When I'm With You (Little Hollow Series, #2)(82)

All three guys stroll back into the apartment in easy camaraderie and I grin, feeling content that Hunter has slotted right into Connor and Lewis’s friendship.

At the entrance of the guys, Faith’s head spins toward them and she stares at Lewis, worrying her cross again.

“Faith, this is Hunter, Connor and Lewis.”

She smiles at Hunter and Lewis, but her gaze lingers on Connor. “I think we’ve met?”

He nods. “We did, how’s Rose?” I give him a puzzled look. “Oh, Rose is her dog. I got licked to death by her.”

Faith giggles and Lewis’s eyes narrow at her, I’m confused by his reaction.

“She’s good.” She eyes Lewis back before looking at her watch and turning to me. “I should get going now.”

I nod. “Sure, Sam? Faith needs to go.”

I hear Katy trying to protest but she soon comes running out and tugs on her mom’s hands. “Mommy, Sammy said I can borrow the princess DVD’s!”

“Oh that’s very kind of her, did you use your manners?”

Katy nods her head enthusiastically. “Mhmm.” She notices the men standing there and narrows her eyes at Connor before they widen. “I know you.”

He bends down on one knee. “We’ve met before. How you doing, pretty lady?”

Katy giggles then looks at Hunter, studying him. “Who drew on your neck and hands? Was it Keeley? Did you draw on each other?”

I tense up, I’ve never seen Hunter with any kids other than his brother before so I don’t know how he’ll react. But he bends beside Connor and tilts his head to the side to give her better access to see.

“They’re called tattoos, special pens draw on the skin and it stays there forever. Pretty cool, huh?”

She shakes her head. “Mommy tells me off when I draw on myself.”

He laughs a hearty laugh. “Well your mommy’s right, only certain people are allowed to do that.”

Her eyes widen in wonder and I laugh at the contrast between the tiny little girl in a pink dress, standing in front of my biker clad in all black.

Faith is moving from foot to foot and seems anxious, Connor must notice because he stands up and Hunter follows.

Katy’s gaze turns to Lewis next. “You look like prince charming.”

The whole room bursts into laughter and Lewis turns bright red. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment, Princess Katy.”

He bows in front of her and she does a clumsy curtsy. The exchange is so cute even I find my womb melting.

“Okay, Katy, we need to go, sweetie,” Faith says, looking at Lewis. Her eyes turn to me. “Thanks for the coffee, it was nice to meet you all.”

I don’t even have time to reply as she grabs Katy’s hand and flits from the apartment, down the stairs. Lewis is still staring after her and I clap to snap him out of it.

“Don’t even go there, Lewis. Did you not see the ring on her finger?”

He laughs and puts up his hands. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

“Coulda fooled me,” I retort.

“So? The flooring? Don’t keep us in suspense!” Sam squeals, jumping from foot to foot.

“It’s downstairs, sweetheart,” Connor says and I pretend gag at his pet name for her.

I’m slowly starting to feel like myself again, being surrounded by people I love is good for me. I’m glad Sam forced me out of bed this morning.

Hunter comes and wraps his arms around me. “I have some good news, Lewis offered me a job at his garage.”

“No shit? That’s amazing, thanks, Lewis.”

He waves me off. “Wasn’t doing it for you, this guy is well sought after for custom bikes, it was a no brainer. Remember when you asked me why I didn’t do bike customizations?” I nod. “Well I’m thinking that with Hunters contacts and expertise, we can do it now.”

“That’s awesome, Lew. Finally going to put those talents of yours to good use.”

He smiles at me but it looks a little pained. Poor guy, turning up to a restaurant to meet Sam and I turn up, he starts to like me and he turns up to me kissing Hunter. He couldn’t catch a break in the relationship department, so it’s about time he had luck in some part of his life.

I squeeze Hunters hand and we follow everyone downstairs to look at the new flooring. We’re going all rustic with a modern twist in the new Salon. It’s going to be all aged wood and copper fixtures, with black and cream accents. It’s about time we brought some edge to this sleepy town.



Finally able to climb into bed at the end of the night after sharing pizza with friends, I feel tired but relaxed. I think back to earlier today, I wish I had asked Faith where she lived, I want to keep in touch with her. I hope she’ll come back to the salon when it re-opens.

Hunter, Connor and Lewis laid down the start of the flooring today and it’s beautiful, they did a good job picking it out. It’s a good job Connor knows what he’s doing, it was funny watching them go back and forth between each other.

Hunter’s taking a shower so I let myself have a few minutes to think about everything that’s happened over the past two weeks. My mind drifts back to my mom and Arlene.

My two mom’s.

I ache when I think of them, I really meant what I said back in the cemetery, I forgive my mom for leaving me like she did. I don’t blame her anymore, she couldn’t live with that monster around all the time. I wonder where she’s buried? I know that’s going to be something that plagues me for the rest of my life. I’ll never find out where, but that won’t stop me from having my own memorial for her.