Page 34 of Hollywood

“I’m sorry,” he said, still holding me tight. “I’m so damn sorry. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me. Hell, you might even hate me for what I did.”

I pulled back and crouched down by the tub to avoid his eyes. “I don’t hate you.”

“Not even a little?” he said, a teasing note in his voice.

I huffed. “Maybe a little.”

“So let me make it up you,” he said, sincerity ringing in his tone. “Let me stay and help for as long as you need it. The minute you don’t want me around, I’m gone. But until then, you have my word that this time I’ll stay.”

Ruby watched us with big eyes, as if she somehow realized an important decision was being made. Looking at her small, vulnerable body, the answer was easy.

Pushing Tex away would be better for my heart. But letting him stay was the right thing for Ruby. And she had to come first.

“Okay,” I said softly, looking up at him. “What’s next, then?”

“Next, we get this girl dried and dressed,” he said. “Then we take turns chasing her while she gets into everything.”

I gave an amused huff. “Sounds about right.”

“Welcome to fatherhood,” he said.

“It’s good to finally be here,” I said, smiling down at Ruby. “Scary, but really good.”

CHAPTER 8

Tex

“No!”Ruby shrieked. “I do! I do!”

She ducked away from Hollywood’s brush and raised her hands protectively over her head. She wore pink tights under a tutu with cowboy boots and giant-sized sunglasses. The whole morning had been one long battle of wills—and Ruby was winning.

“Don’t you want to look pretty to see Mommy?” Hollywood tried. “We could do your hair up to go with your tutu.”

“No! I do!”

With a groan, he let her take the brush and lightly run it over her hair—not giving it much of a brush—then proclaim “all done!”

“Figures,” Hollywood grumbled. “Of all the things she needs, hair is the one I’m actually qualified to do.”

I chuckled. “It’s a phase. She’ll grow out of it.” I raised my voice. “Hey, Ruby, can you show me how you brush your hair?”

She demonstrated. I nodded along.

“Can I try it now? I’ve never brushed such pretty hair.”

She paused, looking suspicious, but handed over the brush. I took it and ran it through her red hair, careful to hold sections so tangles wouldn’t pull. “Oh, wow. Your hair is perfect for brushing!”

“Pretty?” she checked.

“Very pretty,” I agreed.

Hollywood shook his head. “I need your magic touch.”

I raised an eyebrow, a dozen inappropriate comments springing to mind. Not that I’d say them in front of Ruby. Hell, I wasn’t sure I was ready to say them in private. Wanting Hollywood was one thing, but inviting…action was another.

Hollywood reddened, reading my expression.

“Wait, I don’t need your magic touch on me,” he blurted. “I didn’t mean that. Obviously! I justwantyour touch, because— Ugh. No. That’s not better.”