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“Call your dog off, Eaton.” She keeps walking, only addressing Rhett, like I’m not even here. But goddamn, I love a challenge. I turn with a loud, “Woof!” as I watch her petite frame slip into the bright light of the warm, bustling house.
“Careful, that one’s got claws,” Cade offers right as Willa shoves a pointy elbow into his ribs. I grin. “That’s okay. I like having my back scratched.”
“Winter. I’d have properly fucked you in the back room of that gas station if you’d asked me.”
“I can’t wait to see how fucking pretty you look when you come with my name on your lips.”
I don’t want to be the one-night stand who’s used to scratch an itch. I want a woman like Winter Hamilton—beautiful, and smart, and sharp-tongued—to look at me and see a future.
“I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”
“No, Winter. You’re my only baby mama.”
“Oh, my bad. I didn’t realize you were with someone.” His eyes slice over to mine, busting me. Again. “I’m not. Yet.”
“Watch your fucking tone when you’re talking to the mother of my child.”
“I’ve always liked Winter. I liked her when you told me stories about her before I met her. I liked her the first time I laid eyes on her at the shitty gas station on the corner of Rosewood and Main. I liked her when she yelled I must have a small dick.” Rhett’s face is a mix of confusion and disbelief. “And I especially like her now. I’m not sad about Vivi. The only thing I’m sad about is not being there for Winter earlier. But that’s my cross to bear. So, if you’re looking for a person to commiserate with about how awful she is, you need to find someone else.”
“I didn’t expect you to defend me.” I shake my head, a bit irritated she thinks I wouldn’t. “I’ll always defend you, Winter.”
I’m happy to take over tonight. I want to spend quality time with Vivi. That’s why I’m here. But fuck. I can’t keep pretending either. I want to spend quality time with Winter too.
I snap the photo and leave. As I stare down at the image, I rub my chest, feeling like I have heartburn just from looking at them. But I understand the body’s inner workings, so I should know better. This isn’t heartburn. It’s just me thawing out for the man lying in my daughter’s crib.
“I’m not mad at you.” Her arms cross. “I’m mad at the future.” “Don’t be. I promise you that’s not what the future holds.”
I’m trying to give you what you need. But if you think I don’t like what I see, then I’m not the one who needs his head checked.” I swipe her ponytail to the side of her neck and drop a kiss on the top of her slender shoulder. “Because your wellbeing has quickly become my number one priority.”
I feel like I could break forever, over and over again, under the worshipping hands of Theo Silva. Which is a terrifying prospect, because I’ve broken before. And no one has ever helped me pick up the pieces.
Theo Dale Silva has wormed his way into my heart, and I never stood a chance at keeping him out.
“I just remembered that he called me the morning after you two first got together. And do you know what he said to me? I shake my head. It’s all I can manage. “He said, ‘Mom, I met her.’ And I said, ‘Who?’” Loretta’s lips curve up, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “He said, ‘The woman I’m going to marry one day.’”
“You didn’t go too far. You . . .” I shake my head as I stare out the window at the darkened side streets of Chestnut Springs. “You were what I’ve always needed and never had.”
Who would love me the way he does? The answer is no one. Not a single other person would ever love me the way Theo does. No one will ever show up for me the way he has—protect me the way he has. I know it because it’s taken me thirty-one years to find someone who will.
Theo never backed down when I snarled at him. And now I’m going to return the favor. Because he and I? We’re more.
“That night we were reckless.” His voice cracks. “But god, I’d be reckless with you over and over again if it means ending up here.”
