Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan

Chapter 17

Laken

“See you in the morning, Laken.” Jasmine waves over her shoulder as she walks out the door.

It’s Friday evening, and time to call it a day. I’m starving and ready to get off my feet. The store was busier than usual this afternoon. Partly because the high school teachers mailed out the summer reading lists to the students. Luckily for me, each teacher gave me a heads-up on the books they need, and I was able to order the books the kids would need and have them in stock.

Walking to the door to lock up, my phone rings. I smile when I see Grayson’s name on the screen. Memories of last night filter through my mind. “Hey, handsome.”

“Laken,” he breathes. It’s as if hearing my voice is a long-awaited gift he’s been holding out for. It’s like that every single time I talk to him. He doesn’t even know it, but those little breaths are stealing my heart one at a time.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I called to see what your plans were for dinner?”

“I’m not sure. I was thinking about going for a run, but I’m starving.”

“I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Does that work for you?”

“I’ll be ready.”

“See you soon,” he says, ending the call.

I should have asked him where the girls were tonight. I know they’re spending the night with his parents tomorrow night. He’s already told me not to make plans. I shiver at the thought of what tomorrow night might bring.

Locking up the store, I rush upstairs and freshen up. My foot is hitting the last step when I get a text telling me he’s here. Pulling open the door, I freeze when the girls start talking at once.

“Hey.” I drop to my knees and give them a hug. “Now, what’s going on?” I ask with a smile on my face.

“We’re going to eat pizza!” Harlow cheers.

“Daddy said you’re coming too, Waken,” Hayden informs me.

“Surprise.” Grayson grins down at us.

“Well. I love pizza, and I’m starving. Are you ready to go?” I ask, standing.

“Yes!” they cheer, and each takes one of my hands as I lead us out the door.

“It’s locked,” I tell Grayson over my shoulder. “You just need to pull it shut. I have my keys.” When I reach the truck, I open the back door and help the girls inside. I’m impressed with the way they scurry to their seats and buckle themselves in. Closing the door, I turn to find Grayson standing with his hands shoved in his pockets, watching me.

“Is this okay?”

“What? Pizza? Of course. Who doesn’t love pizza?”

“Well, that, but what I meant was dinner with the girls.”

“Yes. Gray, we’ve talked about this. I’m ready for whatever you are.”

“I’m ready.” His eyes bore into mine. “I want to tell them about us tonight at dinner. I feel as though I know you just as well, if not better than I know myself. All of our talks, and then last night.” He grins. “I want you, Laken. I want to hold your hand and take you to dinner with my daughters. I want them to know that you’re important to me. I want you to spend the night with me. I want to hold you in my arms. I don’t want a repeat of last night. I don’t want you sneaking out the door like a thief in the night because we’re afraid my daughters might wake up and question why you’re there. I want them to know you’re important to me.”

“I’ll follow your lead. You don’t have to do this for me.”

“I do have to do this. This is what will make me happy. I know you. I know you won’t hurt them. I know you won’t hurt me.” He takes a step toward me. “You are what I want, Laken. I want my daughters to know you are special to me. Special to them. I can see it in your eyes when you’re with them. They’re important to you too. That means something.” He takes another step closer and links his pinky around mine. “You mean something.”

I give him a watery smile, which is all that I can manage, aside from a nod. His reply is to nod and wink. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to the passenger side of his truck. As soon as I’m inside, the girls begin talking a mile a minute about their day.

“And then Pap tooted!” Hayden giggles.

I glance over at Grayson, and he grins and shrugs. “Girls, I’m not sure Pap would appreciate you telling Laken that story.” Grayson tries to remain serious, but he’s forgetting that I can glance over and see the smile on his face.

“Oh, Daddy,” Harlow chimes in. “It was so so funny. Nana waughed too.”

I can tell Grayson is trying really hard not to laugh, so I veer the conversation to another subject. “What toppings do you like on your pizza?” I ask the girls.

“I wike pepperoni,” Hayden announces.

“I wike dem too,” Harlow agrees.

“Really? I like pepperoni too.”

“Daddy! Waken wikes our pizza,” Harlow says excitedly.

“I heard that.” He glances in the rearview mirror before returning his gaze back to the road.

“Billings?” I ask when he turns to head out of town. I was wondering why we didn’t just walk to Sauce it Up.

“The girls like the games at the place in Billings. Besides, I don’t want to spend all night talking to the people in our town when all I want to do is spend time with my girls.” He glances over and winks, and I know I’m included in that statement.

The rest of the drive to Billings is the girls telling us stories and having a concert in the back seat as they sing along to the radio. They’re adorable and so much fun. Grayson has done an amazing job with them, and I make a mental note to tell him that. Those little girls are happy, and that’s because of the life that he’s given them.

* * *

“Waken, you sit by Daddy,” Harlow tells me.

“We’re dis many.” Hayden holds up four fingers. “We sit together,” she adds.

I slide into the booth, and Grayson takes the seat next to me. He places his hand on my thigh, and I try not to let my giddiness show.

“Okay, ladies, I’m thinking pepperoni pizza and breadsticks,” Grayson says, not bothering to look at the menu.

“Yes!” the girls cheer.

“What about you?” he asks, leaning his shoulder into mine.

“Sounds good to me.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, the waitress appears. Grayson orders our food, with a Dr. Pepper for him and me, and milk in cups with lids for the girls. I take note for the future.

