Wonder With Me (With Me in Seattle 12.5)

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I approach.

“Making time,” Reed says with a smile. He passes me my coffee and leans in to kiss my lips. “I wanted to see you this morning.”

“Thank you.” I have butterflies. Not little ones, but huge, gigantic butterflies. He made it into the city early, came to my favorite spot where he knew he’d catch me, and bought my coffee.

Is it any wonder I’m in love with him?

He leads me to our table in the corner, but before I can follow him, Shannon waves to catch my attention and then mouths I REALLY LIKE HIM.

I respond with ME TOO! And follow my man to our seats.

“How are you this morning?” I ask before taking a sip.

“Tired. Ready for the weekend. How are you?”

“The same.” I grin as he reaches over to link his fingers with mine. “But as of this afternoon, I’ll be all caught up and can enjoy the weekend. Do we have plans?”

“I thought it would be fun to take Piper to look at Christmas lights. Not that there are many homes as beautiful as mine, thanks to you, but it might be a good time.”

“I’m game. I love doing that. We used to do it all the time when we were kids.”

“We did, too.”

“Did you know the botanical gardens in Bellevue have a fantastic holiday lights display?”

“I think I heard that,” he says. “Let’s do that, too.”

“Sounds good.”

Reed’s phone rings, and he pulls it out of his jacket to answer. He frowns when he looks at the caller ID.

“Hello? Yes. That’s good news.” His face relaxes but then tightens again as the person keeps talking. “You’re kidding. When? I’ll be there.”

He hangs up, tosses the phone onto the table, and runs his hand down his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“That was Piper’s social worker. The one who brought her to me in the first place. She has news.”

I reach over to take his hand. “What’s the news?”

“It seems Piper’s maternal grandparents have surfaced. And they want to meet her.”

“I’m confused.”

“That makes two of us.” He drinks his coffee. “I was told that Vanessa had no immediate family, but it turns out they were just estranged. So the grandparents want Piper.”

His brown eyes hold mine.

“What if they want to take her away from me?”

“Not gonna happen.”

He licks his lips. The confident man I know is nervous.

“It’s literally not going to happen, Reed.”

“You’re right,” he says, nodding as he forces a smile. “It’s just a formality. I guess we’ll find out Monday, won’t we? I’ll call my attorney as soon as I get to the office.”

“I can take off work today and—”

“No, don’t be ridiculous,” he interrupts. “You’re right, this is nothing. I’ll see you this evening. Just come over after you’re finished at work.”

“Okay. If you need me before then, just call.”

We stand and toss our empty cups into the recycling.

“I’m fine.” He kisses my temple. “Thank you. See you soon.”

He hurries out, and I’m left to frown after him. He says everything’s fine, but it’s not. He shut down, went a little cold on me. I know this new development has him unsettled.

And we both have to get to work.

But I’m worried about him.

I’ll do my best to wrap things up early so I can get over to Reed’s as soon as possible.* * * *“Hello?”

I still have the codes to Reed’s house, so I walk inside and frown when I don’t see or hear anyone. It’s just past two in the afternoon. I was a maniac at my desk today.

I think I scared Alison.

The thought of that makes me laugh. Actually, nothing scares Alison.

Okay, maybe the thought of her boss getting it on behind a closed door startled her.

I’m still smiling at the thought when I hear the garage door open. Reed and Piper must just be getting home.

“Noel!” Piper calls as she hurries into the house. She drops her unicorn backpack and runs to me, arms outstretched for a hug. “You’re here!”

“I’m here,” I agree and kneel so I can wrap my arms around her and smooch her cheek. “I get to spend the whole weekend with you. How are you, baby girl?”

“Good. My friend Abby got a new puppy, and she got to bring it to class for us to see. It’s so cute!”

“I bet it is.”

“She’s been begging me for a puppy since I picked her up,” Reed says as I stand and offer him a hug as well. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too. I finished up early and came right over.”

“Are we gonna watch movies this weekend?” Piper asks.

“I think we will,” Reed replies. “But after dinner, we’re going to take a drive to see some pretty lights. What do you think about that?”

“I like Christmas lights,” Piper says. “Can I have chicken stwips for dinner?”

“I picked some up,” I confirm, earning a surprised look from Reed. “I grabbed a few groceries on my way. I’m going to cook tonight, if that’s okay.”