Home to You

“Oh, I forgot I promised her a movie. Can I just bring her by your place after?” Trina asks him.

“Of course. I’ll be there. Love you,” he says, kissing his daughter's cheek.

“Bye, Daddy. Love you.” He moves her back to Trina, and she surprises me when she leans over and reaches for me. “Miss Haven, I need a hug,” she says, wiggling her little fingers.

Not one to tell her no, I take her in my arms and give her a big hug. “Remember to keep practicing your balance at home,” I tell her.

“I will. Bye.” She waves as I hand her back to Trina.

“She never stops.” Trina laughs. “I’ll see you guys later.” No jealousy, no dirty looks. Just acceptance.

Sebastian waves to Chloe and blows her a kiss. Once they are out of sight, he turns his attention on me. “You ready?”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He reaches for my hand again and leads me to his truck. “Have you heard anything about Mrs. Simone?” he asks me once we’re on the road.

My hand tingles from his touch, and it’s hard to not let it distract me. The feel of his skin against mine. It’s been too long. “I talked to her earlier today. They want her off for three months. She’s a diabetic, and it’s taking longer for her bones to heal. They’ll reassess then. They don’t think she’s going to need surgery. At least not right now.”

“You staying on that long?” he asks, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Yeah, I told her I would stay. I have nothing pressing waiting for me back in New York.” In fact, there is nothing at all waiting for me. Just an apartment that I’m rarely in because I spend so much time working.

He reaches across the console and entwines his fingers with mine. “Good. That gives me time.”

“Time for what?”

“Time with you.”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I fight to keep the tears at bay. Time with Sebastian sounds like the best plan I’ve ever heard. “I-I’d like that,” I confess.

“Good. I wasn’t planning on giving you a choice. I only get you for three months, and I plan to use my time wisely.”

“Those are big promises,” I murmur, but he still hears me.

“Not promises, Haven, facts.” He pulls the truck into the lot of a local fast-food joint. “I thought we could go eat at the park like we used to.”

“Is it still there?”

“Yep. Place looks the same. Although they do crack down on the parking these days.” His deep chuckle fills the cab of the truck.

“I can’t believe we never got caught.”

“No way would I risk someone seeing you. I was always on the lookout.”

“I’m glad you were. I was too lost in you to pay attention.” The tension crackles between us.

“I remember. I was just as lost, but the need to keep you for my eyes only won over.”

I want to cry. I want to let the hot tears that prick my eyes fall. I’ve missed him more than I let myself believe. I’ve missed home, this town, my parents. It’s an emotional overload and to be spending this time with him has me second-guessing every decision I’ve ever made in my life.

“You want your usual?” he asks.

“Um… I haven’t had a cheeseburger since I left for Juilliard.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” he asks.

“Nope.”

“So… you want your usual?” he asks with a grin.

“Yes.” I know it’s going to take me forever to get back into shape if I keep eating like this, but in a way, for the first time since I left for school, I’m living. Really taking the time to enjoy life and everything I’ve missed out on.

Sebastian growls when I offer to pay for mine, so I slide the money back into my purse and take the bag he hands me.

The drive to the park is quiet. “We have the place to ourselves,” he says, pulling into the back of the lot and turning off his truck.

“Just like old times,” I say before I can think better of it.

“The best of times.”

“Here.” I reach into the bag and hand him a straw for his drink, and then start laying our food out on the console between us. “Does Chloe get to be involved in every game?” I ask once our food is divided up.

“She does. Well, home games, at least. She doesn’t get to come to all of the away games. It just depends on Trina and Dave’s work schedule. They try to bring her to as many of them as they can.”

“I love that. Tonight, I expected tension when you took me with you to say goodbye. There was none. The two of you really do have this co-parenting thing worked out.”

“We’re both happier apart. Our focus is on giving our daughter the love and support she needs.”