Page 21 of Resorting to Romance

“Okay.” Brad lets out a breath. “I want to … I would like …” He runs his hand through his hair, looks at me, and then focuses back on Mila. “I want to get to know Noah.”

The sentence hangs in the air. Mila stiffens in my arms and I instinctively give her side a squeeze.

“You want …” Her voice trails off.

“I know. I know.”

Brad’s face looks contrite. I’ll give him that.

“I really was hoping we could sit somewhere to discuss all of this. I have this whole speech … Not a speech. Just words. I planned to explain myself. Not that there’s any excuse. Mila.”

He says her name, looking at her like he could dredge up whatever they shared in the past, as if that shared history could erase his absence throughout her pregnancy and the years she’s raised their son without him.

“There’s no excuse.” Mila’s voice is colder than I’ve ever heard it. Detached, but solid.

“I know. I was young and foolish and determined. And angry. If I could take it back, I would. And I should have come sooner. I’ve wanted to. But I told myself I lost my chance. I chose to walk away. Why would you let me back?” Brad shakes his head and looks off toward the picket fence and down the street leading toward the inn.

I almost pity him for a moment, but then I feel every point of contact between me and Mila. I feel the way she’s leaning on me, the way she’s barely holding herself up right now.

“I don’t know, Brad. This is a blindside,” Mila tells him.

“I know,” he admits.

“Give me … time.” She pauses and looks up at me. “I need to think about everything.”

“I have more to say,” Brad offers. “If it will help. I’m not here to interfere in your life. Noah doesn’t have to know I’m his dad at first. I’ll play by your rules, Mila. I just want a chance.”

The man is begging. His previous strength when he challenged my role in Mila’s life has shrunk like a deflating balloon.

“I’ll think about it. I don’t know. I can’t make any promises right now,” Mila tells Brad.

He nods.

“You should go. Noah’s inside. I don’t want him to meet you until I have time to think this over.”

“Do you have a number where we can reach you?” I ask.

Brad looks at me, his face reflecting the awareness that he’s not dealing with Mila alone. I won’t keep carrying on as if we’re dating after today, but I will support her. She’s not alone in this, and I won’t let Brad have an inkling of a thought that she is. Not unless she tells me that’s what she wants. Then I’ll back down and leave her to this. But only if she’s the one telling me to.

Brad pulls a card out of his wallet and hands it in our direction. I take it, sending an unspoken message. I hand the card to Mila and she smiles up at me.

“Okay. Well. I’ll be going. I’m staying at the Alicante overnight if you need to reach me. I’ll take the ferry back to Ventura in the morning.”

“Okay,” Mila says.

Brad turns and walks down the steps and out to the street. My arm remains securely looped around Mila until he’s at least a half block away. Then I drop it and she turns to face me.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt at the same time as Mila says, “Thank you.”

Then she starts laughing. I look down the road. Brad is no longer in sight.

Mila laughs and laughs. I stand back, arms folded across mychest, watching her as the adrenaline mixed with the absurdity of my claim wash over her in waves.

Between gulps of air, she says, “Oh my gosh! Kai! My boyfriend!”

“I know.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I just saw your face … and him … and I don’t know what happened.”

She chuckles, wiping a tear from her eye. “Well, you saved me, as usual.”

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