Page 90 of Allegiance

He wished.

Stalking wouldn’t get his heart handed to him like this would. Being this close to her, and knowing that he royally fucked it up…

That stung.

He loved her.

He couldn’t believe it happened so fast, but when she left three months ago, he missed her.

Eve’s scent.

Her smile.

Her sarcasm and Marine antics.

Seeing her again brought it all back, and was a reminder that he was the odd man out—out of her life.

“Again, no. I was getting a coffee, and walking through Jackson Square and saw you standing here in all black. I would have come up to you, but let’s face it. We didn’t say goodbye on good terms. I didn’t want to get punched in the balls in a public street.”

Ehhh, that was probably for the best. When he told her to ‘have a good life’, she’d wanted to do just that.

“You didn’t say goodbye on good terms. I begged you to tell me to stay. For the record, I would have. I would have stayed on that team, and I would have stayed by your side. I believe it was all you when you told me ‘to have a good life’ and let me go.”

Ouch.

Well, never let it be said a Marine and woman wouldn’t call your shit out because this one certainly was.

And he didn’t blame her.

Dakota kept fighting for her.

He kept showing up, even knowing he didn’t have a leg to stand on.

“I’m not here to fight. I just want to help you. I’m good with tools,” he said. “I’ll put the crib together, and then you won’t have to. That’s all. No strings attached. I promise.”

Eve was smart enough to know that she needed help. When Jinx had the furniture sent to her, a gift from her and Rogue, she never said she’d have to build it.

Maybe letting him help wouldn’t be horrible.

She went back into the house, and he fully expected the door to be slammed in his face. He did kind of deserve it. He’d been a douchebag to her.

When she turned, he held his breath.

“Come on in. The crib is in the nursery, and I don’t know where to begin. Thank you for the help.”

He didn’t want her thanks.

He wanted to go back and redo everything. He wanted to tell her to stay.

Instead of saying shit, he followed her inside, surprised he was even being invited in. Not far into the house, they found Violet sitting at a big piano, eating berries as she was practicing.

When she glanced over, she smiled.

“Thanks for the snack.”

“Do you play the piano?” he asked, trying to make small talk that wouldn’t get him kicked out or killed.

“I’m learning to play,” Violet said. “Mom said she wishes she learned. It’s kinda fun. I’m not really good at it yet.”

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