Something Real (Whiskey Men, #2)(45)

I get down on one knee and wrap my arms around both of them. Who knew that today would work out like this and I’d be holding my whole heart in my arms?

The party is a complete hit, and as we’re cleaning up and piling everything into my car, Ollie is going on and on about how it was the best birthday party ever.

“I agree it was the best birthday party ever, but now it’s time for a nap.”

Ollie is shocked. “A nap? I’m six now. I don’t nap.”

Lily laughs next to us, and Ollie grabs her hand. “Dad, can Lily come over to our house?”

I open my car door for Ollie to get in and look at Lily hopefully. “That’s up to Lily.”

She nods. “I’d love to come over.” She leans down to look through the car door. “But that depends. Are you going to call me old if I take a little nap?”

I put my hand to her back as Ollie shakes his head. “You’re not old. You can take a nap at our house.”

She raises up. “Is that okay with you, Ford?”

I lean in, and her eyes widen as I kiss her. I don’t know if she thought I was going to break it in slowly with Ollie or what, but I’m not. I want the world to know that she’s ours.

She looks at Ollie to see his reaction, and he just keeps smiling at Lily and me. I lean in and whisper to her, “Is nap code for something else?”

She puts her hand on my chest and whispers back, “As long as I’m in your arms, it can be code for whatever you want it to be.”





Lilian





I pick up the phone, knowing that it’s Ford calling me from his office. “Can I see you in my office, Lilian?”

I try to keep the smile off my face, but I can’t. “Sure thing, boss. I’ll be right there.”

I look over at our new hire, Elle, and she’s busy entering last week’s delivery numbers. She’s proven to be a good hire, and I’m so glad that Lucas took a chance on her. She’s a hard worker. “Elle, Ford needs me. I’ll be right back.”

She smiles at me. “Sure, I got the phone.” No sooner does she get the words out than she’s looking back down at her computer screen.

I grab a pad of paper and a pen off my desk and go to Ford’s office. I knock on his open door, and he waves me in.

I get into the room, and he points to the hard wood behind me. “Shut the door, please.”

My nether regions start to tingle as I shut the door. He’s sitting at his desk, looking all calm. He has his hands folded together on the desk in front of him.

I stand awkwardly, and he points to the chair that I usually sit in.

My cheeks heat, and I go to sit down. I’m here to work. I don’t know why I thought he would be calling me in here for something else. “So this week you have appointments with Axle Distributing, and then Caro Distributing is sending one of their people on Thursday. Then Friday, you go to North Carolina to meet with Mountain Moonshine. Ollie has a night game on Saturday, so you may be able to make it back in time for that.”

He’s nodding his head, but he’s not with me. He seems to have his mind on something else. “Is that it?” he asks.

I nod and then stomp down the nerves I’m feeling. This is Ford. I need to just say it. “Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about something, but it’s personal, so if you feel like this is not a good time, I can wait until tonight.”

His jaw tightens, and he encourages me with only a nod. The loving Ford from last night seems to have vanished in this suit and tie. I sit up a little taller and pull my shoulders back. “Yeah, well, I thought since you were going out of town, you could let Ollie stay with me.” I hold my hand up before he says anything. “I know that your brothers take turns watching him, but they have their own lives. If he stayed with me, I could focus on him. We could hang out, and I could make sure he’s rested for his game. I’d make sure he’s there an hour before it starts like he’s supposed to be.”

He’s watching me with no expression. He gets up from his chair and comes around to sit on the edge of his desk right in front of me. “Are you sure you want to do that? You know that you don’t have to.”

Now I’m starting to get pissed. He acts like I can’t handle it or something. “I mean if you don’t trust me or want me to hang out with Ollie then just say so—”

He pulls me out of my chair so quickly, I drop the pen and paper in my hands. My body slams against his, and he has his hands at my back, holding me flush against him. “Of course I trust you with Ollie. I want you to hang out with him. But I don’t want to force you. I don’t ever want you to feel like I’m holding you back or forcing you into something you don’t want to do. I’ve tried to give you your space.”

I let out a breath. “Is that what this is, Ford? Is that what you’ve been doing? All the hot and cold, wanting me one second and pushing me away the next?”

“I always want you. Don’t doubt that. But yeah, I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to take over your life.”

I bring my hand up and cup his cheek. “Ford, you don’t get it. You and Ollie are my life. I choose you always… and you don’t hold me back. You encourage me all the time. The camera… the classes with Aron that are scheduled this summer…” I snap my fingers. “You’re the one that encouraged me to start taking pictures at all the soccer games. People want to buy the pictures I take. They want to pay money!” I say in amazement.