Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,439

standing just a few feet away, her expression unreadable. When I glance back at my aunt, she smirks, obviously satisfied with herself. How many more times is she going to goad me into a conversation about Brooklyn knowing she’s probably listening?

“Brooklyn.” My eyes dart around as I run my hands through my hair. “You made it. I was beginning to wonder—”

“There was traffic. An accident on the bridge had everything backed up.”

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest, worried Brooklyn will turn around and leave at the knowledge that my crazy aunt’s trying to play matchmaker. Things have returned to some semblance of normalcy. I don’t want to lose that again.

“Coffee, dear?” Gigi asks, giving her a sly look. “Perhaps you and Drew would like a moment to yourselves, head to the roof like—”

“No, thank you,” she interrupts with a smile. “I’m sure the girls want to get to the museum.”

As if on cue, Alyssa and Charlotte come barreling through the café, flinging their arms around Brooklyn. “Auntie Brook! Are you coming with us today?” Alyssa asks.

She crouches to their level. “Is that okay?”

“Yes!” they both squeal simultaneously.

“Can we do the mirror maze first?” Charlotte presses.

Brooklyn raises herself back to a standing position, her eyes floating to mine. “You’ll have to ask your father.”

“Of course, kiddo.” I tousle Charlotte’s curls. “Ready?”

“Yes!”

The girls bolt toward the door, thanks to the sugar rush my aunt provided them.

“Shall we?” I hold my elbow out for Brooklyn.

With a smile that seems to penetrate deep inside me, she hooks her arm through mine, allowing me to lead her out of the café.

“Have fun, you two!” Gigi calls out as we’re about to leave.

“Thanks, Yenta,” Brooklyn shoots back. “Try to refrain from playing matchmaker with anyone else who stops by the café, will ya?” When she passes me a sly grin, we both break out laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. The mere sound makes all my tension and stress melt away. I’m pretty sure Brooklyn’s laugh could bring world peace.

It brings me peace.

Chapter Eighteen

BROOKLYN

“Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve been here,” I announce, taking in everything as we make our way past the central hub of the museum, a hint of nostalgia filling me. The crowd is thick, voices reverberating against the tile flooring. “I think the last time may have been in college to see the Pink Floyd laser light show.”

“The girls love it here.” Drew offers a smile, then looks at Alyssa and Charlotte as they gaze up in awe at the giant T-Rex skeleton. “She could surprise us, but I get the feeling Alyssa’s going to be involved in some sort of science when she gets older. You’ve seen her at the aquarium. She can’t get enough of everything to do with science, especially marine science.”

“And Charlotte?” I ask, my voice light. I thought it would be awkward to be here with Drew, to spend my day with him, but it’s not. It feels just as natural as yesterday did, although I didn’t want to admit it at first.

“A rocket scientist.” He meets my eyes, everything about him relaxed and familiar. It’s a stark contrast to how I feel with Wes.

“Naturally,” I retort, as if that makes all the sense in the world.

“Of course, if you were to ask her, she’d tell you she’s going to be the first professional female hockey player, but only if she can play for the Bruins.”

I laugh, meeting his whiskey eyes that seem to gleam as they peer down at me. “Smart girl.”

“She’s certainly one of a kind.” He holds my gaze for a moment longer before looking back at his girls. There’s a change in his expression as he watches them listen to one of the museum employees talk about how a Tyrannosaurus Rex could sprint at speeds of up to twenty miles per hour and grow to be forty feet long.

All it takes is one look and I see how much this man adores those two little girls. Every parent loves their kids. Well, almost every parent. Unfortunately, in my line of work, I see the other side of the coin all too often. But now, as I observe Drew and the way his entire body lights up from just one glance at those two little angels, I wonder if I’ve been too harsh on him.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Charlotte says, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn my eyes to see her tugging on Drew’s arm, Alyssa right beside her, as