Page 102 of Hollywood

“Oh, you can take me anywhere,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

Color rushed into his face again, and this time, it wasn’t embarrassment. It was a flush of arousal. I loved that I could do that to him.

The more we were together, the more my attraction to him grew. That wasn’t my usual experience when dating. But hell, I wasn’t really dating Hollywood, was I? This was something else. Something far more intimate. I was living with him, sharing a bed every night, cooking meals for him.

I wanted to be with him all the time. Even when he annoyed me by leaving breadcrumbs next to the toaster and kicking off his shoes in the middle of the room. Even when he took way too long to get ready and made me feel like a slob by comparison.

Ruby zipped down the slide and came rushing up to us. Hollywood pulled out her food. “Hungry?”

She snatched the chicken nugget he held in his hand and shoved the whole thing into her mouth.

“Smaller bites, Ruby!”

She turned to run, but I caught her arm. “Chew first, girlie.Then play.”

She made a disgruntled noise at being restrained, but she chomped and swallowed. I let go, and she was back to the races.

Hollywood shook his head. “Ridiculous girl. Her food will be cold if she keeps it up.”

“I don’t think she’ll care.”

“Probably not.” His lips curled. “God, I love that girl.”

“Yeah, me too.”

His gaze slid over to me. “Do you? She’s not your daughter. I appreciate everything you’re doing to help, but?—”

“Of course I do. I love”—both of you—“her,” I choked out.

“Sorry.” He frowned. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t. I just…” I worked my jaw, trying to pull up the words. “I’m not here out of obligation. I want to be here. You know that, right?”

He reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Yeah, I do. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

The urge to lean in and kiss him pulsed through me. I nearly did it, to hell with anyone who might be watching. What was I hiding from, anyway? The only people I knew in Riverton would be fully onboard with me being bi.

“Aw, so cute.” A mother pushing a stroller paused next to the bench. “Which one is yours?”

I tensed up. Hollywood glanced over with a smile, having no idea that I’d nearly kissed him right in front of a suburban mother. “The little redhead on the slide.”

“She’s adorable! That’s my boy over on the swings. He’s a little terror.”

Hollywood laughed with her. “They keep us on our toes.”

“They sure do.” She gestured to the stroller. “This is my little angel, Chrissy. At least until naptime. Then she’ll raise hell.”

We both laughed at that. The baby was happy under her canopy as she sucked vigorously on a pacifier. Her blue eyes were bright, and she looked around as if the world was a huge treat, every sight fascinating.

Everything was new and exciting to her. I glanced sidelong at Hollywood. He was the reason I could say I was still finding new excitement so many years later. He’d shaken me out of my stale existence into something scary but thrilling.

“How long have you two been together? You make a great couple.”

The mother’s words jolted me out of my thoughts. My gaze flew to Hollywood’s.

He gave an awkward laugh. “Oh, no, we’re just friends.”