I did this for a long time, so long, my stomach started to cramp. Oh, boy, Holden was in for a world of hurt if an eight-year-old could get under his skin. Wait until Faith was sixteen and…
My laughter froze in my throat and I went still. So still, I didn’t think I was breathing. Sixteen? That was eight years from now, eight long years and I’d naturally, without pause, thought Holden would still be with us.
“I don’t know why you’re laughing, Leigh-Leigh. I’m perfectly serious.”
“I know you are,” I whispered.
“Thankfully, Faith says the kid smells. That’s good news—for now. Until he takes a shower, then Faith might not mind if the little