A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

My heart pounds in my chest, and Wren picks Angel up to place her on his shoulders. She giggles with childish abandon, and I watch as they head to my car.

I came to this town worried about how I could be around Wren Prize without hating him. Now I’m terrified that I might fall in love.

Chapter 12

WREN

“That was great,” I say to the two girls who are finishing up their cleaning routine. I’ve offered to help, but Angel insists I’m a guest.

Instead, I head to the sofa where I promised I’d sit and watch one of their favorite shows. Angel has yawned at least ten times, but Allie is letting her pretend as though she’s not sleepy. It’s already after seven now. I’ve been here for a few hours, and I’d hate to wear out my welcome.

“I’m going to get on my pajamas, and then I’ll be right back,” Angel announces before running to her room.

Allie laughs softly while coming to sit beside me on the sofa, turning her body so that she’s facing me.

“You’re better than me,” she says guiltily.

I think she keeps waiting on me to lash out after the way she did me. But I’m not going to. Not my style.

“I’m not better than you, Allie. I have less to be pissed about. You’re a good mom who made an understandable mistake. Things happen. Sit back. Relax. Let me pretend this girly show isn’t going to ruin my manhood.”

Her laughter warms me, and she eases in closer before pressing a small kiss on my cheek, startling the hell out of me, but I manage not to flinch. Her lips are so fucking soft.

“Thank you,” she whispers, pulling back so that our eyes meet. When she looks at my lips, everything in me forgets why this would be a bad idea. I want to feel how soft those lips of hers really are.

Instincts take over, and I reach up and stroke her cheek, slowly pushing my hand into her hair. Every strand feels like it’s made of silk, and she leans into my touch, making it easier for me to lean forward and… jerk the hell back like a scolded kid when Angel comes bouncing back into the room.

Allie scoots over, putting distance between us, and Angel quickly takes the seat in between us. “Both my parents. I like this,” she says softly, and I suck in a sharp breath that matches the same one Allie takes before our eyes nervously find each other’s.

Playing with fire… Never a good thing.

“I need a hand,” Bella says as she comes through the door with armloads of groceries.

I leap up, quickly going to her aid. After grabbing several of the bags, I head to the kitchen, putting everything on the closest countertop. Bella is laughing when I pull back a sticky hand, my nose wrinkling in disgust.

“Sorry. I think my strawberry jam broke in there. It’s all over me and the car.”

I chuckle softly while moving toward the sink, and both women yell, “No!” But it’s about two seconds after I turn the water on and get sprayed in the face by a vicious and unrelenting stream.

Laughter rips through the air as I blindly scramble to turn the water off. I groan when I feel my shirt is as soaked as my hair.

“Sink messed up?” I ask dryly, ignoring the sound of three feminine laughs as I keep my eyes shut, trying to keep the dripping mess out of them.

“Sorry,” Allie says, trying to smother her laughter with what I assume is her hand on her way over to me. “We called a plumber, but he’s running behind.”

“I’ll grab the towels,” Bella says through her snickers.

“Can I borrow one?” I ask just before one is gently pressed against my face, and I take it, accidentally brushing the soft fingers still attached. I swear a jolt of electricity rips through my body from that one single touch. Christ.

After my eyes are dried, I open them to see Allie smiling softly up at me.

“I’ll throw your shirt in the dryer, but you should probably keep your pants on.”

She bites back a grin, and I try to pretend she’s not flirting with me.

Fortunately, the water shot high, so it’s just the top half of my shirt that took the brunt, and my jeans are dry.

“Thanks,” I say, smiling while start tugging my shirt up.

I don’t miss the gasp Allie releases, and I take my time working the wet shirt over my head, knowing exactly what her eyes are doing.

A loud, appreciative whistle fills the air—Bella’s, not Allie’s—and I laugh while getting rid of the shirt finally. Allie takes it, her lips parted just barely as she stares at my chest, and Bella claps slowly with a cocked eyebrow.

“Angel, your daddy has a great workout routine,” Bella says, forcing Angel to laugh and Allie to blush crimson before glaring at her best friend.