“Waken, you like Pepper like Daddy?” Hayden asks.

I smile at her. “I do.”

“How’d you know her dwink?” Harlow asks.

“Well, Laken is my girlfriend. And that means I know those kinds of things about her.”

I freeze, not sure how the girls are going to take it. I didn’t expect him to blurt it out like that. His thumb begins to trace circles on my thigh, and my body relaxes. I keep my eyes on the girls and their furrowed brows.

“Does that mean you kiss?” Hayden asks.

“Wike Anna and Kwistoff?” Harlow adds.

Grayson chuckles next to me. “Yes, something like that.”

“Can we make bwonies again?” Hayden asks. This time her eyes are on me.

“As long as Daddy says it’s okay, we can make them whenever you want.” I need to make sure there is a clear line drawn that Grayson is their father, and it’s still ultimately up to him. I don’t really know if that’s the right thing to do, but it feels like it is.

“I was thinking that Laken could start spending more time at our house with us,” Grayson tells them casually.

“Oh! Can we have a sweepover?” Harlow asks.

“Pwease, Daddy,” Hayden joins her.

“I don’t know.” He taps his index finger against his chin. “Where would she sleep?”

“Wif you. You have a bed dis big.” Hayden holds her arms out wide.

Grayson looks at me, mischief dancing in his eyes. “What do you think, Laken? You think you could share a bed with me?”

I can feel my cheeks heat from the content of the conversation. Heat pools between my thighs at the thought of “sleeping” in his bed. “Do you snore?”

“Not as woud as Pap,” Hayden answers for him.

“There you have it.” Grayson smiles.

“I guess I could do that.” I try to make it sound like an inconvenience.

“Tonight?” the girls ask in tandem.

“I don’t know—” I start, but Grayson stops me.

“I think that’s an excellent idea.”

“Yay!” the girls cheer just as our breadsticks arrive.

Grayson and I help them put a breadstick and some sauce on their plate. The girls chatter about me staying over and how I can help their daddy make pancakes for breakfast. The entire time, Grayson has his hand on my thigh. He eats with one hand, and every time I look over at him, he’s smiling.

“Daddy, can we pway games?” Hayden asks.

“Not yet, sweetheart. We have to eat our pizza first.”

As if him saying it summoned our waitress, our pizza arrives, and we all dig in. The girls talk our heads off about anything and everything. They jump from one topic to another, and their smiles and giggles wrap around my heart. I know without a doubt it’s going to be impossible to keep my heart from carving out a permanent spot for these two little girls and their daddy.

Grayson isn’t a man to play the field. He never has been. I’m also aware I’m the first person he’s dated since losing his wife, his high school sweetheart, so there is a chance that I could be a rebound, even though it’s been three years. I know that, but I don’t care.

I refuse to give the three of them any less than all of me. If things don’t work out, then they don’t work out. It’s going to hurt, but heartbreak is supposed to hurt. I would much rather love them while I can and have those memories if our time together ends. Life is about risks and taking chances, and I’ve done very little of that until now.

I’m all in, and if I’m being honest, my heart is already invested with all three of them.

“Now?” Harlow asks.

“You each need to take one more bite, and we can go play a few games.”

The girls waste no time shoving another bite of pizza into their mouths and slide out of the booth while they’re still chewing, making both Grayson and me laugh at their antics.

He slides out of the booth and offers me his hand to help me out. I take it and slide out. I expect him to let go, but he doesn’t. He keeps ahold of my hand as we follow the girls to a small section of arcade games. Grayson digs into his pocket for some quarters that I know he must have placed there on purpose. No man walks around with a handful of quarters in his pocket.

“I always come prepared,” he says, seeing the question in my eyes.

“You’re a great father, Grayson Davis.”

I’m surprised when he leans down and places a quick kiss on the corner of my mouth. “Thank you. It’s a guessing game on most days.”

“Well, your guesses are good. They’re beautiful, healthy, happy little girls. That’s all on you.”

He gives my hand a squeeze and turns his attention back to his daughters. They play round after round, and the entire time, Grayson holds my hand in his.

From the outside looking in, we’re the perfect family. My heart squeezes at the thought of Holly missing out on her daughters growing up. I don’t know where this is headed. I hope this is leading toward something lasting and permanent. I make a silent vow to make sure Harlow and Hayden know how kind and beautiful their mother was. I’ll also make sure they know how much she loved them.

* * *

The drive home is quiet, and it’s obvious the girls are exhausted. They’re asleep before we’re outside of the corporation limits of Billings.

“You’re staying with me tonight, right?”

“Yes.” I don’t hesitate.

“You need to stop and get clothes?”

“I should get something to sleep in at least. I can come home in the morning and shower.”

“How about you get something to wear tomorrow and get what you need to shower at my place?”

“I have to open the shop in the morning.”

He nods. “I know, but I want you to make breakfast with us and start your day with us. Then when you close up, I want you to come home to us.”

“Then, yeah, I’m going to need a few things.” Everything he just said is what I want. Only, I wish I didn’t have to go to work. I want to spend my morning with the three of them. I think it's time to hire more help at the bookstore. Things are going well, but I’ve never had much of a dating life, so I just worked the hours, saving me and the business even more money because of it. I can afford it. I want to spend time with Grayson and the girls. I’ll be placing a Help Wanted sign in the front window very soon.