Page 179 of That Rush

I drag my palm over the front of his jeans. “Both.”

Aiden groans against my skin. I reach for his belt, but he catches my wrist and presses my hand more firmly over him.

“If that belt comes undone, I’m putting you on your knees.”

Heat rushes through me. “Maybe I was hoping your technique would justify the arrogance.”

His phone rings.

Aiden’s entire body goes still beneath mine. His hand jerks toward the phone.

“Mom,” he says as he answers. “Hey. Is Josie okay?”

I slide off his lap and reach for my shirt. His free hand settles on my knee, keeping us connected.

“Put her on.” His voice softens. “Hey, Jo. Grandma said you had a bad dream.”

I pull on my shirt while he reassures her and promises he is coming home.

“Sorry,” he says, ending the call. “She woke up scared. Wants her own bed.”

“Then go get her.”

“I hate leaving like this.”

“Aiden, your six-year-old asked for her dad. That isn’t a debate.”

He stands, watching me as I smooth my shirt. “You could come.”

The invitation warms me because he asked. “I could.”

“Do you want to?”

“I want you to take care of Josie, and I want to finish my book here. Text me when she’s settled?”

Aiden’s expression sobers as he reaches for my key ring and places it in my palm.

“You already care whether she gets home okay,” he says.

“Of course I do.”

“You’re already part of our life.”

“I know.”

“I just wish I knew you’d still want to be part of it a year from now.”

I close my fingers around the two keys. “I can tell you what I choose now. I won’t promise answers before I have them.”

His thumb brushes my cheek. “I’m trying to let that be enough.”

“I know.”

He kisses me once, slow and tender, then leaves to bring his daughter home.

Choosing Josie’s need is simple. Choosing Aiden tonight feels just as natural. But he wants every tomorrow locked down in advance, and that is the one promise I still can’t make.

Chapter 25