"Hatch can."
"Baby girl, I can’t," he said.
"Why not?" she demanded as tears welled up in her eyes. I felt Hatch at my back and leaned against him.
"Baby girl, Grace is not—"
"Club business," she interrupted. "You said that."
"What exactly does that an?" I asked.
"I don’t really know," Poppy admitted. "But sohow we’re club business but she’s not."
"I’ll explain another ti," Hatch said.
"Look, we can’t do anything about Grace, love."
"But she’s scared."
"Fuck ," Hatch whispered for my ears only.
I stared at Poppy. "You’re really serious, aren’t you?"
Alison had never threatened her kids and there had never been any indication that she would harm one of them, but Poppy seed genuinely concerned, so I took notice.
"Yes, Mum. This isn’t like the ti she and I did our drama pact to get matching iPhones, I promise."
"I’ll call Jax and see if he can do anything," Hatch said.
"Is he the FBI man?" Poppy asked.
"Yes."
"Okay, thanks, Hatch." Poppy smiled as she turned and walked away.
I faced Hatch and groaned. "Don’t let her strong arm you into anything you don’t feel comfortable doing."
"She’s not. I already asked Jaxon to see if he could find sothing. If he does, he may have so sway over child protective services or getting her in with family."
I sighed. "I need to watch out for you, huh?"
"Can’t get anything by ," he said. "Keep that in mind."
"I’d never try to get anything by you," I retorted. "Keep that in mind."
"Love that, Sunshine."
I stared up at him. "I don’t think it’s a good idea for Poppy to think she can manipulate you, though."
"Baby, let her have this one. She’s been dealt a shit sandwich. We can work on her attitude at a future ti, but for now, just let her do her thing and once the trial is over, you’re fully healed, and we’re in a normal schedule with whatever we’re doin’ relationship-wise, we can lower the hamr. She needs to feel like she’s in control of sothing. I’m fine with her "controlling" for the mont."
I poked at his chest. "Do not let her hear you say that."
"Okay, baby." Hatch chuckled. "She’s worried about her friend and if we can help, we will. From what you’ve told , it’s not always a good situation, so if Jax can step in, he will."
"Okay." I hugged him tighter. "Did you thank him for his help today?"
"Why would I?"
I frowned up at him. "Really?"
"Babe, just drop it. He and I know where we stand."
"Well, then if I write him a thank you note, will you deliver it?"
He dropped his head back and swore.
"Hatch."
He continued to mutter to the ceiling.
"Will you deliver the note?" I pressed.
"Yeah, Sunshine, I’ll deliver it."
"Thanks." I kissed him again and he smiled.
"Let’s figure out what I’m cookin’ for dinner."
"You’re going to cook for us?" I asked, my stomach rumbling.
"Unless you want to make your brother go grab take-out."
"Is it too soon in this relationship to tell you I love you?" As soon as I said it, I gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth. "Sorry. That was really dumb."
Hatch’s arms ca gently around and he kissed my forehead. "Don’t do that, Maisie. Don’t censor your thoughts. Nothing you say is dumb."
"It’s the Vicodin."
"Okay, baby, it’s the Vicodin."
But it wasn’t the Vicodin and I knew it as I settled my cheek against his chest. I was falling in love with him. Maybe it was too soon to confirm that earnestly out loud, but this man, this man who dropped everything to take care of and my daughter when he hardly knew , was everything to , and the thought of him not being near even for a night bothered . If that wasn’t love, I didn’t know what was.
"You could always show how to make one of those jam things," I said to his chest.
"PB&J?"
I nodded.
"So you liked it?"
I grinned.
"So all that drama before was just ball bustin’?" he accused.
"I really had never had one before," I said. "But I couldn’t very well tell you I loved it right off the bat, could I? You would have won."
"What exactly would I have won, Sunshine?"
"I don’t know. Sothing."
"You’re a fuckin’ nut, baby."
"Guilty," I agreed, kissing him gently.
"Did you and Cricket coordinate tomorrow?" Hatch asked, breaking our mont.
"Yes." I pulled away. "She’s going to be here at ten."
"I’ll swing by and pick up Poppy at the normal ti, then give you the day."
I followed him out to the family room. "That works."
He smiled at over his shoulder. "You can call , you know."
"Oh, stop. I will survive without you for one night, Connor Wallace."
We walked into the family room to find Beckett with his laptop settled in front of him and Poppy sitting cross-legged on the sofa watching television.
"Howork status?" I asked.
"Done," she said.
"Great," I said. "Let have a look at it while you help Hatch with dinner."
"Do you need a third?" Beckett asked.
My mouth dropped open. "Since when do you do anything dostic?"
He set his computer aside and rose to his feet. "You’ve been gone a long ti, big sister. Lots of things have changed."
My heart hurt. "Direct hit, Becks."
He frowned. "Sorry, Sausage. I didn’t an for that to be a dig."
"Poppy, why don’t you grab your howork and take it out to the island for your mom?" Hatch suggested, and ushered Poppy out of the room.
Hatch and Poppy left the room and I slid into my brother’s hug. "I’ve been really slack in keeping you in the loop."
"Yeah, you have," he confird. "I miss you, Maisie."
"I miss you, too. I’ll be better, I promise."
"You need to co ho," he whispered. "Not forever, but for a little while. It’s like Niall died and you disappeared, physically and emotionally."
I sighed. "I know."
"Lecture over, Saus. Love you."
"I love you too." I smiled up at him. "I really do."
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