Only for Us by Cristin Harber Page A

blur of blondeness. “Mommy!”
    My heart’s in my throat, and I have no idea what to do. “Cally, honey, snugglebug, hi.”
    I sit down on the couch. So does Gray. Cally grips an overly loved doll tightly in her hand, and her eyes are curiously on Grayson as she slinks onto my lap. “Hi, mama.”
    “Hi, baby,” I nervously repeat.
    She shifts her weight, hugging me, then concentrates on her doll, apparently deciding that a shirtless Grayson doesn’t deserve more than a second glance. My eyes rocket to his awestruck green ones as I watch him see his daughter for the first time.
    A lump slowly works its way down his throat. Emotional restraint is visible in his corded neck, and his hard jaw flexes. He rolls his lips together as though he’s stifling his words, and his gaze is dancing, mesmerized by the pint-sized explosion who's hugging me and holding a doll.
    His reaction is… beautiful. I didn’t know a man that sexy, that hard, maybe even that dark and wounded could personify love. But there it is. And it’s amazing.
    My heart pitter-patters, and my eyes flood, brimming with a happiness that I will remember always.
    His gaze moves from studying her to locking onto me. “Oh… my… God,” he whispers.
    My chest hitches as my breaths stall. Warmth that I can’t explain fills my blood. I nod to Gray as Cally pushes back to interrupt my gaze.
    “Aunt Chwerry gave me p’cakes.”
    Other than her brief look, Cally hasn’t acknowledged Grayson. This isn’t how I wanted an introduction to go, if there ever even was one, but now that it’s happening, I try to breathe evenly and focus on her. “Yum, pancakes. You’re having a good time?”
    Her face brightens as though she’s ready to tell a secret. “We had hot chocwolate.”
    “We have plans to go to the park,” Cherry adds, staring at Grayson with unhidden shock. “But we needed a different doll.”
    Cally shakes her doll for us all to see then turns around to take in Grayson again. They’re nearly identical, with the golden hair and the emerald eyes and even the same perfect, pink smile.
    “Hi.” She shakes her doll at him.
    Grayson shifts on the couch as though he wants to inch forward but is unsure. “Hey, sweetheart.”
    She tilts her head. “Who’s dat?”
    I cough. Or choke. “He’s my friend, snugglebug.”
    Grayson’s smile falters for a brief second, but he rebounds and nods. Cally nods back, mimicking him with a huge smile.
    “My name’s Gray.”
    “My name is Cally Kingsley.” Her proud, drawn-out cadence warms my heart, and watching her introduce herself to her daddy is the most monumental moment of my life. I’m ready to bawl, and I’m certain Grayson’s choked up. His voice sounds tight, and there’s emotion straining in his jaw and neck, even when he smiles.
    But Cally hasn’t noticed a vibe from any of the adults. “Aunt Chwerry lemme have p’cakes for bekfast. Sooo good.”
    Gray leans forward and drops more to her height, propping his elbows on his knees. “That good, huh?”
    “Sywup, too. Lots of it.” Her grin reaches ear to ear.
    And, God , so does his grin. “Yeah?”
    Cherry grumbles playfully, softening for what she surely sees as an important thing playing out before our eyes. “It was a weak moment. She’s too cute. Can’t say no to her.”
    Cally jumps off my lap and lands on the couch between Grayson and me, keeping eyes on him. “Have you been to da pwark?”
    He shakes his head. “Not this park.”
    “Like pwaying outswide?” Her little brow furrows as though she’s sizing up his answers.
    “I love playing outside.” He rolls his bottom lip into his mouth. “Guess you come by it naturally.”
    She has no idea what that means, but she agrees. “You’re weally big.” Her little head goes up and down, assessing. “You could do the mun-key bars. But you have to wear a shirt.”
    Grayson lets out a huge belly laugh. I’m hot from head to toe, absolutely sure I’m going to fall over and die