A Friendly Arrangement

  “Don’t let them hear you say that. They’d take it as a dare.”

  He rubbed her palm with his thumb, and shivers raced up her arm. She’d missed his touch.

  “Holl, I was so scared. But you’re going to be okay. The baby…”

  “The baby is fine. I’m not that far along. I was lucky.”

  He let out a breath and scooted closer, pulling her back into his arms, rubbing his chin over the top of her head. “Let me start over, without distractions.”

  He held her at arm’s length, holding her shoulders in a gentle grip. “Holly, I love you. With all my heart. The moment I saw that comic book and my house key on the counter was the moment realization hit me over the head like a brick. Right then and there I woke up to the fact that you’d become a huge part of my life. One of the best parts. And I didn’t want to go through life without you. But—”

  “That didn’t stop your doubts. Your fears,” she whispered.

  “I was an ass. I love you. So much. Forgive me?” His voice cracked, and she caressed his cheek.

  A twinge of excitement grew in her belly over the love and adoration that shone plain and simple on his face. “I love you, too.”

  He cupped her face. Pain marred his forehead, reflected in his eyes as he looked into hers. “I thought I might have ruined my chances. Waited too long.”

  “We’ll always be here for you.” She grabbed him by the collar and kissed him sound and sure. “I love you. I want you in my life, but even if you didn’t want that, I wanted you in our baby’s life more. I know you’ll be a wonderful father.”

  “How can you be sure?” A tinge of fear flecked across his face.

  She needed to ease his doubts. “I know because when the women’s shelter emailed me with a job offer—”

  “That’s great news, Holl.”

  She hugged him tight, then pushed him back so she could look in his eyes. “It is great news, but the best news was my first assignment. They asked me to design the flyer showing off your beautiful, generous work.” She waved her hand in front of her eyes, trying to fend off tears before they got out of control. “At that moment, I knew. Anyone who could give of themselves so freely, donate so much, have such a big heart, would be an amazing father.”

  Love filled the air around them, and they sat in silence for a few moments, getting accustomed to another change in their relationship.

  “Roth, you’re giving me the best of both worlds.”

  “No. You’re the giving one. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Without our baby.”

  He’d never said more magical words.

  “I know you’re afraid. Heck. I’m terrified. But together we can do this,” she said.

  “I don’t want you to have any doubts or insecurities. I let my past control my future, and I was wrong. Both you and Devi helped me see that I make my own choices. Steer my own course. Follow my—”

  “Own path. Help you realize you’re not your father. You’re Roth. You’ll create your own legacy as a parent. Just like I will.”

  “I can’t believe I didn’t realize this sooner. On my own.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “How’s that?”

  “After Omar and I settled our pasts, I knew a family bond meant more to me than I realized. But I was only thinking of one type of family, not a family of my own. The bond I share with you, with our baby, is so much deeper. You’re both the better parts of me.”

  Tears pricked her eyes. “I just can’t stop saying this, but you’re going to be a wonderful dad.”

  “And a husband.”

  Was this a proposal? Or a promise for the future? “Husband?”

  He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pants pocket. “I found the written copy of Holly’s Husband List.”

  She squeaked and then bit her lip.

  “If you open it up”—he unfolded the paper and held it out to her—“you’ll see there’s only one name.”

  She read the paper and smiled, warmth invading her. “Roth Esterly.”

  He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheek, drying her tears. “My name will always be the only name on your list. Like yours will be the only name on mine.”

  “You know how to butter me up.” She pressed the paper to her chest.

  “Good, because you still owe me an evening as a cheerleader, Wonderful Woman.”

  She laughed, and he held her close. “You’re so bad.”

  “I’m bad and good.” He pulled out a shiny daffodil necklace. She recognized it as the one he’d designed for the shelter, and she sucked in a small gasp. He fastened the clasp at the back of her neck and kissed her lightly. “If you’ll have me. If you’ll accept the original of my gift to the shelter as a bond of our love. Our future. Kind of an engagement necklace.” His brow quirked up in question.

  “Of course she’ll have you. It’s about time.”

  They both jumped at the sound of Grams’s voice. She still sat across the room in the corner, her eyes closed, but a mischievous smile hovering around her mouth. Holly had forgotten all about her. About everyone, actually.

  “Grams, what are you doing here?” Holly and Roth exchanged smiles. How had they not noticed her this entire time? Leave it to Grams to stay stealth.

  Grams moved to the edge of her seat and stood, hands on hips, as she shot Roth a stern look. “I wasn’t leaving my granddaughter alone until I knew for sure you would do her right.” She crossed the room and stood over them. With a sure smile, she patted Roth’s cheek soundly. “And you’ve done her right. I knew I liked you for a reason.”

  With purposeful strides of her own, she crossed the room, pulled the chair aside, and then turned back toward them. “I already have a game in mind for your bridal shower, Holly. It’s a dress-up card game that I think Roth will like. If I remember right, there’s something about a cheerleader in there.” She giggled as she made her exit in her own grandiose style. The commotion in the hallway at her appearance made Holly laugh, and all the shushing that Grams doled out made Roth grin.

  “I love that woman,” Holly said.

  “You can’t do anything but.” He shook his head and kissed her tenderly on the lips, lifting her off the bed until she sat cradled on his lap. “You owe me some kisses.”

  “You want kisses and a cheerleader? You’re asking a lot,” she teased.

  “I want us to have it all.”

  “I’ll gladly do my part.” She pulled him toward her until their lips collided in a solid kiss. He moved his mouth against hers, rough at first because of their urgency, and then slowing as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She deepened their kiss by splaying her fingers into his hair and pressing into him. Her breaths came in short pants, and she palmed each side of his face, holding him far enough away so that she could look into his amazing blue eyes. “I love you.”

  He claimed her mouth again in a kiss that washed away all her aches and pains and sent a deep burning desire straight to her center. She tingled all over and trembled against him.

  “And I love you. Not because you bake banana bread, or that you’re fair to a fault, or have a crazy grandmother, drive me insane with your kisses, and torment me with your sexy legs and sweet touch, or even that you’re having our baby…”

  “I love you because I do,” they said at the same time.

  He squeezed her against him so tight she could barely breathe. “You remember how you’re always saying I rescue you?”

  “Hmm.” She pressed her cheek to his chest, savoring his strength.

  He lifted her chin and touched his mouth to her lips, love shining in his eyes. “This time you—you and the baby—have rescued me.”

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  Acknowledgments

  I want to raise my beer glass to Dr. Aaron Kroemer, D.D.S., who is the most interesting dentist in the world—or at least in Michigan. Thank you for letting me use your name and for being the catapult that threw Holly and Roth into a new phase of their relationship.

  Thank you as well to Karen Grove for being the best and most patient editor. For always making my work shine and helping me work through writing issues. You’re the best.

  Thank you awesome peeps at Entangled. I’m so lucky to be with the best publishing house—full of so many wonderful, kind, and helpful people. I can’t sing your praises enough.

  Thank you to my amazing sister who has always been a support—either with her force of words or her quiet strength. Cara, I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

  And thank you to all my readers who have taken the time to read my stories, let me know their thoughts, and brought me endless smiles.

  About the Author

  Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her family, three laptops (she might have a slight addiction, or maybe it’s a fear of one imploding from overuse), and a much-loved assortment of furry friends.

  Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and writing, but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy heroines.

  A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and her website at christine-warner.com.

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