Page 94 of Irresistible

“No, she didn’t either. Why?”

She comes over and leans her head on me, her arms going around my legs. “You look like you need a hug,” she says softly, squeezing me tighter.

“Kota, you are the best thing that ever happened to me,” I tell her, the tears starting all over. “I love you so much.”

“Love you too, Mama.” She looks up at me and her lips pucker. “Why are you sad?”

“I’m just overwhelmed.”

“Over what?”

I laugh softly, smoothing her hair as she leans back into me. “Overwhelmed means I’m just feeling all the feelings. Everything seems big when you’re overwhelmed. It can be good and bad to have so many emotions going at once.”

She nods sagely, like she understands, and somehow, I think she really does. She’s my little old soul.

“Is it because of Daddy?” she asks, frowning as she turns to look at me.

I wipe my face and will the tears to stop. “Not really…well, I guess in a way, it could be a little bit. Your dad and I aren’t married anymore, and that’s probably really confusing—”

“And that’s why we don’t live with him?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that, but yes, we won’t be living with him anymore. But even though we aren’t married and living together, we both love you very much.”

“When will we see Daddy?”

“I’m not sure, baby, but remember he loves you even when he’s not here.”

I wait to see if she’ll say anything else about her dad. The tears start falling again, this time for her, since Cash hasn’t made an effort at all to have a relationship with her.

“Don’t cry, Mama,” Dakota’s voice is shaky as she sniffles too.

“Okay, I’m shaking it off. Oh, I love my girl so much.” I give her another hug. “Let’s go have fun at Grinny’s house,” I say, wiping my face again.

She leans back and nods, looking up at me with a big smile. “I love Grinny’s house.”

“Me too.” I lean down and kiss her forehead. “How about you hop in the tub real quick?”

“Are you sure I need one now?” she asks, crinkling up her nose.

“I guess we can wait until we get home. You’ll just be tired then.”

She grins and rushes off to her room, happy to get out of a bath a little while longer.

I spend extra time on my makeup, my mind obsessively looping,You’re having Wyatt’s baby.

I do my best to override the noise because I want nothing more than to stay in this happiness bubble with Wyatt a little longer.

Before he decides this it too much for him and bolts.

CHAPTERFORTY

OPEN MIND

WYATT

I thought maybe I was imagining something with Marlow earlier in the parking lot, but when she’s still not herself on the ride to Grinny’s, I know something’s up.

“Are you okay?” I ask quietly.

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