Me: Exhausted. Happy. I wish I could hold you in my arms right now.
Catherine: I want that too.
My chest tightened. Those four words hit harder than they should have.
Me: My mom is taking Isla out tomorrow. Probably the zoo or something. She wants a grandma day.
Catherine: That’s nice.
Me: Come over after camp.
Catherine: Hunter.
Me: I know.
Catherine: Your daughter just got home.
Me: She’ll be with my mom. I wouldn’t ask if she were here.
Catherine: I want to see you.
Me: I want to take you out on a real date.
Catherine: But?
Me: But if we’re seen together, it becomes a mess before we’re ready.
Catherine: I know.
Me: I’m sorry.
Catherine: Don’t be. It isn’t your fault.
Me: You deserve better than sneaking into my condo.
Catherine: Maybe. But I still want to come.
I exhaled slowly.
Me: Then come.
CHAPTER 20
Hunter
The next afternoon, Mom picked Isla up after lunch with promises of the zoo, ice cream, and absolutely no buying stuffed animals, which meant they would come home with at least two. The second the door closed, the condo felt empty and quiet. Catherine came over just after three, still in arena clothes, hair pulled back, cheeks a little pink from the heat outside. I opened the door, and for one second, neither of us said anything. Then she stepped into me. I wrapped my arms around her and held on.
Her face pressed into my chest. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“I missed you.”
My hand slid into her hair. “I missed you too.”
She lifted her head, and I kissed her. It should’ve been a simple hello kiss, but the second my mouth touched hers, something in me sparked to life. Two days of not touching her. Two days of trying to be careful, responsible, realistic. Two days of pretending I wasn’t thinking about her every time I looked atmy kitchen counter. I backed her against the door and kissed her until her fingers twisted in my shirt.
“Hunter,” she whispered.