Page 45 of Hollywood

Ruby made a loudnom-nom-nomwhile she ate that seemed to confirm his statement. We both laughed.

It was good to see Hollywood settling into the role of father. He was already a natural, focusing all his attention on her, eyes full of affection. I was a little jealous. I wanted that warm gaze on me.

I finished eating well ahead of Hollywood and cleared my plate. I rinsed it at the sink, then turned. “How about I give Ruby a bath so you can finish eating?”

Hollywood glanced at his plate, hardly touched. “That would be great. Thanks.”

I went over to Ruby and picked her up. “Ready to take a bath?”

“Bubbles!”

“Yes, we’ll have lots of bubbles,” I promised as I carried her down the hall.

I ran a warm bath and helped her undress and climb in. We washed her red hair, careful to protect her eyes from the water, then made lots of bubbles to play in.

Hollywood came to the doorway, watching us. Ruby was clean and just playing in the water by then.

“You’re so good with her,” he said wistfully.

“So are you.” I turned, locking eyes with him. “You want to take over?”

He smiled shyly. “I kind of do.”

I stood and backed up a step. “I’m here to help. Not takeover. You can tell me to take a hike if you want to do something.”

Hollywood edged into the space between me and the tub. “I don’t want you to take a hike.”

Our eyes locked.

“No?” I asked. “Even though…”

His eyebrow inched up. “Even though?”

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “I just know I kind of broke our friendship.”

“Maybe I had a hand in that too.”

“No.” I looked away. “I messed up.”

Hollywood’s long, slim fingers cupped my chin. He turned my face toward him.

“We both messed up, okay? Stop punishing yourself.”

I nodded, and his fingers slid a fraction. The tip of his thumb brushed the corner of my mouth.

I sucked in a breath, desire rushing hot to the surface.

Now was not the time. Ruby was splashing in the tub, and she’d need to be dried and dressed and put to bed.

The doorbell rang, making us both jump.

Hollywood jerked his hand away. “Sorry, I didn’t?—”

“I’ll just go answer the door.”

“Yeah.”

I rushed from the bathroom as if a wildfire raged behind me. I supposed it kind ofdid. God help me, I was falling in deep with Hollywood, and I wasn’t sure either of us knew how to navigate these woods.