After Kevin and I left the rooftop, we went back downstairs, where he was thrilled to find that Logan had completed his school project and was free to play their video game. As soon as he walked into the playroom and left me alone, my mind started to wander. I started to think back to seeing Sawyer with Kate, and the expression on her face as he led her into the clubhouse. I cursed myself for even thinking about it. I’d already promised myself that I wasn’t going to obsess over every little thing that happened here. It would simply drive me insane. But when I was walking down the hall and spotted Jasmine with Kate’s daughter in her arms, that promise I’d made went flying right out the window.

Trying not to sound suspicious, I asked, “Hey, Jasmine. Who you got there?”

“This is Lacie.” She smiled. “Isn’t she the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?”

“Yes. She’s adorable.” Remembering that Kate had brought her into the hospital less than a week ago with RSV, I ran my hand slowly over her precious, little head to see if she showed any signs of a fever. I was relieved when I found her skin to be cool to the touch. Hoping that she might know something, I asked, “Is she yours?”

“No. Gus just asked me to keep an eye on her for a little while.”

“So, you don’t have any idea who she belongs to?”

“He didn’t really have time to give me the kid’s full background information.” She chuckled. “You know?”

“Of course.” I smiled as I ran the tip of my finger across the bottom of Lacie’s little foot. “I’m guessing you don’t have any idea where her mother could be.”

“No. I don’t know that either.” She got a worried look. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Not at all. I just thought I might’ve recognized Lacie, but I’m sure I’ve gotten her mixed up with some other cutie pa-tootie.” I lied. “Anyway, have you seen any of the guys around?”

“No. If you ask me, I’d say they’ve got something going on.”

“How can you tell?”

“Darlin’, I’ve been around long enough that I can almost smell trouble a hundred miles away.” Her expression grew serious as she continued, “Just hold tight, and it’ll all pass before you know it. You’ll see.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best.”

“I’m going to take this little toot for a diaper change and a bottle.”

“Alright. Maybe I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

When I got back to my room, I decided it was time to check in with Robyn, but unfortunately, she was busy at work and couldn’t talk until later. Once I hung up with her, I tried calling my mother, but got no answer. I couldn’t remember the last time I actually picked up the phone to call my mother, and that’s when it hit me. Thinking about work and all the things I was missing out on had made me homesick—really homesick. Hoping it might make me feel better, I checked my missed messages and emails, and after I’d gone through them all, I wasn’t feeling much better. I turned on the TV and was relieved to find that one of my favorite movie series was on. I curled up on the bed and did my best to ignore the sounds of footsteps as they went charging past my door.

By the time I watched the last movie in the series, I could barely keep my eyes open. In hopes of seeing Sawyer, I’d tried my best to stay awake. I’d gone to the kitchen for a bite to eat, talked to Robyn for over an hour, and replied to my mother’s text messages. It was getting late, so I decided to just go on to bed. I’d just pulled the covers over me, when I heard someone knocking. Seconds later, my door eased open and Sawyer stepped inside. “You asleep?”

“No. Not yet,” I told him as I turned on the bedside lamp.

“Gonna be heading out in a bit, and I wanted to stop by to tell you goodnight.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Sorry, wildcat.” He dropped down on the edge of the bed. “I’ve got some things I’ve gotta tend to with the brothers.”

I didn’t try to hide my disappointment, when I replied, “Oh.”

“You doing alright?”

“I’m fine. Just missing you a little.”

“Just a little?” he asked playfully.

“I wouldn’t have to miss you at all if you didn’t have to go running off again, but I know you have things you need to take care of.”

“That I do.” His tone changed as he said, “But before I go, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“What about?”

Like it was no big deal at all, he answered, “When the lockdown is over, I’m thinking that I’ll get some of the guys to help move the stuff from your apartment over to my place.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Well, I didn’t figure you’d want to stay here.”

“You’re right about that,” I retorted in a rather negative tone. “But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to drop everything and move in with you.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “And why not?”

“Seriously, Sawyer. We’ve been on two dates.”

“So?”

“We’re just getting to know each other. We can’t just move in together on some whim.”

“We know each other well enough.” I could hear the aggravation in his voice when he said, “I’ve already told you … you’re the one, Kenadee. I wasn’t just blowing smoke when I said that shit to you.”

“I know that, Sawyer.” I placed the palm of my hand on his chest. “I meant what I said to you, too. We’ve got a good thing here. A really good thing, and I don’t want to mess it up by moving too fast.”

“I want you in my house and in my bed. What’s so wrong with that?” he growled.

“For one, it’s not all about you.” His back stiffened, and I could see that he wasn’t really hearing what I was saying. I leaned towards him as I continued, “I’m falling for you Sawyer Mathews. I’m falling hard, and I’m falling fast. And that scares me. This world that you live in is different from anything I’ve ever known. There are things that go on here that I just don’t understand, and I’m still trying to make sense of it all.”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact that Kate Dillion and her baby are here, and I can’t figure out why.”

“How the fuck do you know about that?”

“Because I was up on the roof with Kevin when you and the guys dragged her in here. At first, I thought you were protecting her and she was going to be under lockdown with us, but since I haven’t seen her, I can only assume that she’s here for a different reason … maybe because of her brother, Terry.”

“Fuck,” he grumbled under his breath. “You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?”

“No, I’m probably not, Sawyer. Maybe you should think about that before you start throwing around ideas like moving in together!” I snapped. “I won’t apologize for having questions and worrying about someone I care about. That’s who I am.”

“I don’t have time for this shit,” he grumbled. “I’ve gotta go.”

He stood up and as he started for the door, I called out to him softly, “Sawyer.”

“I need to go, Kenadee.”

I walked over to him. “I know you have to go, but you can’t leave here mad, not when you’re heading out into danger.”

“I’m not mad.”

“Yes, you are.” I smiled as I stepped closer to him. “I have one more thing to say … Just because you have all this crazy stuff going on and just because I don’t want to move in with you right at this very moment doesn’t mean that I don’t want you or that I don’t want a future with you. Cause I do. I really, really do.”

“So, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I just need a little time. That’s all.” I wound my arms around his neck as I added, “It’ll also give Kevin a chance to get used to the idea of us being together, too. It wouldn’t be fair to just throw all this on him.”

“You seriously gonna use my kid against me?”

“You know I’m right.”

His expression softened as he said, “Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I like it.”

I eased up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his, kissing him softly. His hands slipped around my waist, quickly pulling me closer as he took over the kiss. Just as things were about to get heated, there was a pounding on my door and Riggs shouted, “I got it done. It’s time to roll out, brother.”

Sawyer took a step back, and after kissing me on the forehead, he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” As I watched him walk out of the room, I had to fight the urge to ask him to stay. Needing to see him one more time, I rushed to the doorway and called out to him, “Sawyer?”

He and Riggs turned to look at me as he answered, “Yeah?”

“You two be careful.”

“Always, wildcat. Always.”