Page 45 of My Single Dad Biker

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

We make pancakes together in his small kitchen and it requires coordination because the space isn't big enough for two people to move freely.

His hand goes to my waist when he needs to reach past me for the flour. I touch his back when I need to get to the stove.

Louis watches us from the table and doesn't comment but I can feel him taking it all in.

We sit down and eat together. Louis talks about the rock collection he wants to show me and a boy at school named Marcus who said rocks are boring and Louis told him Marcus is boring. Holt tells Louis that was rude. Louis says Marcus was rude first. Holt says that doesn't make it okay. Louis thinks about this and says okay he won't call Marcus boring anymore but he doesn't have to be friends with him either. Holt says that's fair.

I mostly just listen and eat pancakes and try not to let my face show what I'm feeling because this is what I didn't know I wanted.

This easy domestic morning with a man and his son and the three of us fitting together like we've been doing this longer than a week.

After breakfast Louis drags me to his room to show me his rock collection which turns out to be very organized and labeled with careful handwriting.

He tells me about each rock and where he found it. I ask questions because I'm genuinely interested and also because the way his face lights up when he talks about things he cares about reminds me of his father.

When we come back downstairs Holt is cleaning up the kitchen. Louis goes to watch cartoons in the living room. I help Holt dry dishes and he says quietly, "You're good with him."

"He's easy to be good with."

"Not everyone thinks so. My ex-wife's boyfriend used to tell her Louis talked too much."

My hands still on the dish I'm drying. "He doesn't talk too much."

"I know that. She knows that now too. But it took her a while."

We finish the dishes in silence and then Holt says, "Cain texted this morning. Marrow's still quiet. Too quiet."

Something in his tone makes me look up. "What does that mean?"

"Means Crane's planning something. Usually when he gets hit he retaliates within forty-eight hours. It's been a week."

"What does that mean for us?"

"Means we stay alert. The club's watching the house and the school. Nothing's changed. I just want you aware."

"I'm already aware. I've been aware since last Wednesday in that parking lot."

"I know. Just making sure."

He pulls me against him and I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. Strong and steady and certain. His hand runs through my hair and we stand in his kitchen holding each other while cartoons play in the other room and Louis laughs at something on screen.

"I need to take you home so you can change before school," he says finally.

"Okay."

He drives me and we don't talk much but his hand finds mine and holds it the whole way. At my door he kisses me long and slow and says, "I'll see you at school."

"You're coming to school?"

"Louis has a dentist appointment at three. I'm picking him up early."

"Okay."

He kisses me once more and leaves. I go inside and shower and change and try to process the fact that I just spent the night at Holt's house and had breakfast with him and Louis and it felt completely natural.