Free Forever Us by Sandi Lynn Page A

date.”
    “ Just relax and be yourself. Call me tomorrow and let me know how it went .”
    Just as I hit the send button, Connor came walking into the kitchen and took Julia from me.
    “Let me finish feeding her. I missed her today.”
    Connor sat down in the chair and couldn’t stop smiling at Julia as he held the bottle in her mouth.
    “Cassidy just texted me, and she’s going on a date with Ben tonight.”
    “What? Are you serious?” he growled.
    “Yes, I’m serious, and what’s your problem? Your sister deserves to be happy.”
    He sighed. “Don’t get me wrong. I want nothing more than for Cassidy to find the man of her dreams that will come in and sweep her off her feet and make her happy, but I’m afraid she’ll get hurt because of Camden.”
    “Because of Camden? Why?” I asked.
    “Because of his autism. It’s going to take a pretty special guy to get involved with my sister under those circumstances. Not a lot of guys want to jump into a relationship like that.”
    “Maybe Ben is that special guy.” I smiled as I got up from the chair and grabbed the diaper bag.
    “Doubt it.”
    I sighed as I looked over at Connor. “Are you still being pissy because I said he was hot?”
    He wouldn’t look at me and he had a smirk on his face. “You’re lucky you’re holding Julia, because if you weren’t—”
    “If I weren’t, then what, Ellery?”
    “Oh, nothing.” I smiled as I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room to get Julia’s blanket.
    Before I knew it, Connor had followed me. He laid Julia down on her blanket, which was on the floor and looked at me.
    “If I weren’t ... what?” He smiled as he began moving towards me.
    I started to back up as I bit down on my bottom lip. Once again, his look, his walk, his whole demeanor—I knew all too well. I ran up the stairs, but before I could make it, Connor grabbed me from behind and carried me back down.
    “Now, tell me again what you were going to do to me if I wasn’t holding Julia?” he whispered in a sexy voice that sent shivers down my spine.
    His grip on me was tight, and he wouldn’t let me go. I didn’t want him to let me go. When he held me, I felt safe from the world and all my worries disappeared. He put me down, but continued to hold me from behind. I could tell he didn’t want to let go as he buried his face into my neck. Finally, I broke the silence.
    “Everything’s going to be okay, baby,” I whispered as I freed my arm and brought my hand to the back of his head.

Chapter 15
Connor
     
    I held onto Ellery, and Julia started to fuss on the floor. I removed her hand from the back of my head and placed her palm against my lips.
    “Let’s get Julia packed up and ready to go,” I said.
    As I walked over and picked her up, Ellery got the diaper bag ready. I put Julia in the car seat and we stepped onto the elevator. We dropped Julia off with Mason and Landon and headed out for dinner.
    “Where do you want to go for dinner?” I asked.
    “The Shake Shack,” she replied.
    I looked at her as I twisted my face. “The what, what?”
    “The Shake Shack, silly! We can get burgers and shakes, plus it’s right by Jack’s Tattoo Parlor.”
    “It sounds dirty and greasy.”
    Ellery laughed as she cocked her head at me. “You’re so adorable. Now, let’s go. I’m hungry.”
    I sighed and we headed to the Shake Shack. As I sat there, eating my grilled chicken sandwich, Ellery shoved her burger in my face.
    “Here, taste this. It’s the best burger in the world.”
    “No thanks. It looks greasy and disgusting,” I said.
    “Suit yourself, Mr. Black. I remember a time when you would taste anything I shoved in your face.”
    I sat there and stared at her as she ate her burger and fries. I was mesmerized by how adorable she was, eating that burger full of grease. I couldn’t resist her, so I gave in.
    “Bring it here, and let me taste it,” I said as I held out my hand.
    A smile spread across her face. The