Page 78 of Coming Up Roses

After what feels like an eternity of pacing and tears, I stand, causing her to run smack into my chest on her return trip. However, instead of pushing me away, she wraps her arms around my neck and burrows her head into my chest. “Y–you mean that?”

“With all my heart, darlin’. I can’t think of a thing on this earth that would mean more to me.”

“You realize you’re one of a kind, Cash Carson?” she sniffles and wipes her tears on my sleeve. “A dream come true.”

“As long as I have you, I don’t need to dream, because you’re more than I could ever ask for.” Bending low, I scoop her into my arms. “Which way to your room?”

She directs me, and I set off up the stairs. I push open her door and set her down. “Get undressed, Myla.”

“Undressed?”

“Yup,” I tell her, popping the ‘P’ as I make my way into her bathroom.

I set to work drawing her a bath but come to a dead stop when she steps into the room. She’s completely bare and completely breathtaking. Goddamn. This may not be the first time I’ve seen her body, but with it constantly growing and changing, every time is like the first time, and I fucking love it . . . her.

Wordlessly, she makes her way to me, and I help her step into the tub. “You relax, darlin’, and I’ll start dinner, yeah?”

“Yeah, babe. No way am I gonna argue with that.” I step out of the bathroom and rifle through her clothes for her phone. Finding it, I bring it to her. “What’s that for?” she asks with a sweet smile.

“Just thought you might wanna tell Azalea the news.”

“Well, you’ve just thought of everything, huh?”

She laughs but takes her phone from me, and not even two seconds later, it trills out her text tone. Her gaze grows hazy and distant as it beeps again. And again.

“Everything okay?”

“Uh . . . yeah, yes. Everything is f–fine.” I can tell she’s lying from the wobble in her voice, but I don’t call her on it. We’ve both had an emotional day, and with all the resolve I’m capable of, I turn and head out to the kitchen to whip us up some dinner.

Even if it kills me, I have to trust that if those texts were important, she’d tell me. Especially after today.

---