Page 39 of Like You Love Me

“Yes. So, take the money and go,” she spat impatiently. “What are you waiting on. Take it, dammit!”

Collin raised his hands, surrendering, and shook his head. “I don’t want your money. Don’t you understand? That’s why I sent the $10,000. This is not about money; this is about me being in my daughter’s life.”

She studied him, stunned, and still holding out the check Collin had yet to take from her. “Come on, just take the money and go away.”

“I don’t want your money, Bianca. I don’t want any of the Beaumont money. All I want is to be in her life. That’s all I ask of you. If I have to reach in my checkbook and write you another check, then so be it.”

An awkward silence hung in the air for several long seconds. Memories flashed through her mind of Collin trying to blackmail her and exploit the truth about her unborn child. She told herself there was no way somebody like that could change, but the longer she looked at him, the more she saw he was different. Mature. More serious about life.

“Why?” she asked, folding her arms beneath her breasts.

Collin released a shaky breath to say. “Because she’s mine. I was stupid. I don’t know what I was thinking. I know I made a lot of mistakes. I deceived you. I tried to blackmail you, and it wasn’t fair. None of it,” he added and dragged a hand down the length of his face. “I can understand if you hate me for the rest of your life, but please don’t shut me out. Give me a chance to show you I have changed and can be a good father.”

“But she has a father! She’s had one all her life. And he’s good to her just like he’s good to me.”

“And I feel relieved knowing she’s had somebody like London Brown in her life. But now it’s my turn. I want to get to know my daughter. I want her to get to know me and my wife and my other children. I want a chance to matter to her because she matters to me.”

She was so thrown off by his response all she could do was stare.

“I screwed up, Bianca. But please find it in your heart. If I have to talk to London myself and apologize, I will.”

“Don’t! I will talk to him.”

An inkling of a smile tipped the corner of his mouth. “Does that mean you’re going to let me see my daughter?”

“It means I’m going to think about it and talk to my husband,” she grumbled darkly. Even as she said those words, Bianca had a sick feeling in her stomach.

Collin was quiet and stared at her for several seconds before he finally nodded as he said, “For now, I guess that’s all I can ask. It’s better than you saying no.”

“There are no guarantees. I’m just saying I will talk to my husband,” she said, emphasizing that she was married to someone other than him.

“I appreciate that. More than you’ll know. I’ll wait to hear from you.” He rose from the chair.

“But you must promise me that you won’t tell my daughter anything about you. Give me a chance. Give my husband and I a chance to discuss it first.”

“I’ll give you time, but I’m not going to wait forever. I owe you that much. But I won’t keep waiting.”

Nodding, Bianca stood up as well. “I’ll be in touch.”

Collin looked hopeful as he nodded.

Bianca followed him out of the office. As she stepped out onto the shop floor, she noticed Jaden standing in line. She tried to duck behind the counter, but it was too late. Her brother had spotted her.

“Thank you, and I’ll be waiting for your call,” Collin said and headed toward the exit. Bianca watched how Jaden’s eyes followed him curiously before shifting back in her direction. She slowly walked away, hoping to escape to the office, but Jaden got out of line and followed her.

“Who was that?” he said behind her.

She didn’t bother to answer as she stepped inside and dropped into the seat.

“Squirt, who was that?” he repeated.

“He was nobody.”

“It was somebody because I could tell by the panic in your eyes when you saw me, and I can see the worry lines on your forehead. So, give it up. Who was that?”

Bianca groaned inwardly. Her brother was so persistent. “If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anybody.”

She stared at him and was sure her eyes were pleading with him to understand before Jaden said, “I won’t say anything.”

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