Page 53 of Absolution

I sit up, coming face to face with a gorgeous mane of crimson. “Well, good morning, beauty.”

“Michelle is running late, small emergency with her kids, she won’t be long.” She squeezes her eyes shut, contorting her face. “Could you possibly… stay with Emmie until she gets here? No longer than an hour.”

“Absolutely.” Stunned, my head bobs of its own accord because there’s no way in hell I should be doing this. “We’ve got this.”

I stand, reaching for Emmie as Scarlet leans in, pressing her lips to her daughter’s head. When she turns to me, her lips land on mine. “Oh! I meant to kiss your… cheek. I’m so sorry. Kill me now!”

“It’s fine, don’t fret over it.”

Her brows hit her hairline. “Fret? Have you lost your mind? Should I call someone?”

“Ha! You’re so funny, we’re laughing.” I can feel my face flaming.

“Okay. I’m gonna go.” She steps back, pausing. “Alright, leaving now.”

“Don’t you have to actually walk out of the door to leave?”

I scowl. “Yes, but I’ve never done this before with anyone other than Michelle.”

“May it be our first of many.”

“I think sleeping over and kissing you would be our firsts.” She flushes. “What am I thinking?”

I move closer to her. “We’re gonna be fine, go to work. You can call if you need to.”

“I’m going.” She whirls around, marching toward her SUV with purpose. She opens the door, hesitating.

“Don’t look back, wave as you pull away!” Emmie and I wait by the entrance for her to drive off.

Scarlet does as I ask, waving as she rolls down the street. I encourage Emmie to wave. “Tell momma bye-bye, we’ll have a cry and a panic attack after she’s gone.”

I bounce Emmie on my side, closing the door behind us. I scan the room for a clock, I need to be able to watch the time until I’m rescued. I find one in the family room—one hour.

“Holy shit!”

“Shit.” My eyes widen when Emmie giggles.

“Great! She’s going to kill me.” I ease over to the couch where we spent the night together, hoping she’s comfortable there. We slide into the cushions, and I turn the television on.

“All we need is…” I flip the channels searching for a kiddie show until I finally land on one. “There!”

Chapter Seventeen

Creed

Emmie is the sweetest little girl. She snuggles with me, and then we wrestle, or maybe it just feels like we’re playing. I glance at the time, knowing twenty minutes have passed by now.

“Ten? It’s only been ten minutes! I think the clock stopped.” I leap from the couch, running over to check the batteries. “Nope, they’re working.”

I spin around to find Emmie scurrying off in the other direction. “Hey! If I can’t run away, neither can you!”

I hurry down the hall after her. By the time I get there, I have to search every room. “No way, dude. If I can’t hide, you’re not allowed to!”

“Boo!” She jumps up from behind the rocking chair in her room. I pretend to be startled, tickling her. She’s dancing, laughing so hard it’s contagious.

“Oh! You scared me.”

Emmie raises her arms high above her head, curling her fingers. “Up.”