Juniper Hill (The Edens #2)(47)

“When was that?”

“A couple years ago. It was my most peaceful day.” Because not long after, I’d met Oliver. And he’d brought chaos to my life.

“I haven’t been to the beach in ages.” Knox took the empty bottle from Drake and set it on the end table. Then he shifted my son over his shoulder, patting his back. “Okay, what’s the next best?”

“The day I moved into my townhouse in the city.” Another best day tainted.

I’d hoped to buy the townhouse from my parents. The location had been fantastic, just a short walk to some of my favorite restaurants. There’d been a coffee shop three blocks away. Its only rival for a vanilla latte was Lyla’s. The townhouse’s interior I’d decorated exactly to my style, classy and chic and comfortable.

I gave Knox a sad smile. “I really loved that place.”

“Is that why your dad took it away?”

“Probably.”

My father had wanted his way. And like he had our entire lives, he kept his children in line by taking away the things we loved.

“Sorry, honey. Gotta say . . . I’m not cool with your dad.”

“I’m not cool with him either.”

When I’d first told Knox about my family, I hadn’t wanted them to seem ugly. But as the days passed, as Knox interacted with Eloise or Anne popped into the hotel to check on her kids, I began to see my parents’ true colors. Black and lifeless and empty.

Drake let out a burp so loud it filled the room. I blurted out a laugh, so did Knox, and then Drake cooed a sleepy yawn before passing out.

“So what was your fifth-best day?”

“I just told you. The townhouse day.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “So today was your second-best day?”

“Yeah.”

“You said top five. But it was number two?”

Without question.

He’d brought me my favorite coffee. He’d visited me all morning for kiss after kiss. Knox had made me feel special. Wanted. After he’d talked to Lester, he’d come to tell me first. And then tonight . . . Maybe I was giving away too much. Old Memphis would have played it differently. But I wasn’t playing. Not anymore.

“It was a really good day,” I said.

So why wasn’t he smiling?

Silence stretched through the room like the darkness and the night beyond the windows. A chill crept along my skin as Knox stared straight ahead, sitting motionless and giving nothing away.

Had he not liked today? He’d probably had countless best days. This one probably paled in comparison to the memorable days in his life. Maybe he thought my ranking good and bad times was silly.

Not for me.

When you lived with sharks, you marked the days when a life raft came floating your way.

“What did I say wrong?”

“Nothing.” Knox stood and carried Drake to the guest room.

I followed, hovering by the door as he laid the baby in his crib. My stomach knotted as Knox turned and acted as though he’d walk straight past me. But as his chest brushed my shoulder, he snagged my hand and towed me through the house.

He dropped my hand when we stepped into his bedroom and rubbed his palm over his jaw. “Today was your second-best day.”

“Well . . . yeah. What’s wrong with that?”

He shook his head. “It was just a normal day, honey.”

“Maybe for you.” I lifted a shoulder. “My normal days aren’t like this.”

“That’s . . .” Knox paced at the foot of the bed, stepping over the shirt he hadn’t put on. “That’s not right. And fuck, it hurts. It hurts me for you.”

“Why? What is wrong with today being a best day?”

“Because today was normal.” He threw up a hand. “Just a normal, good day. You worked. I worked. We came home. That’s it.”

“But it was a best because of you.”

“Memphis.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “You honor me.”

“It’s just the truth.”

He strode toward me, taking my face in his hands. “Then here’s another truth. I’m going to take them. I’m going to take all of your bests. Every damn one until you can’t keep track of the top five anymore because there are so many bests that you’ll need a hundred to capture them all.”

“Promise?” I whispered.

“I swear it.”





CHAPTER FOURTEEN





KNOX





I was three steps down the hallway when the sight in my favorite chair stopped me midstride.

Memphis had Drake on her knee, holding him up by the armpits. She leaned in and blew a kiss on his neck, making him giggle. When he laughed, she laughed. When her eyes twinkled, his did the same. He had her eyes, chocolate brown flecked with gold.

The pair of them were in their own little world in that chair.

Memphis had rolled out of bed when he’d started making noises this morning. I’d rushed through a shower but now I saw the error of my ways. I should have been right here, watching from the sidelines because goddamn it, that was a view.

Nothing beyond my windows would ever compare.

Memphis pulled in an exaggerated breath, then kissed him again, earning another laugh. A big laugh for such a small person.