Page 43 of Homebound

Dakota’s not a sunshine girl; never has been and never will be. She’s an ambitious cynic with a crazy drive to succeed, and I couldn’t think of a better role model for my daughter. I want her to see that she can be anything, whether that’s a teacher, a mom, or the president, so she never feels limited by the world around her.

“Thanks, summer boy.”

And then she does it—she smiles for me, and those dimples pop, right along with my control.

There’s something in her honey eyes. I think she’s looking at me like how I’m devouring her, and all the clattering sounds of weights fade away. I let my gaze skate over her flushed face, but that sweat only has me picturing her sweaty for a whole different reason.

I lift my arm, giving her a chance to pull back, but she doesn’t move away, so without thinking too hard about my next move, I step forward until my chest brushes hers. She freezes in shock or anticipation, I can’t tell, but I need to taste her.

I’m done waiting.

I tilt her head back, and zone in on her full lips. My heart’s racing, pounding, throbbing, but I’m not stopping. Shit, I’m nervous. My body shudders because she’s always had that effect on me, but just when I’m about to kiss the hell out of her, my fucking phone vibrates in my pocket.

She jumps a bit in surprise, feeling it against my thigh. “You need to get that?”

So close.

I pinch my eyes closed, muttering a colorful curse as I look at the screen. I never used to answer the phone when I was on a date with a woman, but now that I have a daughter, I have to check.

Grumbling under my breath, I pick up my phone to see that my mom sent a picture of Vi covered in pancake batter squished between her and Mama’s smiling faces, and I’m thrown back into Daddy Mode.

My baby girl looks so happy, which has me grinning, but then this shot of regret hits me because I’m missing out on this moment with them. My grin dips lower as I continue to stare at the picture.

“Checking in on your girl?” Dakota asks.

Jerking in surprise, I twist around to find her sitting back down and resting her hands on the mats, her head cocked in a curious tilt. She seems completely at ease, and maybe I misread that entire almost-kiss.

It’s probably for the best I don’t kiss her for the first time in the middle of a sweaty gym.

“Yeah, my moms are making banana pancakes with her again. Seems like they’re having fun.”

A crease forms between her dark brows. “You don’t sound like you’re having much fun. I mean, I don’t blame you because this is the workout from the devil himself, but at least you don’t have to worry about Vi with a nanny who might try to use your hot tub.”

“It’s the middle of summer in Texas. No one’s sitting in hot tubs, but yeah, I guess you’re right.”

She squints, stares, sees. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” I blow out a breath, debating whether I should talk to her in the same way we used to—comfortable and breezy.

“Tell me, Patterson. I’m waiting.”

She might sound harsh, but I can hear the joking undercurrent. It’s the first time she’s demanded anything from me, and it has me wanting to talk like old times, so I toss my gym towel over my shoulder.

“Well, since you asked so nicely,” I tease.

She shrugs. “You know me. I’m not sweet; I’m spicy. Now, tell me what’s on your mind.”

I sigh, relenting. It’s actually nice to have someone to talk to about all this. “Sometimes, I feel bad leaving Vi with my moms. It makes me feel like I’m missing out on parts of her life, like what if I miss her first steps?”

“She’s not walking yet?” Dakota asks carefully.

I rub my chest to get rid of the ball of stress that randomly formed. “Not yet… It feels like I’m doing something wrong, even though I know I’m not.”

She’s quiet for a while like she’s trying to pick out the right words, and then stands from the mat, wiping her hands on her thigh. “You’re doing everything right. My cousin’s kid didn’t start walking until eighteen months. I know that’s late, but some kids just take their time. You don’t have to be here training me if it adds more stress. Go be with your girl, or do whatever you want. Relax or something. Bake.”

“Bake?”

“Yeah, bake. Some people find it relaxing. Lana does.”