Page 232 of Bishop

“I feel like this is a private moment…” Remy says awkwardly. “Should I take Till to get some ice cream?”

“Ice cream?” My daughter jumps to her feet and runs for her uncle. “We get ice cream?”

Bishop ignores the commotion, his eyes not leaving mine. “I told you the stipulations of me moving back here. Are you saying you’re ready to concede?”

“What I’m saying is that I want you to move in.”

“But you know my terms,” he counters. “We’ve gone over this. If I return, I’m never leaving. You’ll be my wife. We’ll become a family. Are you ready for that?”

No. I’m not ready. I’m not sure I ever will be. I’m still petrified I’m not good enough. That Bishop will finally realize I’m severely used merchandise and regret being stuck with me.

But there’s no denying how the three of us fit together perfectly.

All our damaged, broken pieces join to create a remarkably happy picture. One I could never turn my back on.

“Ice cream,” Tilly begs. “Pease, Unkie Remy,”

Remy clears his throat. “Can someone give me a heads-up to what I should be doing here? Am I leaving with the princess or do I keep standing here like a—”

“I’ll move in tonight.” Bishop grips my waist tighter. “We’ll get married tomorrow.”

My stomach fills with butterflies. My chest, too. “We’re not getting married tomorrow.”

“Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream,” Tilly singsongs.

“Why?” Bishop leans in, his mouth a bare breath from mine. “Tilly is already excited.”

I scoff. “She’s excited for ice cream.”

“This feels really awkward,” Remy mutters. “You two are talking marriage and I’m standing here like a spare dick.”

“Ice cream.” Tilly grabs her uncle’s hand and twirls like a ballerina. “Pease, ice cream.”

“Marriage doesn’t happen overnight, Bishop.” I rake my teeth over my bottom lip, nervous energy filling my limbs. “There’s paperwork and hoops to jump through.”

“Is that a challenge?” he counters.

“Okay, we’re leaving.” Remy leads Tilly to the door. “We’ll be back in twenty, even though past experience dictates the big guy needs less than five to seal the deal.”

“Get the hell out of here, Costa, before I destroy you.” Bishop leans in, his nose nuzzling mine as the front door opens.

“Tilly, wait.” I pull away and turn toward my daughter as she stops and glances over her shoulder.

My chest is on fire at how she acknowledges her name. It’s not the first time, but it’s becoming more and more common. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

I crouch and open my arms wide. She giggles and rushes me, her face bright with happiness as she returns for a quick hug.

“Make sure Uncle Remy buys you two scoops, okay?” My heart thuds with pride. “Sprinkles, too.”

My eyes burn as she nods and wiggles to escape my embrace, then impatiently scrambles back to her uncle. I stand, my insides all gooey and warm as her little hand takes his.

“Two scoops it is.” Remy leads her into the hall, closing the door behind them.

The latch has barely clicked shut before Bishop’s hand is on my chin, dragging my gaze back to his. “Are you done barking orders?”

I scowl. “I do not bark orders.”

“Well, you sure as shit don’t follow commands, otherwise we’d be married already.”

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