It was on the woman in his arms, who was warm and soft and carrying their future.
He rested one hand on her stomach. He needed to feel Tachina right now. Being with her grounded him.
He didn’t need any of what Sydney said he did.
This was what he needed.
His family.
The woman he loved.
The credits rolled in a soft glow over the dark television screen, but Tachina barely saw them. Kian had chosen a short movie, and he didn’t make it to the end. The room felt too damn quiet. Vic scooped Kian up from her lap where he’d fallen asleep. Her child had left a damp patch of drool on her leggings.
Kian released a tiny sigh and slumped against his father’s shoulder. He was completely unbothered by the adult drama of the night.
“You good?”Vic whispered.
She nodded, but she wasn’t entirely sure. He carried Kian from the room. She watched the shadows on the hallway wall stretch and shrink as they passed.
Her pulse kicked up again when she remembered the sound of the front door slamming earlier. Sydney had stormed out of the house without an acknowledgment, a look, or a snide comment. It echoed in Tachina’s mind. She didn’t know what, exactly, had set the woman off, but she’d been pissed. Tachina sighed; she didn’t want to know, but curiosity gnawed at her anyway.
She turned off the television and headed upstairs. While Vic put Kian to bed, she just needed a few minutes to think. A hot shower should help. She wrapped her hair up with her scarf then tossed on her shower cap. She removed her clothing and turned the water on. The steam was thick and soothing. She slid into the shower and bit back a groan. The water felt so damn good on her aching muscles. She scrubbed her skin as if she could wash away all of the anxiety that resided in her. But her thoughts only grew louder with every drop of water that hit the tile.
She loved Vic.
The realization had crashed into her tonight with such force it had taken her breath away. She loved Victor Maxwell. She’d fallen hard, fast, and deep. It terrified her. Love had its consequences, and she must be prepared to meet them.
When she stepped out of the shower, she wrapped atowel around herself. She padded over to the sink and began brushing her teeth. The door opened quietly behind her.
Vic didn’t walk in.
He stood there, one hand on the frame, his shoulder propped against it. His expression was unreadable. His gaze moved over her like a lover’s caress. If she closed her eyes, she would have sworn she could feel him touching her. He took her in without saying a word. The shower cap, the towel, the toothpaste foam at the edge of her mouth. Her pulse quickened.
“We need to talk,” he said.
Her toothbrush froze mid-swipe. She blinked and met his gaze in the mirror. She spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth out to stall for another moment or two.
She looked back up and saw an expression of determination.
Almost concerned and a little hurt.
Oh God. Please don’t let him be regretting anything. Don’t let this be where he’s realized he’s in over his head.
She wiped her mouth off with a towel and took off her shower cap. She kept her back to him because she wasn’t sure if she could truly face him right now.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He stepped into the bathroom. The space appeared to get smaller as he stopped behind her. Their eyes were locked with each other in the mirror.
“Why did you shut me out earlier? At the doctor’soffice? And last night?” he asked. “Why didn’t you come to me the second you felt…whatever you felt?”
He breath caught in her throat.
“Because I panicked,” she said.
“About what?”
She turned slowly and adjusted the towel that threatened to slip away. She held on to it like it could protect her from what she was about to say.