38. Walker
Chapter thirty-eight
Walker
Our official first date may not be for a few more days, but when I called her yesterday after The Susurro was arrested, I just had to see her as soon as possible. Sitting on the floor in a dark room as a sound machine drowns out the noise from downstairs may not have been the way I imagined ringing in the New Year, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now. Her family has been welcoming, and they feel a lot like home to me, especially the trash talking between the brothers. Vivan mentioned before that Trent was never interested in having a close relationship with her siblings. The more I learn about the guy, the more I’m convinced he was a fucking moron.
I lower my lips to Vivian’s ear, in part to be quiet as Eloise falls asleep, and in part just to be closer to her. “Did you make any resolutions for the New Year?”
“No, but I chose a word for the year, something I want more of in my life and for Eloise.”
“What’s the word?”
“It’s simple but I want more joy in our lives. This last year was … unfathomable and I think we’re due some joy. Although, there have definitely been some unexpected moments of happiness, especially in the last three or four months.” She leans in to bump me a little with her shoulder as emphasis and I make a vow right then and there that I will do everything in my power to make this new year overwhelmingly joyful for the two of them. It’s a selfish pr omise really because I know I will get to see Vivian’s beautiful smile in the process, so it’s a win-win. I glance at my watch and see we have two minutes left in the year.
“What about you? Are you a resolutions guy?”
“Not necessarily, but I have some big plans for the year.”
“Oh yeah? What are they?”
“You’ll have to wait and see, Viv. But it’s going to be good, I promise.” I lean closer as we faintly hear the countdown to midnight from downstairs. Just before they reach one, I lean in and cradle her jaw with my hand as I lift her face so I can press my lips to hers in a searing kiss. She’s so responsive and a small whimper escapes her as I pull back just slightly, pressing our foreheads together. “Happy New Year, baby,” I whisper into the dark.
“Happy New Year, Special Agent Man.”
It will be. There will be so much happy for my two girls if I have anything to say about it.