Free Holding Her Hand (Reed Brothers Book 15) by Tammy Falkner Page B

honor of their wedding, and one symbol for each of the kids.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: What were they?
    Me: A building block, a matchbox car,and a set of jack rocks, all making up the shape of a baseball diamond. The block was first base. The car was second base, and the jacks were third. The roses were home plate. They met at a baseball game.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Will you come up with something like that for me for my other arm?
    Oh, shit. I realize that I’m talking with a woman who lost her family in a fire about a tattoo I did forsomeone in a similar tragedy. I’m an asshole.
    Me: I’m so sorry. I just realized the parallel. I never should have said anything .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I’m glad you told me. It obviously affected you.
    Me: His grief was like a living, breathing thing there in the room with us .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: My mother liked to play Scrabble. My father preferred chess. And our favorite thing to do on the weekendwas go to the beach and fly kites.
    Me: I can work with that .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Thank you. And thank you for telling me about them. Grief can either make you or break you. I let it break me for a long time. Now I think I’m ready to let it make me. I hope he gets to that point too .
    Me: You’re there .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Got to go. The girls are looking at me like I’m messing up their wholeday.
    Me: TTYL
    On Thursday, I really want to see her. There’s a famous book about how to tell if a guy is into you. I’m definitely into her. I can’t stop thinking about her. I want to talk to her. I want to hear about her day. I want to know how she’s feeling. I particularly want to know how she’s feeling about me.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: What’s the dress code for your mom’s party?
    Me: Dress code?

    Lark McCapSnatcher: What will everyone be wearing?
    Me: If I tell you nothing, will you show up wearing nothing?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I’ll show up and kick you in the balls. How’s that?
    Me (instinctively putting out a hand to protect my nuts): It’s casual. A cookout. So you can wear something cookout-ery.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Cookout-ery. Okay. Will your brother be there?
    Me: Why do you ask?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Because there’s safety in numbers. And I already met him.
    Me: No need to be afraid. They’re harmless .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Said the spider to the fly. I have to go. Studio time .
    Me: TTYL
    On Friday, I text her to find out what she’s doing.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Girls’ night. My sisters and the Reed wives .
    Me: Where?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I’m not allowed to say, or the Reedboys will show up to claim their women like cavemen on steroids. They’re all together at Paul’s. You should go join them.
    Me: Who is watching the kids?
    The Reeds have a million and one children now.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: The kids are with the men .
    Me: Then hell no. I’ll pass .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: The kids are adorable .
    Me: Maybe when there’s only one. But they have fifty or a thousand of them .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Do you want kids?
    Me: Never thought about it .
    Silence.
    Me: Until I met you .
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I want kids. Someday. A little girl so I can coach her softball team. Or a boy who will love books the way I do. Or they could switch up those gender roles. I wouldn’t care .
    Me: Are we going to get to have another date anytime soon?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I think we’re pastthat. Got to go .
    Me: TTYL .
    Three hours later, I get a text from her.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Are you aware that I’ve never actually had sex?
    Me: What?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I’m like totally a virgin .
    Me: Okay…
    Lark McCapSnatcher: But now that I took off my gloves, all I can think about is taking off the rest of my clothes. With you .
    Me (My dick goes hard.): Are you drunk?
    Lark McCapSnatcher: Very.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: And horny.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: My sister is taking my phone away. TTYL!
    Wow. That’s all I can say. Wow.
    Friday morning, she texts me again.
    Lark McCapSnatcher: I’m