Page 71 of Starting Back
“Thank you. A lot of people tell me that.”
“I’m sure.” I led her into the driver’s area, pulling her onto my lap after I sat in the passenger’s seat.
“Can I trust you to look out the window and not touch anything?”
She pursed her lips and peered up at me, her brows knit together.
“I don’t know, so you better hold my hands.” She clasped her hands together and held them up.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I enclosed her tiny hands in mine.
“Mommy was nervous about the festival.”
“Nervous? Really?”
“Oh yes.” She gave me a slow nod. “She took longer than Chloe to do her hair and tried on, like, three different color lipsticks. Shenevertakes that long. I was afraid I’d miss the truck.”
I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth, holding back the wide grin wanting to break out across my face. I was up a lot earlier than I needed to be today in anticipation of seeing Kristina, just like I had been before taking her out that morning.
I loved thinking that maybe she was having the same problem.
It was hard enough to move on when she left, and it was impossible now that she was close. I was starting to possibly believe in fate, especially with this inside information that maybe Kristina hadn’t written me off after all.
Emma was an adorable informant.
“Hey.”
As if I’d conjured her up, I found Kristina standing behind the driver’s area, a wistful smile curving those plum-colored lips. I loved thinking she was made up for me, but it wasn’t necessary. I’d notice her anywhere, and she was gorgeous from the second she woke up.
“Chloe left me for her friends. They asked her to help with the trees the high school is donating. I thought I’d step on and check it out.” Her brow furrowed when she noticed our hands.
“Leo is holding my hands so that I don’t touch anything. I asked him to hold me back in case I couldn’t help myself.”
Kristina’s smile widened as she chuckled. “Well, that was very nice of him.”
“Could you take our picture? I want to show my teacher I was with a real firefighter on a real truck.”
“Sure,” Kristina said, digging her phone out of her purse and holding it in front of her. “Smile.”
“Yay! Thank you!” Emma threw her arms around my neck when I let go of her hands.
“Thank you for being here early and taking her on the truck.”
“My pleasure,” I said, Kristina’s smile shrinking when our eyes locked. The electricity between us lit up a room, regardless of who else was in it.
“It’s hard to tell this one no.”
“Tell me about it.” Kristina sighed as Emma scampered off my lap and ran to her mother. “So did you have fun being on a fire truck?”
“Yes! Can Leo sleep over like when you were on vacation? He can have my sleeping bag.”
Kristina stilled, clenching her eyes shut for a moment. We shared a silent chuckle before she cupped her forehead and dug her fingers into her temples.
“I think Leo is too big for your sleeping bag, but I’m sure he appreciates the invite.”
“I do,” I said, folding my arms and leaning back against the seat. I’d accept another invitation from her mother in a heartbeat, but I wouldn’t push.
“How’re your aunt and uncle?”
